Essential oils have numerous health benefits and can be incredibly relaxing. Used in both aromatherapy and skin care, essential oils can help you create spa-like experiences in your very own home. Treat your feet right with an invigorating peppermint foot cream and slough away dead skin cells with a DIY sugar scrub. You can even use whipped body butter to establish a smooth skin tone. 

Although the aromatherapy shower mist recipe in this article doesn’t turn back the hands of time, it can transform your shower into a full-on steam room. Spray the mist in your steamy shower and the aromas will transport you to a relaxing oasis. The best part is that you don’t even have to leave your bathroom!

Typically, spa scents are made with a custom blend of essential oils. Because you are making this aromatherapy blend, you can also customize to your liking. If you prefer more eucalyptus essential oil than peppermint essential oil, alter the recipe. You can also use essential oils that help contribute to more alertness and energy to help you get your day started. A relaxing blend of essential oils, including lavender essential oil, may be beneficial for winding down before bed. 

What Is A Shower Mist?

A shower mist is basically a spray that you spritz into the water or steam of the shower, which transforms it into a spa-like experience. The steam from the hot water creates a natural diffuser, spreading the aromas of the essential oils in the shower air. While showering, you’re surrounded by the shower steam and an amazing fragrance. 

A shower mist is about more than a pleasant aroma, though. The essential oils in the shower mist have therapeutic properties, which you benefit from during your steamy shower. A few spritzes in your shower may help relax the body, calm the mind, wake you up, lift your spirits, regulate emotions, and rejuvenate your senses. 

Shower Mist Vs. Shower Steamer

You may have heard of a shower steamer. In fact, you can click here for our DIY recipe! They are scented discs that you place on the shower floor. As hot water flows onto them, they release their aroma into the shower air. A shower steamer is very similar to a shower mist, as both release the aromas from essential oils that you choose. Shower steamers are not for everyone, though, especially if you use oils or butters to make them. They can cause the shower floor to become a bit slippery, which is dangerous if your balance is not 100%. 

A shower mist is also a lot easier to make. All you have to do is pour the ingredients in a bottle, screw on the cap, shake the bottle up, and you are good to go. A shower mist also does not depend on humidity, so you can use the same recipe whether the humidity level is 0% or 100%. Shower steamers are a lot harder to make if you live in a humid environment. Finally, there is no setting time for a shower mist. Use it as soon as you make it, unlike shower steamers, which occasionally take days to set. 

DIY Shower Mist

Ingredients:

• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 15 drops orange essential oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil
• 1/4 cup high-proof grade alcohol (such as Everclear)
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to an eight-ounce spray bottle and then pour in the high-proof grade alcohol. 
• Should you choose to use other essential oils, that is also fine. The general recommendation for this recipe is 30-40 drops of essential oils. You can keep the high-proof grade alcohol and distilled water measurements the same in that eight-ounce bottle.
• Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water (leaving a small amount of space at the top to prevent overflowing), screw on the cap, and shake well to combine. 
• Put your spray to use! Spritz the shower mist in your hot shower and reap the benefits.

SHARE:

The post DIY Aromatherapy Shower Mist appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

This isn’t your ordinary vegetable soup because this soup is made with roasted vegetables, which offer deeper, richer flavors and a subtle smokiness. Once you roast your vegetables, blend them together to make a creamy, addictive soup. Although there are many adjectives that can accurately describe this soup, it is simply delicious. Blending all of the ingredients together helps create a rich, creamy consistency. And the great thing about this soup is that is is great for all culinary skill levels. It is very beginner-friendly!

Why should you roast vegetables instead of steaming or sautéing them? While steaming is a great way to cook vegetables, you miss out on the caramelized flavor and delightful smokiness that comes from roasting them. But not all vegetables roast equally, as some take longer to cook than others. For example, it takes longer to roast tomatoes and bell peppers than it does to roast beets and parsnips. Because this recipe contains bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes, make sure to cut them appropriately to ensure even roasting. It is more important to cut the sweet potatoes and carrots thinly and the rest of the ingredients can be roughly the same size.

This recipe includes various vegetables, but you can make this soup with a few adaptations. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand and incorporate different spices. Do you like a little spice? Throw some cayenne or chili powder into the mix. Consider adding beans for more protein. Opt out of the oat milk if you want a soup made strictly of vegetables. Don’t be afraid to put your own creative spin on this!

