In the fast paced world today, everyone is in a hurry to get things done and thus, sleep disorders, chronic stress and anxiety are natural outcomes. They may appear to you as very common and do not concern much. But in reality, they can be extremely harmful to your health. High blood pressure and diabetes are some of the most serious results of chronic anxiety and so these must not be neglected. Though there are uncountable ways of treating these problems, it is better to start with Ayurvedic home remedies as they can cure you completely of anxiety and depression without causing any side effects.

Drink a cupful of chamomile tea when you are feeling anxious

Chamomile contains apigenin and luteolin, which are known for promoting relaxation. A recent study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Centre reports that the patients who are detected with generalized anxiety disorder and took chamomile tea supplements for 2 months, experienced a significant reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms as compared to those patients who were given a placebo.

Try to have about 3 grams of Omega-3 a day

There is enough evidence that Omega-3 fatty acids help in easing anxiety symptoms as well as lifting your mood by reducing the stress chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol in the body. You can have canned fatty fish like tuna, salmon along with a handful of walnuts and flax seeds with warm milk as these are all great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Breathe in lavender when you are stressed out

People who receive a regular massage with lavender oil are found to be more confident and optimistic and less anxious. It can even lower down the systolic blood pressure, which is related to the stress levels. You can also add a few drops of lavender oil in your bath as well as your pillow. If you want an immediate release from stress, then adding a few drops in a cup of hot water and inhaling it right away can be a great option. Lavender oil can be used in any form you want. So you may dab a few drops right on your skin as lavender is one of very few essential oils that can be directly applied.

Anxiety itself is very harmful, and it even paves the way for more severe ailments. If you had been suffering from anxiety and chronic depression for quite some time, then it is advisable to try these home remedies before popping in those anti-depressants with loads of side effects.

Monsoons are in full swing, and therefore, now is the time for you to load up on healthy food to shield your body from infections and diseases. The rainy season exposes you to many different kinds of diseases and a proactive approach may go a long way in preventing you from falling prey to them. There are a number of dietary and lifestyle changes that you can make, in order to boost your immune system and keep diseases at bay. For one, you should at least minimise consumption of roadside eatables or street foods, if you cannot completely do away with it. Another way to boost immunity during the rainy season is to stay hydrated and reduce consumption of sugary and fried foods, as these directly impact your immunity.

It's also important to get enough sleep and eat nutrient-rich foods during monsoons, in order to stay healthy. While all of us are more or less familiar with immunity-boosting foods, there are some lesser known and quick DIY health drinks or tonics, which you can easily make at home to fight monsoon infections naturally. These tonics are very easy to make, require minimum ingredients and are ready within a few minutes. Keep these tonics handy and consume them regularly during the rainy season, in order to sail easily through the flu season.

Here are 5 immunity-boosting tonics that may reduce your chances of falling ill during the monsoons:

1. Ginger Tea

Ginger is one of the best spices to include in your diet during monsoons. The root spice has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Ginger tea is one of the best home remedies for upset stomach and can also go a long way in boosting immunity. All you need to do for making ginger tea is take three cups of water in a deep-bottomed pan and add freshly chopped ginger to it. Bring the water to a boil and then add tea leaves and honey to it. Finish the tea off with a little bit of lemon juice, which adds the immunity-boosting powers of vitamin C to it and voila! Ginger tea is ready within minutes and is a soothing monsoon concoction.

2. Turmeric And Black Pepper Tea

Another root spice from the East that is fast taking over the culinary world around the globe is turmeric. The magical spice present in every Indian household has potent antioxidant properties, all thanks to the presence of curcumin. It is also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal in nature and can guard against infections when consumed or applied topically. We can turn this magical spice into turmeric tea for the rainy season by simply adding a teaspoon full of turmeric powder to your black tea. Add black pepper and honey to your tea to enhance its infection-fighting abilities.

3. Garlic And Honey

The idea of having raw garlic with honey isn't very appetising, but it surely works. This tonic works both during the rainy season and winters by significantly boosting your immunity. Garlic and honey are both immunity-boosting foods that you should anyway be adding to your monsoon diet. But, consuming this concoction everyday may prevent diseases more effectively. All you need to do is peel some garlic cloves, crush them with the flat side of the knife and place them in a glass jar. Cover them with raw, organic honey and let the jar sit for a few days to let the two foods get infused. Refrigerate the jar for consumption during the monsoon months.

