When you think of the word pollution, what do you think of? Car fumes? Burning fossil fuels? Although these are undoubtedly common causes of air pollution, the word itself is defined as any presence in the environment that has harmful effects. This includes everything from water pollution to light pollution, and of course, sound pollution.
8 Healing Herbs You Can Grow Inside All Winter Long
Winter can often be a rough time for the avid gardener. The temperature cools, flowers begin to wither, the green fades from your garden, and snow blankets the sleeping plants. But thankfully, just because the Jack Frost has made his appearance, doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying fresh herbs for the winter season. Take advantage of your home’s natural warmth and light, and grow fresh herbs for health and healing even in the midst of a raging blizzard.
End Back Pain Now: 5 Simple Yoga Poses that Work
One of the main focuses of yoga is building strength in the core. Often, we think of the core as our abdominal muscles, but it goes beyond that and includes the muscles and structures of the back. Whether you sit all day at your desk, work on an assembly line, play sports or have active weekends, having a strong back is essential for staying free from pain and enjoying life.
Skip the Drugs, Do This Instead to Focus Better
Stimulant drugs have long been used to treat individuals (in many cases, children) who suffer from a short attention span. Most commonly associated with ADHD, the short-term benefits of stimulants will only last as long as individuals take them.
What Every Gardener Should Know When Using Poop In Their Garden
Any gardener worth their salt won’t balk at the thought of using poop in the garden. In fact, composted manure can be an excellent choice for any gardener looking to use natural fertilizer while saving money and finding a use for excess poop.
Why choose poop
Animal manure works wonders for soil control and forms an excellent environment for better fruit, vegetable, and flower growth. Rather than spending money on expensive fertilizers, take advantage of your natural resources and add a little poop to your garden.
- Reduces erosion
- Encourages beneficial insects
- Improves drainage
- Increases water retention
- Releases nitrogen
- Improves soil structure
The best kind of manure to use in the garden
Though it is an excellent option for fertilizer, using manure in the garden isn’t as simple as just grabbing any poop and spreading it thick. It is essential to know what kind of poop to use and how best to compost it to feed your plants effectively.
Generally, gardeners find the most success when using chicken, cow, turkey, sheep, rabbit or horse poop as fertilizer. These types of manure are readily accessible, and if you happen not to have a backyard farm, it is easy to find farmers happy to give away their excess compost.
Cow manure: Cow poop is an excellent “all-purpose” manure. It is the least nitrogen-rich out of all the types of manure, so it works well for vegetable, fruit and garden beds.
Horse manure: Horse waste works well for soil that needs a nitrogen boost, such as lawns, and non-flowering vegetables.
Poultry: Manure from poultry is even more full of nitrogen than horse poop. So remember, a little goes a long way. Mix this sparingly into your compost to avoid overwhelming your plants with nitrogen.
Sheep manure: Sheep poop is a great balanced option with equal levels of nitrogen and potassium. This rich manure works wonders for any garden, but it is generally harder to find, so take it when you can!
Stay away from any types of poop such as dog, cat or other animals that do not eat a plant-based diet. These waste products do not make appropriate fertilizers and can cause damage to your plants and your health if used on vegetables or fruits.
How to use manure
When using manure in your garden, it is vital that you don’t go straight from pen to plant. You should let manure sit for at least 15 days to allow it to cure and keep it from burning your vegetation when mixed into your garden. Also, fresh manure has a high nitrogen content which can kill delicate plants.
Sometimes, to fully compost manure, you may have to wait longer before spreading it on your plants. The best gauge to see if it is ready to be used as fertilizer is to check the texture and smell. Composted manure should merely look and smell like fresh, thick dirt. It will usually smell like soil and have a dark brown color and crumbly texture.
When composting manure, it is essential to have a healthy mixture of straw, bedding, hay, or old newspaper. Layer this filler in your compost bin with the manure to ensure a good carbon to nitrogen balance.
You can also choose to mix fresh manure into the garden in the early spring or fall before the prime planting season when the soil will have time to sit and absorb nutrients without burning plants.
Whether you choose to use fresh or composted manure, you should always make sure to mix the compost 6-9 inches into the soil with a shovel or spade. Generally, you will want to use 40lbs. Of manure per 100 square feet of garden.
For potted plants or raised vegetable beds try making a manure tea. Simply tie a knot in pantyhose and fill it with about 2 cups of manure. Let it sit in a full watering can for about five minutes or until the water turns a murky brown. Be sure to water the base of the plants rather than the leaves to avoid burning them.
The benefits of using manure compost in your garden are immense. Take some time to visit neighbors with large animals or farms in your area and offer to scoop out pens and muck stalls to collect poop for your garden. Most animals owners will be happy to oblige!
