“It’s a good thing that people want to take an active role in their health,” says Philip Hagen, M.D., vice chair of the division of preventive medicine at the Mayo Clinic. While a search for “home remedies” may garner more than 21 million results for everything from rubbing your feet with onions and garlic for cold and flu symptoms to countless elixirs using apple cider vinegar to aid digestion, there are certain situations you should leave up to the pros.

“If you feel really horrible, have a fever, or your symptom is the outcome of something traumatic like a car accident, use common sense and go to the doctor,” Hagen says. Same goes if you have a diagnosed condition or disease, such as diabetes or cancer. See your physician before you try anything yourself.

Another concern with home remedies is that you may not be treating the correct problem, warns Mott Blair, M.D., a family physician in Wallace, North Carolina, and member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “Sometimes, these remedies only treat a symptom that turns into something worse. But if you saw a doctor earlier, this could have been treated and prevented,” he says. Also, some strange-sounding remedies may prove unhealthy or potentially dangerous in the long run. Below are a few popular home remedies that doctors would like you to avoid and what to do instead.

HOME REMEDY #1: Apple cider vinegar (ACV) for a sore throat

The claim: Gargling with ACV or drinking it mixed with hot water (and often honey) soothes your throat because the acid in the vinegar kills bacteria.
Why doctors don’t buy it: “I’d consider apple cider vinegar to be too strong,” Hagen says. “It’s a fairly irritating substance, and there are other, gentler approaches.”
A better alternative: Both Hagen and Blair agree that gargling salt water is a smarter, non-irritating solution. Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with that to alleviate your scratchy throat.

HOME REMEDY #2: Cranberry juice for a urinary tract infection (UTI)

The claim: The proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries keep bacteria from binding to the walls of the bladder, preventing infection.
Why doctors don’t buy it: A review of 14 studies found little evidence to support that cranberry juice prevents UTIs. Plus, once you start experiencing the symptoms of a UTI—burning, fever, and/or frequent urination—you probably have an infection, Blair says. “If you don’t see a doctor to get medication, you risk having the infection travel up into your kidneys, which can lead to a kidney infection.”
A better alternative: Don’t wait. See your doctor asap to get antibiotics, Blair says.

HOME REMEDY #3: Using yogurt internally for a yeast infection

The claim: Dip a tampon in yogurt and leave it in for four hours or up to overnight. The good bacteria in the yogurt will kill the yeast and encourage more good bacteria to grow. Some also report that the cold yogurt is soothing.
Why doctors don’t buy it: Any kind of douching can change the pH in your vagina, which is usually asking for an infection.
A better alternative: Feel free to use yogurt as intended and eat it, or take a probiotic supplement if you want the benefits of good bacteria. But if you have a yeast infection, you should always see your doctor, Hagen says.

Related: When Are Antibiotics Actually Necessary?

HOME REMEDY #4: Olive oil for ear pain

The claim: Polyphenols in olive oil are antibacterial and antiviral, and they can help decrease inflammation caused by an ear infection.
Why doctors don’t buy it: “When your ear is infected, oftentimes the middle ear swells up, casing pressure on the ear drum. Oil might reduce that pressure and the pain, but you’re treating the symptoms, not the problem—the infection,” Blair says.
A better alternative: For ear pain, try OTC drops as long as you don’t have a fever, Hagen recommends. If you do have a fever or there’s any drainage or change in hearing, see your doctor.

HOME REMEDY #5: Whiskey and honey for a cough

The claim: A hot toddy will quiet your hacking by relieving congestion and soothing your throat.
Why doctors don’t buy it: “There’s always the risk of interaction if you combine alcohol and OTC or prescription drugs,” Blair says. And since many cough suppressants and pain relievers already contain alcohol or other sedatives, the cumulative effect could be dangerous.
A better alternative: Mix that honey with tea if you want a warm drink on your throat.

HOME REMEDY #6: Ginger ale for an upset stomach

The claim: Studies show that ginger is a safe and effective treatment for nausea and vomiting. Some people claim that the bubbles help, too.
Why doctors don’t buy it: Ginger ale typically contains “natural flavors,” which means it’s not clear if there’s any actual ginger in there. What is clear in most ginger ales is high fructose corn syrup—26 to 35 grams of sugars in a can, depending on your brand preferences. Plus, the carbonation may make bloating and gas worse, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A better alternative: Ginger tea. It gives you all the benefits of the root without the unnecessary calories and sugar.

