11 Effective Home Remedies To Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain

sciatica

Alternate names :: Sciatic nerve, Lumbago, Sciatic nerve dysfunction and Sciatica nerve.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a serious disease of the nervous system. It is a neuritic condition of the sciatica nerve It refers to a severe pain running down the course of the sciatic nerve, which supplies sensation to the back of the leg and foot. It is a pain along the large sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg.

Sciatica is nerve pain arising from the sciatic nerve. It can be produced by pressure on the nerve, where it passes through the buttock. Sciatica can be brought on by sitting on a hard seat. When your leg goes to sleep, that is also a form of sciatica.The sciatica nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It has branches in the thigh muscles, the knee joints, and down into the muscles of the legs and feet. This nerve begins in the lower part of the back and passes down behind the thigh. It is more exposed to injury and inflammation than most other nerves. Sciatica nerve pain is a relatively common form of low back pain and leg pain.

Sciatica Symptoms

The patient of sciatica feels severe pain in the buttock which may radiate down the posterior aspect of the thigh and calf to the outer border of the foot. In severe cases, he may feel weakness of the calf muscles or foot drop. Sometimes the pain is so severe that the patient cannot stand and is crippled. In the case of a ruptured disc, the pain is often aggravated by coughing, sneezing, bending forward, or straining at the stool. Often the pain disappears with bed rest, only to return days or weeks later after some slight injury or extra exertion. Common symptoms od sciatica nerve pain includes :

  • Lower leg or foot pain.
  • Difficulty in moving the leg or foot.
  • Low back pain.
  • Loss of power to the muscles of the leg and foot.
  • Hot pain in the buttock.

Sciatica Causes

Sciatica may be caused by any type of injury to the spine, because of compression of the sciatica nerve at its roots. Any infection or toxic material near the area of the nerve may result in this disease. But in most cases, the trouble is due either to a ruptured disc or else osteo arthritis of the lower spine. Other causes include pregnancy, tumors of the pelvis, deformities of the lower spine and exposures to cold and damp. The sciatica nerve may even be injured by walking, running, or riding a bicycle. Prolonged standing, or sitting on one side of the edge of a chair may also lead to this disease.

There are various causes for low back pain. These range from congenital factors, like a defect in the curvature of the spine, that makes weight bearing not a healthy physiological function, but exerting stress on the spine, giving rise to a persistent backache. The common causes are direct trauma (often due to an injection into the buttocks), prolonged external pressure on the nerve, and pressure on the nerve from nearby body structures.

Home Remedies for Sciatica

  1. Use an ice pack on muscles that are in spasm. The ice makes the muscle get numb, and it releases the spasm. Helps to get relief from sciatica pain.
  2. Resting the back by not bending, flexing or lifting heavy weights.
  3. Stand and bring both your arms behind your back, clasping your hands. Keeping your hands together, begin to slowly bend from the waist going as far down as you can. You’ll feel the stretch in your lower back and legs.
  4. Sleeping on a mattress that is neither too soft, nor too hard.
  5. Garlic milk can be prepared both in cooked and uncooked states. In raw state uncooked form is more powerful. This milk is prepared by adding the pulp of the crushed garlic in uncooked buffalo milk. The proportion is four cloves to 110 ml of milk. Another method is to boil the garlic milk.
  6. Ergonomic furniture, such as chairs with lumbar support.
  7. Take 2-4 tablespoons of mustard oil. Heat it. Fry 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic and a spoonful of pounded omum seeds in it. Cool it to a bearable temperature. Filter and use it to massage a painful joint. Helps to get relief from sciatica nerve pain.
  8. The warm pulp of the aloe leaf soothes joint pains. It has an awful smell, hence some people prefer less smelly remedies.
  9. Nutmeg is another effective remedy for sciatica. A nutmeg should be coarsely powdered and fired in gingelly oil until all the particles become brown. This oil can be applied beneficially on the affected parts as a pain reliever.
  10. The use of lemon is beneficial in the treatment of sciatica. It is a sour in taste, but its reaction in the body is alkaline and as such it is valuable in rheumatic affections, including sciatica. A sufficient intake of lemon juice prevents the deposit of uric acid in the tissues.
  11. The herb chamomile is valuable in sciatica. Its extracted oil, diluted in vegetable oil should be rubbed on the affected parts. A compress of chamomile flowers can be also be used beneficially to treat the sciatica nerve pain.

Useful References

Schizophrenia: Types, Symptoms And Home Remedies

Schizophrenia

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it impossible to differentiate between what is imagined and what is real. Just as other mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis. Schizophrenia appears to be a failure of the brain’s chemical or electrical systems to function properly, resulting in a variety of unusual neural twists, such as disjointed ideas, confused or disconnected thoughts, and sounds or other sensations experienced as real when they exist only in the person’s mind.

Schizophrenia Signs and Symptoms

The characteristic symptoms include disordered thinking, speech, and perception; a lack of curiosity; diminishing emotional contact with others; lethargy; emotional changes such as tension and/ or depression; and more dramatic behavioral disturbances, ranging from catatonia to violent outbursts and delusions. People with schizophrenia lose, to some degree, their hold on reality, and many seem to withdraw into their own worlds. Hallucinations are not uncommon.

There are four basic types of schizophrenia:

  • Catatonic schizophrenia is characterized by unusual rigid postures, lack of movement, or frenzied movement.
  • Disorganized schizophrenia, which used to be called hebephrenic schizophrenia, is characterized by a lack of the normal range of emotions along with speech that displays a disorganized way of thinking.
  • Paranoid schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinatory and delusional symptoms.
  • Undifferentiated schizophrenia involves a mixture of symptoms.

