natural

Jun

2022

Vegan Vs Regular Make-up: What Is The Difference?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The vegan cosmetic market is now on the rise. It is projected to reach up to US $21.4 billion by 2027 according to a report by Report Linker. It seems that more and more people are now putting importance on environmental wellness. Consumers are now buying products that are in line with their values. But what really is vegan vs regular make-up? What is the difference?

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When a person is vegan, it means that the person excludes all meat and meat products from his or her diet. A vegan diet only includes plant and plant products like fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and legumes. In the same way, vegan cosmetics also excludes the use of animal and animal by-products.

Ingredients

There are thousands of cosmetics out there. Each of them uses different combinations of ingredients. Some are natural while others are chemicals. Although research indicates that the amount of harmful chemicals used in cosmetics is too small to be even considered as harmful, prolonged exposure may lead to adverse health effects including death because they accumulate on the skin. Thus, it is better to be wary of chemicals that are harmful that are contained in the ingredients. Learn to read product labels. Here are some ingredients to watch out for:

Parabens
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Polyethylene glycols or PEG compounds
Formaldehyde
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

This is not the case for vegan make-up since ingredients are mainly natural or even organic at times. Do take note however that vegan does not not necessarily mean organic. It simply means it is animal-free. In addition, although vegan cosmetics do not guarantee any adverse effect, it is still generally safer because natural plants and minerals are their ingredients. And since plants are rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, you reap the benefits of younger looking skin in vegan products.

Ellana: A Universe Where Beauty Does More

Cruelty To Animals

Before any cosmetic goes out to the market, scientists have to conduct several testings on animals. Guinea pigs, rats, mice and even rabbits are generally used by cosmetic companies in product testing. These experiments can result in blindness, organ damage, internal bleeding, distress, pain and even death to the animals. According to some estimates, about 100,000 to 200,000 animals suffered and died each year because of this.

Although vegan cosmetics are animal-free, it does not necessarily mean it is cruelty-free. Cruelty-free means no animal was used to test the products.

Make-ups can be vegan but can still use animals for testing. In the same way, it is possible for regular make-ups to be cruelty-free.

Price

Contrary to popular belief, vegan cosmetics are not more expensive than regular cosmetics. In fact, in analysis done by Cruelty Free Only; it shows that vegan cosmetics are actually cheaper compared to its regular counterparts.

So, are you ready to make the shift?

Featured Image by cottonbro:

Apr

2021

What Kind of Tea Should You Drink?

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Tea is more than a beverage. It is actually good for your health too. Several studies show that drinking a cup of tea daily will do wonders to your health. From calming your mind and body to strengthening your immune system and fighting cancer; these are just but some of the health benefits of drinking tea. However, it was said that there are more than 3,000 varieties of teas, with each having its own distinct flavour, characteristics and health benefits. With so many varieties to choose from, the question now is what kind of tea should you drink?

The answer is it all depends. It all depends on what you are feeling and what your condition is. Different teas have different benefits. So, it is really a matter of what you need at the moment.

I visited a tea factory in Beijing, China several years ago. During that visit, I’ve learned some of the common teas available in the market today and their health benefits. Here is what I have learned about common herbal teas and their benefits:

1.Green Tea

Green tea has been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. Because of its large concentration of catechins, a natural antioxidant, green teas are best used as an antioxidant.

Modern quick meals especially canned goods, junk foods, processed foods and fast food such as burgers, chips, chocolates, donuts, french fries, instant noodles, pastries and pizzas are oxidant foods. Oxidants found in these foods are harmful to our body because they can chemically alter and damage our DNA resulting in degenerative diseases.

So, if you are the type of person who loves eating these kinds of food, it is best that you include drinking a cup of green tea in your lifestyle. Green tea’s antioxidant properties will help get rid of the oxidants that you have consumed. It can improve cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimers, and treat skin disorders.

2.Black Tea

Black tea and green tea came from the same plant. The only difference is that black tea is fermented while green tea is not. Although it has the same health benefits as the green tea, the antioxidant benefits of black tea is not as high as that of the green tea because some of the antioxidants were destroyed during the oxidation process.

