A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is an inflammation of the lining of the sinuses that often leads to persistent runny noses, headaches, fevers and facial pains. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, more than 37 million Americans – almost 12 percent of the United States population – suffer from at least one episode of acute sinusitis annually, and that number seems to be growing due to increased environmental pollution, greater urban sprawl, and a growing resistance…
A sore throat, or inflammation of the pharynx and fauces, is a common medical condition that affects most people at some point in their lives. It is usually a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection, such as the common cold, though some cases can be caused by a swollen tonsil or enlarged glands in the neck. Most sore throat infections are not serious and usually pass without a need for medical aid. However, the…
Honey has always been held in high regard by natural health researchers, and for good reason. This sweet yellow liquid, which is made by honey bees from nectar, is packed with essential nutrients and disease-fighting antioxidants. Raw, unprocessed honey is especially nutritious and makes a great natural alternative to refined sugar, aspartame, and other toxic sweeteners. While honey has always been revered first and foremost as a food, it also possesses a surprising number of…
It would be difficult to find a household in the United States that does not contain at least one bottle of vinegar. Indeed, this strong-tasting liquid, which comes in many varieties but is primarily made from acetic acid and water, has been considered an essential ingredient in food preparation for centuries. Aside from being a condiment, it was used to pickle vegetables, make vinaigrette and other salad dressings, and flavor sauces such as ketchup, mustard,…
The aromatic and flavorful onion has a long and productive history with mankind. The ancient Indians, Sumerians and Chinese, for instance, valued onions for their ease of growth and hardy constitutions, which made them less perishable (and more transportable) than other vegetables grown at the time. The ancient Egyptians, on the other hand, worshiped onions as symbols of eternity due to their circle-within-a-circle structure. And then there were the ancient Romans, who loved onions for…