If you have a dog or cat at home, you’d be familiar with a flea infestation in your house. It can get very difficult to contain flea infestation once their growth gets out of control, but there are several home remedies to treat flea infestation effectively. The best part about these remedies is that they are natural and chemical-free. The mentioned home remedies to treat flea infestation are very effective in getting rid of infestations that are bothersome to your pets: Boric acid : Boric acid is great at getting rid of fleas from your home, and it is available in powder form. You can spread this powder over the carpets, under the furniture, and also on the furniture. The results of this home remedy can be seen in a few days. Boric acid is not toxic and does not leave any residue either. In case there are toddlers around, you need to be extra careful about them coming in contact with the powder. It is best to vacuum once a week after applying boric acid as vacuuming also helps get rid of the flea debris or rogue eggs. Natural flea collars : A natural flea collar can be used for your pet to ward off fleas. You can either make your own natural flea collar or buy one from the market. For a DIY natural flea collar, you can buy a nylon collar or a cotton pet collar. A teaspoon of vodka mixed with a drop of geranium or cedarwood oil can be applied on the collar. Alternately, you can mix vodka with one drop of eucalyptus oil, one drop of thyme oil, and one drop of lemongrass oil and apply it to the collar. You should refresh the collar on a weekly basis or once the smell fades.

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation. The symptoms of this condition are generally stiffness, pain, and swelling in the joint which can flare up or subside. It is common among those who suffer from this type of arthritis to wake up with morning stiffness. It is a condition that can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes but cannot be cured permanently. It is a chronic condition that can even last a lifetime. While doctors administer various treatments, lifestyle changes can help improve psoriatic arthritis to a large extent. Here are the lifestyle changes that can help improve psoriatic arthritis: Stress Stress plays a very important role in triggering arthritis flare-ups. Learning to manage your day-to-day stress can keep your symptoms away. You need to first identify the reasons for stress in your day-to-day life and then understand how you can deal with it. Stress management varies from person to person. Once you understand what works best for you, this would be one of the best lifestyle changes that can help improve psoriatic arthritis. Food The food you eat plays a vital role in psoriatic arthritis triggers and the healing process. Here are some of the food groups that you must consume while avoiding others regularly. Anti-inflammatory omega-3: Tuna Salmon Olive oil Flaxseeds Chia seeds Avocados Nuts Fruits and vegetables with high antioxidants: Nuts Dark berries Green leafy vegetables Dark chocolate Dried ground spices Coffee and tea High-fiber foods: Oats Quinoa Corn Wild and brown rice Here is a list of foods that you need to stay away from when you have psoriatic arthritis: Red meat Diary Processed foods Some of the best diets that can be followed when you have psoriatic arthritis are: Gluten-free diet Paleo diet Mediterranean diet Following the right diet along with physical activity will help you maintain a healthy weight and keep the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis at bay.

Teeth begin to turn yellow with age. But, some simple ways can help you in retaining the white color of your teeth. There are numerous tooth whitening kits available in your nearest medical store. But, most of these are chemical-based products, which bleach your teeth. If you want to whiten the teeth and at the same time want to avoid chemicals, you should intake foods that whiten teeth naturally say no to red wine, dark berries, and black coffee. Here is a list of 10 such foods that whiten teeth naturally. Strawberries Strawberries are known as the most efficient natural tooth whitener. They are the storehouse of malic acid, which is a natural astringent that prevents tooth discoloration. No matter how you eat them, cereal, salad or dessert, strawberries will ensure that you always own a brighter smile. You can even mash strawberries and use them as toothpaste as they are counted as one of the top foods that whiten teeth naturally. Seeds and nuts Most of the seeds and nuts such as walnuts, almonds, cashews or sunflower seeds have an abrasive texture. This abrasive texture works as a stain remover of your teeth and naturally whiten them. Onion Ignore its breath. Onions are the prime source of sulfur. The sulfur compounds available in onions keep plaque from forming on your teeth. Keep in mind that the anti-plaque powers of onion work when you eat them raw. Apple The loud crunch of apple helps in strengthening your teeth. Further, its high-water content increases the production of saliva. While eating an apple, this washes away the bacteria and leads to discoloration of teeth. Baking soda Baking soda works almost similar to a bleaching agent. You can switch to baking soda instead of your regular toothpaste to brush your teeth in the morning.

Since Crohn’s disease directly affects the digestive tract and causes irritation and discomfort in the alimentary canal, people suffering from this disease should take primary care of their regular diet. The amount of food consumed, the calorie intake, and many other factors should be taken into consideration when suffering from this condition. In certain cases, the symptoms could get worse if one fails to maintain a healthy diet. What is Crohn’s disease? Crohn’s disease is both rare and life-threatening. It is a chronic disease which requires long-term medical attention and is mostly incurable. It results in inflammation of the intestines and might be accompanied by scarring of the inner intestinal lining. It can occur in any part of the intestine; however, the colon of the large intestine and ileum of the small intestine are prone to get affected more easily. The condition often lasts for years but can be lifelong for some people. Crohn’s disease may also result in ulcers in the inner lining as well as fistulae, which is extremely painful. Laboratory testing, as well as abdominal imaging, helps detect the disease. Foods to ease the symptoms of Crohn’s disease Since Crohn’s disease is not easy to cure, people suffering from it are advised to take thorough care of their diet. Junk food should be strictly avoided. Some of the foods to ease the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are: De-caffeinated drinks and beverages If you suffer from Crohn’s disease, caffeine should be avoided as much as possible. These include coffee, tea, flavored sodas, etc. Additionally, one should only consume drinks with low sugar or zero added sugar content so that they do not experience sudden flare-ups. Peeling fruits and selective fruits People with Crohn’s disease have a restricted fruit diet and can only consume the ones with low fiber content.