Despite that, black tea is the most popular among all the types of teas. About 80% of tea drinkers worldwide drink black tea. Have you heard of the English breakfast, Irish breakfast or Earl Gray teas? Well, all of these teas are actually varieties of the black tea. How about the famous milk tea? Most milk teas use black tea as their base ingredient.

Black tea is often the eye-opener tea in the morning because out of all the teas out there, black tea contains the most caffeine. Black tea has about 1/3 of caffeine that can be found in your coffee. Since black tea is fully oxidized, it also has a heavy flavour. Because of these characteristics, black tea is the best tea to drink if you want that extra boost in energy and increase in mental alertness most especially in the morning.

Other health benefits of black tea include increasing body immunity, inhibiting tooth decay, fighting cancer, preventing stroke, protecting the lungs from damage and reducing the risk of diabetes.

3.Oolong Tea

Just like the green tea and the black tea, oolong tea came from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis. The difference is that green tea is unfermented, black tea is fully fermented while oolong tea is partially fermented. Because of this, it was said that the health benefits of oolong tea surpassed that of green tea and black tea because it has the combined characteristics of both teas.

Oolong tea is best for weight loss. It is ideal for people who are on a high fat diet because it enhances the metabolic processes, improves fat mobilization and prevents fat cell proliferation. Thus, it helps in weight reduction.

Aside from its antioxidant properties, oolong tea contains vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamins A, B, C, & E. It also contains folic acid and some detoxifying alkaloids which were formed during the semi-fermentation process. Oolong tea also helps prevent cancer and diabetes, manages stress and improves mental health.

4.Pu-erh Tea

Pu-erh Tea is actually aged black tea. What makes it so special is that it is only produced in Yunnan, China. Production takes place on the top of the mountain in very high altitude mountain conditions with very fertile soil free from pollutants and with more sunshine and very cool night temperature. After the fermentation process, the leaves are aged for many years.

This is the reason why it comes with a high price tag. Although there are cheaper ones available in the market today, the Chinese government only recognised the ones grown from that specific region from the Yunnan province as the authentic pu-erh teas. An aged old pu-erh tea from the Yunnan province will cost you about a whooping US $10,000 per 10 grams. In fact in 2013, a 2083g 100 year old pu-erh tea was auctioned for $1.5 million dollars.

Many Benefits of Pu-erh Tea

So, what is so special about it? Our tea sommelier in China told us that in that specific region in Yunnan province, there are no incidents of heart attack, no high cholesterol and no other cardiovascular diseases among the population. This is despite the fact that people there eat nothing but meat. It is too high a place to have seafood and the vegetable plants could not survive because of the very cold weather conditions. Yet, most of the residents there lived up to 100 years.

Several studies have shown that long term use of pu-erh teas can lower LDL and increase HDL. The bad cholesterol is the LDL because it increases risk of a heart attack or stroke. On the other hand, the HDL known as the good cholesterol helps remove the bad cholesterol from the bloodstream. Pu-erh also burns the stored body fats including the ones enveloping the liver.

Another benefit of pu-erh teas is that it increases the good bacteria in the intestines. It cleanses the spleen, stomach and blood. It also suppresses fat production.

So, if you are a person who is always having problems with your high bad cholesterol level or fatty liver or you want to have your body cleanse or you simply just want to eliminate that unwanted stubborn hard-to digest fats, then pu-erh tea is for you.

5.Chamomile Tea

If you are a beginner, chamomile tea is a good tea to try first because of its light earthy taste with hints of apple and floral flavour, not to mention its wonderful aroma. Taken from dried chamomile flowers; it has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.

It is best taken before bed because it is a sleep inducer and mild tranquilizer. Chamomile tea is also helpful if you want to relax because it reduces stress.

Chamomile tea is also a natural remedy for coughs and colds. It is also good for digestive problems such as diarrhea, flatulence, indigestion, motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. It is also helpful in relieving menstrual pain and muscle spasm. In addition, it has beauty benefits because it lightens the skin, reduces acne, treats sunburn and it has anti-aging properties.

6.Mint Tea

The best tea to drink if you have indigestion and gas is mint tea. Dubbed as the “stomach healer”, mint tea works wonders if you have stomach problems such as diarrhea, flatulence, heartburn, indigestion and stomach pains.

Mint tea also has a soothing effect. It relaxes both the body and the mind, thus reducing your stress level. It is also good for curing bad breath.