4. Cinnamon And Honey

Honey and cinnamon have multiple benefits, from curing constipation to combating allergies and even regulating blood sugar levels. The brilliant combination should be consumed during monsoon especially, as it can prevent infections and keep you from falling sick. This concoction can also help in natural detoxification of the body, if consumed first thing in the morning. To make this immunity-boosting tonic, take some cinnamon-infused water and add a teaspoon of raw organic honey to it. You can make cinnamon water by simply seeping cinnamon sticks in lukewarm water.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar And Cinnamon

Apple cider vinegar has a number of health benefits, including revving up the immune system and strengthening it to fight infections. To make this immunity-boosting monsoon tonic, you need raw and unpasteurised apple cider vinegar, as it contains live cultures or good bacteria, which keep your gut healthy. Take some apple cider vinegar in a glass and add some cinnamon powder, lukewarm water and cinnamon sticks to it. Stir the mixture well and drink it to reap its benefits.

Note: Do not consume apple cider vinegar as is because the high acidic content in it can irritate your oesophagus.

So, now you know! If you suffer from a chronic illness or allergy and feel like any of the above drinks may be unhealthy for you, it is advisable to consult your physician or a certified dietitian before adding these to your diet.

Congestion, sore throat or dry cough are just a few complaints amongst the many common throat-related issues these days. But no matter how frequently these illnesses occur, they always make it difficult for you to eat and swallow food, your taste senses go for a toss and you are left with constant discomfort and, in some cases, pain too. Certain ingredients commonly available in Indian kitchens are known to bring long lasting relief. One of these time-tested ingredients is elaichi or cardamom that has been known to help reduce pain and irritability in the throat. Let's look at how cardamom helps in managing these conditions.

Elaichi For Colds & Cough: How Does It Help?
According to Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Coach Shilpa Arora, "Oil from elaichi is a useful stimulant; it is an antiseptic that helps calm the digestive system that further heals the throat, colds and cough. Sore throats and cold are also caused due to toxins accumulated in the gut that suppress the immune system. So healing the gut is essential and elaichi counteracts digestive problems." Cardamom or elaichi contains many plant derived alkaloids that known for their potent antioxidants and health promoting properties. Its anti-inflammatory properties limit pain and swelling, especially in the mucus membranes, the mouth and the throat.

Home Remedies For Throat Problems Using Cardamom

Home remedy for cough:

Mix together a pinch of cardamom powder, a pinch of rock salt, a teaspoon of ghee, and half a teaspoon of raw honey. This mixture is known to provide instant relief from cough.

Home remedy for dry throat:

Ayurvedic Expert Ashutosh Gautam suggests making a concoction with green cardamoms and cloves, which helps in combating the irritation caused in throat due to the pollution and dust particles that affect your lungs. Both the ingredients come packed with antioxidants that neutralise the toxic effects of pollutants.

Home remedy for sore throat:

Sore throat can be relieved by infusing cardamom in water and gargling with it in the morning to cure a stubborn sore throat.

Home remedy cough and congestion:

Take cardamom and sugar candy or mishri in 3:1 ratio and powder them well. Take around a teaspoon of this mixture with some water at least two to three times a day to see effective results.

Home remedy for cold:

If you are suffering from cold, it is best to make some warm cup of cardamom tea for yourself. The astringent properties in cardamom tea will help soothe the blocked mucus membranes causing congestion and pain.

Adding cardamom to your food on a daily basis is a good way to avoid throat infections and related conditions and boost your immune system like never before. Do consult a doctor before starting on any regimen if you suffer from chronic throat-related complaints.

Do you often feel that burning sensation under your breast? It can cause discomfort. You will not be able to wear the clothes of your choice. So, read on to know more about it.

Climate, allergies, lack of personal hygiene, wearing cloth materials which are not skin-friendly and bacterial and fungal infections can lead to breast rashes. You may exhibit symptoms like itching, pain, redness, bumps and so on. Yes, breast rashes are annoying! But, now you can say bid adieu to them by following these smart tricks. Just get going and you will thank us later!

1.You can apply aloe vera gel: It is loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties and can help you to soothe your inflamed and irritated skin. You will surely feel relaxed! Just apply that freshly extracted aloe vera on the affected area and wash it off with water after sometime.

2.You can apply basil leaves: They carry antimicrobial compounds and can relieve burning sensations. Furthermore, it will fight infections. Just make a fine paste of basil leaves by adding water to them and apply that paste on the affected area and you will see the difference.

