Home Remedies for Boils

Boil is a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue in the skin. It starts as a small, red, painful nodule and gradually increases in size. After some time, this area becomes firmer while the center gets filled with white pus. Boils are tender to touch and can be very painful. These may appear on various body parts like head, face, breast, scalp, back, groin, underarms and buttocks. Boil can appear either single or collectively on the skin.

Boils are highly contagious and are caused by the bacteria,Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria enter into the body through the hair follicle or via small cuts on the skin. Boils are also caused due to blocked sweat glands. Some other reasons of this skin problem are diabetes, poor nutrition, poor hygiene, poor immune system, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, chemotherapy and exposure to harsh chemicals.

Boils rarely require medical attention and can be relieved with natural remedies, but often resolve on their own. The best cure for boils is to treat them as soon as they start developing. In this post, let’s find out some useful natural home remedies to treat boils effectively.

Natural Home Remedies for Boils

• Babool- Applying hot poultice of powdered bark of white babool on boils either subsides them or suppurates them.
• Neem- Prepare a paste of neem leaves and apply the same over the affected area. Another way of treatment is to boil some neem leaves in water until the water evaporates to one-third and use the same to rinse the infected area.
• Cinnamon- Prepare a decoction of cinnamon by boiling down 4g of Cinnamon in 3 cups of water to one cup and decant. Administrating it twice daily, in early stages of boils, helps to subside them.
• Turmeric- Stir a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk and drink this twice a day. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, which are helpful in the treatment of boils. A paste of turmeric and fresh ginger can also be directly applied on the boils for relief.
• Drumstick- Applying a warm poultice of drumstick tree leaves in the early stages of boil, makes it subside. It also reduces inflammation accompanied with such glandular swellings.
• Tea Tree Oil- To treat boils, dab a clean cotton ball into tea tree oil and gently apply it directly on the boil. Be cautious not to take tea tree oil internally.  
• Onion and Garlic- Applying a paste or warm juice of onion or garlic directly over the boil is an effective remedy for boils. This application hastens the process of ripening and subsequent drainage and bursting of boils. Try to add onion and garlic into your diet as much as possible.
• Castor Oil- Dab clean cotton ball into castor oil. Apply this directly on the boil. This treatment can be followed 2-3 times a day.
• Betel leaf- Gently warm a betal leaf till it becomes soft and coat it with a layer of castor oil. Now, place it over the inflammed part of the skin. Do not forget to replace the leaf every few hours. This application will rupture and drain out the boil.
• Cumin Seeds- Grind some cumin seeds to make a paste in water. Apply it directly over the infected area.
• Nutmeg (Jaiphal)- Nutmeg is another effective remedy for boils as it stimulates blood circulation in the body. For this, mix half a teaspoon of nutmeg powder in a cup of hot milk. Drink this preparation to prevent bacterial infection in the boil.
• Basil (Tulsi)- Crush some basil leaves with ginger and apply this mixture on the affected area to heal the boils.
• Mulberry- Applying a hot poultice of tender mulberry leaves twice daily for a week subsides boils in its early stages.

Prevention is Better than cure

There are some measures that you can take to prevent boils from developing although these are not completely preventable. Good hygiene and the regular use of antibacterial soaps can help to prevent bacteria from building up on the skin. Use a clean towel and do not share it with others. Wash your hands to prevent bacteria from infecting the skin. Exfoliate your skin on the regular basis to prevent sweat ducts from blockage.

Foods high in sugar and fat should be avoided if you are prone to boils and skin abscesses. Including Vitamin A, C and E rich foods in your diet would surely help to combat boils. Zinc-rich foods are also good for the skin and aid the healing process significantly. Eating green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits is beneficial in keeping boils at bay. Alcohol, caffeine and caffeine products should be avoided as these can aggravate boils. Never squeeze a boil, otherwise, it may cause pain and spread the infection.

