Effective Asian Remedies for Relief From Sore Feet

In this article, I will describe several approaches traditionally used in Asia to combat sore feet and to promote holistic maintenance of the body as a whole. While originating in the Far East, many of these methods can easily be applied in our modern western society for effective sore foot relief.

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Chinese Foot Reflexology

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According to principals of Chinese medicine, the sensory nerves of the internal organs of the body travel down a meridian that culminates at the bottom of the feet. Therefore, from the Chinese perspective, not only do sore feet indicate potential imbalances within the body, but by their very nature, the soles of the feet are highly susceptible to soreness unless they are given the care and maintenance they require.

Chinese reflexology is the application of pressure to specific areas of the soles of the feet. This application of pressure can help relieve pain and soreness, boost blood circulation, and also target potential imbalances within the body's organs.

Chinese reflexology is readily available in the west, particularly in most larger cities. Usually, a Chinese foot massage lasts for about one hour, and includes a deep foot massage that should leave your feet feeling renewed and relieved of soreness. Expect to pay about per massage, which while reasonable, may be too pricey of an option for daily or even weekly maintenance that your feet really require.

In Japan, foot reflexology is called "soku shin do" or "zoku shin do," which literally translates as "foot heart way," suggesting again that the foot is the true "heart," or center, of the body's organs. Japanese foot massage was derived from China, and like Chinese foot massage targets the pressure points of the feet which connect to the body's organs. However, the Japanese counterpart has evolved into its own unique set of techniques, including the application of shiatsu, or finger pressure, and the use of oils.

Japanese Foot Massage Tools

Japanese are highly conscious of the importance of healthy foot maintenance. In medieval Japan, commoners were forbidden to ride horses, which meant they had to travel everywhere on foot. In modern Japan as well, because cars are impractical in the crowded cities, most people still today do considerable walking every day. Not surprisingly given this history, a huge assortment of foot massage tools has evolved in Japan to combat chronic foot soreness.

The most popular Japanese foot massage tool is the takefumi foot massager. This simple device is basically a half piece of bamboo, about a foot long, that users simply lay on the floor and step on for a minute or so.

The natural arch of the takefumi provides a perfectly hard yet smooth surface for a quick, soothing foot massage that thoroughly massages the soles of the feet, providing instant relief from foot soreness while working all of the pressure points that connect to the body's organs. Although the takefumi originated in Japan's medieval period, today you can still find a takefumi in nearly every Japanese household.

Could there be a connection between the Japanese devotion to daily foot care through foot massage, and the fact that the Japanese enjoy the world's highest life expectancy?

Effective Asian Remedies for Relief From Sore Feet

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Effective Home Remedies For Mouth Sores

Mouth sores are an annoying and painful condition that can ruin your meals and entire day. Although some people would regard the cause as resulting from high body temperature exhausted through the membranes in your mouth, this basically stem from a small opening or cut that may become infected or irritated over time.

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The outbreak or increase in size and pain can come from certain foods that aggravate the existing condition. It is helpful to know some details about the treatment for mouth sores that can eradicate the problem quickly using only the regular fare you have at home.

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Here are some helpful home remedies for mouth sores.

1. Pain. There are two types of mouth sores, canker or cold, can be present inside your mouth. Canker sores are much more painful and are usually the ones that plague you. As soon as you notice it, put an ice cube or Q-tip directly on the sore to numb the pain and drain out pus, if there are any present. This numbing of the pain will definitely hurt but, at least, it takes away the sensation for the better part of your day. Avoid eating very warm or sweet foods, as these can easily aggravate the pain.

2. Infection. Bacteria most likely may be dwelling in the sore, which irritates the nerve endings and causes you a lot of pain and discomfort. You may use gargling solutions and antibacterial agents, then apply or gargle accordingly. Also swish a lot of water inside your mouth then spit out to keep the area moist and clean.

3. Baking soda. Baking soda is also known for its antibacterial and soothing effect. Mix one-half teaspoon of baking soda and water to make a paste and directly apply on the mouth sore. Keep it on the sore for a good two minutes, then rinse the entire area with water. Baking soda helps dry the area, which will keep bacteria from proliferating.

4. Salt. This is another helpful antibacterial agent that can rapidly heal your mouth sore. You may either mix two teaspoons of salt and lukewarm water then gargle and swish in your mouth, or directly put salt powder on the wound. The latter would hurt a lot but the healing will also be faster.

5. Food. Some foods may be the cause of the outbreak, so make sure that you avoid eating those. Some allergies may only transpire after two days so keep a record of everything you ate to specifically determine the kind that triggers a reaction. Have antihistamines ready to counter any sudden reactions from unknown sources.

6. Hygiene. Whether or not you have an existing mouth sore, proper oral hygiene is a must to ensure that your mouth membranes remain free from bacteria and other agents that may cause outbreaks. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, gargle with mouthwash and floss to take out food particles that may be stuck inside your mouth. Also visit your dentist at least twice a year to make sure that your mouth is always in tiptop shape.

There are also certain herbal remedies that can effectively treat your mouth sores but be sure to consult your doctor first before consuming any. Some treatments may have untoward reactions to other parts of your body, even if they prove effective in treating mouth sores, so be very cautious and never self-medicate.

