Health

  • Ask The Doctor: Urinary Tract Infections

    In less worldly times, urinary tract infections (UTIs)—common in young, sexually active women—used to be called “the bride’s disease” or “honeymoon cystitis,” because they occurred so often just after marriage. But rookies aren’t the only sufferers.

    I keep getting urinary tract infections. What can I do to treat these naturally and keep them from coming back?
    By Holly Lucille, ND, a naturopath who practices in Los Angeles.
  • Eco-Eggs to Dye For

    When it comes time to dye Easter eggs, go green. Create brightly colored eggs by using natural ingredients from your fridge and pantry. Stay away from those egg-dyeing kits sold in craft stores and supermarkets—they contain coal tar and other petroleum-based products. Plus, studies have linked certain food dyes to health problems like allergies, chromosome damage, and cancer.

  • Homeopathy To-Go

    Nothing will spoil your travel plans faster than getting flattened by a nasty cold, high fever, or Montezuma’s revenge. Fortunately, homeopathy offers symptom-specific relief for even the worst of your travel ailments. Don’t leave home without the following remedies recommended by Kathy Thorpe, a certified homeopath in Boulder, Colorado.

    An easy-to-pack kit for on-the-road emergencies
  • Allergy Test

    Every spring for as long as Julie Daly can remember, seasonal allergies would leave her with chronic sinus pain, postnasal drip, and debilitating headaches.

    Do you know what’s causing your runny nose and watery eyes? Hint: It’s not only the pollen count. These five surprising triggers could be making your sniffle season worse. Here’s how to outsmart them.
    By Karen Asp
  • Create an Eco-Chic Nursery

    Pick the right paint
    Choose paint with low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to protect your baby from breathing in these harmful chemicals, which are commonly found in regular paint. If you opt for a low-VOC paint, choose one with a VOC level of less than 10 mg per liter.

    Know your flooring

    From toys to cribs, harmful toxins lurk in some of the most popular products for children. Here’s what you need to know to keep your baby safe.
    By Jodi Helmer
  • Run to Fight Hunger

    If you can’t satisfy your hunger no matter how hard you try, crank up the intensity of your workouts. A new study from the UK says the more your routine gets you huffing and puffing, the less hungry you’ll feel. Why? You have two major appetite hormones: peptide YY (an appetite suppressor), and ghrelin (an appetite stimulator).

    By Nicole Duncan
  • Bath-Time Wine

    Instead of throwing away wine that’s past its prime, add it to your bath, says Vanessa Henderson, spa director of Glad Springs Spa in Cle Elum, Washington. Wine is a natural skin softener that is rich in polyphenols, which help combat free radicals and slow down the aging process. Don’t look good in red? Fear not—cabs or merlots won’t dye your skin or stain your tub.

  • What's My Alternative: Tinnitus

    Three years ago Debby Seguin woke up to a loud, high-pitched ringing in her ears. Doctors told the 43-year-old Canadian it was tinnitus, which usually results from repeated exposure to loud music or a sudden, explosive loud noise. Unfortunately, Seguin hadn’t experienced anything like that, so her doctors were at a loss to explain the relentless sound.

    By Nicole Duncan
  • Spring Into Action

    Shake off the winter doldrums with aromatherapy—essential oils of lemon, lime, and orange invigorate and revitalize the senses.

  • Eat To Beat Tooth Decay

    Wish you could avoid another jaw-dropping bill from the dentist? You can simply by tweaking your diet. Rami Nagel, author of Cure Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities With Nutrition (Golden Child Publishing, 2008) recommends the following diet tips to prevent cavities: