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Seasickness occurs when the inner ear senses motion that the eyes do not see. It's best to go out on deck and look at the horizon so your eyes have a reference point.To prevent seasickness and settle the stomach, take ginger in any form: fresh, capsules, crystallized, pickled, tea, ginger ale, even ginger Altoids will help. Although somewhat toxic, (available with a prescription) is the "Scopolamine Patch." It lasts for three days and may cause dry-mouth and blurred vision. It's now available as a fast-acting nasal spray. Dramamine is available over-the-counter in grape-flavored, chewable form, but may cause drowsiness, and is best taken one-hour beforehand. Antihistamines like Allegra and Zyrtec do not cure motion sickness. Reusable acupressure bands worn on the inner wrist help some people...and have no side effects. Ginger is excellent, but the very best cure for seasickness...is to sit under a tree.
Ginger: The rhizome is used fresh, dried, pickled and preserved. The shoots, leaves and inflorescences of ginger, (an antioxidant), are eaten raw or cooked. Crystallized or infused ginger suppresses nausea and settles upset stomachs. A steam inhalation treats colds and lung infections. Ginger tea [stimulates digestion], eases indigestion and flatulence and reduces fever [can be made with one half teaspoon of freshly grated rhizome (root) into a cop of boiling water - cover the pot and steep for ten to fifteen minutes. Strain, (add honey) and drink hot or cold]. One drop of the root essential oil in a massage blend helps relieve muscular pain, rheumatism, lumbago and fatigue. [It improves the digestion of proteins, is an effective treatment for nausea and motion sickness, strengthens the mucosal lining of the upper GI tract in a way that protects against formation of ulcers and has a wide range of action against intestinal parasites. When ginger is dried, its chemistry changes; in particular, the ginerols, which are abundant in the fresh rhizome, convert to the more pungent shogaols. These to classes of compounds may have different properties, with shogaols having more powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. There fore it might be wise to use more than one form of ginger. And persons with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions might get more benefit from capsules of dries powdered ginger.Ipecac: Fast-acting remedy for nausea and vomiting. Homeopathic Ipecac, unlike ipecac used to induce vomiting, homeopathic ipecac gets rid of nausea and makes you stop vomiting regardless of the cause. It takes less than five minutes to work and is very inexpensive, costing about $7 per tube and lasts about a year. Milk Thistle: The whole plant is edible [nontoxic] and aids digestion. The seeds and leaves have been given for low milk flow, coughs and depression and for digestive, liver gallbladder and spleen problems. Since silymarin in the seeds was discovered to protect the liver from many toxins, including death cap mushrooms, extracts have been used [to enhance metabolism of liver cells and protect them from toxic injury, and] to reduce damage from alcohol and drugs, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and cadmium poisoning. It is taken to prevent travel sickness and heart disease. [Note: Heavy drinkers should take milk thistle regularly as well as those using pharmaceutical drugs that are hard on the liver including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy as well as those with chronic hepatitis and abnormal liver function]. Lavender: Aromatic oil glands cover all aerial parts of the plants but are most concentrated in the flowers. The flowers flavor jams, vinegar, sweets, cream and Provencal stews and are crystallized for decoration. Dried flowers add long-lasting fragrance to sachets and potpourri. Flower water is a skin toner useful for speeding cell renewal and is an antiseptic for acne and treats anxiety, headaches, flatulence, nausea, dizziness and halitosis. The essential oil is a highly valued perfume and healer. It is antiseptic, mildly sedative and painkilling. It is applied to insect bites and treats burns, sore throats and headaches. It treats rheumatic aches, insomnia, depression and high blood pressure. The best quality oil is from L. stoechas and L. angustifolia. Mint: Spearmint and peppermint oils have a mild anesthetic action. They flavor candy, drinks, cigarettes, toothpastes and medicines. Mints are stimulant, aid digestion and reduce flatulence. Peppermint has additional antiseptic, antiparasitic, antiviral and sweat-inducing properties. It is included in ointments and cold remedies and is given for headaches. In an inhalation