HOW TO REDUCE PUFFY EYES AND DARK CIRCLES

If the eyes are the mirror to the soul, some people’s souls look puffy, dark, tired, and wrinkled. Fortunately, these simple tricks will perk you up.
 
Hemorrhoid cream

Models and performers have reduced puffiness and wrinkles with hemorrhoid cream for years—the stuff tightens puffy areas quickly and reduces wrinkles. If the odor of the cream is too strong, mix a bit of your moisturizer into it before applying. And be careful not to get any of the cream in your eyes.
 
Tea

Caffeinated tea, which contains natural tannins, is a mild diuretic and long-used by grandmothers and runway models for reducing eye puffiness. Soak two tea bags in warm water, and then chill the bags for a few minutes in the refrigerator. Place one tea bag on each eye for five minutes, and your eyes will feel fresh.
 
Avocado

 
For many people, tiredness causes dark circles under the eyes and that can add years to their appearance. If you can’t catch up on your rest, place slices of ripe avocado under each eye, or try applying a paste of ground almonds and milk to lighten the dark shadows.
 
Spoons

Take two metal teaspoons and hold them under very cold running water for a few minutes. Then lie down and place the bowls of the spoons over your eyelids for 30 to 60 seconds. The sharp cold of the metal will revive tired eyes and may boost your energy at the same time.
 
Cucumber

When your eyes are red and puffy, cut a couple slices of cold cucumber, lie down, and put a slice over each eye for 30 minutes. Once you’re up, your eyes will be brighter and your body refreshed.
 
Teething rings

Put two gel-filled baby teething rings in the freezer until they’re ice cold, then lie down and place the rings on your closed eyelids for about 10 minutes. The cold will not only reduce eye puffiness but invigorate you, too.

THE BEST FOODS TO EAT TO AVOID CLOGGED ARTERIES

Certain heart-healthy foods truly act like medicine for your blood vessels, says integrative cardiologist Joel K. Kahn, MD, and these are the best to eat to prevent or reverse heart disease.


First: Break up with soda

An astounding 180,000 people die each year, worldwide, due to the consumption of sugary drinks, and about 45,000 of those deaths are from heart attacks. Heart disease might set in because people who drink many soft drinks tend to gain weight, become diabetic, and suffer premature heart blockages. Soft drinks also elevate blood sugars, which coat proteins and fats, rendering them into a harmful form that damages your arteries. Harvard researchers, who have been studying more than 40,000 physicians and 88,000 nurses for more than two decades, found that women who consumed  more that two servings of a sugary beverage a day were 40 percent more likely to develop heart disease than women who drank fewer. Men who drank the most sodas were 20 percent more likely  to have a heart attack than those who drank the least.
Power Rx: Give up soda. If you drink several a day, be realistic. Start by swapping one for iced tea. Or water it down by mixing half a glass with seltzer. Over time, drink less and less soda until you get to zero.
Veggies

Nearly everything you could possibly buy in the produce section of your grocery store is true medicine to the body. Plant foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and special phytonutrients, all of which are good for the heart. Asparagus, bell peppers, and bok choy, for example, are rich sources of B vitamins, especially vitamin B6, which helps lower homocysteine (an amino acid linked to heart disease) and C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation). Carrots and tomatoes (as well as the fruits oranges and bananas are rich in carotenoids including lycopene, an important antioxidant. It’s no wonder that the Harvard Nurses’ Healthy Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study found that people who ate 8 or more servings were 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack or stroke than people who consumed 1½ servings or fewer.
Power Rx: Eat one more serving of fruits and vegetables than you had yesterday, and keep this up for a week. Next week, add another serving. Keep doing this until you’ve surpassed five. Ideally, keep going until you hit somewhere between eight and 12 servings.
Leafy greens

Arugula, lettuce, beets, kale, spinach, and some other veggies are all rich sources of nitrates, a form of nitrogen they absorb from the soil. During digestion, that compound is converted into an important gas: nitric oxide, which makes arteries resist contraction, plaque, and blood coagulation, so strokes and heart attacks can’t occur. Researchers at Queen Mary University of London recently found that those who consumed a nitrate-rich meal—such as a bowl of lettuce—experienced an 11.2-mmHg drop in blood pressure within just a few hours, a reduction that lasted all day long. This important improvement in blood pressure rivals the best of powerful and widely prescribed drugs.
Power Rx: Add greens to everything (soups, sandwiches, smoothies, and whatever else you can think of), or try a glass of beet juice every day.
Spices and herbs

One of the easiest ways to protect your heart is also the tastiest. Many herbs and spices are medicine for the body. They are concentrate from plants, so they contain the same protective chemicals that plants use to ward off pests and disease. When we consume these chemicals from spices, they protect the cells in our body from disease too.
The allium in garlic has been shown to improve blood cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and lower the risk of developing heart disease. Turmeric is rich in curcumin, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory herb that has been shown to thin the blood. The sweet spice cinnamon may improve blood flow and help normalize blood sugar.

