Antidotes for constipation, blisters and insect bites
HERE ARE some special remedies to resort to in daily life that are better choices for health and wellness.

Help! I am constantly constipated.
Constipation is generally due to a poor diet—one lacking in fiber, combinations of foods that are incompatible, inadequate water intake or exercise, and avoiding or postponing going to the toilet. How simple can this be?

Solutions:

Increase vegetable intake. Try to eat more greens every meal time.

Drink two glasses of water upon waking up. This immediately has a cleansing effect on the body.

Take more laxative fruits/ foods—prunes, grains, cherries, pineapple.

Avoid harsh laxatives. They may even irritate your bowels.

Use natural oils like olive, wheat germ and castor oil as lubricating nutrients (1-2 tbsp daily)

Aloe vera (with the outer green bark, minus the spiny parts) is a good laxative. Take a piece, wash and blend with water or juice. Drink daily.

Figs also relax the bowels.

Lemon therapy: Each morning before breakfast, mix half a lemon in a cup of warm water. Drink 4 oz more every hour until 6 p.m. This stimulates more bowel movement.

Senna leaves: A strong laxative for chronic cases, to be used by adults only. It is a temporary remedy. Blend senna with ginger. Dilute with water.

Castor/olive oil: Warm the oil and rub on the abdomen. Castor oil will immediately break up old fecal matter. Place a hot towel or heating pad for 20 minutes. Best therapy is using castor oil for three nights and olive oil for three nights.

Every time I go ballroom dancing, I get blisters on my feet. What is the best treatment for this?

Blisters are caused by constant friction and irritation of the skin. Wash the affected area with a mild natural soap. Follow with a disinfectant (apple cider vinegar or native vinegar is good) and avoid any physical activity that will rub the area again. Cover with tape if possible.

Mix apple cider vinegar and honey as an antibacterial lotion. Spread over blister and bandage.

Rub olive/virgin coconut or wheat germ oil over the blister and bandage.

Mix cornstarch with a little water and apply on the area as a natural antiseptic.

Buy a decent pair of dancing shoes.

Rest your tired feet for a few days before resuming your ballroom dancing.

My skin is so sensitive to insect bites. How can I protect myself?

Unfortunately, unless you constantly spray yourself with natural insect repellant, those insects will still bite you.

There are natural products with andiroba, a plant-derived compound from Brazil that repels insects. Look for the Oilganics brand found in drugstores. It’s locally made but effective. Safe for babies, too.

Once bitten, here are remedies:

Garlic/onion—juice from these powerful antiseptics will promote healing. Add vegetable oil, as it can sting. It draws out the poison from insect bites.

Butter/salt—Apply butter on the area. Salt with a little water is good, too.

Lemon—Dilute ½ tsp juice in one cup water. Apply on the bite.

Mayonnaise—Mix a small portion with apple cider vinegar as a skin balm.

Aloe vera—Straight from the plant, cut a piece and use the sticky paste on your skin.

Its cooling, antiseptic effect is healing.

Cleansing drink

Mix two stalks aloe vera (without skin, unless you are constipated) and one cup fresh apple. Juice it in a blender and drink up. Also, it’s a good skin tonic!

Affirmation: “I claim life’s goodness today.”

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Love and light!