the essential oil treats shock and nausea and improves concentration. Anise: Popular in European, Arabic and Indian cooking, whole or crushed seeds add sweet, spicy flavor to desserts, candies, pickles, curries and spirits such as Pernot, Anisette, Ricard, Ouzo and Arrak. The flowers and leaves are used in fruit salads, the stem and roots in sweet soups. In cooking or infused as a tea, the seeds aid digestion, quell nausea and ease flatulence and colic. Anise is used in cough mixtures, as it is expectorant and soothes spasms of irritant coughs and bronchial problems. It promotes estrogen production and is used to stimulate libido. In tests, it has significantly increased liver regeneration in rats. Tiny amount of the essential oil, produced from the seeds, are added to toothpastes, perfumes and mouthwashes. Sweet Pepper: For a cook, there are two types of pepper: sweet and hot. Sweet peppers (chilies), rich in vitamin C and are a digestive stimulant. Hot peppers enliven bland foods and give heat to curries The pungent capsaicin of chilies stimulates circulation and sensory nerves, "disinfects" food, (helps preserve food in hot countries), and eases sore throats. Capsaicin eases shingles but is painful if it comes in contact with the eyes and open cuts. Spices include: paprika which helps prevent seasickness. Catnip: The root and leave scent minty with cat pheromone overtones, intoxicates cats and repels rats and flea beetles. Tender leaves are added to salads and flavor meat. They can also be brewed as tea and were used before China tea was imported. The leaves and flowering tops treat colds, calm upset stomachs, reduce fevers and soothe headaches and scalp irritations. Their mild, sedative action soothes babies with colic. When smoked, leaves give mild euphoria with no harmful effects.
Health At Sea Wash Your Hands Frequently!Use the anti-bacterial wipes before re-boarding the ship, refrain from shaking hands as much as possible. You will see the crew meticulously wiping banisters, elevator buttons, railings, door handles and windows shade pulls. The virus is probably brought on board the ship by an infected person and then spread from person to person. Infected people may contaminate surfaces they touch, infecting others who touch the same surface and absently touch a finger to the mouth, or eat without first washing. Enjoy the lovely food aboard rather than venturing into the ports and eating on the streets. The Captain may refrain from shaking hundreds of hands at his Welcome Aboard Party. Drink bottled water and be cautious in ports, avoiding ice cubes and salads. Wash Your Hands Frequently! Bon Voyage <<><<>><>>
Sleeping Well At Sea
Eat foods rich in tryptophan:
BANANAS ~ (DATES AND FIGS) Bananas are a great source of potassium and magnesium, which allow your body’s muscles to relax. Bananas also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps your body to produce serotonin that aids your body to regulate sleep. CHAMOMILE TEA Chamomile is used to settle upset stomachs and calm anxiety and is the perfect way to mellow out after a stressful day. Enjoy a cup while doing a calming activity in low light. Turn off the TV, computer and your smartphone and drink your tea while reading or listening to music. CARBOHYDRATES Try a bowl of cereal and milk. Milk, like bananas, contains tryptophan, which helps produce the sleep aid, serotonin. A sugar-free, carb-packed cereal helps your body absorb tryptophan quicker, which will also help you fall asleep faster. Plus, eating 30 minutes to an hour before bed can keep you from getting hungry and help you sleep through the night. CHERRY JUICE Adding two glasses of tart cherry juice into your diet every day can drastically improve your sleeping patterns. Many of the other foods on this list help your body relax, allowing you to fall asleep easier. Cherry juice, on the other hand, is packed with melatonin, which helps your body stay asleep longer, in addition to tryptophan and serotonin for deeper sleep. This makes cherries a powerful sleep-inducing fruit that will both help you fall asleep, and stay asleep, for a good, peaceful rest. CHICKPEAS ~ (GARBANZO BEANS) Chickpeas are a great source of vitamin B6, and, of course, tryptophan. Vitamin B6 helps your body convert tryptophan into serotonin. If your body isn't receiving enough B6 on a daily basis, your sleep cycle may be disrupted. You can also eat raw chickpeas by tossing them in a salad, or cooking them up and adding them as a side dish to any meal. WALNUTS Walnuts are a great way to help your body produce the nutrients it needs to fall and stay asleep as they contain melatonin, which helps regulate your sleep patterns. The amount of melatonin that