Have You Found Your Alternative To Painkillers?

Painkillers are the most commonly used form of medication around the world. While they might help to manage pain to some extent, they also have numerous side effects, especially when used to manage chronic pain. It is important to find alternatives to treat and manage chronic pain rather than depend completely on painkillers. 

Low-impact exercise, physiotherapy (physical therapy), acupuncture, yoga, meditation, chiropractics, massage, dietary changes, and homeopathy are just a few of the many methods you can use to manage pain effectively without relying on prescription drugs. Finding alternatives will not only help your physical body, but will also help you connect to yourself and be more mindful of what you need to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle.

If you have been using painkillers like NSAIDs since a long time, this info graphic may give you enough food for thought to help you make a switch to other methods of pain management and treatment.

Aconite, Chamomilla, and Coffea are just 3 out of 100s of homeopathic remedies that can be used to manage both acute and chronic pain. Contact your homeopath to find out which remedy is best suited for you!

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs may offer temporary relief for chronic pain, but this comes with a list of side effects ranging from gastrointestinal problems to cardiovascular problems and premature death. Learn the painful truth about these painkillers by checking out this infographic on NSAIDs. Use the embed code to share it on your website or visit our infographic page for the high-res version.

<img src="http://media.mercola.com/assets/images/infographic/nsaids.jpg" alt="NSAIDS " border="0" style="max-width:100%; min-width:300px; margin: 0 auto 20px auto; display:block;"><p style="max-width:800px; min-width:300px; margin:0 auto; text-align:center;">Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or <a href="http://www.mercola.com/infographics/nsaids.htm">NSAIDs</a> may offer temporary relief for chronic pain, but this comes with a list of side effects ranging from gastrointestinal problems to cardiovascular problems and premature death. Learn the painful truth about these painkillers by checking out this infographic on NSAIDs. Visit our infographic page for the high-res version.</p>

NIH-funded Study: Infants Exposed to Dirt and Germs Have Lesser Risk of Asthma and Allergy

A recent study funded by National Institutes of Health in Maryland, USA, shows that infants who were exposed to household bacteria or allergens early in life (within the first year of birth) showed lesser risk of developing asthma and allergies later in life. 

I have already explained how this works in my previous post on The Rapidly Increasing Immune System Disorders and also in this post about How to Improve Your Immunity.

Asthma and allergies are both very common immune system disorders. They are becoming more and more prevalent at a rapid rate.

It is commonly thought that newborns need to be kept in 100% germ-free environments and anti-bacterial products are used extensively to maintain this. The recent results of the NIH study just show us how badly our war against bacteria is affecting our future generations. 

A reasonable level of sanitation is required to prevent the proliferation of bad bacteria; however, wiping out all bacteria from our surrounding environment will have negative consequences for our health and that of our future generations. Maintaining a bacterially sterile environment should remain in the domain of healthcare facilities like hospitals and the offices of medical providers, not in our homes where we eat and sleep and spend most of our time. While medical science still does not fully understand how immune system disorders are caused, we now know that some exposure to household germs is definitely good for our health.

An excerpt from the published study report:

A report on the study, published on June 6 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, reveals that early exposure to bacteria and certain allergens may have a protective effect by shaping children’s immune responses — a finding that researchers say may help inform preventive strategies for allergies and wheezing, both precursors to asthma.

“What this tells us is that not only are many of our immune responses shaped in the first year of life, but also that certain bacteria and allergens play an important role in stimulating and training the immune system to behave a certain way.”

Asthma is one of the most common pediatric illnesses, affecting some 7 million children in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the time they turn 3, up to half of all children develop wheezing, which in many cases evolves into full-blown asthma.

You can read the full report on the Johns Hopkins website by clicking on this link.

Sprouted lentils

Sprouts are so easy to make in summer! In today's post, I'm going to share how I make them.

Lentils are an excellent source of protein, complex carbohydrates, and soluble fiber. They are inexpensive, nutritious, and extremely versatile!

Compared to other legumes and dried beans, lentils are easier to cook and digest. They can be cooked on the stove top in 20-30 minutes or in a pressure cooker within 15 minutes. 

Soaking and sprouting removes some of the enzyme inhibitors that nuts, legumes, and beans naturally contain. This makes them easier to digest and absorb optimal nutrition. Sprouts also contain a large amount of vitamin C, which is not available in dried lentils or beans. Sprouted lentils can be added to salads or stir fries, or cooked to make dal, soups, or stews.

How to make sprouted lentils:

1. Wash the whole lentils and cover with cold water until they are completely under water.  
2. After 4-6 hours, check the water level and add more water if required.
3. Once all the lentils have softened (usually 6-8 hours), take the lentils in a sieve and drain all the water.  
4. Place the sieve on top of another container to collect any water drainage, and cover the lentils with a damp paper napkin or kitchen towel.  
5. Leave this on the counter top for a day or two. The lentils need air, water, and some light to be able to sprout.  
6. If the napkin or towel dries out, sprinkle some water on it to dampen it a little bit. You should see sprouts within 24 hours. The longer you leave them, the longer the sprouts will get. 
7. Eat immediately or store in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 1 week.

The photo is of sprouted whole red lentils, or masoor dal, on day 2 of sprouting. These are our most favorite kind of sprouts. We also sprout whole moong, red kidney beans, chickpeas, and fenugreek seeds.

Sprouts are fun to make, fresh, full of nutrients, and filling! How do you use sprouts?



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