HOME REMEDY #7: Hair of the dog

The claim: Drinking more alcohol will alleviate a hangover.
Why doctors don’t buy it: You’re only delaying the pain.
A better alternative: Rest, drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate, and take painkiller for your headache, Hagen says. And forget what you’ve heard about sweating out a hangover too: “You feel lousy in part because you put your body through the ringer. So doing something heavy like exercise only adds insult to injury,” Hagen adds.

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There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not dazzled by human ingenuity and what we accomplish because of our inquisitive minds. It’s those traits that lead to our incessant innovations, but in the medical field, it’s those innovations that have, in part, led us to where we are performing these useless surgeries. With cat scans and MRIs and other tools, we are able to see things we’d not been able to see before. We can see the herniated disc, the torn meniscus, the damaged vertebra. But the ability to see on such a microscopic level has led to a myopia in which we do not look past that source of pain. As a result, we treat that source of pain, but barring recent trauma, such as an accident, the source of the pain is never the source of the problem. And the latest research continues to pile on in confirmation.

Related: A Simple Daily Routine to Eliminate Knee Pain

Let me be clear: the problem is not the surgeons. They are doing a great job. With each surgery, they are doing exactly what they intend to do, and they are doing so with a rare and incredible skill. The problem is the surgeries themselves, which should never be performed. If the lower spine is damaged, it’s not because of dysfunction on the part of the lower spine. It’s because of a misaligned body that has adjusted the form and function of the spine, putting more demand on the lower spine than it was designed to withstand. Similarly, if a meniscus is torn, it’s not because the knee is malfunctioning. It’s because there is an imbalance elsewhere in the body that has led to a series of anatomical compromises that have put too much stress on the knee.

Again, when we see a symptom such as a ruptured disc, we’ve stopped asking why and are simply assuming the source and the cause of the pain are the same, which is why 99% of all tears or ruptures or similar maladies in our body are labeled idiopathic, which means no known cause. You will hear causes thrown rather casually about—it’s genetic, it’s aging, etc., but those are never said definitively or with conviction, and further investigation usually reduces them to the hollow explanations they are. One of my own favorites is that the pounding of jogging is causing that problem in the left knee. If that were true, why is it not causing the same problem in the right knee, which is running just as much as the left?

The Alternative to Surgery Most People Ignore

The body is an amazing machine. At the cellular level, it is in a constant state of birth, death, and renewal. Discs are alive. Cartilage is alive. We have lost our understanding of what a magnificent regenerative machine the body is, and if our meniscus or discs aren’t regenerating as they should, it’s not because they don’t want to, it’s because they can’t. In my experience, I have found they can’t because our body is out of balance, out of alignment, and when we restore our entire bodies to their proper alignment, those issues in the knees and lower back and everywhere else resolve themselves, making unnecessary any of those surgeries, which studies are confirming are useless anyway.

Related: Watch One Man’s Journey to Becoming Pain Free

Known as the Father of Postural Therapy, Pete Egoscue has helped relieve thousands of people from their chronic pain, including many of the world’s leading athletes. For more information on Pete and any of his 25 clinics worldwide, go to egoscue.com.

The post Why Are “Useless” Surgeries Still So Prevalent? appeared first on Sonima.

The strains of plants that are grown, the method of harvesting, and the dosage at which they’re ingested aren’t necessarily the same as when the plants were first used medicinally, explains Michael Tims, Ph.D. , academic director of the herbal program at Maryland University of Integrative Health. Because the FDA classifies herbs as “dietary supplements,” it only takes responsibility for regulating the safety of each ingredient. This means it is not necessarily monitoring adulterated formulas as closely as with traditional prescription medications.

Related: How Can I Treat Eczema Naturally?

“Herbs need a proven record of safety for the FDA to approve their use,” Tims explains. For traditional herbs, their use over thousands of years is enough of an epidemiological trail to earn them the FDA’s GRAS (“generally recognized as safe”) designation or to be accepted under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act as “Herbs in Commerce.” New dietary ingredients require a much more robust presentation of data to prove their safety, he adds. While the FDA supervises the safety of individual ingredients, the majority of the responsibility for safety and compliance falls on the manufacturer.

The bigger problem: Some herbs interact with prescription and OTC drugs, something which indigenous cultures never had to worry about, Tims says. While herbs can significantly improve your health, certain combinations can have harmful effects. For example, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine recently found  that around 5 percent of people who take a supplement of the herb aristolochia—which has traditionally been used to increase sex drive, boost immune function, and help menstruation—experience side effects as serious as cancer of the kidneys, liver, and bladder. The onus is on supplement manufacturers to report these adverse reactions to the FDA so they know to reconsider their stance.

