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.

Herbal Remedies for Piles!

Treat Piles with Common Kitchen Herbs!

Piles (or Hemorrhoids) is a varicose condition of the veins, which leads to pain in the anal region while passing stools. In some cases, when the condition is severe (as in internal piles), bleeding can also occur. The patient suffering from hemorrhoids cannot sit comfortably due to itching, irritation & pain in the rectal region. 

The main causes of piles are sedentary lifestyle, strenuous work, persistent constipation due to poor dietary habits, stress and anxiety, obesity, pregnancy & heredity. Find here some natural kitchen remedies for seeking relief from piles:

Natural Remedies for Piles

• To treat piles, take 2 tsp of powdered mango seeds with honey twice daily.
• Have 2 tsp of triphala (mixture of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica & Emblica officinalis) powder with lukewarm water before going to bed.
• Drinking a glass of wheatgrass juice daily is beneficial for treating piles.
• Drinking a glass of amla (Indian gooseberry) fruit juice on an empty stomach is also said to relieve hemorrhoids.
• Eating a handful of black plum with salt in the morning on an empty stomach is another remedy for bleeding piles.
• Having ½ a cup of radish juice with a pinch of salt is beneficial remedy for hemorrhoids  Take this twice daily for a month. Application of a paste of radish grounded in milk at the site is beneficial in relieving pain and swelling due to piles.
• Mix a tsp of black cumin seeds with a tsp of unroasted black cumin seeds. Powder them and take ½ tsp of the same with water daily.
• Take a handful of sesame seeds and boil in ½ liter of water. When the water reduces to 1/3rd, add a tsp of butter and have it once daily. To ease the symptoms, poultice made of sesame seeds can also be applied externally on the piles.
• Drinking Aloe vera juice for about 15 days is also known to give relief from piles.
• For bleeding piles, take a raw bael fruit (Aegle marmelos) and roast its pulp. Mix the same with equal amounts of jaggery and have it twice daily.
• Mix half a tsp of ginger juice with 1 tsp lemon juice along with ½ tsp of mint juice. Add honey to taste and take it twice daily. 
• Boil a tsp of powdered fenugreek seeds in a glass of water. Take it with honey twice daily.
• One of the useful kitchen remedies to treat piles is to crush and extract out the juice of bitter gourd leaves. Add about 3 tsp in a glassful of buttermilk &have it every morning on an empty stomach at least for a month.
• Drinking a glass of buttermilk twice daily, with ½ tsp of turmeric powder or with rock salt and black pepper is known to ease the pain due to hemorrhoids.
• To cure hemorrhoids, administer 10 ml of onion juice with sugar for a week. 

Chronic constipation is the basic cause of piles. Therefore, a sufferer should consume a diet rich in fibers including fresh fruits, vegetables, & pulses such as beans, peas and lentils. Yogurt should be taken in good quantities as it improves bowel movement. 

Drinking plenty of water, fruit juices and butter milk everyday is good for those suffering from piles. Cut down on alcohol as well as aerated and caffeine containing drinks. Exercise is a great way of maintaining health and stay fit! Learn to cope up with stress & anxiety and do not forget to take a good night sleep to wake up fresh!