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Effective Home Remedies For Mouth Sores

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Highly Effective Home Remedies for Sore Feet

Common Causes of Chronic Sore Feet

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Millions of people suffer from chronic sore, aching feet. Here I am referring not to serious food injuries or disorders, but rather, foot pain arising from common daily life activities. In fact, if you do suffer from chronically aching feet, chances are great that you fall into one of the following three categories:

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1. Foot pain caused by physical activity.

Persons who engage in strenuous sports or physical fitness activities, such as running, walking, hiking, aerobics, tennis, golf, basketball, and other sports that put stress on the feet, are likely candidates to experience ongoing foot soreness at some point.

2. Foot soreness caused by uncomfortable shoes.

It is an unavoidable fact of our modern-day living that many professions and social norms require us to wear shoes designed for form rather than comfort or function. The main culprit here is high-heel shoes and other women's dress shoes. Ouch!

3. Aching feet caused by excessive standing.

Many people have jobs, such as food service industry jobs, require standing for long periods of time, or even entire work days. Persons engaging in such professions are highly likely to experience ongoing foot soreness.

In all of the above cases, while discontinuing the activities in question would certainly solve our sore feet problem, this is hardly a viable option. We play sports because we love to do so. We wear high heels and dress shoes because we want to look our best. And we work standing-intensive jobs, well, because we have to earn a living!

The question, then, is how can we continue to engage in the activities that we love and need to do and rid ourselves of our chronic sore foot problem?

My Best Home Remedies for Sore Feet

Since it is our ongoing, daily activities that are the cause of our chronic sore foot pain, we require ongoing, daily therapy and maintenance to combat chronic foot soreness. Therefore, although I highly recommend receiving an occasional foot massage at a reflexology clinic if available, here I'd like to offer my two favorite low-cost, easy-to-perform home remedies for sore feet.

1. Epsom Salt Bath

Epsom salts, a compound of magnesium and sulfate, offer soothing, low-cost foot relief. Readily available at your local drugstore or grocery store, simply pour about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salts into a tub of warm water and soak your feet for up to a half hour. The Epsom salts work to reduce inflammation of sore nerves and muscles and leave your feet feeling refreshed.

Epsom salts are a great home remedy for aching feet. The only real drawbacks to this method are the ongoing cost of replenishing the salts and the time required to prepare and take the foot bath.

2. Home Reflexology

My personal favorite do-it-yourself sore foot pain remedy is home reflexology. There are a number of home reflexology tools on the market, spanning the entire range of cost and effectiveness.

My personal favorite home reflexology tool is a little-known Japanese foot massage tool called the takefumi.

Takefumi Japanese Foot Massager

The takefumi foot massager is the traditional Japanese foot massage tool that has been used as the go-to home remedy for sore feet in Japan for centuries.

The takefumi is actually simply a piece of bamboo, about a foot long. The naturally curved hardness of the bamboo is cut and shaped to provide a perfect foot massage with just the right amount of pressure: not to gentle but not too intense!

I love the takefumi because it is inexpensive and super easy to use. Just lay it on the floor and step on it gently. You'll find that the arched shape of the takefumi begins to work immediately to stretch and massage the feet in the opposite direction of the downward pressure of gravity to blissfully release all the soreness and tension stored up in the feet.

I use my takefumi for a minute or two each morning and evening for daily foot maintenance and therapy, and immediately after engaging in any activity that causes my foot soreness to flare up. I've found that by following this simple routine, my chronic foot soreness has all but gone away and I now finally have control over my sore feet instead of my aching feet controlling and constantly plaguing me!

Highly Effective Home Remedies for Sore Feet

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Make an Effective Sore Throat Cure with Simple Herbs

There are a variety of ways to cure a sore throat. One of the best ways is through herbal remedies. There is no need to use over the counter medications that just mask symptoms, discover how you can truly heal your sore throat. This article is going to discuss several great options you can use as an effective sore throat cure.

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Wintergreen is more than just a brand name for gum; it is actually an herb that works as a natural form of aspirin. Wintergreen works as a fantastic gargle to relieve your sore throat symptoms. You can make the gargle by adding 20 leaves in a cup of boiling water. It has a nice cooling action on the throat when used. Make sure not to use this home remedy on children, as they should not have anything that resembles aspirin.

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Eucalyptus tea also works wonders as a sore throat cure. The oil has a soothing and cooling action on the throat and the tannins found in the herb act as an astringent. You can buy the Eucalyptus tea pre-made or you can make it yourself by boiling a cup of water with a couple teaspoons of the crushed leaves.

Honeysuckle is highly recognized in china for its power as a sore throat cure. Honeysuckle works extremely well at treating not only sore throats, but also tonsillitis, colds, bronchitis, the flu and pneumonia.

Slippery Elm is like having your own natural throat lozenge. It coats the throat and helps to keep the scratchiness away. Slipper Elm also has antiseptic properties and also works well for people who are sick due to allergies.

Balloonflower works very well as a cure for both a sore throat and a cough. Balloonflower is a natural alternative to cough medicine as it works just as well and it is also a natural expectorant. No need for over the counter medications when you are using this home remedy.

Garlic is another great choice for treating your sore throat. It helps fight off viruses and bacteria from the body enabling it to treat both colds and strep throat.

Plantain is an herbal sore throat cure that works by soothing any inflammation in the nose and throat. Plantain helps to heal the mucous membranes so you wont feel so much drainage coming from the nose.

Make an Effective Sore Throat Cure with Simple Herbs

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