Power Rx: Sprinkle apple pie spice (which contains cinnamon, along with cloves, allspice, and nutmeg) on fruit, oatmeal, and even your morning cup of joe. Add Italian seasoning mix onto salads, into soups, and onto potatoes and other side dishes.
Meat that's as "naked" as possible

I gave up meat many years ago, and I’d love if everyone did the same. That said, I know the idea of forgoing animal products sounds like a steep change for many. A great first step: Make sure the meat you do eat is as naked as possible. I mean meat that contains no antibiotics, hormones, sodium, artificial colors, nitrites, pesticides, or hidden additives. If you buy meat at the supermarket, you can look for labels like “hormone and antibiotic free.” You also want to buy meat that comes from animals that dined on grass or other natural food sources, not from those that consumed grain from a feedlot. Meat from grass-fed animals has more healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Power Rx: Always consume vegetables or fruit with any type of meat. The healing plant chemicals might buffer some of the harmful effects of meat. Make the vegetables and fruits the biggest portion of your dinner plate, and meat the garnish.
SMASH fish

Certain types of fish account for your richest source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation, heart rhythm disturbances, triglyceride levels, and high blood pressure. Diets rich in this fat might prevent plaque from building up in your arteries. These fish are easy to remember with this SMASH acronym: sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon, and herring. 
Power Rx: Stick to eating fish twice a week, particularly of large fish like swordfish that have a high concentration of mercury.

Tea

This beverage is a rich source of plant substances, called flavonoids, that help neutralize oxidation in the body. Particular flavonoids in green tea, called catechins, protect our cells much like a premium gas additive keeps your car engine humming. Black, green, and oolong teas all halt heart disease in several ways, including blocking dietary cholesterol from being absorbed into the bloodstream, regulating levels of blood sugar, and soothing inflammation.
Power Rx: Drink one more cup daily than you already are. (If you don’t sip any, start with one cup). If you’re already a tea drinker, aim for three cups a day—one with each meal. Let it steep for three to five minutes to boost the amount of catechins.

Coffee (in moderation)

For many years people at risk of developing heart disease were told to shun coffee. But without cream and artificial sweeteners, coffee is surprisingly healthy for most people. And despite the caffeine it contains, a cup of dark roasted java may actually lower blood pressure rather than raise it. (Of course, if coffee gives you racing heartbeats or jitteriness, listen to your body and skip it).

Power Rx: Limit yourself to no more than four cups a day. A recent study found that drinking more than four eight-ounce cups of coffee a day was associated with a shorter life span, so enjoy your java but limit it to reasonable amounts.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA

Natural teas can treat everything from arthritis to an upset stomach, without the unwanted side effects of over-the-counter medications.
 

Black Tea

• Full of tannic acids with strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, black tea can calm diarrhea or bloating by helping the body absorb fluids better.
• Wet tea bags will also reduce swelling on cuts, bee stings, bug bites, toothaches, or eyes suffering from conjunctivitis. • Poison ivy rash? Soak the area with 3 to 5 black tea bags for itch relief.
• The alkalines in black tea also neutralize acids and can relieve pain in canker and cold sores; apply a damp, cooled tea bag to the area, repeating 3 to 4 times a day.
• A black-tea foot soak will also kill bacteria and close pores, helping you sweat less and reduce odor.
 

Green Tea

• Researchers suspect that polyphenols in green tea may play an important role in cancer prevention, believing they help kill or slow cancer cells' growth. In a study of 472 women with breast cancer, those who drank the most green tea experienced the least spread of the disease. • In skin-cancer studies, lab animals given green tea developed one tenth as many tumors as animals who drank water. • Green tea also has been shown to lower your risk of dying from heart disease or stroke; reduce rates of tooth decay; and stop a decline in mental ability. • When it comes to memory, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that drinking just one cup of green tea a day made folks 55 and older 38 percent less likely to experience a decline in their mental abilities; drinking a second cup daily made them 54 percent less likely to show declines. • Studies have also shown that using green tea as a face wash or compress helps reduce acne blemishes.
 