Schizophrenia Causes

While the onset of the disorder is often related to a stressful life event, the underlying cause or causes of schizophrenia are not known. There are many theories, however. Some researchers believe that schizophrenia is hereditary, and there is evidence that some cases of schizophrenia are the result of an inherited defect in body chemistry in which brain chemicals called neurotransmitters function abnormally. Others theorize that schizophrenia results from external factors, such as complications during birth, head injury, a reaction to a virus, including the influenza virus, or environmental poisons that reach and damage the brain. There is a high incidence of childhood head injuries and birth complications among people with schizophrenia. A wide range of drugs also can cause schizophrenic type symptoms.

Yet another theory focuses on nutritional factors. There is some indication that schizophrenia may be associated with high copper levels in body tissues. When copper levels are too high, the levels of vitamin C and zinc in the body drop. A zinc deficiency may result in damage to the pineal area of the brain, which normally contains high levels of zinc, which in turn may make an individual vulnerable to schizophrenia or other psychoses. Evidence indicates that male babies are particularly susceptible to gestational zinc deficiencies. Other clues come from the seasonality of the disorder. The incidence of schizophrenic episodes tends to peak in cold-weather months, when zinc intake tends to be lower. As many as 2 million Americans suffer from schizophrenia. In general, men appear to become more disabled by this condition than women, which has given rise to a hypothesis that the hormone estrogen may protect the brain. When women reach the age of diminishing estrogens in their late forties, the incidence and severity of schizophrenic episodes appears to increase.

Magnesium deficiency may also be a factor. Some research has shown that magnesium levels in the blood of people with active schizophrenia are lower than normal and that the levels are higher in persons whose schizophrenia is in remission. It has been hypothesized that a type of vicious cycle may be at work here; the high level of stress experienced by those with severe psychiatric disorders may lead to magnesium deficiency, which in turn would exacerbate symptoms such as anxiety, fear, hallucinations, weakness, and physical complaints

Childhood-onset schizophrenia begins after the age of 5 and, in most cases, after relatively normal development. Childhood schizophrenia is rare and can be difficult to differentiate from other pervasive developmental disorders of childhood, such as autism .

Home Remedies For Schizophrenia

  1. Ginkgo biloba improves brain function and cerebral circulation, and enhances memory.
  2. Kava kava and passionflower are good for relief of stress and depression.
  3. Eat a high-fiber diet including plenty of fresh raw vegetables and quality protein, and try eating more frequent small meals rather than three larger ones each day. This helps to keep blood sugar levels stable, which in turn has a stabilizing influence on mood and behavior.
  4. Powder the seeds of 2 green cardamoms. Add to 1 cup of boiling water, add sugar and drink this tea 2 times a day. Helps to cure schizophrenia.
  5. Some patients with schizophrenia have been found to have low blood levels of magnesium. Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) should be tried in levels just under that which will cause diarrhea. For most people that means 1 to 3 teaspoons per day. Start with the lower dose. It can be obtained from a drug store without prescription.
  6. Tea made of Indian basil (tulsi) and sage. Use 1/4 teaspoon tulsi and 1/2 teaspoon of sage per cup of hot water; drink twice a day. Helps to cure schizophrenia.
  7. Include the following in your diet: breast of chicken or turkey, brewer’s yeast, halibut, peas, sunflower seeds, and tuna. Also eat foods rich in niacin, such as broccoli, carrots corn, eggs, fish, potatoes, tomatoes, and whole wheat.

Useful References

Parkinson’s Disease Home Remedies

Parkinson's Disease

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease, also known as Paralysis agitans or shaking palsy, is serious chronic disease of the nervous system. It is characterized by stiffness of muscles and a continuous tremor or shake. It is a disease of the extra-pyramidal system. Parkinson’s disease is results from the degeneration of dopamine producing nerve cells in the brain, specifically in the substantia nigra and the locus coeruleus. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that stimulates motor neurons, those nerve cells that control the muscles. When dopamine production is depleted, the motor system nerves are unable to control movement and coordination.

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

The description of the disease originally given by Dr. James Parkinson of Shored itch in 1817 is as follows: ‘Involuntary tremulous motion, which lessened muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported, with a propensity to bend the trunk forwards, and to pass from a walking to a running pace, the senses and intellect being uninjured’. The patient shows a combination of tremor of the limbs and muscular stiffness. These tremors are more noticeable when the patient is at rest, and tend to disappear when he attempts to move or when he is asleep. The tremors are more pronounced, when he is excited or fatigued.

Older patients occasionally exhibit involuntary rapid jerking movements of their arms and legs. In a less extreme form the condition presents as purposeless mastication and lip smacking movements. The condition is embarrassing both to the patient and his relatives, but; is not associated with mental impairment and rarely causes severe incapacity.

Later, there may be impairment of speech, and the patient may complain of cramping pains in the back because of muscle spasm. His mind usually remains clear, and his other sensations are normal. In many cases, the patient may have only a mild form of Parkinson’s disease and continue this way for many years before any serious symptoms develop. In severe and advanced cases, however, the patient is not able to move, and presents a distressing spectacle, for his mind may be uninjured while he cannot speak or write. Some of the common sign and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease includes :

  • Slowness in voluntary movement such as standing up, walking, and sitting down.
  • Poor Balance – happens because of the loss of reflexes that help posture.
  • Tremors.
  • Excessive sweating or salivation.
  • Rigidity or stiffness in the muscles.
  • Other symptoms include slurred speech, slowness of thought etc.

Parkinson’s Disease Causes

The brain changes that lead to parkinsonism are not fully understood. It, however, appears that they involve the nerve cells containing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. These cells, called substantia nigra, are concentrated in the part of the brain called the basal ganglia. As the cells deteriorate, production of dopamine a chemical that carries messages within the brain falls, and the result is the characteristic symptoms.