can be found in walnuts is anywhere from 2.5 to 4.5 nanograms. The average adult needs around 1 to 5 grams of melatonin daily to help produce the amount of melatonin that will increase your drowsiness. ORANGES AND GRAPEFRUITS Vitamin C deficiencies can cause a plethora of issues, including sleep deprivation. The daily amount of vitamin C recommended for adults is around 65 to 90 milligrams per day. Vitamin C deficiencies can cause you to wake up more frequently throughout the night. While vitamin C can help you stay asleep through the night, it's also believed to help prevent restless leg syndrome. PEANUT BUTTER ~ (ALL NUT BUTTERS) Next time your sweet tooth is craving something after dinner, swap your dessert out for some peanut butter. Peanut butter is loaded with tryptophan, but also has been known to boost your metabolism, so you can burn more calories while you sleep and through the next morning. For an added benefit, put the peanut butter on half of a whole-wheat bagel to get those sleep-inducing carbs. POPCORN Have some popcorn before bed to help you sleep. Popcorn is another great complex carb that will allow your body to release enough serotonin to help you fall asleep. But, stick to a low-carb, unseasoned popcorn. FISH ~ (TUNA) Like chickpeas, most varieties of fish are high in vitamin B6 and Omega 3s. Fatty acids like Omega 3s are believed to help regulate your sleep patterns. They can also improve sleep quality. The vitamin B6 in fish will help your body convert tryptophan into serotonin which allows your body to relax and become comfortable enough to fall asleep. The combination of these nutrients makes fish a healthy meal to have for dinner, with effects that last all the way through the night. Also, try fish oil pills. WHAT NOT TO EAT BEFORE BED? ICE CREAM The fat in ice cream makes your body work harder while you’re asleep, and the jump in your blood sugar levels will give you a spike of energy right before you hit your pillow. Both of these things decrease your restful sleep and will not help you fall asleep faster. SPICY FOODS Lying down right after eating spicy food increases the chances of heartburn, which definitely reduces your sleep quality and elevate your body temperature. CHEESE Cheese contains an amino acid which actually makes our brains more alert. HEAVY MEALS Heavy meals bring a significant chance of heartburn and they also tend to make you lose sleep because your body is focused on digestion. DARK CHOCOLATE Dark chocolate has a fair amount of caffeine in it. FATTY FOODS Food with lots of fat are harder for you body to digest, which can keep you up at night. ALCOHOL You may feel tired after drinking alcohol, but it actually keeps your body from going into deep sleep. COFFEE Caffeine in coffee will destroy a great night's sleep. IS EATING BEFORE BED - GOOD OR BAD? Foods or drinks with caffeine, sugar or too much fat are likely to keep you up at night. It's best to avoid eating before bed because it will lead to weight gain. While there is a chance you'll gain weight, there are some benefits to eating before bed. Here are some tips to keep in mind: EXTRA CALORIES Depending on your eating schedule, bedtime snacks could end up increasing your calorie intake to a point that leads to weight gain. FOOD CHOICES Late night cravings tend to be for unhealthy foods high in sugar and fat, which is one downside of eating before bed. It's a good idea to avoid eating right before bed if you're having a hard time kicking the late night ice cream habit. ACID REFLUS One potential problem with eating a meal right before bed: you might experience heartburn. Acid reflux is more frequent when you eat right before lying down. If you're prone to heartburn, consider eating your last meal of the day at least two or three hours before you go to bed, so your food has more time to settle. HUNGRY? EAT BEFORE BED If you find yourself lying awake in bed with your stomach growling, a bedtime snack will likely help you fall asleep faster. It also helps cut down on midnight snacking, which helps you eat fewer, healthier calories overall. If you've ever had trouble sleeping, consider the foods in your daily diet to see how they might be impacting your sleep cycle. Snack away, and remember to avoid food and drinks high in caffeine, specifically after 3 PM.
Walnuts are a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that can also protect cells against oxidative damage and stress caused by toxic molecules called free radicals. (Walnut's omega-3 content also helps to reduce the risk of heart disease).
For a good night's sleep, exercise regularly, relax with a warm bath and enjoy any of these sleep aids:
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