Is There a Natural Way to End Snoring?

I was recently asked if I knew of a natural way to end snoring, by a friend, who said his wife's snoring kept him awake hours on end.

I told him I did not have any remedy that I could personally endorse, but had read that some people have some success sewing a tennis ball into the back of pajama tops. The theory is that it keeps the person from sleeping on their back, which is the most common position for snorers. I have never personally tried it, but told him it was worth a shot, if he could get his wife to go along with it.

I recently came across a website Banish Snoring! which claims to offer a natural two step solution to snoring. I have not personally tried their product, but it is sold through Clickbank.com, so it comes with a money back guarantee. If you try it and it does not work, simply contact clickbank.com for a full refund. I have sent the URL for the Banish Snoring website to my friend, if he tries it, I will report back here.

Is There A Natural Remedy for Swine Flu?

As the media whips up the hysteria about swine flu, I am asked this question more and more. My response has several parts.

First, I tell people that if they think they have swine flu, or any medical problem, they should consult a doctor. And that is true for readers of this blog, I am not a doctor, the information I offer is not a substitute for qualified medical care. If you think you have a health problem, please see your doctor.

Secondly, I suggest that it is better to try to prevent getting sick in the first place, and there are some common sense recommendations that help.

The first is one you probably heard from your mother, wash your hands frequently, with soap and warm water. It is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of germs.

Next, getting adequate rest is important. If you are not sleeping enough, your immune system will not function optimally, making you more susceptible to getting sick. Make sure you are sleeping enough to let your body recover from the day's stresses.

Eating a varied and nutritious diet also helps. Foods rich in vitamin C and/or quercitin (a bioflavinoid, which is a good antioxidant and anti inflammatory) especially seem to support the immune system, including apples, blueberries, onions, buckwheat, green tea, and garlic, to name a few. Eating a wide enough diet to ensure your body is receiving adequate nutritional support is important. (Consult your doctor, or a dietitian, if you need help to determine what an appropriate diet is for you.) Include a variety of fruits and vegetables every day, preferably locally grown and seasonal. Some research suggests that taking supplemental vitamin D also supports your immune system, and it may help, but I don't have any experience with the supplement myself. You may want to check with your doctor about this.

Do what you can to support your immune system, and you are less likely to become ill, and to recover faster if you do become sick.

When I get the flu, I usually let it run its course, making sure to get as much rest as possible, and drink plenty of fluids (usually tea, herb tea, or broth); if I feel I need to take something more, I use a homeopathic remedy called Oscillococcinum, which is usually available in health food stores, and even grocery and drug stores. I find that it helps most if you start taking it at the first signs of symptoms.

My strongest advice about swine flu is to remember that media thrives on sensationalism, and generally blows things far out of proportion. Take some common sense precautions, get enough rest, eat well; and take the media stories with a very large grain of salt.

Red Bush Tea

Red bush tea comes from a South African plant called Rooibus, (Aspalathus linearis is the botanical name.)

(The drink made from steeping the rooibus leaves is not a real tea, since tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia family of plants, which give us green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea, etc.; but using the term "tea" to describe infusions of other plants is generally understood, so I will use it here.)

The leaves of the Rooibus plant are green, but they turn red when they have been bruised and allowed to dry in the sun. This natural fermentation is the traditional way rooibus leaves are processed. After fermentation, the tea brewed from the leaves becomes very red.

Some of the benefits of drinking green or black tea lie with their high content of antioxidants which can bind to free radicals in the body to help prevent oxidative damage to body cells. Some of these antioxidants are polyphenols including catechins. But tea has a drawback, if you are sensitive to caffeine.

Rooibos is also a good source of antioxidants and polyphenols, but has no caffeine.

Rooibos also has a very low tannin content, so it brews a very smooth tea, and has a sweet, mild flavor.

Rooibos has been used as an herbal remedy for a long time, it is safe enough to use in infants, and has been used to settle colicky infants, and as a wash to treat diaper rash. In Japan, it is also used as a natural remedy for acne, both as a topical application, and taken as tea.

Researchers have found that rooibos decreases histamine production, and is also rich in quercetin, a natural anti-inflammatory. Regular consumption may help allergy and hayfever problems.

Rooibos tea soothes the digestive system, helps digestion, and improves the appetite, and is often recommended for digestive discomfort.

Drinking rooibos calms the nervous system, and helps relieve insomnia, and soothes nervous tension and irritability.

Rooibos contains natural fluoride, and many other trace minerals.

Rooibos can be brewed the sams as regular tea, but can be steeped longer without becoming bitter because of the low tannin content. Since it is naturally caffeine free, it can be enjoyed all day, even by those who are sensitive to caffeine.

Rooibos is widely available, most grocery stores carry several varieties, generally in the same aisle as regular and herbal teas.