Mono is called the "kissing disease" because it spreads by contact with bodily fluids, especially saliva. Mono symptoms are most common in teens and young adults. Symptoms in children are usually too mild to notice, and older adults typically have immunity to the virus. But when you do have active mono, you'll know something's wrong. The most…
Hundreds of millions of people drink coffee on a nearly daily basis — it's a big part of the Swedish tradition of fika — and coffee drinkers commonly ask, “Is coffee good for you?" The answer, unsurprisingly, is yes and no. However, the potential benefits of coffee have been extensively studied in recent years as…
According to a clinical review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects between 7 percent to 21 percent of the general population. The amount of people who now struggle with some form of IBS is estimated to be a shocking 60 million people in the U.S. alone (roughly…
The strong scent of patchouli oil has been used for centuries in perfumes. More recently it's been used in incense, insect repellents and alternative medicines. It's also commonly used for skin care because of its ability to help alleviate skin issues, and it's considered one of best home remedies for acne, eczema, inflammation, and cracked,…
Folliculitis is a common skin disorder where the hair follicles become inflamed and sometimes infected. Dermatological conditions that also fall in the folliculitis category include hot tub rash, barber’s itch and razor burn. With more than 5 million hairs on the average human body, folliculitis can occur anywhere. It affects all ages and results in…
Given how common sleep-related issues like insomnia are, it's no wonder that the use of sound machines and sleep apps is on the rise. With a number of options available — including white, pink and brown noise— what "color" noise is best for sleeping? The truth is, there isn't one specific type of sound that…
Wondering if your poop is considered "normal"? Most of us have asked ourselves this question at some point. When you're not regularly having normal bowel movements, or your feces is an unusual color and/or consistency, this can definitely indicate that something isn’t quite right. There are many reasons why you might not be pooping regularly…
Have you ever taken a prescription muscle relaxer or thought about taking one? The name alone probably makes you think that muscle relaxers are helpful and harmless, but think twice — synthetic muscle relaxers (unlike a homemade muscle rub) are actually both highly addictive and dangerous when they're not used as prescribed or intended. The problem with typical…
Although many people think of it as the herb that's sprinkled on top of pizza or into pasta sauces, oregano has been considered a precious plant for over 2,500 years in folk medicines around the world. It's one of the top herbs for healing because of its antioxidant and antibacterial activity. With powerful antioxidants and…
Myrrh is most commonly known as one of the gifts (along with gold and frankincense) the three wise men brought to Jesus in the New Testament. In fact, it was actually mentioned in the Bible 152 times because it was an important herb of the Bible, used as a spice, natural remedy and to purify…
