Health Tips
Stay healthy by reading wellness advice from our top specialists.

A runny nose can be quite annoying. It could be due to weather change, flu or other external factors. It can be quite contagious and some of its common symptoms include excessive sneezing , coughing, sore throat and mild headaches. After getting hold of this uneasy phenomenon, we often resort to those heavy doses of antibiotics to get rid of the same. However, there are few foods that could possibly help you get rid of a runny nose in a natural way. Here's a list of those 5 foods that can come to your rescue while suffering from a runny nose. Read on to know more about them

1. Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with flavonoids which have anti-inflammatory properties. It can help in boosting the immune system and can make you feel healthy and warm from inside. Having a cup of organic green tea could provide with significant relief from a runny nose.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C rich foods can turn out to be quite beneficial for your health since vitamin C is known to provide strength to the immunity system. Fruits such as papaya, oranges, strawberries and melons are some of the various sources of vitamin C.

3. Honey

Honey has antibacterial agents which can keep many diseases at bay. You can have honey along with warm milk or lukewarm water in order to rid of a runny nose.

4. Blueberries

They are packed with the most active antioxidants which can enhance the immunity system to a great extent. You can add blueberries in your breakfast meals or can eat them raw as well.

5. Garlic and Onion

Both the ingredients have antibacterial properties which fight against the symptoms of flu. You can have both of them in the form of a healthy nourished soup.

Add these foods to your daily diet and get rid of a runny nose in the most natural way.

High Cholesterol Diet: What Must A Person Suffering From High Cholesterol Ensure?

A person with high levels of cholesterol has to ensure and control a lot of factors, from their diet to a healthy body weight. Eating a low-salt diet is a must.

Switching from the saturated fats found in animal products to the good fats has also proven beneficial for those dealing with high cholesterol.

Good Cholesterol Foods:
1. Beans and Pulses
Beans, lentils and various other kinds of pulses can significantly bring down the bad cholesterol levels.You can have them in sprouts, soups, stews or curries but make sure they are part of your daily intake.

2. Nuts
The chunky goodness of nuts like walnuts, almond and pistachios have long been associated with bringing down bad cholesterol.

3. Olive Oil
The Mediterranean wonder has taken the health circuit by a storm and for a good reason. Heart-healthy and abundantly loaded with good fats, extra virgin olive oil can tackle the spike in bad cholesterol levels.

4. Whole grains
Ditch refined carbs and go for whole grain foods. Wheat bran, cereals, and brown rice are low in glycemic index and packed with heart-healthy fiber.

5. Fatty fish
Load up on fatty fish like mackerel, tuna, sardine and salmon. The omega-3 fatty acids present in these fatty fish can help keep cholesterol levels in check.

6. High-Fiber Fruits
High-Fiber fruits like dates, prunes, apples and pears can boost your HDL levels and lower your LDL levels. Mostly, all the fiber-rich fruits and vegetables have low glycemic index too.

7. Avocado
Avocados can do wonders for your lipid profiling and keeping your cholesterol levels in control. A source of good fat, avocado can easily be swapped for all your fat-laden foods.

There is a lot you can do on an individual level and ensure your cholesterol levels are in check. These simple ways could get you started on a way to healthier life.

In order to avoid food poisoning in the first place, there are some tips that will come handy to you.
1) It always doesn't mean that a food-borne illness will be triggered by contaminated food; it can also be triggered by the medium through which you ingest food, which are your utensils. No matter how clean your kitchen is, there is a high chance of bacteria making their way on your crockery. Always prefer rinsing them before using in order to save yourself from getting sick.
2) Hot temperature can easily contaminate your food and make it toxic enough to cause food poisoning. One of the biggest carriers of bacteria include leftovers, even if they are stored in the refrigerator. Always cook and eat fresh and ensure the quantity isn't too much so you don't have to store the leftovers. In case you have some, make sure you heat them well.
3) Cooked food is safe only after it has been heated to a high enough internal temperature that kills bacteria. Cook food thoroughly, especially non-vegetarian foods like chicken, eggs and red meat. We have a tendency to rely on sight, smell or taste to tell whether the food is done or not, but the right way is to use a food thermometer.
4) Don't keep freshly cooked food for more than two hours outside. Either consume it or store it well under the right temperature.
5) Never thaw the meats on the kitchen counter, as it will only increase the risk of growth of harmful foodborne pathogens rapidly. Always prefer thawing them in the refrigerator first and then use them for cooking.
6) Sprouts can be a major cause of food poisoning, because the method of sprouting requires warmer temperatures that are ideal for bacterial growth. Prefer avoiding raw sprouts and instead saute them and enjoy.

Night creams can do wonders for your skin. Their nourishing and hydrating properties can help you get a soft and supple skin.

Night creams help in replenishing the skin cells while sleeping.

At times, finding the perfect night cream for your skin type can be quite a daunting task.

If you're looking out for some natural and organic ways to keep your skin healthy and nourished, then here's a list of 5 organic night creams that you can easily prepare at home with readily available ingredients in the kitchen.

These night creams can nourish and rejuvenate your skin to a significant extent. Read on to know more about them.

1. Turmeric And Lemon
Both lemon and turmeric are known to have skin glowing properties. They can provide the skin with a lot of benefits. They also aid in fighting against bacteria's that are present in the skin which cause acne breakouts

2. Aloe Vera Cream
It is known to be quite effective in treating acne and blemishes. It aids in nourishing the skin by keeping it well hydrated.

3. Milk Cream
Apart from keeping the skin soft and supple, milk can also keep it well hydrated. Milk cream nourishes deeper skin layers and using it at night can provide you with a lot of benefits

4. Apple Cream
Apple is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins like A, B, and C. It can keep your skin nourished and healthy.

5. Butter And Honey Night Cream
This homemade night cream is possibly the best organic cream for acne prone skin as both honey and butter help in replenishing the skin cells.

"Dadi aur nani ke gharelu nuskhe" is something we have put all our trust in for years.

The commonly used natural ingredients make for amazing medicines for the sick. Even today, these natural remedies work better in case of common illnesses, if not the chronic ones.

One of such remedies for common illnesses like cold and cough is besan ka sheera. Besan Ka Sheera is an age-old effective nuskha from Punjabi households for curing cold and cough.

Made with besan, ghee, milk, turmeric and black pepper, this sheera is a semi-thick beverage that is known to have effective medicinal properties. To make it tastier, you can add some sugar or jaggery too.

Turmeric and black pepper are known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can provide relief from severe cold.

These ingredients also induce good sleep when a person is down with cold and cough. Sheera should ideally be served hot and consumed right before bedtime.

This sheera can help in clearing the nasal tract completely. Ayurveda expert Dr. Ashutosh Gautam suggests that it is a sure-shot remedy for a runny nose. Besan is a powerhouse of antioxidants that help clear your nasal tract.

It is also an excellent source of vitamin B1 that reduces fatigue by converting food into energy.

Dr. Pratibha Labade
Dr. Pratibha Labade
BAMS, Ayurveda Immuno Dermatologist, 19 yrs, Pune
Dr. Smita  Patil
Dr. Smita Patil
BHMS, Homeopath, 15 yrs, Pune
Dr. Ashish Bandewar
Dr. Ashish Bandewar
BDS, Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dentist Dentist, 1 yrs, Pune
Dr. Dennis David
Dr. Dennis David
MS - Allopathy, General and Laparoscopic Surgeon, 7 yrs, Palakkad
Dr. Gauri  Nerurkar
Dr. Gauri Nerurkar
BHMS, Dermatologist, 10 yrs, Pune
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