Parkinson’s disease may follow severe attacks of encephalitis or some type of poisoning, such as carbon monoxide. In older patients, this type of palsy may be due to hardening of the arteries in certain vessels leading to the brain. In most cases, however, the disease begins to show itself in later middle age, and is considered to be a consequence of ‘degeneration’, particularly in the basal ganglia.

Parkinson’s disease may also result from deficiency of antioxidant Vitamin E earlier in life. According to Dr Lawrence Golbe, M.D., a neurologist at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, too little Vitamin E foods earlier in life may somehow leave the brain vulnerable to the onset of Parkinson’s years later. In most cases the cause of Parkinson’s disease, is unknown.

Home Remedies for Parkinson’s Disease

  1. Use of GNC Vitamin E, Capsules in daily life is considered beneficial in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
  2. Take larkspur about 20 grams in 4 cups of boiling water, do not drink more than 3 cups a day, a mouthful at a time.
  3. Lady’s slipper is good for tremors, especially in debilitated conditions; it clears depression.
  4. Practice bending, stretching, and breathing exercises.
  5. Work out the Calisthenics exercise.
  6. Sesame seeds and sesame seed butter can be taken with beneficial results.

Useful References

Neuritis – Causes, Symptoms And Home Remedies

neuritis

What is neuritis?

Neuritis is one of the serious nervous disorders. It refers to an inflammation of the nerves, involving a single nerve or a series of nerves. At times, several different groups of nerves in various parts of the body may be involved. This condition is known as polyneuritis. It is also known as polyneuropathy, for strictly speaking, the condition is not an inflammation, but a change in the state of the nerves resulting in weakness, loss of .the reflexes and changes of sensation.

Neuritis Symptoms

The main symptoms of neuritis are tingling, burning, and stabbing pains in the affected nerves. In severe cases, there may be numbness and loss of sensation and paralysis of the nearby muscles. Thus a temporary paralysis of the face may result from changes in the facial nerve on the affected side.

During the acute stage of this condition, the patient may not be able to close the eyes due to loss of normal tone and strength by the muscles on the affected side of the face. Neuritis may also be caused by pernicious anemia, involving the nerves of the spine. The patient with this condition may find it very difficult to walk in the dark.

Neuritis Causes

The chief cause of neuritis is chronic acidosis, that is, excessive acid condition of the blood and other body fluids. All the body fluids should be alkaline in their reaction, but when the acid waste matter is continuously formed in the tissues over a long period due to a faulty diet, it results in acidosis. Wrong habits of living, overwork, etc., lower the tone of the nervous system and contribute towards neuritis. This disease can also result from a variety of nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disturbances such as faulty calcium metabolism, deficiencies of several vitamin B like B12. B6. B1. pantothenic acid and B2 and general toxemia.

Other causes of neuritis include a blow, a penetrating injury a bad bruise or heavy pressure over a nerve trunk and dislocation and fractures of the bones. Any violent muscular activity or over-extension of the joint as in sprains may injure the nerves and cause neuritis. The condition may also result from certain infections such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, leprosy and diabetes mellitus, poisoning with insecticides, mercury, lead, arsenic and alcohol .

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Home remedies for Neuritis

1. Soya bean Milk

The most important among the home remedies in the treatment of neuritis is soya bean milk. A cup of this milk, mixed with a teaspoon of honey, should be taken every night It tones up the nervous system due to its rich concentration of lecithin, vitamin BI’ and glutamic acid. Soya bean milk is prepared by soaking the beans in water for about twelve hours. The skin of the beans is then removed and after a thorough wash, they are turned into a fine paste in a grinding machine. The paste is mixed with water, three times its quantity. The milk is then boiled on a slow fire, and stirred frequently. After it becomes a little cooler, it should be strained through a cheese cloth and sugar added to it

2. Barley brew

Barley brew is another effective remedy for neuritis. It is prepared by boiling quarter of a cup of pearled barley grain in half a cup of water. When the water has boiled down to about one-quarter, it should be strained carefully. For better results, it should be mixed with half a glass of buttermilk and the juice of half a lime.

3. Carrots and Spinach

Raw carrots and spinach have proved valuable in neuritis as both these vegetables are rich in elements, the deficiency of which leads to this disease. The quickest and must effective way in which the body can obtain and assimilate these elements is by drinking at least half a litre of the combined raw juices of carrot and spinach – 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice – daily.

4. Orange Flowers

The use of orange flowers has also been found useful in neuritis. The water distilled from these flowers is a stimulating and refreshing drink, and should be taken regularly by the patient The finest quality is one distilled from the petals of the bitter orange. Eating fresh orange flowers with honey is also an effective tonic for the nerves and valuable in treating neuritis, and about ten grams should be eaten daily.

5. Vitamin B 

All vitamins of the B group are valuable in neuritis. A combination of vitamins BI, B2, B6, B12, and pantothenic acid have proved to be of immense help in this disease, in fact, extreme pain, weakness, and numbness, in some cases, have been relieved within an hour.

Useful References

8 Natural Cure For Narcolepsy

narcolepsy

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a rare neurological disorder that may affect as many as 250,000 Americans. At various times throughout the day, people with narcolepsy experience fleeting urges to sleep. If the urge becomes overwhelming, individuals will fall asleep for periods lasting from a few seconds to several minutes.

Narcolepsy Causes

Research continues to seek out the root cause of narcolepsy. Currently, the general consensus is that genetics accompanied by an environmental trigger of some sort-a virus, for example- may affect brain chemicals and contribute to the narcolepsy disorder.

Narcolepsy Signs and Symptoms

There are four classic symptoms that define this syndrome: sleep attacks, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic (sleep-related) hallucinations. A person with narcolepsy may experience any or all of these classic phenomena.