7.Ginger Tea

Ginger tea helps fight respiratory problems associated with common colds such as cough, flu and sore throat. It also alleviates symptoms from environmental allergies.

Ginger is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is an ideal remedy for joint and muscle pains. You can also drink it to relieve nausea and vomiting.

8.Sambong Tea

Sambong is a herbal medicine that is widely used in Southeast Asia. The Philippine government in fact named this herb as one of the top 10 herbs that is effective in treating disorders specifically because of its kidney cleansing properties.

Sambong tea primarily works as a diuretic or water pill. It is well known to treat urinary tract problems such as kidney and bladder stones and UTIs or urinary tract infections.

Sambong also has analgesic properties that serve as a pain reliever. It can also lower blood pressure by removing excess sodium brought about by its diuretic property. It can also cure sore throat and relieve stomach pain.

9.Turmeric Tea

Turmeric tea is known to boost the immune system, treats inflammation and serves as an anti-cancer agent. It has been used as a medical root for thousands of years because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, the yellow pigment found in turmeric known as curcimin has been recognized by the National Cancer Institute as an effective anti-carcinogen or anti-cancer agent.

Turmeric tea also eases arthritis. It also helps prevent Alzheimers and liver damage. It can also help manage diabetes.

To maximise its benefits, just remember that fresh tea is always better than those found in sachets. However, do bear in mind that although tea has numerous health benefits, too much intake can lead to negative side effects. So, drink moderately.

First published in Pinoy Smart Living on 07.08.2018

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay.

Nov

2020

5 More All Natural Beauty Tips for Your Beauty Routine

Reading Time: 3 minutes

If you’ve tried some of our all natural beauty alternatives, here are 5 more all natural beauty tips for your beauty routine. All natural ingredients have many benefits for our skin and overall health.

One major benefit of substituting commercial beauty products with natural ingredients is that you can save a lot of money. Most of these natural ingredients are in your kitchen. In fact, you can DIY and even customize them to your liking to boost your beauty regimen.

1. Baking Soda to Exfoliate Skin and Whiten Teeth

Get rid of stubborn black heads with baking soda. Wet your face with warm water. Pour some baking soda into your hands and massage unto your face for at least 3 minutes. It might sting a little so be sure to do this gently.

Don’t do this if you have a huge pimple or a painful acne breakout or a wound as it may aggravate your skin’s condition. After 3 minutes, rinse your face with water and pat dry. Your face might be a bit red after this but it will definitely be brighter. Follow with a moisturizer.

This is one of the natural beauty tips that can also be used as alternative to your commercial toothpaste to whiten teeth. Be gentle when brushing so you don’t irritate your gums. Instead, brush your teeth for a longer duration to get rid of stains. You won’t get the bubbly texture of toothpaste and you might not like the taste but doing this will help whiten your teeth.

2. Cocoa and Cinnamon as Natural Bronzer

If you can never get the shade you want from commercial bronzers, then this recipe is a good opportunity to create your own.

Mix cocoa powder and cinnamon powder until you get the shade that you want. Store in a jar or container and brush on your skin for that bronze look. Get a liquid version by mixing into your moisturizing cream or your lotion. This is one of the all natural beauty tips that is cheap and smells good too! Integrate into your daily beauty routine for healthier skin.

3. Sugar and Oil to Exfoliate and Moisturize

Say goodbye to dry skin with this easy recipe that you can enjoy in the shower.

Blend together a cup of sugar (any kind will do), half a cup of oil (olive or coconut oil) and store in a wide mouth jar. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Gently massage unto skin and rinse well. Enjoy silky, soft skin after!

You can use this all natural beauty tip to focus on dry spots too, such as your elbows and knees.

4. Coconut Oil and Baking Soda as Deodorant

Prevent body odor while taking care of your under arm skin with this recipe.

In a bowl, mix 4 tablespoons baking soda and 4 tablespoons cornstarch. Add in 6 tablespoons coconut oil and blend well. You can add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. Store in a glass jar or old deodorant container for easy use.

It may take several hours for the mixture to cool and harden completely. You can pop it into the fridge for a few hours to harden faster. Store in a cool dry place as it may melt in direct sunlight, which means it might also melt during summer months.