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system and produces seminal fluid that carries the sperm to the semen. An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common problem. The enlarged prostate suppresses the urethra, affecting the urine flow from the bladder. If one suffers from nighttime urination, frequent urination, or urinary tract infections, they may be diagnosed with BPH. Listed below are some strategies to manage an enlarged prostate. Sesame seeds Patients with an enlarged prostate have lower levels of zinc in their bodies. Foods like sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and almonds are rich in zinc that is readily absorbed by the body. Snacking on these nuts and seeds provides the body with the right amount of zinc. Tomatoes Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that is present in abundance in tomatoes. Including cooked tomatoes in the diet may help with BPH and help decrease prostatic inflammation. Consuming lycopene with healthy fats enhances its efficacy. Salmon Salmon is a rich source of healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids are also known for their ability to reduce inflammation. Including fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna in one’s diet can help with multiple health conditions. Vegetables Leafy vegetables are rich in antioxidants and mineral content that are essential for the body. Vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, onion, and garlic may help fight prostate conditions. Berries Like vegetables, berries also are rich sources of antioxidants and protect the body against oxidative damage. Berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are a healthy and tasty way to fight free radicals. There are different types of treatments available for treating an enlarged prostate. Some popular herbal treatments for treating enlarged prostate are as follows: Saw palmetto One of the most popular herbal treatments for enlarged prostate is the use of saw palmetto.

Muscle pain is a common problem. Some common causes include excess physical labor, heavy workouts, or an injury. The pain can occur in almost every part of the body. Routine tasks become difficult when the pain is acute. Here are some remedies that provide relief from muscle pain: Effective remedies to get relief from muscle pain Use a topical pain relief cream Topical creams can provide temporary relief and alleviate pain. It’s best to consult a doctor before using any of the below listed options. Aspercreme® Pain Relief Cream It’s a fragrance-free, non-greasy cream. It can be used to temporarily relieve minor muscle and joint aches. Ultra Strength BENGAY® Cream This cream contains camphor, menthol, and other active ingredients that give a soothing effect. One should avoid applying this cream to damaged skin or wounds or with a heating pad. Icy Hot® Original Cream This offers relief from body pains. The cream can reduce pain caused by arthritis, back aches, bruises, sprains, and strains. It is suitable for adults and children 12 years of age following a consultation with a doctor. Use an ice pack Ice is an efficient solution for reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. One can use an ice pack to soothe the muscle tissues and ease the pain. To use this, wrap an ice pack in a cloth or towel and place it on the affected area for 10 minutes. Repeat the process after 1-2 hours. Remember that using an ice pack for more than 10-15 minutes can result in tissue damage. Also, make sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel before using it to avoid frostbite. Use a heating pad If one experiences long-term pain or stress in the muscles, they can consider using a heating pad. Apply the heating pad to the affected area for about 10-15 minutes.

Asthma is a health issue that leads to respiratory problems that make breathing difficult . Asthma is a health problem that affects the lungs. An asthma attack can be scary, and sometimes, even life threatening. It leads to inflammation in the airways, causing the airways to tighten and narrow down the air passage. If you are facing an asthma attack, there are emergency home remedies that may help provide relief from asthma symptoms. An asthma attack The tightening of airways leads to difficulty in breathing, causing gasps and wheezing. As a lot of mucus is produced by the lungs, the person coughs continuously to expel the mucus. Continuous cough can extreme discomfort. In severe cases, you may even need hospitalization in case of an asthma attack. Certain home remedies treat asthma very well. These can be tried to relieve symptoms immediately and also prevent them from worsening. Drink hot coffee It is no secret that home remedies treat asthma symptoms. Hot coffee is one such emergency home remedy that provides relief. The warmth of the drink and the caffeine work together to open up the airways, making breathing easier. Hot tea is similarly proven to be effective. Breathing deeply You need to relax and sit comfortably. Don’t lie down and always sit upright to aid better breathing. You can take slow, deep breaths through your nose. A deep breath not only aids easy breathing but also helps you relax and prevents you from panicking. A panic attack can worsen things for asthmatics, hence staying calm and relaxed is very important. Eucalyptus oil Eucalyptus oil is really helpful to provide relief from the symptoms of an asthma attack. You can keep a steam inhaler with you for such situations. Even if you don’t have a steam inhaler, you can heat a vessel of water and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to it.

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disorder that leads to chronic inflammation in the joints. In some cases, this condition can also affect other parts of the body and damage the lungs, eyes, skin, blood vessels, and even the heart. This disorder affects the lining of the joints and can lead to painful swellings, trouble with movement, bone erosion, and even deformity. Here are some of the natural ways to tackle RA. Acupuncture Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most traditional Chinese remedies for pain. The method focuses on using fine needles in different areas to stimulate certain points on the body. Some studies have shown the benefits of acupuncture, especially when linked to rheumatoid arthritis. These studies also found that acupuncture could improve the quality and function of life. There have also been studies that have found laser acupuncture(that uses lasers instead of needles) to be more effective in tackling rheumatoid arthritis pain and inflammation. Before you do try acupuncture, ensure that you are using the services of a certified and licensed professional. You can also check with your doctor if this is safe for you. Massage Massages can also go a long way in tackling the pain and inflammation associated with RA. There are many different types of massages, and you can talk to your healthcare professional about recommendations on which type to opt for. Some research has shown that individuals with RA who opt for frequent moderate-pressure massages may experience less pain and even have a better grip after a month. It was also found that those who received light-pressure massages had a better range of motion. There is more to be studied and understood about how massages benefit RA. Note that you always want to get massages from licensed massage therapists. If you do experience any pain, ensure that you notify your therapist.