SHARE:

The post Roasted Vegetable Soup appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If your skin is dry, then it lacks moisture. What causes this lack of moisture, though? To correct the problem, you apply moisturizer, but that doesn’t seem to relieve dry skin. It’s more likely that there are other, more surprising, causes for your dry skin. In this article, we aim to highlight some of these causes, so that you can address the problem accordingly. 

Dermatologists agree that dry skin is caused by an impaired skin barrier and a deficiency or dysfunction in the healthy fats in the skin’s top layer. This outermost layer is made up of natural oils and dead cells, which trap moisture to keep the skin supple and soft. If there isn’t enough water in this layer, however, the skin dries out. The good news is that dry skin is not really a major concern, as it can happen to people of all ages at any time, on any area of the body. 

Although your first thought may be to lather on the moisturizer, you may want to first get to the root of the problem. What is causing that dryness? Read on to find out. 

Hard Water

If tap water has a high concentration of minerals, such as magnesium and calcium, the U.S. Geological Survey classifies that as hard water. Those minerals leave a film on the skin that dries out. Heavy metals turn the skin’s oils into a thick substance that can clog glands, which aggravates acnes and rosacea. They also make it so the skin cannot absorb moisturizers. You can invest in faucet filters or skin care products that contain vitamins A and C to help counteract the hard water problem. 

Overzealous Hand-washing

Ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people started washing their hands a lot more than they did before. Clean hands are great, and you should wash your hands. The problem is that constant hand-washing will not help dryness. In fact, it increases the risk of cracked or dry skin. That can be a problem if you work in an industry that requires frequent hand-washing, such as healthcare or food service. Try to use lukewarm water instead of hot water and opt for moisturizing soaps. Gently wash your hands and finish with a lotion or moisturizer. 

Fragrances Cause Irritation

If you see the word “fragrance” on a lotion, soap, or other skin care product, you should avoid it. Dermatologists note that fragrances have a tendency to irritate dry skin or make it worse. Fragrances are common sources of allergens, including those that cause contact dermatitis, and endocrine disruptors. It may take a few exposures or applications before your skin reacts, or your skin may react the first time. Always check the ingredients on your skin care products, especially if you deal with dry skin. 

Soap May Zap The Skin’s Moisture

A lot of soaps, shampoos, and detergents can zap the skin and scalp of moisture. These products are made to remove oil, which is not something you want if you deal with dry skin. Choose your face washes, body washes, and laundry detergents carefully. A moisturizing body wash is better than a harsh soap, so long as that body wash doesn’t have harmful fragrances. Additionally, watch out for harsh detergents and fabric softeners if you have dry skin. 

Genetics

Researchers note that you can inherit dry skin. Thanks a lot, parents. One study observed mutations in genes that control filaggrin, which plays a role in forming and hydrating the skin barrier. The findings indicated that people with these mutations suffer from drier skin and have a higher risk of developing eczema. If you have dealt with dry skin throughout your life, or it runs in your family, be diligent with moisturizing. Ceramides and lipids, which you can find in moisturizers, help build and strengthen the skin barrier. 

Long Hot Showers Can Dehydrate The Skin

How great does it feel to stand under steaming, hot water for a long time? It’s quite relaxing, especially if the weather is colder. Standing in that hot water can cause skin issues, though. If you take long, steamy showers or baths, you can dry out the moisture in your skin. Limit your showers to no more than five minutes and try to keep the temperature lukewarm. Apply a moisturizing cream within one minute of exiting the shower because moisturizers work best on damp skin.

SHARE:

The post 6 Surprising Causes Of Dry Skin appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

The nose is susceptible to dryness in both summer and winter weather. Both seasons, although they are literally hot and cold, can have severe dry weather, which is not kind on your nose. The lack of humidity, which is more common in dry, desert areas in summer, can dehydrate the mucous membranes in the nostrils. Indoor, air-conditioned spaces can also cause dryness.

Ever notice that you feel congested after being in dry heat and then transitioning to a cold indoor space? Dry air can make you feel like you have nose crustiness, or even dry boogers. Mucus plays an integral role in the body, protecting it from viruses and bacteria. Mucus is sticky, which helps to trap foreign particles, which the body then removes. Additionally, mucus contains antibacterial properties that help fight infection. 