Health Benefits of Bitter gourd (Karela)

Health Benefits of Bitter gourd

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) originated on the Indian subcontinent, and was introduced into China in the 14th century. Todau, widely grown in the Indian subcontinent and parts of Asia, Africa, South America, it is unsavory yet very nutritious and healthy. Bitter gourd primarily grows in vines. It bears its fruits during the month of September and November. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Bitter gourd received different names such as  Karela (Hindi), bitter melon and bitter gourd (English), Goya (Japanese), ampalaya (Filipino), etc.

Health Benefits of Bitter gourd (Karela)

• Bitter gourd is also useful for those suffering from piles. Drinking bitter gourd juice or taking it with buttermilk every morning for a month would be beneficial in getting rid of this painful ailment.
• Bitter gourd is high in fiber and hence, prevents constipation. It can cure stomach related disorders by stimulating the secretion of gastric juices.
• It is highly beneficial for those suffering from dyspepsia. People suffering from heartburn and ulcers must cut down on its consumption.
• Bitter gourd purifies blood because of its blood-purifying properties and also said to treat boils and itching caused for similar reasons.
• Bitter gourd contains a chemical called Charantin which reduces high blood glucose levels; hence it is useful for diabetics. Bitter gourd juice can be taken in the morning on an empty stomach to keep a check on the blood sugar levels.
• Bitter gourd juice taken in the morning is beneficial to strengthen the immune system by improving our body’s fighting mechanism against infection and diseases.
• Bitter gourd works well for those who want to lose weight. Add bitter gourd to your diet as it stimulates excretion of bile juices in the liver that are very essential for fat metabolism.
• Fresh juice of bitter gourd leaves can be used to treat cholera in early stages.
• Bitter gourd has high amount of beta-carotene that helps cure eye problems and improve eyesight.
  

Pregnant women must be careful and should try to minimize bitter gourd intake! Bitter gourd is known to have a property that causes abortion. It has monorcharins substance that might have side effects on the gravid uterus.

Herbal Remedies for Muscle Cramps

Muscle Cramps are the painful and spasmodic contractions of the muscles.  Most often people get cramps in the calf muscles; however, one can also get them in thighs, feet or just about any muscle of the body. 

Cramps can be caused due to overexertion, stress, dehydration, or sometimes when the affected part of the body has remained frozen in one position for a long time! Less common causes include diabetes, hypoglycemia, anemia, Parkinson's disease, thyroid & endocrine disorders, and use of some medications. 

Try these effective herbal remedies to ease the muscular cramps:

• Take 5g of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) roots powder with milk daily. This works as a nerve tonic & treats cramps.
• A massage with mustard oil on the affected part is beneficial to cure cramps.
• Before retiring to bed, drinking a glass of warm milk of with 1/4^th tsp dried ginger powder and 1 tsp of turmeric powder is said to give relief from cramps.
• Prepare a mixture of wintergreen oil (1 tbsp) with 4 tbsp of vegetable oil and massage over the affected area to relieve pain & stimulate blood flow.
• Taking a tsp of castor oil with milk at bed time is another useful remedy for cramps.
• Massage sesame oil into the muscle cramp for relief.
• Boil 1 tsp of sesame seeds in milk and take it warm at bedtime.  
• Applying a hot fomentation on the affected area with a bag of salt is also effective in providing relief from cramps.
• Taking a tsp of fennel seeds or carom seeds after meals with lukewarm water prevents the occurrence of cramps by stimulating digestion, and treating flatulence & bloating.
• Take a hot shower or apply an ice massage to the cramped muscle.

When we don't have enough fluid in our body system, it leads to an electrolytic imbalance that causes muscles to cramp up. Eating a diet rich in minerals like sodium, potassium and calcium regulate muscle contractions & help in curing cramps. Including Vitamin E rich food in the diet is said to improve blood flow through the arteries, and hence, treat cramps. Also, drink plenty of water daily to avoid dehydration. Stretching exercises of the limbs are beneficial.