  1. Sleep Attacks :- The best known symptom of narcolepsy is the sleep attack. A person with narcolepsy can suddenly fall into a sleep state with almost no warning whatsoever. Sleep attacks can occur at any time, even in mid-conversation, as many as ten times a day (even more, in some cases). These periods of sleep usually last only a matter of minutes, but in some cases sleep can continue for an hour or more. Afterwards, the person may feel refreshed, yet he or she may fall asleep again in a few minutes.
    While the sleep that results from narcolepsy looks like ordinary sleep, researchers have found at least one key difference. Normal sleep is a cyclical process that alternates between periods of rapid-eye-movement (REM) and non­rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep. During the NREM part of the cycle, the entire body slows down-pulse, breathing, blood pressure, and brain wave activity are all lowered. When the REM cycle begins, the body remains asleep, but the brain becomes significantly active; brain waves as recorded by an electroencephalograph (EEG) more closely resemble those of the waking brain. It is during REM sleep that most dreaming occurs.
    In healthy individuals, sleep begins with the NREM phase. After sixty minutes or so of NREM sleep, REM sleep begins. A short time later, the entire cycle begins again. In a narcoleptic sleep attack, in contrast, researchers have found that REM sleep begins almost instantly, with no introductory NREM sleep. The precise significance of this is not yet understood, but it does provide a useful diagnostic tool as well as a clue for researchers to pursue in trying to understand this mysterious disorder.
  2. Cataplexy :- The second classic symptom of narcolepsy is cataplexy. This is a type of paralysis that ‘Usually occurs in response to some type of heightened emotion, such as anger, fear, or excitement. The individual does not lose consciousness, but experiences a sudden and temporary loss of muscle tone. Often, only the legs and/ or arms are affected. These episodes normally last less than a minute, and they seem to be most likely to occur if the person is surprised in some way.
  3. Sleep paralysis is the third classic symptom of narcolepsy. Just as you are falling asleep, or as you are beginning to awaken, you try to move or say something but find that you cannot, even though you are fully conscious. This lasts for only a second or two, but it can be frightening, especially the first time it happens. These episodes usually end either on their own or when someone touches or speaks to you. Many doctors feel that sleep paralysis is similar to cataplexy and to the state that accompanies REM sleep, in which motor activity is inhibited even though the brain is active. This phenomenon is not strictly limited to people with narcolepsy; many otherwise healthy people may experience it occasionally.
  4. Hypnagogic (sleep-related) hallucinations :- Like sleep paralysis, sleep-related hallucinations-medically termed hypnagogic phenomena-usually occur just prior to sleep, or sometimes upon awakening. The affected individual may hear sounds that aren’t there and/ or see illusions. These visual and auditory illusions are very vivid. This phenomenon also can occur in individuals who do not suffer from narcolepsy, particularly in children.

Because the symptoms of narcolepsy vary from individual to individual (it is estimated that only 10 percent of people with narcolepsy experience all four of the classic symptoms), this disorder is frequently misdiagnosed. Further compounding the problem is the fact that other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, also can produce spells of marked daytime drowsiness. Narcolepsy is not a particularly dangerous problem, unless one experiences a sleep attack while operating a motor vehicle or other machinery. It can, however, be embarrassing and extremely inconvenient.

The cause or causes of this disorder are unknown, but brain infection, head trauma, or brain tumors may be behind some cases. It is known that narcolepsy is almost never the result of insomnia or sleep deprivation. There is currently no cure for this disorder, so the focus must be on treating the symptoms

Home Remedies for Narcolepsy

  1. Ginkgo biloba improves circulation to the brain and is a powerful antioxidant for protecting cells.
  2. Ephedra, gotu kola, and St. John’s wort boost energy levels and possess antioxidant properties as well.
  3. Include in the diet foods rich in the amino acid tyrosine. Good choices include eggs, oats, poultry, and wheat germ. Caution: If you are taking an MAO inhibitor drug, avoid foods containing tyrosine, as drug and dietary interactions can cause a sudden, dangerous rise in blood pressure. Discuss food and medicine limitations thoroughly with your health care provider or a qualified dietitian.
  4. Napping can rejuvenate you when you have lost sleep. Take up to a forty-five-minute nap in the early afternoon.
  5. Eat a low-fat diet high in cleansing foods such as leafy green vegetables and sea vegetables. Also eat foods high in the B vitamins, such as brewer’s yeast and brown rice.
  6. Vitamin B complex 100 mg of each major B vitamins boost metabolism and are essential for increased B vitamin daily energy levels and normal brain function. Twice daily.
  7. Eat foods high in protein (meats, poultry, cheese, nuts, seeds, and soy products) in the middle of the day, and save the complex carbohydrates (fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, natural whole grains, and pasta) for the evening meal. High-protein foods increase alertness, whereas carbohydrates have a calming effect and can promote sleepiness.
  8. Medication such as Modafinil, Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) etc can be very helpful for treating the symptoms of narcolepsy. Consult with your doctor before talking such medication.

Useful References

5 Multiple Sclerosis Home Remedies To Help Symptoms

Multiple Sclerosis

Alternative name : Ms

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a baffling and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is a chronic, progressive and demyelinating disease. It destroys the covering or insulating material around the nervous fibres, known as myeline.

The central nervous system is the nerve centre of the body. It is usually defined as the brain and spinal cord. It is linked with most nerve systems in the body, and some nerve from it continue on into parts of the body outside the brain and spinal cord. It is a wonderfully efficient system. With the help of other nerve systems, it is constantly at work, transmitting message into and out of the brain and spinal cord to and from all parts of the body 24 hours a day, even during sleep. Even the simplest action may involve scores of messages to different muscle fibres. In multiple sclerosis, these messages do not travel through the central nervous system properly and are slowed, distorted or, in some cases, blocked completely due to damage to the nerve tissue.