Beyond dry weather, vaping, smoking, and certain medications may cause nasal dryness. As if there weren’t enough reasons to quit smoking! Now, we’ll explain a variety of remedies that may help prevent your nose from drying out. 

Don’t Forget To Hydrate

Drinking water throughout the day can help you avoid dehydration, which is especially important in the summer heat. Keep a reusable water bottle on hand and don’t forget to keep filling it up. In addition to hydrating your organs and systems, water also helps to keep the nostrils moist. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day to optimally hydrate. If you weigh 180 pounds and divide that by two to get 90, aim to drink 90 ounces of water per day. 

Take A Hot Shower Or Bath

A steamy hot shower or bath in the middle of summer may not sound like the most appetizing activity, but it may help relieve nasal dryness. The steam may temporarily relieve a dry or itchy nose. You can even use homemade shower melts to help relieve congestion. Consider adding a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your bath to help you breathe better. 

Use A Humidifier

Some people have a humidifier installed in their home, so they can monitor humidity levels at all times. You can also use a portable humidifier to introduce moisture into a room in your home. This is especially beneficial if you tend to experience a dry nose at night. That may help you avoid allergies, illness, or overall stuffiness while you sleep. If you are traveling, humidify the space by hanging wet towels in various places around the room. 

Try Saline Sprays

A nasal saline spray can help keep your nostrils nice and moist. How often you’ll need to use one of these sprays will depend on the person, and the level of nasal dryness. Usually, you use a spray twice a day, or once every four to six hours. If you find that you have to use nasal sprays all the time, consider a gel, which lasts longer. A saline gel is preferable to olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, or petroleum jelly, which some people try with cotton swabs. You don’t want to inhale those home-based remedies into your lungs, though. 

Experiment With Damp Cloths Or Wipes

Sometimes, all you need is to apply a warm, wet washcloth to your face to help moisten the nasal passageways. You can do this several times a day to provide relief, according to the National Library of Medicine. You can even use a wet wipe or baby wipe to help moisten the inside of your nose. 

Use A Nasal Rinse

You may be familiar with a Neti pot if you have a cold and want to get rid of congestion. This form of nasal irrigation may also help relieve a dry nose. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Neti pots use a saline solution to moisten the nasal passages, which are exposed to dry air. Make sure to read the instructions before you rinse out your nostrils. Neti pot sells its own saline solution, but you can also make your own with distilled water, baking soda, and salt.

SHARE:

The post Struggling With Dry Nose? Try These Things For Relief appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If you start to feel a stuffy nose, you likely know what lies ahead. Before long, you feel a lot of sinus pressure and you cannot drain them properly. Perhaps you feel a headache from either the intense nose blowing or general congestion. You most likely have a sinus infection, or one has begun to brew. 

What Is A Sinus Infection?

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is the inflammation of tissues in the sinuses. Your sinuses are the spaces in your forehead, cheeks, and nose typically filled with air. A sinus infection can cause facial pain, stuffy or runny nose, and occasional fever. More often than not, you can attribute a sinus infection to the common cold, but other viruses, fungi, bacteria, and allergies can cause sinusitis. 

If you experience long-term sinus infections, then you may have forgotten what it’s like to breathe properly. Is one nostril always clogged? There is no need to live with blocked sinuses, especially when there are many natural remedies that can relieve sinus pressure. 

Is It Sinusitis, COVID-19, A Cold, Or An Allergy?

Colds, allergies, sinus infections, and COVID-19 have very similar symptoms. The common cold typically builds, peaks, and then slowly disappears. It can last anywhere from a couple days to a couple weeks. Nasal allergies cause itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and postnasal drip. Allergies don’t tend to cause the same facial pain the sinus infections do. Additionally, COVID-19 tends to cause symptoms like shortness of breath and fever. 

If you want to avoid over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and experiment with natural remedies to help promote healthy sinuses, experiment with essential oils. The following remedies can help with nasal decongestion. 

Steam Inhalation 

This blend works to promote drainage and helps clear out the sinuses. In order to do this, you’ll need to follow the recipe below. 