Mint Tea

• Mint tea is excellent at stimulating digestion and dispelling gas to ease constipation, nausea, and vomiting. • A study in the Journal of Gastroenterology found that IBS patients taking peppermint-oil capsules for symptom relief experienced an approximately 40 percent greater reduction in abdominal pain and a 50 percent greater reduction in bloating and flatulence than those patients receiving a placebo. Researchers believe it may reduce the gag reflex by anesthetizing the stomach lining. • Drink a cup before each meal to calm your stomach muscles and help food move a little faster, especially if you’re indulging in fatty foods. • Mint tea can also be used to relieve throat pain, refresh achy feet (soak in cooled tea), and clear sinus pain.
 

Chamomile Tea: for stress

• Sipping chamomile tea or taking a chamomile bath are proven methods to reduce stress and anxiety. • The soothing tea is also a known remedy for sleep disorders and insomnia thanks to its sedative properties. • Chamomile also has antispasmodic properties that help with digestive issues. A cup of tea will reduce menstrual cramps, diarrhea, morning sickness, and general nausea and vomiting. • Researchers believe chamomile contains plant compounds that may lessen the gag reflex. • Chamomile inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Honey also helps fight ulcers, so add a little to your tea to help ulcers heal.
 

Chamomile Tea: for inflammation

• Strong chamomile tea can be applied to achy, arthritic joints for soothing relief, and to acne, blisters, or boils to reduce pain and redness. • A chamomile compress can also ease the swelling and itch of hives. • Used as a mouthwash, chamomile reduces gum pain and helps heal gingivitis. • Sipping or gargling with chamomile will reduce inflammation if you have a sore throat.
 

Lemon Tea

• If you suffer from allergies, a cup of hot lemon tea will wake up the hairs in your nose that keep pollen and dust out of your nasal passages, helping to reduce sneezing and coughing throughout the day. Add a little sage, fennel, or anise from your spice rack to boost the effect. • Lemon tea is also very effective as a cold remedy, where the astringent lemon shrinks swollen throat tissue. Add a little honey (a powerful natural antioxidant and antibiotic) to soothe and coat your throat.
 

Ginger: for digestion

• When it comes to digestive issues, ginger has been used for thousands of years to treat indigestion and diarrhea. Researchers believe it reduces intestinal contractions, neutralizes digestive acids, and curbs the brain’s “vomit center.” Two compounds in ginger also work on the inner ear and central nervous system, reducing dizziness and associated nausea. • Ginger also specifically targets the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, H. pylori. Many swear by ginger tea for morning sickness, menstrual cramps, motion sickness, and as a hangover cure.
 

Ginger: for inflammation

• Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties make it a great remedy for a cold, the flu, or congestion. Herbalists refer to ginger as a diaphoretic; as it helps you sweat it can help break a fever. • Ginger can also provide pain relief if you suffer from arthritis or tendonitis, and it has also been shown to soothe even the most painful migraine. Drink ginger tea with honey for added antioxidant benefits.
 

Black Pepper Tea

• This unusual remedy, rooted in New England folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, works great for wet coughs. Black pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow, while honey is a natural cough reliever and antibiotic. Place 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons of honey in a cup. Fill with boiling water and let steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Strain and sip as needed.
 

Thyme Tea

• Thyme is a strong antiseptic, and has been shown to lower the inflammation and pain of arthritis and gout patients. • A thyme-mint tea blend is a great solution to nasal or sinusitis pain, where the thyme calms inflamed sinuses and the mint acts as a natural decongestant. Inhale the steam from the hot thyme-mint tea for maximum effectiveness. • Achy feet? Simmer two tablespoons of dried thyme in a quart of boiling water for 20 minutes, then cool slightly and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
 

Sage Tea

• Sage is known for its ability to soothe a sore throat and restore one's voice, but this herb also has elements that combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi. For a sore throat or laryngitis, gargle with sage tea or sip a cup that's been heavily sweetened with honey, which has mild antiseptic properties and will also help soothe inflamed, irritated throats. • Sage is also known to help ease night sweats that are associated with menopause.
 

Orange Peel Tea

• To help relieve diarrhea, make orange peel tea. Peel organic oranges (non-organic might have pesticides or dyes that can make your condition worse) and finely chop the peel, then toss in a pot of boiling water. Cover the pot tightly and steep until cool. Strain, sweeten with honey, and drink.
 

Lemon Balm Tea

• Herbalists call lemon balm “gladdening herb,” and for centuries this member of the mint family has been used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders naturally. • Lemon balm also contains two substances that fight herpes. Feel an outbreak coming on? Sip a cup of tea; you can also soak a cotton ball in lemon balm tea and apply it directly to cold sores and blisters in order to speed up healing.
 