5. Orange, Lemon or Calamansi to Brighten Skin

Brighten elbows and knees by cutting an orange, lemon or calamansi in half and rubbing the halves into these areas. It will exfoliate and soften the skin in these rough patches and it will smell good too. Remember to be gentle with this process and rinse well when you’re done.

Show your skin some love with these natural beauty substitutes to your beauty products. Try out these DIY beauty tips and tell us your results.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2019.09.13.
Featured Image: Original Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash.

Nov

2020

5 All Natural Beauty Tips for Your Beauty Routine

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Refresh your glow with these 5 all natural beauty tips for your beauty routine. Taking care of our physical appearance is part of our daily routine. Looking good helps us to feel good and a healthy glow always boosts our confidence. When it comes to maintaining our heathy glow, what we put unto our skin is just as important as what we eat. Natural ingredients can give you more benefits than chemically-laden products.

If you are already starting or maintaining a healthy diet, then incorporating these all natural beauty tips into your daily routine should help you boost and maintain your natural, healthy glow.

The great thing about using natural products is that most of the ingredients can already be found in your kitchen or easily found in your supermarket or grocery store. Here are some of them that you can DIY.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Shampoo

Commercial shampoos usually have chemicals that can cause build-up in your scalp. Eliminate build-up by mixing 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar (ACV) with 1 cup of water and using this as your shampoo.

Do this regularly to eliminate build-up which may cause dandruff. You can follow this with your regular conditioner or use a DIY natural conditioner. Make this all natural beauty routine a regular habit to maintain healthy hair and scalp.

2. Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Treatment

Get super soft hair with coconut oil. Massage a small amount of coconut oil unto your scalp and work it through your hair. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes and rinse with warm water. For better results, wrap a warm towel around your head to deeply condition your hair and scalp.

Don’t put too much coconut oil as it will be hard to rinse out and you might end up with greasy, limp hair instead. You can rinse it out with your regular, commercial shampoo but it’s better to just use water and blow dry your hair afterwards for a soft, shiny mane.

You can also use coconut oil to condition the ends of your hair to prevent split ends.

3. Castor Oil for Longer Lashes and Thicker Brows

If you’re suffering from thin brows and brittle lashes, then castor oil is your hero. Since castor oil has a thick consistency, dilute it with a carrier oil like jojoba oil, almond oil, sunflower oil or coconut oil. This all natural beauty routine is the secret to healthy-looking brows and lashes.

Mix half castor oil and half carrier oil in an amber bottle and use a clean mascara wand to apply the solution to your brow and lashes at night. You’ll wake up with greasy eye brows and lashes but your sparsely-haired brows will be fuller and your lashes will be thicker and longer with regular application.

4. Olive Oil Nail Treatment

This is a simple process. Just put some olive oil into a small bowl. Dip your fingertips in it and soak your nails for at least 5 minutes. Wipe clean with a tissue or small towel and admire your pretty fingers.

So you don’t waste the oil, instead of wiping away, massage the oil into your fingers, palms and back of your hands to moisturise your hard-working hands. Or do this beauty treatment with a buddy so you can massage each other’s hands after.

5. Chilled Tea Bags for Tired, Puffy Eyes

Do your eyes tell the whole world that you had a late night out yesterday? Just steep 2 green, black or chamomile tea bags in hot water for less than a minute. Remove the tea bags from the hot water, place them in a small container and chill in the refrigerator. This all natural beauty routine is a handy solution for late movie nights.

Once chilled, place 1 tea bag over each closed eyelid and leave on for 5 to 15 minutes. This will freshen up your eyes and reduce puffiness so you look like you had a good night’s sleep instead of a hangover. You can drink the water where you boiled the tea bags to help cure your hangover.

As you can see, these quick beauty tips are easy to do and some can even replace your commercial beauty products. Aside from these uses, each ingredient on this list has other applications for maintaining your natural beauty. For example, you can use these oils as moisturiser and ACV can also be used as a toner to cleanse your face.

Have you tried any of these natural beauty tips? How did it work for you?

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2019.09.11.
Featured Image: Original Photo by Chelsea shapouri on Unsplash.