Ingredients:

• 3 drops rosemary essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• A blow of hot, steaming water

Instructions:

• Five to 10 minutes before you engage in this natural remedy, clear your nasal passages by blowing your nose. You can use a xylitol-based sinus spray to enhance the clearing if you want. 
• Add your essential oils to a large, non-reactive bowl filled with boiling water. 
• Grab a large towel, cover your head with it, and lean over the bowl, allowing the towel to create a tent over the bowl.
  Keep your eyes closed and inhale the steam vapors for five to 10 minutes. Repeat several times per day. 

The Cajeput Bath

Cajeput essential oil is distilled from the branches and leaves of the cajeput tree. This is a subtype of melaleuca, which is indigenous to tropical regions of Southeast Asia and Australia. It is a strong, antiseptic oil that can directly combat sinusitis, especially when inhaled via steam vapors.

Ingredients:

• 6 drops cajeput essential oil
• 1 tbsp jojoba oil

Instructions:

• Add the cajeput essential oil and jojoba oil to a small glass bowl and stir to combine. 
• Draw a warm bath and add the oil mixture to the running water. The water doesn’t have to be very hot. 
• Soak in the bath for 15 minutes and repeat this treatment once per day until symptoms subside. 

Warm Compress

For this remedy, you essentially soak a cloth in warm water that contains various essential oils. You then drape that soaked cloth over the nose and sinus area for as long as you desire. This should help clear the nasal passages. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 drop of each eucalyptus, peppermint, pine, tea tree, and lavender essential oils
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 clean piece of cloth

Instructions:

• Pour one cup of warm water in a non-reactive bowl and stir in the essential oils. 
• Soak your cloth in the bowl of infused water. Wring out enough water so the cloth doesn’t drip. 
• Place the cloth over your nose and sinus area for as long as you want. Repeat often, but be careful to not allow the mixture to drip into your eyes. 

Diffusing Blend

If you are not the type of person to hover your face over a steamy bowl of sinus-cleansing vapors, a sinus relief blend in a diffuser may be more your speed. 

Ingredients:

• 5 drops tea tree oil
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 3 drops thyme essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the essential oils to a diffuser with some water and turn on the diffuser. Make sure that your diffuser can diffuse essential oils before you add them. 
• If you don’t like that blend, you can use the same measurements for marjoram, lavender, and myrtle essential oils, respectively.

SHARE:

The post The 4 Best Essential Oil-Based Remedies For Sinus Relief appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Dining out with high cholesterol can seem like an unenjoyable experience, but only if you don’t know how to tackle the menu. You can still enjoy family nights out, festive occasions, or even romantic dinners at your favorite restaurants. All you have to do is educate yourself about the best low-cholesterol choices. 

In order to understand how to manage high cholesterol, you have to know what you’re eating. Reading the menu carefully and identifying problematic ingredients is paramount. How do you know what to look for, though? While going to healthier restaurants and making your own food is the best plan of attack, it may not be sustainable for everyone. This article aims to educate you on how to dine out if you have high cholesterol. 

If Eating Chinese Cuisine, Go For Steamed Instead Of Fried

Chinese restaurants usually have a lot of fried food options, but there are many low-cholesterol options to choose from. Instead of enjoying deep fried egg rolls, opt for spring rolls that are steamed. Better yet, see if you can roll the ingredients in lettuce leaves! Steamed rice is a better choice than fried rice, but try to ask for brown rice if it is available. For your main course options, seafood can be a good choice, especially if the protein is steamed. Boiled or broiled seafood entrees are also good options. Just remember to eat shrimp in moderation and choose entrees with lots of vegetables. Resist dishes with a lot of oil if you want to care for your arteries!

Go For Vegetables And Skip Ghee At Indian Restaurants

There are many vegetarian dishes at Indian restaurants, which is great if you want to eat on the healthier side. Chickpeas are a common ingredient in Indian cuisine, and a heart-healthy legume to consider. Try to order dishes with plenty of vegetables, but stay away from heavy dishes with ghee, which is clarified butter made from buffalo’s or cow’s milk. Just as in the above explanation about Chinese cuisine, ask if the dishes can be made with minimal oil, provided the dishes are made to order and not in large pots. 