Could Brain Tingling Help You Sleep?
If you are someone who has been caught up in the ASMR craze, things are about to get real.
Grow this Antibacterial Powerhouse Inside: Tips for Success
Garlic, the foe of vampires, giver of bad breath and…superfood? This odorous bulb is well known for its potent antibacterial properties and has been utilized for thousands of years as a powerful healing agent to ward off infection and boost immunity. Though many of its fabled health benefits are rooted in myth and legend, much research has been conducted to prove the veracity of anecdotal claims surrounding this ancient remedy.
5 Ways Apple Cider Vinegar Will Make Your Hair Rock
I make no secret of my love for apple cider vinegar (ACV) and that love extends to my hair, where ACV can help clarify, moisturize and bring balance to my locks. ACV can help just about any hair problem, and its affordability makes it a cost-effective way to care for your hair naturally.
End Insomnia and Migraines with Magnesium
You, like many other Americans, may be lacking in a very important mineral, magnesium. Not getting enough magnesium can cause a number of symptoms from fatigue to nausea and cramps. A lack of magnesium can also bring on seizures and even coronary spasms.
Magnesium is utilized by each and every organ in the body, particularly the kidneys, muscles, and heart – yet 80 percent of us don’t get enough of this nutrient. The majority of the mineral is stored in organs and bones where it can be utilized for all types of biological functions, and as so many people are deficient in it without being aware of the issue, it’s sometimes referred to as the “invisible deficiency.”
Magnesium is a macro-mineral
Magnesium is a macro-mineral. That means that unlike trace minerals, the body needs it in significant amounts in order for it to function the way it would. Still, only 20 to 25 percent of Americans get the recommended daily amount, which is 310 to 320 mg for women and 400 to 420 mg for men.
You might be thinking, “I eat healthily, I rarely if ever eat junk or processed foods, so why would I be lacking magnesium?” Even if you are following a nutritious diet you may very well be deficient due to farming practices which ultimately produce less nutrient-rich foods. Other factors can contribute to a deficiency as well, such as drinking an excessive amount of caffeinated beverages and/or being under a lot of stress.
But how bad is it really do not get enough magnesium?
You might be surprised that a lack of the nutrient could actually be causing symptoms you didn’t even consider could be related to a deficiency such as:
Insomnia
Having a hard time getting a good night’s sleep? Magnesium works to reduce nerve conduction in the muscles, and it can also slow down neuronal activities in the brain. By decreasing the electrical conduction between brain cells, magnesium is then able to reduce the “noise” signals that cause anxiety and sleeplessness, inducing calm and promoting sedation. As even marginal magnesium deficiency can cause muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, and hyperexcitability, it’s fairly common for low magnesium levels to trigger insomnia.
Leg cramps and restless leg syndrome
More than 70 percent of adults suffer from leg cramps regularly. Although they typically go away after several minutes, the pain can be debilitating. While this can sometimes be the result of an underlying condition, a lack of magnesium can also be the cause.
Another way that a magnesium deficiency can interrupt sleep is via restless leg syndrome. Low magnesium levels lead to poor control of electrical conduction in the neurons that are in the muscles, which then leads to a prolonged opening of the calcium channels and increased muscular activity. The result is muscle spasms which present as restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is the term used to describe the involuntary movement of limbs caused by magnesium deficiency.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be brought on by many things. Sometimes it’s an organic issue and may not be caused by anything at all, though it could result from financial difficulties, a challenging new job, the current state of the world or just about anything in between – but, it can also be caused by a lack of magnesium. Stress can cause a magnesium deficiency, and a lack of this important mineral tends to magnify the stress reaction, making the problem even worse.
High blood pressure
In addition to playing an essential role in the nervous system to help the brain relax, magnesium also aids in dilating and relaxing the blood vessels. When you have a deficiency, it can result in hypertension, or high blood pressure, by increasing blood vessel constriction.
Migraines
If you have ever had a migraine you know just how horrible they can be. Research has shown that migraine sufferers frequently have a lack of magnesium in the body. Studies have demonstrated that people who suffer from these debilitating headaches who take a magnesium supplement have fewer migraines and reduced symptoms.
More benefits of magnesium
- Improved bone health
- Less pain
- Increased energy
- Better heart health
- A lower risk of diabetes
- Stronger muscles
Magnesium Rich Foods
Including these magnesium-rich foods in your diet will help you get more of this very important nutrient that you need.