Dandelion Tea

• Dandelion is a strong diuretic and stimulates blood circulation through the kidneys, helping to detox your kidneys and liver naturally. It's a good way to stimulate digestion before or after a big meal. When it comes to kidney health, this weed has been shown to reduce fluid retention resulting from kidney disorders, and also may help speed up the passing of a small kidney stone.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA

Natural teas can treat everything from arthritis to an upset stomach, without the unwanted side effects of over-the-counter medications.
Black Tea

• Full of tannic acids with strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, black tea can calm diarrhea or bloating by helping the body absorb fluids better.
• Wet tea bags will also reduce swelling on cuts, bee stings, bug bites, toothaches, or eyes suffering from conjunctivitis. • Poison ivy rash? Soak the area with 3 to 5 black tea bags for itch relief.
• The alkalines in black tea also neutralize acids and can relieve pain in canker and cold sores; apply a damp, cooled tea bag to the area, repeating 3 to 4 times a day.
• A black-tea foot soak will also kill bacteria and close pores, helping you sweat less and reduce odor.
Green Tea

• Researchers suspect that polyphenols in green tea may play an important role in cancer prevention, believing they help kill or slow cancer cells' growth. In a study of 472 women with breast cancer, those who drank the most green tea experienced the least spread of the disease. 

• In skin-cancer studies, lab animals given green tea developed one tenth as many tumors as animals who drank water. 

• Green tea also has been shown to lower your risk of dying from heart disease or stroke; reduce rates of tooth decay; and stop a decline in mental ability. 

• When it comes to memory, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that drinking just one cup of green tea a day made folks 55 and older 38 percent less likely to experience a decline in their mental abilities; drinking a second cup daily made them 54 percent less likely to show declines. 

• Studies have also shown that using green tea as a face wash or compress helps reduce acne blemishes.
Mint Tea

• Mint tea is excellent at stimulating digestion and dispelling gas to ease constipation, nausea, and vomiting. 

• A study in the Journal of Gastroenterology found that IBS patients taking peppermint-oil capsules for symptom relief experienced an approximately 40 percent greater reduction in abdominal pain and a 50 percent greater reduction in bloating and flatulence than those patients receiving a placebo. Researchers believe it may reduce the gag reflex by anesthetizing the stomach lining. 

• Drink a cup before each meal to calm your stomach muscles and help food move a little faster, especially if you’re indulging in fatty foods. 

• Mint tea can also be used to relieve throat pain, refresh achy feet (soak in cooled tea), and clear sinus pain.
Chamomile Tea: for stress

• Sipping chamomile tea or taking a chamomile bath are proven methods to reduce stress and anxiety. 

• The soothing tea is also a known remedy for sleep disorders and insomnia thanks to its sedative properties. 

• Chamomile also has antispasmodic properties that help with digestive issues. A cup of tea will reduce menstrual cramps, diarrhea, morning sickness, and general nausea and vomiting. 

• Researchers believe chamomile contains plant compounds that may lessen the gag reflex. 

• Chamomile inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Honey also helps fight ulcers, so add a little to your tea to help ulcers heal.

Chamomile Tea: for inflammation

• Strong chamomile tea can be applied to achy, arthritic joints for soothing relief, and to acne, blisters, or boils to reduce pain and redness. 

• A chamomile compress can also ease the swelling and itch of hives. 

• Used as a mouthwash, chamomile reduces gum pain and helps heal gingivitis. 

• Sipping or gargling with chamomile will reduce inflammation if you have a sore throat.
Lemon Tea

• If you suffer from allergies, a cup of hot lemon tea will wake up the hairs in your nose that keep pollen and dust out of your nasal passages, helping to reduce sneezing and coughing throughout the day. Add a little sage, fennel, or anise from your spice rack to boost the effect. 

• Lemon tea is also very effective as a cold remedy, where the astringent lemon shrinks swollen throat tissue. Add a little honey (a powerful natural antioxidant and antibiotic) to soothe and coat your throat.
Ginger: for digestion

• When it comes to digestive issues, ginger has been used for thousands of years to treat indigestion and diarrhea. Researchers believe it reduces intestinal contractions, neutralizes digestive acids, and curbs the brain’s “vomit center.” Two compounds in ginger also work on the inner ear and central nervous system, reducing dizziness and associated nausea. 