Skip The Sour Cream At Mexican Restaurants

Believe it or not, one of the healthier dishes (and perhaps most eye-catching) to order when eating at a Mexican restaurant is fajitas. They usually contain a lot of vegetables and don’t have fried components. Black beans tend to be a better choice, since they are rich in soluble fiber. That said, some restaurants over-salt the beans, no matter what type they are. Try to choose corn tortillas instead of white flour tortillas, because corn tortillas contain fewer calories and less sodium, sugar, and saturated fat than flour tortillas. If possible, choose grilled fish as your protein because it is a leaner protein with lower fat and sodium content. Lastly, resist ordering nachos as an appetizer and skip the sour cream and queso, opting for pico de gallo instead.

Avoid Saturated Fats And Limit Fatty Meals

There has been an interesting development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It no longer includes a specific limit for dietary cholesterol, but that isn’t an excuse to eat carelessly. The USDA guidelines and other dietitians advise people to eat as little cholesterol as possible. One study followed 30,000 men and women who did not have cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the study. After a 17-year period, researchers noted that for every 300 milligrams of cholesterol that participants added to their daily diet, they increased their risk of cardiovascular disease by 17%. 

Health experts suggest that cholesterol you eat impacts your blood cholesterol levels, but that isn’t the only factor to consider. Maintaining a balanced diet is the best way to manage your cholesterol levels. Reducing your consumption of meat, especially processed meats like bacon, sausage, and deli meat, can go a long way in reducing cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Many foods that are rich in cholesterol, including high-fat dairy, bakery items, and fatty meats, also have a higher content of saturated or trans fats, both of which elevate cholesterol. For this reason, do your best to avoid these foods when you dine out. Such foods include pizza, burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and casseroles. Additionally, watch out for cheesy foods, palm oil, cookies, snack foods, and cakes. 

SHARE:

The post How To Dine Out When You Have High Cholesterol appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Isn’t it interesting that Brussels sprouts used to be the vegetable that everyone loved to hate? Grandmothers steamed them in the kitchen and the house smelled terrible, making you detest this nutrient-dense cruciferous vegetable. In recent years, though, Brussels sprouts have risen to popularity. It’s difficult to go to a restaurant and not find some version of Brussels sprouts on the menu. More often than not, they are usually an appetizer dish served with a creamy dressing of sorts.

One factor that deters people from making Brussels sprouts at home is that they never seem to be the same as they are in restaurants. How do you achieve the perfect combination of being perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside? Some people steam or boil them prior to roasting them, which cooks the Brussels and then all you have to do is broil them for optimum char. This is a multi-step process that can be a hassle, which brings us to the beautiful invention that is the air fryer.

Roasting Brussels sprouts in the air fryer is a much faster cook than roasting them in the oven. The same magic from the oven happens in the air fryer as well, in a fraction of the time! Because balsamic vinegar and Brussels sprouts are a match made in heaven, we’ve done our best to create an appetizer or side to remember. They are crispy and have a classic sweet tang that your taste buds will love. If you enjoy this vegan recipe, let us know in the comment section!

SHARE:

The post Air Fryer Balsamic Brussels Sprouts appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

You can try your best, but you may not be able to avoid getting sick during cold and flu season. Viruses are exchanged more frequently than gifts at a white elephant party, and they don’t discriminate between healthy and unhealthy people. Plus, viruses easily spread via droplets in the air from infected persons when they sneeze, cough, or even talk. And viruses spread easily in indoor, warm environments, where people spend a lot of their time during the colder months. 

Flu season runs through fall, winter, and even into spring. Typically, infection rates are highest between December and February, so you have to put up your best defenses. Prevention is key, so taking care of yourself and monitoring symptoms, as minor as they may be, can help you reduce your risk of illness. Eat right, exercise regularly, sleep well, and make sure to reduce stress to help prevent illness. Should you come down with the flu and need assistance with quicker recovery, the following natural remedies may actually work, according to experts.

Gargle With Salt For Sore Throat

This is one of the oldest tricks in the book of natural remedies to soothe a sore throat. If your throat feels scratchy, gargling with salt water can help reduce inflammation and loosen mucus in the throat. That can help clear out irritants and other germs. Dissolve some salt in warm water until you do not see salt granules in the cup. Little by little, gargle with the salt water and then spit it out until you finish the cup. 