The disease is called multiple because many parts of the brain and spinal card are affected. It is called sclerosis because the disease involves ‘sclerosed’ or hardened tissue in damaged areas of the brain and spinal cord. The disease usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 50 years, but can also occur before 20 or after 50 years. It is, however, not found for the first time in persons over 55 years, or before adolescence. Women are slightly more affected by this disease than men.

Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary greatly from person to person. Typical pattern is short period of acute symptoms, followed by an easing or disappearance of symptoms for weeks, months or even years. Some persons have mild attacks that never return. Common initial symptoms may include extreme fatigue, loss of balance and coordination, numbness and weakness of limbs, eye trouble, speech difficulties, and loss of bladder control. The patient may experience one, several or all of these symptoms, depending on the location and extent of damage to the nerve tissue. Some of the common symptoms for multiple sclerosis includes :

Multiple Sclerosis Causes

Multiple sclerosis is a mystery in many ways. Medical science has not as yet been able to identify the cause of multiple scelerosis. Scientists have ascribed three probable causes for the onset of this disease. The most important of these is the viral attack. When viruses enter the body, they multiply rapidly inside the body cells. Most viruses cause symptoms quickly. Certain slow acting viruses also reappear later, causing new symptoms. Other slow acting viruses stay inside the body for months or years before triggering illness.

The second probable cause is related to immune reaction. Our bodies have a built in defense system which destroys viruses and bacteria. The defense system can backfire and start attacking the body’s own cells. This is called an auto immune reaction. Multiple sclerosis might involve an auto immune reaction in which the body attacks its own tissues.

The third possible cause of multiple sclerosis is the combination of both viruses and immune reaction. When viruses invade the body, they take over body cells. The body defense system might become confused because some viruses take over parts of cells, and it might attack both host cells and virus.

The most important factors which might precipitate multiple sclerosis are exposure to cold, mental distress, over exertion, some acute disease, an actual lesion of the central nervous system of traumatic or other nature and some specific febrile disease. There is evidence to suggest that multiple sclerosis patients tend to have experienced, on average, up to three times the unwanted stressful events in their lives within two years prior to the onset of their first symptoms compared with average number of patients with other disease.

Home remedies for Multiple Sclerosis

  1. Vitamin supplementation is vital in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Large doses of thiamine or B1, niacin or B3 and pyridoxine or B6 can be used with success. Vitamin F and Vitamin E are also specific. Cortisone products may give temporary relief, but may not affect the general course of the disease.
  2. Aerobic or endurance exercises improve cardiovascular fitness, help control weight, improve overall function and may reduce inflammation in some joints.
  3. The patient should avoid overwork and fatigue. Weakened muscles should be given a massage, and all the joints should be put through their normal range of motion every day. This will also help spastic muscles.
  4. Best vegetables for multiple sclerosis are carrot, cabbage, radish, cucumber, red beet and tomato. Liquid whey contains erotic acid which has been shown to be of special value in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. When raw cottage cheese is made at home, liquid whey should not be thrown away but used for drinks.
  5. Attempts should be made to avoid fatigue, stress, physical deterioration, temperature extremes, and illness to reduce factors that may trigger to multiple sclerosis.

Useful References

Insomnia

aromatherapy for insomnia

Alternative names : Sleeplessness, Melatonin.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia or sleeplessness has assumed alarming proportions in present times, especially among the upper classes in urban areas. This is evident from the wide range of medication for this condition prescribed by physicians and sold by chemists. Instances of persons taking an overdose of sleeping pills with fatal results are quite frequent. Insomnia deprives a person of mental rest and thereby interferes with his activities in the daytime. It constitutes a severe health hazard when it becomes a habit.

Sleep is a periodic state of rest for the body which is absolutely essential for its efficient functioning. Sleep gives relief from tension, rests the brain and body and a person wakes up in the morning fresh and relaxed after sleep. The amount of sleep, however, varies within very wide limits from individual to individual. Normally, seven to eight hours of sleep every night is adequate for most people. Some, however, do well with four to five hours because their sleep is deeper and more refreshing.

Insomnia is common among the elderly for a variety of reasons. The sleep of the elderly is often punctuated by brief periods of wakefulness during the night. In such cases it is the quality rather than the quantity which is most affected. With age, there is a gradual reduction of periods of deep sleep. The older person, therefore, gets roused easier. Sleep requirements also diminish with ageing. From nine hours of sleep per night at the age of 12 the average sleep needs decrease to eight hours at the age of 20, seven hours at 40, six and a half hours at 60 and six hours at 80.

Insomnia Causes

The most common cause of sleeplessness is mental tension brought about by anxiety, worries, overwork and over excitement. Suppressed feelings of resentment, anger and bitterness may also cause insomnia. Constipation, dyspepsia, over eating at night, excessive intake of tea or coffee and going to bed hungry are among the other causes. Smoking is another unsuspected cause of insomnia as it irritates the nervous system, especially the nerves of the digestive system. Often, worrying about falling asleep is enough to keep one awake.

Insomnia Symptoms

The signs of pathological insomnia are dramatic changes in the duration and quality of sleep, persistent changes in sleep patterns, lapses of memory and lack of concentration during the day. Other symptoms are emotional instability, loss of coordination, confusion and a lingering feeling of indifference. Some the common symptoms of insomnia includes:

  • Amnesia or difficulty with memory.
  • Poor concentration and focus.
  • Depression and mental illnesses.

Home Remedies for Insomnia

Some of the common and best home remedy for the treatment of insomnia are as under:

1. Thiamine

The various food elements, thiamine or vitamin B. is of special significance in the treatment of insomnia. It is vital for strong, healthy nerves. A body starved of thiamine over a long period will be unable to relax and fall asleep naturally. Valuable sources of this vitamin are whole grain cereals, pulses, and nuts.