Jun

2020

Why Go for Natural Products?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The demand for natural products is now on the rise. This has caused some major brand names to replace ingredients in their products with natural ones. Others have had to discontinue product lines that customers are shunning due to its use of harmful chemical ingredients. While others have faced lawsuits from customers, claiming to have dire medical conditions, as a result of toxic chemicals in the products.

If you’ve been buying the same personal care items for years, you might want to read the labels next time. Here’s a short rundown of why going for natural products is better for you and the planet.

What is a “natural” product?

A simple search online of the phrase “natural product” will primarily tell you something similar to the following:

Natural product (n.) – A chemical substance produced by a living organism — a term used commonly in reference to chemical substances found in nature that have distinctive pharmacological effects. Such a substance is considered a natural product even if it can be prepared by total synthesis.
– [GCIDE]

Natural product (Noun) – Any compound produced naturally by a living organism; especially those compounds that are useful commercially.
– [Wiktionary]

Other terms used to label natural products include: organic, chemical-free and eco-friendly. “Organic” usually refers to fruits and vegetables grown without the use of chemical fertilizers.

Organic product – An organic product is made from materials produced by organic agriculture. There are different types of organic products. However organic product is more known for food items like organic grocery, organic vegetables, organic certified foods, etc….
– [Wikipedia]

Organic products should have at least 95% or more of organic ingredients from plant sources.

Ingredients in organic products are processed to preserve most of their benefits. For example, cold-pressed oils are more potent in effect than those that use other processes for extracting essential oils. However, this also means that they have shorter shelf life than products with preservatives added to them.

Natural products use organic ingredients too, but the extraction process may dilute or alter their effects. For example, the addition of chemical preservatives will make the product last longer. This might also dilute the potency of the ingredients.

Note that a product can be natural and organic, but not all natural products are organic. Also, not all products labeled natural or organic are actually 100% natural or organic. It is always best to read the labels on the products you are buying.

Why Go for Natural Products?

Switching your personal beauty stash to natural products may seem daunting at first but doing so will return many benefits.

Less Chemicals, Less Irritation

Commercial products usually have chemicals, artificial colors, preservatives and fillers which can cause breakouts or even strong, allergic reactions. This is because your body rejects these chemicals.

With natural products, there are less of these chemicals in the product. The product is able to work better with your own body chemistry, giving you better results. When was the last time you took a home remedy instead of over the counter medicine? You felt better but didn’t get drowsy so you didn’t need to call in sick.

Smell Better, Feel Better

We may not notice it, but good smells do make us feel better. But not all good smelling commercial product is good for your health. Some of them actually come with harmful chemicals which can cause eye irritation and even migraines.

Artificial fragrances cover up the smells of other chemicals used in many health and beauty products. Natural products usually smell like their natural ingredients. For example, putting on a moisturizer infused with lavender essential oil also feels like an aromatherapy session.

Gentle but Lasting Effects

If you have been using natural personal care products long enough; you will notice that usually never claim to work overnight. However, the improvements become more noticeable as time goes by.

A simple experiment is to replace a good-smelling commercial product with a natural product that smells the same. The natural product might not smell as strongly as the commercial one; but you will be experiencing less breakouts than before. Also, you might have less headaches as you keep on using it.

Safe for Kids, Good for the Planet

Natural products are generally safe for kids too. So if your kid is curious about an item in your beauty stash, they won’t get irritated. If they have allergies, then pick an item that doesn’t contain that ingredient.

Whatever you put on your skin, you also pass on to the planet. Whenever you take a shower with chemically-laden products, these chemicals end up in our oceans. The plastic containers that we throw away after using these products contribute to the environment’s pollution as well.

Invest in the Health of the Planet

The good news is, that more and more companies are switching to biodegradable, recyclable, eco-friendly packaging. This may make the item more expensive than before; but in the long run, the benefits are long-lasting and far-reaching. Think of it as paying extra now for a better product that also helps us reduce pollution on our planet.

Are you ready to go for natural products next time?

Feature Image: Original Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash.

May

2020

Easy Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

Reading Time: 4 minutes

When somebody in the family is sick, this is an unplanned expense that eats away at your monthly budget. A simple cough or cold, when not treated immediately, can cause bigger problems later on. Fortunately, there are easy home remedies for cough and cold that you can try.