Clear Congestion With A Neti Pot

It is irritating and frustrating when you are stuffed up, have a runny nose, and feel like you can’t go a second without blowing your nose. When you are in this situation, or even before you reach this state of sickness, flush out your sinuses with a nasal rinse. Place a saline solution in a Neti Pot and carefully follow instructions for safe usage. There are many tutorials and videos on how to properly use a Neti Pot and how to make the saline rinse. Use properly and safely to avoid any complications. 

Consider Elderberry

More and more research continues to reveal the immune-boosting properties of elderberries. It is available in syrup, pill, powder, and extract form in most pharmacies and major retailers. Researchers theorize that elderberry can block HA glycoprotein spikes on influenza viruses, which may prevent the viruses from duplicating. Elderberry may also enhance the function of cytokines, which are immune proteins that may help fight inflammation. A 2021 research article reviewed 1,200 records of elderberry treatment on prevention of viral respiratory illness. The conclusion was that elderberry may be a safe option, but more evidence is needed to determine if it is a viable treatment option for everyone.

Drink Water And Herbal Teas

If you come down with the flu, one of your main goals is to hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more. The immune system requires water to do its job properly, so replenishing the body with hydrating fluids may enhance immunity. Health experts also encourage you to drink herbal teas, some of which exhibit powerful antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Fennel, thyme, chamomile, turmeric, ginger, and pennyroyal teas are excellent to consume if you have the flu. 

Sleep Your Flu Away

Accelerate your recovery process by taking the time to sleep your flu symptoms away. Pulmonary specialists agree that sleep strengthens the immune system, which is why sleeping helps you feel better when you are sick. That also explains why you don’t want to do anything else but sleep when you are sick! Sleep as much as you can and avoid contact with others until you have been fever-free for 24-48 hours. If you have a runny nose, place an extra pillow under your head to help your sinuses drain while you rest. 

Take Some Steamy Showers

Taking a warm bath or enjoying a steamy shower can help reduce irritation in the nasal passages or throat. Additionally, doing so may help clear mucus from these areas. You can enhance the effects of steam by dropping some eucalyptus essential oil droplets in your shower or bathtub. If the flu makes you feel lightheaded when you stand up, opt to take a soothing bath instead of a steamy shower.

SHARE:

The post 6 Natural Flu Remedies That May Actually Work appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

When you are sick, there is nothing you want more than to just feel better. If there was a magic pill that automatically made you feel better after coming down with a cold, you would take it. Instead, you do what you can, taking vitamins or over-the-counter medications to boost immunity and get over the cold. You may also experiment with different home remedies, some of which help relieve symptoms while others don’t.

Sometimes, you blow your nose so much and cannot believe that you have more mucus to expel. Blowing can cause headaches and general sinus pain, not to mention puffy eyes or irritation around the nostrils. In order to stop your nose from leaking like a faulty faucet, should you consume chicken soup and heat packs? What is fiction and which home remedies actually help you drain your sinuses? Continue reading to find out.

Nasal Irrigation

Very effective at relieving nasal congestion or irritation, nasal irrigation involves flushing out the nasal passages with a saline solution. You may be aware of the neti pot, which is an inexpensive device that looks like a small teapot. You can make your own saline solution for the neti pot, squeeze bottle, or bulb syringe with the following steps:

• Mix 3 teaspoons of iodine-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda to create the dry mixture.
• Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the dry mixture into 1 cup of distilled, sterilized, or filtered water. 

In order to irrigate your sinuses, you first want to stand over a sink or basin. Pour, spray, or squirt a liberal amount of the solution into your right nostril while tilting your head so that your left ear is parallel to the ground. The saline solution should flow out of the other nostril. Do this to each nostril to help flush away any bacteria or irritants. 

Warm And Cold Compresses

Whether you have a cold or sore muscles, alternating between warm and cold compresses can benefit your situation. Lay back and apply a warm compress across your nose, cheeks, and forehead for three minutes. Remove the compress and replace it with a cold compress for 30 seconds. Repeat this cycle two more times to complete a total of three cycles. You can repeat this process between two to six times per day. 

Manuka Honey

There is a large body of evidence highlighting the health benefits of honey. It exhibits antibacterial properties and can help soothe sore throat. Manuka honey is a special type of honey that has many therapeutic uses. Researchers note that Manuka honey exhibits powerful antibacterial properties that may help get rid of a bacterial infection. Try adding Manuka honey to your next cup of tea if you have sinus congestion or a sore throat. 