2. Lettuce

Lettuce

Lettuce is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia as it contains a sleep inducing substance, called ‘lectucarium’. The juice of this plant has been likened in effect to the sedative action of opium without the accompanying excitement Lettuce seeds taken in a decoction are also useful in insomnia. One tablespoon of seeds should be boiled in half a litre of water, till it is reduced by one-third.

3. Milk

Milk is very valuable in insomnia. A glass of milk, sweetened with honey, should be taken every night before going to bed in treating this condition. It acts as a tonic and a tranquilizer. Massaging the milk over the soles of the feet has also been found effective.

4. Curd

Curd

Curd is also useful in insomnia. The patient should take plenty of curd and massage it on the head. This will induce sleep.

5. Bottle Gourd

Bottle gourd

The mixture of bottle gourd juice and sesame oil in a 50:50 ratio acts as an effective medicine for insomnia. It should be massaged over the scalp every night. The cooked leaves of bottle gourd taken as a vegetable are also beneficial in the treatment of insomnia.

6. Aniseed

Aniseed

A tea made from aniseed is valuable in insomnia. This tea is prepared by boiling about 375 ml of water in a vessel and adding a teaspoon of aniseed. The water should be covered with a lid and allowed to simmer for fifteen minutes. It should then be strained and drunk hot or warm. The tea may be sweetened with honey, and hot milk may also be added to it. This tea should be taken after meals or before going to bed.

7. Honey

Honey

Honey is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia. It has a hypnotic action and induces a sound sleep. It should be taken with water, before going to bed, in doses of two teaspoons in a large cup of water. Babies generally fall asleep after taking honey.

8. Rauwolfia

The herb rauwolfia is a valuable medicine for insomnia because of its indisputable efficacy as a sedative. The hypnotic action of the drug appears to have been known since ancient times. The very first dose of rauwolfia will enable a patient with a phlegmatic and gouty nature to go to sleep. The powder of the root in a quantity of 0.25 gm to 0.5 gm should be mixed with some scented. substance like cardamom and given to the patient. The patient will have a sound sleep during the entire night. If the disease is chronic, the patient should take 0.25 gm twice a day, in the morning as well as at night before retiring.

Prevention Tips

  1. Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening.
  2. Exercise regularly, but do so at least three hours before bed-time.
  3. Consider your sleep environment. Make it as pleasant, comfortable, dark and quiet as you can.

Useful References

 

Natural Cures for Hysteria Disorder

Hysteria

What is Hysteria?

Hysteria is a mental and nervous disorder arising from intense anxiety. It is characterized by a lack of control over acts and emotions and by sudden conclusive seizures and emotional outbursts. Hysteria often results from repressed mental conflict.
Hysteria appears in both sexes, but is far more common in young women of the age group between 14 and 25 years because of their natural sensitivity. In many cases Hysteria tends to occur around the period of adolescence and becomes less frequent after the age of 25. It is uncommon after the age of forty-five years.

Hysteria Facts and Information

Hysteria is an ancient disorder. The term is derived from the Greek word hystron, meaning uterus. The diagnosis dates back to ancient Greek medicine, according to which a variety of symptoms was attributed to a wandering of the womb through the body. The recorded history of the diagnosis of Hysteria begin in ancient Egypt with the Kahnus Papyrus dating from about 1900 BC, which enumerates a series of morbid states attributable to displacement of the uterus. In the Middle Ages hysteria was associated with ideas of demoniacal possession, witchcraft and religious fanaticism. Later it came to be solely related to the female sex.

Osler, an eminent psychiatrist defines hysteria as “a disorder chiefly of young women, in which emotional states control the body, leading to perversion of mental, sensory, motor and secretory functions. ”

Hysteria Symptoms

A wide range of symptom of Hysteria are regarded as hysterical The onset of hysterical attacks may be sudden, provoked especially by strong feelings or may be heralded over a period of several hours by periodontal features. The main symptoms of Hysteria include –

  • inappropriate elation or sadness,
  • crying without cause,
  • almost conclusive laughter,
  • deep sighing, cramps in the limbs,
  • mild rumblings in the belly and sense of constriction in the throat.

The symptoms of hysteria are of two degrees. In the first degree, the patient may feel heaviness in the limbs, more severe cramps, strong feeling of ascending abdominal constriction, continual sighing’s, difficulty in breathing, constriction in the chest, palpitations, feeling of a foreign body lodged in the throat, swelling of the neck and of the jugular veins, suffocation, headache, clenched teeth, generalized and voluntary tensing of muscles of locomotion. The patient remains conscious during paroxysms. The convulsions are usually milder and occur more often during the bending and extending of limbs.

In the second degree, additional symptoms, besides the preceding ones, are noticeable and these may include wild and painful cries, incomplete loss of consciousness, enormously swollen neck, violent and tumultuous heart beats, involuntary locomotor muscle contraction, frightening generalized convulsions, violent movement and frequent spitting. Sometimes the patient jumps about on his or her bed and at other times adopt almost tetanic postures. The attack may last several hours. There may be prompt return of consciousness immediately after the convulsions.

The psychical symptoms include a weakness of the will, a craving for love and sympathy and a tendency to emotional instability. Hysterical people tend to react too readily to suggestion and through this suggestibility they are swayed greatly by their surroundings. The morbid exaggerated moods lead to impulsive conduct which may often seem irrational. Such people are liable to be much misunderstood and misjudged. At times there may be much absent-mindedness and loss of memory about events or for definite periods. If this mental dissociation is severe, one may deve10p hysterical wandering attacks, a state of double consciousness or dual personality.