- Dark chocolate
- Avocados
- Seeds
- Bananas
- Leafy greens
-Susan Patterson
7 Strange But True Remedies That Work
It seems that there’s a home remedy out there for just about everything that can ail you. Most have been handed down over generations, and while more than a few probably sound like they’re rather ridiculous or perhaps just an old wives’ tale, our modern science tells us that’s simply not true.
You’ll probably be surprised at just how many conditions can be effectively treated right at home, without a doctor’s visit or a prescription.
Aspirin Shampoo for Dandruff
You can make a DIY shampoo using aspirin to eliminate dandruff as aspirin is basically salicylic acid, the same ingredient often found in acne treatments. It acts similarly on your scalp, sloughing off those flakes. All you have to do is add a tablespoon of crushed aspirin to your usual shampoo. Lather up and then leave it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Cure a Tension Headache With a Pencil
If you’re suffering from a tension headache, it’s usually due to anxiety or stress that causes you to subconscious clench your jaw. That strains the muscles that connect the jaw to your temples, triggering a headache. While a pencil is probably the last tool you’d think of to relieve it, by holding a pencil between your teeth without biting down it helps you to relax your jaw muscle. After a short time, that pain is likely to fade away. If you notice one coming on, do this to prevent a headache in the first place.
Battle a Migraine With Sex
Migraines, as you know if you’ve ever suffered from one, are a whole lot worse than your standard headache. If you can find a way to get in the mood for sex during one, having sex, and, if you’re able to orgasm, you can get rid of it. Nearly half of migraine sufferers reported relief of their symptoms after having sex that resulted in orgasm, as a 2013 study published in the journal Cephalalgia. The researchers noted that they believe the “feel-good” hormones known as endorphins that are triggered are responsible for the relief.
Eliminate Smelly Feet With Vodka
If you tend to get stinky feet, it’s the result of the growth of bacteria that are caused by sweat or other moisture. Before long, smelly feet equal smelly shoes, but vodka can come to the rescue so you won’t have to step into after you just showered. Gross, right? While it sounds bizarre, the show Myth Busters proved that it really does work. Of course, you could just buy something at the store, most of the products available today that aim to eliminate that nasty smell is not only pricey, they’re just as nasty, filled with chemical ingredients that aren’t exactly good for your health.
The reason vodka works is that is has a very high alcohol content which serves to kill that bacteria on contact. It also provides a drying effect to eliminate moisture that causes bacteria to grow in the first place. All you have to do is add a bit of vodka to a spray bottle and use it to mist the inside of your shoes. It will not only eliminate the odor, it helps to prevent it from occurring the next time. Just be sure to use a cheap vodka, save the Stoli and the Absolute for drinking. Even better, rubbing alcohol works just as well.
Duct Tape For Everything? Yes, Even Warts
You already know that duct tape is one of the most useful things on the planet, and it can even eliminate warts. That’s because of a compound in the adhesive that’s toxic to warts but is harmless to you. It also helps to block oxygen from getting the wart which stunts its growth. A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine in 2002 proved that it works, with 85 percent of warts eradicated by the use of duct tape, whereas only 60% of the warts were eliminated in people who had them frozen off through cryotherapy.
To use this remedy, simply cut a strip of the tape that’s about the same size of the wart and place it on top. Let it remain for six days if it falls off in the meantime just apply another piece. After that period, remove the tape and then soak the area in water. Use a pumice stone or an emery board to gently rub the wart’s surface down. Let it “breathe” overnight, repeating the process again the following day. You may need to do this every six days until the wart disappears, though it should fade away within a couple of months tops.
Suck on a Lemon to Fight Motion Sickness
If you tend to get nauseous while driving winding roads or while out on the water, bring some sliced lemon along. As that motion sickness is usually the result of excess salivation, compounds in lemons called tannins will help dry out your mouth, eliminate the saliva and help to ease that horrible nausea. If the thought of sucking on a lemon isn’t something you can stomach, try carrying around a little bottle of lemon essential oil and sniffing it when you feel motion sickness coming on.
Say Goodbye to Earaches With an Onion
While this one definitely sounds pretty out there, more than a few moms around the world have discovered that this is one trick that really works to get rid of an earache: onion juice. In fact, it’s a home remedy that’s said to date back to the 19th-century. Kids are especially prone to an earache, but it can happen to anyone and it can be extremely painful. Likely thanks to a powerful flavonoid in onions known as quercetin, placing a few drops of the juice in an affected ear will relieve that awful pain. While there haven’t been any studies focused on onion juice and earaches, science has found that quercetin contains anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can help reduce swelling to ease the pain.
To get the juice, heat up an onion in a pan with a little bit of water, just until warm. Extract some of the juice and use a dropper to place a few drops into the ear that’s affected.
-Susan Patterson
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