While we should be enjoying the beauty of spring, many people suffer from seasonal allergies. From the birds to the pollen, there are many things that may cause suffering from the classic symptoms of an allergic reaction.

In fact, research shows that approximately 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, as well as hay fever. And, as the sneezing, scratchy throat and watery eyes become increasingly unbearable, many people will reach for pharmaceutical drugs to help lessen these symptoms. While these drugs may provide temporary allergy relief, drugs almost always come with undesired side effects.

Below, are ten natural methods for reducing the symptoms of allergies, as well as preventing them from happening in the first place.

1. Re-Vamp Your Diet

As far as prevention is concerned, diet is a huge way you can influence your experience of seasonal allergies. Studies show that essential fatty acids coming from organic flax seed or hemp seed oil can help reduce seasonal allergies. Try avoiding mucous and congestion-causing foods such as dairy products, milk, processed wheat and sugar.

In general, a healthy diet will boost your overall immunity to allergies. In fact, a scientific study done on the island of Crete found that nasal allergies were almost non-existent in this region. Why? The islanders’ food intake was composed mainly of cold-pressed olive oil, nuts, fish, fruits and veggies. This anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant diet was super high in grapes, tomatoes, oranges, nuts and apples, all foods known to prevent congestion and mucous buildup.

Continue reading: “10 Ways to Naturally Prevent & Treat Seasonal Allergies”

Just because you live in an urban setting without adequate yard space, or in an especially cold or inhospitable climate, doesn’t mean that you can’t maintain a delicious selection of fresh fruits and vegetables year round.

source

By setting up a proper aquaponic growing system, you can almost guarantee a healthy pay off. The costs and difficulty associated with aquaponics, hydroponics, and other soil-less gardening techniques have plummeted over the past several years, and today, you can set up an entire garden for a small fraction of what it cost in the past.

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a technique for growing plants in a controlled, recirculating water-based environment, rather than in soil. In many ways, it is similar to a hydroponic growing system. Which is to say that they are both soil-less gardening methods that use recirculated water to grow crops.

The primary difference being that, with aquaponics, the nutrients necessary to sustain plant growth come from animals living in the water. Normally, a hydroponic system requires the nutrients be added to the water supply.

Fish (or similar aquatic animals) are kept in one portion of the system. Their waste is carried to the plants which use it as fertilizer. This de-toxifies the water so it can be safely re-circulated back to the fish. If properly maintained, this symbiotic loop can continue almost indefinitely.

Continue reading: “Aquaponics: How to Grow Your Own Food in Water”

Ever wonder what farmers did hundreds of years ago to fight off crop pests? Long before the invention of harmful chemical pesticides (yes, the kind that is linked to cancerous cellular activity), farmers and householders came up with multiple remedies for removing insect infestations from their garden plants.

The following list will offer some of our favorite, all-natural, inexpensive, organic methods for making bug-busting pesticides for your home garden.

1. Neem

Ancient Indians highly revered neem oil as a powerful, all-natural plant for warding off pests. In fact, neem juice is the most powerful natural pesticide on the planet, holding over 50 natural insecticides. This extremely bitter tree leaf can be made in a spray form, or can be bought from a number of reputable companies.

To make your own neem oil spray, simply add 1/2 an ounce of high quality organic neem oil and ½ teaspoon of a mild organic liquid soap (I use Dr. Bronners Peppermint) to two quarts of warm water. Stir slowly. Add to a spray bottle and use immediately.

2. Salt Spray

For treating plants infested with spider mites, mix 2 tablespoons of Himalayan Crystal Salt into one gallon of warm water and spray on infected areas.

3. Mineral oil

Mix 10-30 ml of high-grade oil with one liter of water. Stir and add to spray bottle. This organic pesticide works well for dehydrating insects and their eggs.

Continue reading: “10 Homemade Organic Pesticides”

source

A couple days ago, Dr. Mercola published an article on Agave Nectar stating that it is an unsafe, toxic substance. In his article it is implied that agave nectar could even be worse for the body than many forms of processed sugars such as High-Fructose Corn Syrup. I have had a lot of e-mails over the last few days regarding this article on Agave Nectar. Now let me say up front that I have the highest respect for Dr. Mercola and this article is not meant to attack him personally, only to state a fair evaluation and my belief on the matter of agave nectar toxicity.

As I read his article, immediately a phrase from traditional Ayurvedic medicine came to mind: There is one answer to any question in regard to human health – “it depends.” And an “it-depends” attitude may shed some light into the recent agave-nectar debate. It will not serve us well to take a limited view on agave nectar. In fact, anytime we label a naturally occurring food as “good” or “bad,” we are bound to encounter some problems.

Here is why. If taken from a holistic perspective, multiple points emerge as to the relativity of the “agave-argument.” I have outlined these points below.

Fructose is not inherently evil

Agave nectar is high in fructose, but so are many foods that we eat. This is Dr. Mercola’s main beef with agave nectar. And while it is true that agave is quite high in fructose, it is the most common form of sugar in all fruits. Dates, molasses, raisins, apples, honey, and even many vegetables and other plants are high in fructose. Fructose is a natural form of carbohydrate, and for thousands of years, it has been an important source of energy for the body.

In fact, fructose in live raw fruits is good for us! A scientific statement from The American Heart Association found that consuming limited amounts of fructose, in a pure form, had no negative effects on the majority of individuals. Other studies show that fructose, in limited amounts, may even reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Another study found that the beneficial fructans found in agave may help fight bone diseases such as osteoporosis, as well as other diseases such as diabetes and colon cancer. This research also suggested that fructans may promote the creation of beneficial gut bacteria, allowing for better absorption of calcium and magnesium (two important minerals for bone health).

Continue reading: “Why Agave Nectar Is Not Worse Than High-Fructose Corn Syrup”

source

Few things are more annoying than the itching and scratching that accompanies a fat, juicy mosquito bite. When a mosquito bites us, we itch due to the residual saliva left behind from the insect’s feasting on our blood! Fortunately, just as Mother Nature has honored us with the presence of these buzzing nuisances, she has provided us with some great natural remedies for treating mosquito bites when we do get bit.

Here are some of my favorite and most-effective natural ways for relieving and treating painful and itchy mosquito bites. I’ve been using these remedies for years, as the mosquitos can get really bad here in Texas. In fact, you may be surprised to find that most of these remedies are common things that you can easily find in your home.

1. Vinegar

When you first notice the itchy bite, try applying a small amount of vinegar directly to the bump. If you have many bites, you may want to take a very hot bath in a tub filled with water and 2 1/2 cups of vinegar. I would personally recommend using organic apple cider vinegar.

2. Aloe

Aloe vera is another excellent remedy for mosquito bites, as well as many other conditions. Not only will it help ease the itching and swelling from the bit, but it will also aid in healing the wound. You can use fresh gel directly from an aloe plant or organic aloe juice. They both work well at providing relief.

3. A Dry Bar of Soap

Another remedy for mosquito bits is to rub a bar of dry soap directly on the bite. This will help provide temporary relief to the itching. Remember to wash it off throughly after the itch fades away. I personally use e3 live peppermint soap, and it works well.

Continue reading: “11 Natural Remedies for Mosquito Bites”