Hysterical trances may last for days or weeks. Here the patient seems to be in a deep sleep, but the muscles are not usually relaxed. In the most severe instance of this, the heart’s action and breathing may be scarcely apparent that death may be suspected and the person buried alive. Somnambulism or sleep walking and catalepsy, where limbs remain in any position in which they are placed, are other hysterical states.

Hysteria Causes

The most common causes of hysteria are sexual excess, or sexual repression, perverted habits of thought and idleness. Heredity plays an important part in its causation. A nervous family, taint and faulty emotional training, when young, are predisposing causes of hysteria. The emotional shocks may have been caused by mental or physical factors such as mental strain, stress, fear, worry, depression, traumatism, masturbation and prolonged sickness.

Hysteria is an extremely complex mental phenomenon which may take varying forms. In certain types the disorder may result from some situation to which one is unable to adapt oneself such as marriage, engagement, position of responsibility, the death of relations or loss of love. Factors involving the sexual life in some way are frequently present.

A number of studies have indicated a possible connection between hysterical symptoms and organic brain disease. A patient with epilepsy has often been found to get hysterical attacks. Drug intoxication is another organic brain disease closely associated with hysteria.

Home Remedies For Hysteria

Hysteria is curable in nearly all cases. Since the causes of hysteria are both physical and mental, treatment should be directed toward both the body and the mind. Regard for one’s physical welfare is of primary importance. A healthy, well-functioning body is best able to keep the reasoning mind in control of the total organism.

The measures and treatment of Hysteria on the physical side should include a well ordered hygienic mode of living, a nutritious and bland diet, adequate mental and physical rest, daily exercise , agreeable, occupation, fresh air, regular hours of eating and sleeping, regulation of the bowels and wholesome companionship with others.

On the mental plane, the patient should be taught self-control and educated in positive thinking. Her mind must be, by some means, drawn away from herself. Proper sex education should be given immediately, especially as regards sublimation of sexual desire or normal sexual indulgence for the married patient. Some the natural home remedies for the treatment of hysteria.

1. Jambul

Jambul Fruit

Jambul fruit, known asjamun in the vernacular, is considered an effective home remedy for hysteria. Three kg’s of this fruit and a handful of salt should be put in a jug filled with water. The jug should be kept in the sun for a week. Women suffering from hysteria should take 300 grams of these fruits on an empty stomach and also drink a cup of water from the jug. The day she starts this treatment, 3 kg’s. more of these fruits together with a handful of salt should be put in another jug filled with water, so that when the contents of the first jug are finished, contents of the other may be ready for use. This treatment should be continued for two weeks.

2. Honey

Honey

Honey is regarded as another effective remedy for hysteria. Two of the main causes of hysteria are irregularity of the menstrual cycle and insanity. Honey is invaluable for both these conditions. It causes good bleeding during the cycle, cleans the’ uterus, tones up the brain and the uterine musculature and keeps the body temperature at a normal level. It is advisable to use honey regularly and increase the quantity after the fits start. It will bring down body temperature thus preventing further fits.

Prevention Tips

Most hysteria patients are considerably run down and the milk diet will help build better blood and nourish the nerves. If the full milk diet is not convenient, a diet of milk and fruits may be adopted. The patient, may, therefore, gradually embark upon a well balanced diet of seeds, nuts and grains. Vegetables and fruits. The patient of hysteria should avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, tobacco, white sugar and white flour and products made from them.

Useful References

6 Depression Home Remedies Worth Trying

depression

What is depression ?

Depression is the most prevalent of all the emotional disorders. This may vary from feelings of slight sadness to utter misery and dejection. It brings together a variety of physical and psychological symptoms which together constitute a syndrome. Each year over 17 million American adults experience a period of clinical depression.

Depression is the most unpleasant experience a person can endure. It is far more difficult to cope with than a physical ailment. The growing complexities of modern life and the resultant crisis, as well as mental stress and strain in day to day living, usually leads to this disorder. It also arises out of the monotony and drudgery of a daily routine, without any meaningful variation in urban life. Suicide is the major risk in extreme cases of depression.

Impact of Depression:-

  • Adversely affects the lives of families and friends.
  • Disrupts the lives of millions of people.
  • Reduces work productivity and absenteeism.
  • Causes tremendous emotional pain.

What are the symptoms of depression ?

The symptoms of depression may vary from person to person, and also depend on the severity of the depression. Depression causes changes in thinking, feeling, behavior, and physical well-being.

It is not always easy to diagnose depression clinically. The most striking symptoms of depression are feelings of acute sense of loss and inexplicable sadness, loss of energy and loss of interest. The patient usually feels tired and lacks interest in the world around him. Sleep disturbance is frequent. Usually the patient wakes up depressed at 4 or 5 in the morning and is unable to return to sleep. Other disturbed sleep patterns are difficulty in getting off to sleep on going to bed at night, nightmares and repeated waking from midnight onwards.

Some of the common symptoms of depression includes :-

  • A change in appetite causing weight loss or gain
  • Sadness
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Aches and pains (such as recurrent headaches)
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Crying easily or crying for no reason
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Types of depression are :-

  • Hypomania depression
  • Agitated depression
  • Cyclothymia depression
  • Major Depression
  • Dysthymic Disorder
  • Neurasthenia depression
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Manic Depressive Disorder
  • Postpartum Depression

What are the causes of Depression ?

Depleted functioning of the adrenal glands is one of the main causes of mental depression. Irregular diet habits cause digestive problems and lead to the assimilation of fats.

The excessive and indiscriminate use of drugs also leads to faulty assimilation of vitamins and minerals by the body and ultimately causes depression. The use of aspirin leads to deficiencies of vitamin C and antacids can cause deficiencies of calcium and vitamin B. Diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and weakness of the liver resulting from the use of refined or processed foods, fried foods and an excessive intake of fats may also lead to depression

Some of the more common factors involved in depression are :-

  • Family history. Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations.
  • Trauma and stress. Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.
  • Physical conditions. Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.
  • Pessimistic personality. People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by low-level depression (called dysthymia).