Luckily, the FDA has banned all products that may contain the harmful aristolochia herb as well as other plants that have been proven toxic. But the study authors from Baylor warn that herbal remedies pose a global health hazard, and indeed there are a handful of all-natural treatments still on shelves in the U.S. that can be bad for your health. Here are four of the biggest threats to watch out for.

1. HERB: Kava

Sometimes called “kava kava,” this herb has been used by the Polynesians for its hypnotic and calming properties for centuries. The Western world caught on to the herb’s ability to alleviate stress, anxiety, and insomnia in the 90’s. A 2007 study published in American Family Physician  recommended short-term use of kava for moderate anxiety disorders.

Health hazard(s): As popularity of the herb (often ingested as a drink) increased, so did reports of liver damage—enough that Canada and a handful of European countries banned the supplement in the early 2000’s. The U.S. never did, and some countries, like Germany, have since lifted the ban.

What went wrong: “The issue isn’t necessarily the herb itself, it’s how it is used and being altered from tradition,” Tims says. Growers and producers began to use black kava, which was easier to harvest than the traditional white variety; they started using shavings and parts of the plants that hadn’t been used before; and they began to extract it in a non-traditional way that concentrated less on water-soluble lipids, altering the way our bodies absorb the herb. Plus, the plant was being ingested at such a rate that, when combined with other factors like pharmaceuticals and excessive alcohol intake, it was tearing up people’s livers.

Related: A Nutritionist Explains the Health Benefits of Tea

2. HERB: Green Tea Extract

Green tea is one of the best herbs for your health. For the most part, the antioxidants in the drink help reduce  your risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer, among other diseases. And the popularity of green tea extract in weight loss supplements has skyrocketed in the past few years.

Health hazard(s): The American College of Gastroenterology released a warning in 2014  that said, when the supplement form is taken at a high dose, the herb can be toxic and actually cause liver failure. The herb can also be dangerous when combined with certain drugs, like amphetamines or prescribed medications such as MAOI antidepressants and quinolone antibiotics, which interact with the natural caffeine in the extract to overstimulate your body, increasing high blood pressure, nervousness, and headaches.

What went wrong: It’s difficult to know because, while the potential issues with green tea have been reported, most remain unverified. “There are natural variations in the tea—whether it was harvested during monsoon season, for example—as well as variations in how it’s extracted,” Tims says. The problem could also be from excessive caffeine (the tea already has some, but weight loss supplements often add more for a metabolism boost) or from an overload of EGCG and other catechins that give the herb its detoxifying power.

3. HERB: St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is a highly effective natural antidepressant. Its chemical makeup encourages the uptake of key neurochemicals, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Health hazard(s): The happiness-inducing herb is also well-known for reducing the efficacy of certain prescription medications. In fact, more than 70 percent of all prescription medications are potentially affected by St. John’s wort in one way or another, according to a 2012 study published in Planta Medica. Plus, an Australian study last year  found that St. John’s wort can sometimes cause side effects similar to those seen in people taking Prozac, namely anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness, nausea, and spikes in blood pressure.

What went wrong: St. John’s wort binds to enzymes in the liver, some of which are the same enzymes other drugs bind to. This crossover alters the chemical structure of the second drug, creating potential for you to reach a toxic dose very quickly or, conversely, never reach an effective level, Tims explains. The most prevalent problem: The plant makes birth control less effective. Women taking both St. John’s wort and oral contraception report  an increase in irregular bleeding and, much more alarming, an uptick in unplanned pregnancies.

4. HERB: Goldenseal

Extraction of this root is taken for both its anti-inflammatory properties to ease problems, like constipation, and antimicrobial properties to prevent the common cold and upper respiratory tract infections. If you think you’ve never taken it, check out your all-natural allergy med—goldenseal is often formulated with Echinacea.

Health hazard(s): While the herb is great at fighting infections, it also curtails the activity of two major enzymes that help your body remove toxins and drugs, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, according to the above-mentioned study from Planta Medica. Plus, the Cleveland Clinic warns goldenseal may affect blood pressure and increase your risk of bleeding when you take blood-thinning drugs, like warfarin.

What went wrong: The herb can affect how quickly your body processes and removes active ingredients of medications and other herbs. A 2008 study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research  found that this remedy affected these enzymes enough that the researchers recommend folks who are on goldenseal steer clear of prescription meds that are metabolized by CYP2D6, like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), beta-blockers, opiates, and antiarrhythmics.