3.You can apply turmeric: It is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic in nature and can help you to get rid of rashes. Just add some milk to the turmeric and apply it on your rashes. Later, wash it off.

4.You can apply garlic: It is anti-inflammatory and can eliminate bacteria. So, just opt for it. You can crush a garlic clove and apply it on the affected area and ta-da, your rashes will vanish in some time.

5.You can apply lemon juice: It has a citrusy fragrance that can help you to deal with bacteria. In addition, it can also speed up your healing process. So, what you can do is, add some lemon juice to the water and rinse the area with it.

6. You can apply an ice pack: It will help you to tackle swelling and rash. So, just place the ice pack on the affected area and after sometime remove it.

7.You can apply honey: It is a humectant and carries antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

8.You can mix honey and lemon juice and apply it under your breasts.

9.You can apply green tea: It contains anti-fungal compounds and can help you to keep bacteria at bay. So, place a green tea bag in hot water and remove it after some time and just dab the bag on your rash. Later, wash the area with water.

Ugh! That time of the month again...

Cramping, bloating, mood swings, lower back pain, headache, fatigue, heavy bleeding - “This ‘natural process’ is our passage into womanhood? Seriously? Why can’t I just be a boy!?” (Yes that’s me complaining every 28 days, while being curled up in bed with a hot water bottle).Did you know that dysmenorrhea i.e. extreme period pain interferes with the daily activities of 1 in every 5 women according to the American Academy of Family Physicians? John Guillebaud, Professor of Reproductive Health at University College London, says that research shows period pain can at times be as “bad as having a heart attack." Heart attack. Take a minute to think about that. “Men don’t get it and it hasn’t been given the centrality it should have. I do believe it’s something that should be taken care of, like anything else in medicine," John added. And I couldn't agree more. To make sure you don't suffer every month and toss and turn in pain, we’ve spoken to experts and listed 7 effective home remedies to ease period pain and even prevent menstrual cramps. (You're welcome!)

1. Massage with Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is traditionally used for abhyanga i.e. the daily Ayurvedic self-massage. It is rich in linoleic acid, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Dr. Malini Sharma, Ayurveda Expert, Holy Healthcare Clinic says, "You can use sesame oil and massage it on your lower abdomen while you’re menstruating. It helps a lot."

2. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds are known to facilitate weight loss, is good for your liver, kidneys and metabolism. Turns out, that they could be a good companion during your period too. Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, Clinical Operations and Coordination Manager at Baidyanath says, “You can reduce period pain with the help of fenugreek seeds. All you need to do is soak it in water for 12 hours, and then drink up."

You can reduce period pain with the help of fenugreek seeds

3. Heat

“Applying heat on the lower abdomen helps relax the contracting muscles in the uterus," says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Fortis Hospital. A hot water bottle always does the trick for me, but you can use over-the-counter heating pads or patches for comfort as well. Dr. Ritika Samaddar, Max Super Speciality Hospital says, “Sipping on warm fluids or taking a hot shower also helps to relieve pain and make you feel more relaxed."

4. Exercise

This may seem crazy to you, considering you can barely move (let alone brisk walk) when you’re dying in pain. But exercising increases circulation to the pelvic region and releases endorphins to counteract the prostaglandins (hormone-like substances that cause the uterine muscles to contract during menstruation). Yogi Anoop, MediYoga suggests, “Do yoga asanas such as pranayama and shavasana (the corpse pose) while menstruating, as it eases pain and helps the body to relax. It also helps if you lie on your back with your knees bent." Dr. Ritika Samaddar, Max Super Speciality Hospital says, “It is important to exercise regularly for your overall health, but it is especially important if you're prone to painful menstrual cramps."

5. Ginger and Black Pepper Tea

Dr. Malini Sharma, Ayurveda Expert says “Make herbal tea using dried ginger and black pepper. Add a little sugar for taste, but avoid milk." Ginger can effectively reduce period pain, as it plays a key role in lowering the levels of prostaglandins. As an added bonus, it also helps make irregular periods regular and fights fatigue associated with premenstrual syndrome.

6. Cumin Seeds

“You can make a herbal tea out of cumin seeds to reduce period pain," suggests Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, Baidyanath. Cumin has a relaxing effect, and its anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties are useful for for getting rid of menstrual cramps.

7. Chamomile Tea

According to a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Chemistry, Chamomile tea has pain-relieving properties. It helps relax the uterus and decrease the production of prostaglandins, thus reducing period pain.