Video

Home remedies for Depression

  1. Steep 1/2 ounce each of finely chopped poplar bark and gentian root in two pints of water for fifteen minutes. Boil and add 1/2ounce each of agrimony and centaury. Simmer for ten minutes, cool, and strain. You can add honey for sweetener if you desire. Take three or four tablespoons before meals.
  2. Take a tablespoon amla juice with 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg powder three times a day.
  3. Mix equal parts of kava, lemon balm, valerian root and St. John’s wort. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of herb mix. Drink 1 cup three times daily, one hour after meals.
  4. Drink tea with 1/4 teaspoon powdered cardamom seeds.
  5. Crush cloves and add to sage, camomile or peppermint tea and a dash of ginseng powder to lift mild depression.
  6. Take one teaspoon tincture of Saint-John’s-wort leaf and ½ teaspoon tinctures of licorice root, ginseng root, lemon balm leaf and ashwaganda leaf (if available). Combine ingredients (if you do not or cannot drink alcohol, buy glycerine instead of tinctures). Take 1 dropper ful 3 times a day.

Prevention Tips

  1. Using mind or body techniques, such as bio feedback, meditation, and tai chi, are effective ways to prevent or reduce symptoms associated with depression, Adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced, healthy diet may help prevent depression and diminish symptoms of this mood disorder.
  2. Once you feel better, it is important to keep taking your antidepressant for as long as your doctor tells you to. Continued use, if recommended by your doctor, can help lower your chances of becoming depressed again in the future.

Useful References

7 Effective Home Remedies For Amnesia

Amnesia

Amnesia refers to partial or complete loss of memory. The latter, however, is almost inconceivable as no intellectual functions are possible without memory. Different types and degrees of amnesia are found in old age and other organic conditions.

Amnesia Symptoms

The most common form of this disease is verbal amnesia. In this condition, the patient forgets words or names. A very uncommon form of amnesia is temporary loss of memory, in which a person even forgets his own identity, including his name, age, family background and any recollection of the past. In case of poor memory caused by brain weakness, the patient may suffer from mild headache, intolerance to noise and inability to concentrate.

Amnesia Causes

The main cause of amnesia is the impairment of brain cells by diseases directly or indirectly affecting them through a poor blood supply due to circulatory diseases. Poor memory also results from dullness of intellect and weakness of brain. Many cases are, however, largely psychological in origin, caused by anxiety neurosis, resulting from lack of attention in persons obsessed with their own problems. Temporary loss of memory may result from an injury.

Types of Amnesia

  • Retrograde Amnesia.
  • Wernike-Korsakoff’s Psychosis.
  • Traumatic Amnesia.
  • Infantile/Childhood Amnesia.
  • Hysterical (Fugue) Amnesia.

Home Remedies for Amnesia

1. Rosemary

rosemary

The most remarkable remedy for loss of memory or forgetfulness is the use of the herb rosemary, botanically known as Romarinus officinalis. Rosemary has long been regarded as a herb for remembrance. In ancient times, the Greeks and the Romans prepared fragrant distilled water from the flowers of this plant and inhaled the odour so that the evils were destroyed from the mind and the memory no longer played tricks. Rosemary is considered to be an antidote for mental fatigue and forgetfulness. A tea made from this herb, taken once or twice a day, is a refreshing drink and an effective natural remedy for enhancing mental agility.

2. Brahmi Booti 

Another herb useful in amnesia is brahmi booti botanically known as Bacopa scrophulariaceae. About seven grams of this herb should be dried in the shade and ground in water, along with seven kernels of almonds and half a gram of pepper. This mixture should be strained and sweetened with twenty-five gm of sugar. It should be drunk every morning for a fortnight on an empty stomach.

3. Sage

The herb sage has also been found beneficial in the treatment of a weak memory or loss of memory. It acts on the cortex of the brain, mitigates mental exhaustion and strengthens the ability to concentrate. A tea prepared from dried sage leaves can be used regularly for this purpose.

4. Almonds

Almonds

Almonds are very valuable for restoring a poor memory caused by brain weakness. They contain unique properties to remove brain debility and to strengthen the brain. Almonds preserve the vitality of the brain and cure ailments originating from nervous disorders. Ten to twelve almonds should be immersed in water overnight and their outer skin removed. They should then be made into a fine paste and taken, mixed with one teaspoonful of butter or even alone. Inhaling ten to fifteen drops of almond oil through the nose, morning and evening, is also beneficial in the treatment of brain weakness.

5. Walnut

Walnut

Walnut is another unique dry fruit valuable in countering brain weakness. About twenty grams of walnuts should be taken every day. The value of walnuts is enhanced if they are taken with figs or raisins in a proportion of ten gram each, everyday.

6. Apples

Apple

Apples are useful in amnesia. The various chemical substances contained in this fruit such as Vitamin B, phosphorus, and potassium help in the synthesis of glutamic acid. This acid controls the wear and tear of nerve cells. Eating an apple a day with one teaspoon of honey and one cup of milk Is beneficial in the treatment of loss of memory and mental irritability. It acts as an effective nerve tonic and recharges the nerves with new energy and life.

7. Cumin Seeds

cumin

The use of cumin seeds is another valuable remedy for amnesia or dullness of memory. Three grams of black cumin seeds should be mixed with two teaspoonfuls of pure honey and taken once a day, preferably, in the morning.

8. Black Pepper

Five seeds of finely ground black pepper, mixed with one teaspoon honey are also beneficial in the treatment of the amnesia. This preparation should be taken both in the morning and evening.

Useful References