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GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) sufferers can experience heartburn and the two are often misconstrued as one in the same, but GERD can be more chronic and includes symptoms such as sore throat, laryngitis, coughing, and even vomiting. Heartburn is characterized by indigestion and a feeling of burning in the back of the throat or upper chest, stimulated by acid in the esophagus. Sixty percent of the overall population experiences some form of GERD, and more females than males develop some sort of reflux.

Related: 5 Simple Yoga Poses to Aid Digestion After a Big Meal

When dealing with gastrointestinal issues, and any significant health issues for that matter, it is very important to seek medical advice before any intervention. Janet Zand, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, says, “It is necessary to get confirmation from your doctor that your symptoms are not something more serious than simple heartburn. For example, h. pylori infection can ignite heartburn or reflux.” Once this is clarified, there are plenty of natural remedies for heartburn relief that will balance your digestive tract.

From an Ayurvedic point of view, heartburn is complicated. According to Erin Casperson, an Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Kripalu Yoga Teacher, “Sometimes heartburn is generated by too much digestive fire, while other times, it signifies too little. If you don’t have enough digestive fire to process your food, it can leave you feeling heavy, with undigested food leading to acid indigestion.”

With this many upset stomachs it behooves us to explore the causes and delve into some natural solutions. Here are some of the best remedies for heartburn relief, which are also holistic alternatives to allopathic treatments.

6 Natural Remedies for Heartburn Relief

Natural Remedy for Heartburn #1: Slow down. Annie B. Kay, R.D., a nutritionist, yoga therapist, and author of Every Bite is Divine notes, “Heartburn or reflux is often the result of eating too much rich food too quickly. I have seen hundreds of clients for this malady who have never been told simply to slow down and chew their food (which straightens out the majority of cases).” Being present for our selves, our meals, and the company with whom we eat, can positively impact digestion and even promote a greater sense of enjoyment with meals. “An ounce of prevention is the best medicine. If you get heartburn regularly, practice slowing down (it should take at least 20 minutes for a meal); chew your food (get into double digits with chews per bite),” says Kay. Also, don’t eat close to bedtime. Lying down after eating is a sure way to get the acids brewing and bubbling.

Related: The Common Stress Solutions That Make You Lose Sleep

Natural Remedy for Heartburn #2: Ginger. Long touted for its overall health and immune-boosting properties, ginger is a powerhouse when it comes to supporting digestion. In one study, ginger was found to be six to eight times more effective for heartburn than acid-blocking medication. Tea, tincture, capsule—there are many ways to ingest the plant. For some, chewing ginger raw or in dried/crystalized form, has an immediate effect. Try the options and determine what works best for your body. Notes Casperson, “One way to stave off heartburn is to drink ginger tea 30 minutes before each meal.”

Natural Remedy for Heartburn #3: Fennel. Fennel is a carminative, meaning it relieves gas. Studies have proven that nutritional herbs, such as fennel and ginger, may support healthy digestion. Casperson shares, “If you feel like you are really hungry and have too much stomach acid, drink fennel tea 30 minutes after the meal. It is soothing and will quell the digestive fire, allowing for easy digestion.”

Natural Remedy for Heartburn #4: Probiotics. Healthy intestinal flora and fauna play a huge role in supporting our immune systems, as well as aiding in digestion. When gut bacteria is flourishing, we are going to absorb more nutrients in a more efficient manner. Eating foods rich in natural probiotics will help improve the bacterial makeup of your gut and thereby facilitate healthy digestion.

Related: Do All Probiotic Products Live Up to Their Promises?

Natural Remedy for Heartburn #5: Digestive Enzymes. Many over-the-counter antacids lack the ingredients necessary to actually stimulate healthful digestion and simply modify symptoms. Enzymes, such as those found in papaya, ginger, and pineapple, can minimize gastric distress and provide a tasty way to boost digestion.

Natural Remedy for Heartburn #6: Mindful Eating. It is important to be mindful of what you eat, how you eat, and your environment. Scarfing a piece of pizza while standing on the subway platform can create gastric distress. Knowing your body and treating it with thoughtful care can have great impact in avoiding heartburn. Obviously, consuming too much caffeine, sugar, and acidic foods can stimulate acidity. Allowing yourself the space and time to really enjoy each bite will spare you potential indigestion.