• Ginger also specifically targets the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, H. pylori. Many swear by ginger tea for morning sickness, menstrual cramps, motion sickness, and as a hangover cure.
Ginger: for inflammation

• Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties make it a great remedy for a cold, the flu, or congestion. Herbalists refer to ginger as a diaphoretic; as it helps you sweat it can help break a fever. 

• Ginger can also provide pain relief if you suffer from arthritis or tendonitis, and it has also been shown to soothe even the most painful migraine. Drink ginger tea with honey for added antioxidant benefits.
Black Pepper Tea

• This unusual remedy, rooted in New England folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, works great for wet coughs. Black pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow, while honey is a natural cough reliever and antibiotic. Place 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons of honey in a cup. Fill with boiling water and let steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Strain and sip as needed.
Thyme Tea

• Thyme is a strong antiseptic, and has been shown to lower the inflammation and pain of arthritis and gout patients. 

• A thyme-mint tea blend is a great solution to nasal or sinusitis pain, where the thyme calms inflamed sinuses and the mint acts as a natural decongestant. Inhale the steam from the hot thyme-mint tea for maximum effectiveness. 

• Achy feet? Simmer two tablespoons of dried thyme in a quart of boiling water for 20 minutes, then cool slightly and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Sage Tea

• Sage is known for its ability to soothe a sore throat and restore one's voice, but this herb also has elements that combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi. For a sore throat or laryngitis, gargle with sage tea or sip a cup that's been heavily sweetened with honey, which has mild antiseptic properties and will also help soothe inflamed, irritated throats. 

• Sage is also known to help ease night sweats that are associated with menopause.
Orange Peel Tea

• To help relieve diarrhea, make orange peel tea. Peel organic oranges (non-organic might have pesticides or dyes that can make your condition worse) and finely chop the peel, then toss in a pot of boiling water. Cover the pot tightly and steep until cool. Strain, sweeten with honey, and drink.

Lemon Balm Tea

• Herbalists call lemon balm “gladdening herb,” and for centuries this member of the mint family has been used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders naturally. 

• Lemon balm also contains two substances that fight herpes. Feel an outbreak coming on? Sip a cup of tea; you can also soak a cotton ball in lemon balm tea and apply it directly to cold sores and blisters in order to speed up healing.

Dandelion Tea

• Dandelion is a strong diuretic and stimulates blood circulation through the kidneys, helping to detox your kidneys and liver naturally. It's a good way to stimulate digestion before or after a big meal. When it comes to kidney health, this weed has been shown to reduce fluid retention resulting from kidney disorders, and also may help speed up the passing of a small kidney stone.

(Courtesy To iStock/Thinkstock & Reader's Digest)

NATURAL COUGH REMEDIES

Got a nagging cough? Before you reach for an over-the-counter solution, try one of these natural remedies.

Steep some thyme to relieve a cough.

Thyme is an officially approved German treatment for coughs, upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, and whooping cough, with good reason: Those tiny leaves are packed with cough-relieving compounds. Thyme flavonoids relax tracheal and ileal muscles, which are involved in coughing, and also reduce inflammation. To make a tea, mix 2 teaspoons crushed leaves in 1 cup boiling water, cover, then steep for 10 minutes and strain.

Fight a cough with flax, honey, and lemon.

Boiling flax seeds in water gives you a thick, gooey gel that soothes the throat and the bronchial tract. Honey and lemon act as mild antibiotics, and make this syrup super-soothing. For this natural remedy, boil 2 to 3 tablespoons of flax seeds in 1 cup of water until the water becomes thick. Strain, then add 3 tablespoons each of honey and lemon juice. Take 1 tablespoon as needed.

Brew black pepper tea for a wet cough.

This natural remedy is rooted in two very different traditions: New England folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. The rationale behind it is that black pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow; honey is a natural cough reliever and mild antibiotic. To make the tea, place 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons of honey in a cup. Fill with boiling water and let steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Strain and sip as needed. This remedy works best on coughs that produce mucus and isn't suitable for dry coughs.

Suck a lemon for fast-acting cough relief.

This isn't for the faint of heart, but it is a commonly used folk remedy: Quarter a fresh lemon, sprinkle it with lots of black pepper and salt, and suck on it for quick relief.

Sip some warm milk to help a cough.

Another popular folk cure for a cough is to drink a cup of hot milk sweetened with honey.

Blend almonds to remedy a cough.

Some ancient traditions believe almonds help relieve bronchial problems, including coughs. They recommend blending a few teaspoons of finely ground almonds with a cup of orange juice and sipping it for relief.