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Natural Fatigue Fighting Strategies And Supplements
Posted On 2010-01-29 , 10:36 AM
 Everyday energy zappers include lack of rest, lack of exercise, emotional stress and poor nutrition. Fatigue characterized by lack of energy only, can also be caused by boredom. Fatigue itself is not a disorder; it is a symptom.
Alcohol, drugs, caffeine products, smoking, stress and poor eating habits can all contribute to a lack of energy. If you find no physical reason for your lack of energy, then you should consider changing your lifestyle. Constant fatigue that persists for months may signify an undetected illness that requires medical evaluation.
Natural Fatigue Fighting Strategies
Six to eight hours of sleep is essential, but sleeping too much can tend to leave you groggy all day.
Exercise is as important as adequate sleep. Moderate, regular exercise actually gives you energy. A brisk ten minute walk boosts energy more effectively than eating a candy bar and the benefits last an hour longer.
Give yourself more time in the mornings, an extra 15 to 20 minutes before you start your day. It helps prevent starting off your day feeling rushed and tired.
Deep breathing exercise is one of the best ways to relax and energize at the same time. Inhale your breaths through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Taking a few deep breaths each hour promotes oxygenation of the blood and has a revitalizing effect.
Drinking green tea on a regular basis is good for alertness. It contains caffeine, but not nearly as much as coffee and is less acidic than coffee. Adding the health benefits of its ability to lower cholesterol and its possibility of an aid in fighting cancer.
Smoking adversely affects the delivery of oxygen to tissues. Even though nicotine is a mild stimulant, it limit’s the amount of oxygen the blood can process. The result is fatigue.
Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant and will calm you down, not stimulate you.
Dehydration can cause fatigue. If you know when you are going to be in the hot sun or physically active, drink plenty of water the day before.
Sleeping pills, high blood pressure medicines and cough and cold medicines are well known for their next day hangover effects. If you suspect a medication is robbing you of your energy, discuss it with your physician. Never stop taking prescription medication without your doctor’s approval.
Cascading water from a shower emits negative ions in the air, which surround the body. Negative ions are thought to make some people feel more energetic.
A proper diet is important. Avoid energy robbers; such as, alcohol, caffeine, fats, sugar, highly processed foods and white flour products. Eat less red meat and more white fish.
Helpful Supplements
Mild deficiencies of almost any dietary mineral or vitamin can be associated with a lack of energy. A daily multivitamin-mineral supplement is often advised.
Insufficient B complex results in fatigue. Take 100 milligrams 3 times daily.
Bee pollen often dramatically increases energy. Start with a few granules increasing to 2 teaspoons daily.
Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids increases energy levels. Take 3,000 to 8,000 milligrams daily in divided doses.
Calcium and magnesium are essential for the production of energy. Take up to 1,500 milligrams of calcium and 750 milligrams of magnesium per day.
Coenzyme Q10 helps fight fatigue. It maximizes the hearts pumping efficiency. Take 30 milligrams once or twice a day.
Potassium deficiency may lead to general lethargy. Take 99 milligrams once a day.
Siberian ginseng is highly respected as a natural energy tonic and supportive tonic for healthy adrenal hormones. Ginseng extract has also been evaluated for its ability to support vitamin absorption from the diet.
Gotu kola is one of the most well respected adaptogenic energy herbs in Indian medicine.
Effective herbs, taken in capsules or sipped as teas, include alfalfa, ashwaganda, bayberry, black cohosh, blessed thistle, cayenne, dandelion, fennel, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, gotu kola, guarana, licorice, red clover and yellow dock.
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Natural Remedies And Supplements For Dry Skin And Winter Itch
Posted On 2010-01-17 , 12:44 PM
 Dry skin is a very common condition which happens most often during the winter months. This is when the dry cold outside air and use of indoor heat robs your skin of its natural protective moisture faster than your body can replace it.
Symptoms of dry skin may include roughness, redness, scaling, chapping, cracks in the skin and itching. Sensitive skin may be more susceptible to itchy irritations that may blister and peel, such as in eczema.
The following natural remedies and supplements may prove useful and prevent bouts of dry skin and winter itch. Moisture may be all you need.
Helpful Natural Remedies
The rule of thumb for dry skin is: Bathe less and use cooler water. Use warm water, not hot for bathing and cleansing your skin. Hot water flushes protective oils from your skin; just as it flushes grease from your dirty dishes.
The best treatment for dry skin is to replace the lost moisture and then protect the skin from losing more water by: taking a shower or bath, step out and apply lotion, cream or oil while your skin is still wet, sealing in the water. Then, pat dry.
If using bath oil, do not add to your bath water. Most of it goes down the drain anyway. And the residue will encourage a fall.
Avoid frequent bathing. Over washing washes away the layer of oil that normally acts like a sealant, sealing in moisture. Do not take saunas, steam baths or soak in hot tubs.
Do not use strong soaps and do not add bubble bath to the water. Soaps rob your skin of moisture by stripping off natural oils. Super-fatted soaps are less irritating. Super-fatted soaps have extra amounts of fatty substances, such as, cold cream, cocoa butter, coconut oil or lanolin.
Room humidifiers, vaporizers and houseplants can help counterbalance the drying effect of dry indoor heating or refrigeration by adding moisture to the air.
Protect your skin from extreme temperatures and strong winds. Wrap up well in cold weather.
Virtually any vegetable oil or hydrogenated oil can be used to combat dry skin and winter itch. They are safe, effective, inexpensive and pure skin lubricants. Although, they do tend to be greasy and may stain your clothes.
Using sunscreen in winter as well as summer slows evaporation and guards against the drying effect of ultraviolet rays.
An inexpensive good moisturizer is Crisco (solid). And it is great for that winter itch too. Rub on gently with your fingertips.
Avoid scratching. Scratching creates a vicious cycle resulting in more scratching and more irritation as well as possible infection.
Oatmeal baths can help sooth itchy skin. Use a commercial product following package directions.
Witch hazel is well known to have an excellent toning effect on the skin. Studies have shown its potential to support the skin while soothing common itchiness and irritation.
Helpful Supplements
Vitamin A is vital for healthy skin. Take 10,000 IU as beta carotene daily.
Vitamin B complex is an anti-stress vitamin which also helps maintain skin health. Take 50 milligrams three times a day.
Omega-3 fatty acids nourish the skin. Take one tablespoon oil daily.
Aloe vera gel is an age-old remedy for irritated skin. It relieves both itching and pain and is believed to speed healing.
Evening primrose oil promotes healing and helps prevent dryness. It can also be applied topically once a day to reduce redness.
Vitamin E oil supports skin health and helps maintain elasticity.
Zinc cream forms a protective layer when applied to the skin.
Helpful Herbal Essential Oils
Ginger provides a toning and tightening effect on the skin supporting healthy pores.
Lemon grass is known for its health promoting properties on the skin and its support of a clear complexion.
Mandarin is a soothing oil that helps retain moisture and nutrients, enhancing elasticity.
Rose geranium helps to maintain hormonal and fluid balance in the body.
Rosewood supports new cell growth which promotes skin rejuvenation.
Sandalwood is excellent for moisturizing and nourishing dry skin.
Herbal supplements that may have supportive and toning effects on the skin include aloe vera, basil, burdock, chamomile, chaparral, comfrey, gotu kola and horsetail.
Any symptoms that do not respond to home treatment in a week or two should be diagnosed by a dermatologist. It could mean a more serious skin problem.
Do you know of any great remedies for dry skin and winter itch?
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