1. Drink Up!

The advise to drink 6-8 glasses of water daily is even more important when you have a cough or cold. Keeping yourself hydrated helps to keep your throat moist and prevent you suffering from a dry coughing fit.

A good tip to keep in mind is to drink warm water. Not only will it soothe your throat; it will also help reduce bacteria or virus in your throat that may be causing the infection.

You can drink other liquids aside from just plain water. Herbal teas and warm, clear soup are great alternatives for soothing cough and cold.

For example, you can start your morning by blending a cup of warm water with the juice of half a lemon and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Stir and sip before your breakfast to help soothe your throat, loosen up your clogged nose and lessen inflammation.

2. Go Steamy

Go steamy when you have a cough or cold. Slowly breath in the steam from your hot drink to decongest your nose. This helps you ease your stuffy nose and even clear up a headache. You can easily do this with a cup of plain, hot water.

You can destress as you inhale some steam by mixing some of your favorite aromatherapy oils into a cup of hot water. Try putting in a few drops of lavender for a calming effect. Use peppermint or eucalyptus oil for a cooling effect that can also decongest your clogged nose.

3. Spice Up Your Food

Spices have many benefits when used individually and in combination. Aside from adding them to food, you can add spices to your drinks to enjoy their benefits.

For example, if you are a fan of hot coffee or hot chocolate in the morning, try adding in some cinnamon powder, turmeric powder and cayenne pepper powder to your brew. Add coconut sugar, muscovado sugar or honey to balance the taste. All these spices help to warm your body, prevent inflammation and help you detoxify.

You can also add these spices to your soups along with other beneficial spices such as garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary and ginger.

4. Make Your Own Cough Syrup

Hate the taste of cough syrup? Cough syrups are quite expensive, and as most kids will tell you, they taste awful. Save some cash and create your own cough syrup at home.

With natural sweeteners like honey, coconut sugar or muscovado sugar, it will taste better, will be as effective, if not, more effective and costs a lot cheaper than the one that comes in a bottle.

DIY Cough Syrup | Photo by Dominik Martin on Unsplash

Try out a combination of honey or sugar alternative and lemon with coconut oil or blend together crushed oregano leaves, lemon juice and honey or sugar alternative in warm water to get relief from your cough and cold. You can also add sliced ginger for more benefits.

Most of these ingredients are already available in your own kitchen or readily available in your local market or grocery stores. If you find that lemons are hard to find or a bit on the expensive side, you can always use calamansi instead.

5. Use a Neti Pot

Nasal decongestants are quite expensive. Try using a neti pot. If you haven’t heard of this before, it is highly recommended for decongesting your nasal passages and alleviating the effects of seasonal allergens such as pollens, which causes rhinitis.

The neti pot is a pot, plastic or ceramic, shaped like Aladdin’s lamp or rounder. There are many options available, including some that look like an elephant’s trunk. The best one must have a snout that’s small enough to comfortably fit inside your nostril.

To use a neti pot, pour in lukewarm water into the pot, add in a pinch of salt and stir to mix. Make sure the salt crystals are completely dissolved. You are basically making saline water.

Next, position yourself over the sink. Put your face forward and tilt your head to the side. Place the spout of the neti pot on your upturned nostril and slowly pour in the water which will pour out from your other nostril.

The first time you do this, you might feel like you’re drowning. Don’t panic. Just pour the water slowly until the pot is empty and repeat the same procedure on your other nostril.

The saline water mixture and the pouring action is what is called nasal irrigation. This helps to clean your nasal passages of allergens that may be stuck on your nasal walls and won’t be easy to clean out with tissue or cotton buds.

Be sure to use lukewarm water because cold water might give you a headache instead of relief from your nasal congestion.

Stay Cough and Cold-Free

Hopefully, these easy home remedies for cough and cold can help you get back on your feet as soon as possible. Remember that prevention is still better than cure. So be sure to get enough sleep, put in some exercise, have time to bask in the sunshine every morning and maintain healthy, eating habits to ensure that you do not get sick.

Observe wellness habits regularly so if you do get sick, you will be able to heal yourself much faster which also means less expenses for medicine and less sick days from work.

Updated. First published in Pinoy Smart Living 11.19.2018
Feature Image: Original Image by falconp4 from Pixabay