Tame leg cramps with tomato juice

At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit?
Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics,
caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of
potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed your recovery, you'll
reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA
researchers.

Fight breast pain with flax

In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased
breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax’s
phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that
can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don’t have to be a master baker to
sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal,
yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.

Heal mouth sores with honey

Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until
these skin woes disappear, and they’ll heal 43 percent faster than if you use a
prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in
the United Arab Emirates . Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap inflammation,
destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues, say the study
authors.

Beat bladder infections with blueberries

Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in
juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60 percent,
according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University. That's because
blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around
problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and

create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers
University.

Heal sinus problems with horseradish

Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem.
And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes
sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue!
According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up
blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and
heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The studyrecommended
dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a
sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.

Wash away pain injuries with water

Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at
New York ’s Manhattan College , say you could kick-start your recovery in one
week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Why? Experts say
water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound
produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage
that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft

discs in your spine,” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good
Mood Diet. “And when these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide
over each other without causing pain.” One caveat: Be sure to measure your
drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she
says. Today’s juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five
servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.

Give your back some TLC with grapes

Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent
studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can
relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back
tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That’s great news
because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely
dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen,
so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says
Stengler.

Relax painful muscles with peppermint

Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if
they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the
book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each

week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm
water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your
nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively
than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half,
says Stengler.

Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple

Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72
hours, say researchers at California ’s Stanford University . That's because
pineapple is natually packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help

speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small
intestine, say USDA researchers.

Soothe foot pain with salt

Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails
each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can
cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California ’s
Stanford University . The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s
anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain.
Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest
temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot
area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.