If you’re suffering with heartburn or reflux, you must test the remedies to determine what is right for you. And remember: stress plays a huge part in our overall health, and specifically can impact heartburn. So, do what you can to follow a wellness routine that minimizes stress and encourages well-being.

The post The Best Remedies for Heartburn Relief appeared first on Sonima.

Balance your carb consumption. That afternoon slump may happen because you’re bored at work, but more than likely it has a lot to do with what you just ate for lunch. Your body and brain need food for fuel, but when a lot of the calories you consume come from carbohydrates—such as the bread used in sandwiches or a hearty bowl of pasta—you may start to feel sleepy about an hour after eating. Carbohydrates are absorbed into your blood stream almost immediately after eating. Right after a carb-heavy meal your blood sugar will experience a big surge then, when all the carbs are used up, your blood sugar will plummet, bringing on that feeling of fatigue. However, calories that come from fiber, fat, and protein take longer to release. For even all-day energy, eat a mix of nutrients at each meal and snack, including plenty of fiber-rich veggies and fruits, lean proteins such as chicken or beans, and some healthy fat, such as that found in avocados and olive oil.

Sniff some mint. Have you ever noticed that spas tend to smell of flowers such as lavender and ylang ylang? Studies show that these scents increase calmness, which is right for that setting. If you were to look for an essential oil that had the opposite effect—one that made you more energized and alert—choose peppermint. This distinct odor has the opposite effect of soothing essential oils, although it’s still a pleasant scent. Peppermint can even enhance your memory, according to a study in the International Journal of Neuroscience.

Take in more B12. Even if you eat a balanced diet, you may be deficient in important nutrients. If you’re feeling sluggish, try increasing your intake of vitamin B12. This vitamin is naturally found in animal-derived foods like meat, fish, poultry, and dairy, which explains why many vegetarians and vegans may not get enough through diet alone. (Vitamin B12 is also important for anemia prevention.) Vitamin B12 supplements can be found in the vitamin aisle of most grocery stores; you can take this vitamin on its own or in a blend of other B vitamins.

Go to yoga or take a walk. It may seem like being active will only make you feel more tired and it can be true—going to an intense bootcamp class may make you want to take a nap. But engaging in low or moderate activity—such as a short walk or a yoga session—can boost energy levels, according to an article from the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. This sort of exercise is enough to increase your circulation—and with it the blood and oxygen flow to your body and brain—without actually tiring you out. The next time you feel fatigued but you really need to be awake, try it out: Go on a brisk 10- or 20-minute walk and see how you feel after. Chances are you’ll be much more awake than when you left. For a quick yoga pick-me-up try some repetitions of Sun Salutation A, demonstrated in the video below.

Relax to rev up. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, all of that mental churning can zap your energy levels—it’s the equivalent to your mind running a marathon. Shift your thoughts to more of a leisurely stroll and you’ll feel a whole lot less drained. Easier said than done? Try meditation. Simply focusing on your breath can help you relax and, according to a study in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, it can also increase your alertness. To start: Close your eyes and notice your inhales and exhales for a couple of minutes. Let your thoughts drift in and out, trying not to focus on any one.

Breathe some fresh air. When the couch is calling, get back to nature. A study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that being in the outdoors is a simple way to increase feelings of vitality. In the study, people who spent just 20 minutes outside felt more awake than those who spent the same amount of time inside. Being active, such as walking or gardening, can help increase these feelings. No chance to escape four walls? Simply imagining a natural setting can help, according to the researchers.

Set a routine bedtime. To put the power in your power suit, you must give your body and brain adequate time to rest and recharge at night. If you often hit snooze in the morning or wake up feeling like you haven’t rested enough, move your bedtime forward to ensure you get at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep each night. (Have a hard time shutting off your screen time? Set an alarm on your phone to remind you it’s time to unwind.) A recent study in the Journal of Primary Health Care found that going to bed earlier and practicing better sleep hygiene, such as limiting screen time before bed, improved sleep for 73 percent of participants.

Related: The Surprising Reasons You’re Not Sleeping Well

Keep a water bottle handy. If you’re feeling fatigued, keeping H2O on tap will help refill your energy stores. Even mild dehydration can make you feel tired and decrease your ability to concentrate, according to a study in The Journal of Nutrition. Experiencing headaches or feeling lethargic can signal that you need more fluids. Feeling thirsty can also be a sign that you’re already dehydrated. Aim to drink around eight 8-ounce glasses (nope, this is not a myth!) or four 16-ounce bottles of water each day. If you exercise regularly, you may need to drink more.

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