Hydrate With Lots Of Water

The reason that you want to drink more water than you otherwise would is to help thin mucus and drain your sinuses. Fluids and humidity can lubricate your sinuses, making it easier to breathe. Hot beverages like herbal tea or hot water with lemon can also aid your hydration efforts. Hot beverages also provide the benefit of steam, which may aid breathing and soothe sore throat. 

Steam

Steam works to relieve congestion by loosening the mucus in your nasal passages. You can add essential oils to a diffuser if you have that available to you. Otherwise, you can pour boiling water into a heat-safe bowl and add a few drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree essential oils to the water. Lean over the bowl and drape a towel over your head so that it falls all around you, creating a steam tent. Breathe deeply, in through the nose and out through the mouth, to help clear your sinuses.

SHARE:

The post Home Remedies For Optimal Sinus Drainage appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Air fryers have taken the world by storm, but some things just don’t need to be put in them. TikTok and Instagram videos have popularized these kitchen appliances even more, touting them as efficient ways to cook healthier meals. Air fryers circulate air to achieve a fried finish commonly achieved by deep-frying food. The only difference is that air fryers don’t use oil, which can impart unhealthy saturated and trans fats into your food. 

The beauty of an air fryer is that it is essentially a small convection oven. Because of the size, you can cook food in a shorter amount of time. Not to mention, they heat up quickly and tend to be more energy efficient than most ovens, depending on size and energy provider, of course. You don’t just have to reheat French fries or make donuts, chicken tenders and complex desserts, though. You can roast vegetables, toast bread, and make other healthy meal options. 

However, you shouldn’t use these nifty kitchen appliances to cook everything. Some meals do not need to be air-fried. For safety reasons, you should definitely not cook certain foods in an air fryer. Don’t know what those foods are? Read on to find out. 

Anything With A Sauce

Stews, chili, bolognese sauce, or other hardy dishes tend to be midweek favorites among the masses. They are relatively easy to prepare and are quite filling. We strongly advise against cooking these meals in an air fryer. As hot air circulates within the air fryer, the hot liquids can splatter. Not only does this make the air fryer messy, but it is also very dangerous, as wet splatters can potentially short-circuit the air fryer or cause an electrical complication. If you want to make a saucy recipe, slow cookers are the better appliances.

Broccoli

Some vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, are excellent at retaining moisture during the cooking process. For that reason, they crisp up nicely in an air fryer without drying out. Broccoli, however, can become chewy and bitter in an air fryer, which is why roasting or sautéing broccoli florets are better cooking options. You can also steam broccoli as an alternative preparation method. 

Rice

In order to cook raw grains, you have to boil them in water. A few drops of water in your air fryer basket won’t do any harm, but this gadget isn’t meant for boiling or steaming food. If you already have cooked rice, however, you can put it in the air fryer to make a crispy rice cake. It’s better to cook rice in a rice cooker for the fluffiest rice possible. 

Anything With A Wet Batter

Some people are aware of the fact that cooking something with a wet batter in an air fryer doesn’t yield the same result as frying it in a pot of oil. In fact, recipes that use a wet batter will be messy and they won’t crisp up properly. The reason for this is that there isn’t enough hot oil to set the batter. Instead of becoming crispy, that wet batter will most likely drop everywhere. You’ll be left with unevenly cooked food and a puddle of burnt batter drippings in the bottom of your air fryer basket. If you want to achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior, you can use a dry coating on your food. 

Popcorn

Popcorn is a classic movie theater snack, but you shouldn’t cook it in an air fryer. Popcorn kernels can easily become lodged with the fryer’s heating element, increasing the risk of a shortage and fire hazard. You can, however, make your own popcorn in a pot on the stove, or in the microwave. Manufacturers make silicone vessels to put kernels in and you can cook them in the microwave without the use of oil or butter. 

Hard-Boiled Eggs

You can use an air fryer to make hard-boiled eggs, but the texture can be a little chewy, rubbery, and unpleasant. There are much better and more efficient ways to achieve better results. If you want to give the air fryer method a go, cook medium-sized eggs straight from the fridge at 255º F for 10 minutes.

SHARE:

The post Here’s What You Shouldn’t Cook In An Air Fryer appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.