neem leaves – The Metrognome

Mumbai is currently grappling with dengue. Here are 5 natural ways to lessen the impact of fever and body pain.

by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Dengue is currently claiming many victims in Mumbai. While the causes and effects of dengue are well known, what is not known to a lot of people is that the fever and body pain associated with dengue can be minimised with natural remedies.

Look for answers in your kitchen. Certain herbs and fruits can lessen the impacts of dengue. They may bring down fever, increase immunity and even step up platelet production in the blood. Here are 5 natural remedies in case you or a loved one are suffering from dengue:

1. Papaya for platelets. Research shows that papaya and its leaves have curative properties. The fruit is especially beneficial in the treatment of dengue. Raw papaya is said to be an excellent remedy for increasing the platelet count in the blood. It also enables the removal of toxins through urine, so that fever may reduce.

2.Purify with neem. Neem has the potential to purify the skin and system. It is potent in any form – when chewed in leaf form or added as an extract to oil. Neem has blood purifying properties, so it helps in bringing down fever, clearing out toxins that cause disease and even rashes on the skin. To use, add unscented neem oil to a damp cloth and place it on the forehead of the person suffering from dengue fever. Alternately, you can put neem leaves in hot water and inhale the steam. The patient can even take a wash of neem-soaked warm water every day.

3.Warm tulsi tea. Basil has unique cleansing properties that remove toxins, fever and infection from the body. Ayurvedic doctors recommend adding a sprig of tulsi leaves to warm water, letting them steep in the water for 3 minutes and then drinking the tea at least twice a day to fortify the body from within. You can also boil tulsi leaves in water, strain the water and add a teaspoon of honey before drinking the tea.

4. Coriander for fever. Though unpleasant to taste, coriander leaves may be used to bring down dengue fever. Chop finely and blend to a juice, with half an inch of fresh ginger and some turmeric. Drink this juice twice a day to reduce the severity of fever.

5. Orange juice for immunity. Dengue strikes more severely when the patient’s immunity is compromised. Increase immunity with the intake of Vitamins A and C. Chew on raw carrot pieces, or have a glass of orange juice (with the pulp intact) to get your vitamin fix.

(Pictures courtesy www.wikihow.com, www.urdumania.net, english.alarabiya.net. Images are file pictures used for representational purpose only)

Foot care made easy

They take a lot of pressure, but they are relatively easy to take care of, too. Follow these simple steps.

by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

If you think you are overworked, and if the stress in your body is focussed only in your shoulders and back, think again. While these parts of your body definitely bear the brunt of a stressful life, we actually forget that the most stresses are concentrated in our legs, and mostly in our feet.

Our feet don’t just take us places, they take the strain of sudden movement when we run for the bus or the train, spend long periods resting as we sit at our desks and the blood pools in them, get very little attention as regards a tone-up and massage, and are hardly ever exercised like they should be. What’s more, we don’t notice their poor health till the skin on our sole starts callusing, or we develop painful corns or bunions due to wrong footwear, or even such potentially serious conditions such as DVT in the vessels in the feet, and which may cause painful cramps and spasms.

Yet, it’s not too late to start caring for your feet. Just follow these steps and you’re good:
– Invest in a rubber cricket ball and place it near your feet. Whether at home watching TV or working at your desk in office, move your feet backwards and forwards over the ball in a regular motion. This stimulates blood circulation and massages aching muscles.

– If you suffer from poor circulation in your feet, try this: Slather a soothing lotion or a deep tissue oil on your feet, and massage firmly for two minutes. Next, warm a pair of socks and put these on for half an hour. Do not walk while the socks are on.

– If you’ve suffered a cut or injury on your feet due to new footwear, disinfect it immediately.

– A good indication of whether you are over-exercising or walking too many kilometres is when your feet develop aches or swell up. Walk briskly but only as much as your feet can take, and drink a lot of water before you exercise.

– In this weather, your feet are likely to get sweaty and give rise to bacterial infections. Give your feet a thorough disinfecting treatment – in a tub of warm water, squeeze the juice of two lemons and soak for 20 minutes. Next, rub a pumice stone or foot scraper gently over dead skin, then soak your feet in a fresh tub of lemon water for 10 minutes. Clean out your nails, file them and complete the treatment with a generous slathering of neem oil on your feet. Wear old socks over your feet and avoid walking for a while.

– If your feet have been bearing the brunt of too much running around at work, follow a regimen of massage before washing feet with warm water. You can use coconut oil or olive oil for a good massage.

– Do these simple exercises every day:

1) Rotate your ankles clockwise and anticlockwise for a fixed number of times. Your legs and body should be stationery.
2) Hold your ankles and bend your feet upwards and downwards slowly, for a fixed number of times.
3) If you are prone to cramps in your legs, flex your toes and point them as low as you can towards the ground. Then flex again and point them as high as you can. Do this slowly without pressurising your calf muscles.

– It is a good idea to have a pedicure and foot spa every two weeks, but ensure that the equipment used is clean.

(Pictures courtesy healthmeup.com, zongyi.blogspot.com)