Cinnamon And Honey

Cinnamon and Honey for Weight Loss

This should be prepared an hour before going to sleep.

1. The ingredients are:
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
  
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 cup or 236ml of water
  
2. Boil the water.
   
3. Pour water over cinnamon and cover and let it steep for 30 minutes.
4. Add honey now that it has cooled. Never add honey when it is hot as the heat will destroy the enzymes and other nutrients in the raw honey.
5. Drink half of the mixture before sleeping. The other half should be covered and refrigerated.
6. After waking, drink the remaining mixture without reheating

Other Health Benefits of Cinnamon and Honey

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, chappati, or other bread, instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.

Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heartbeat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as age the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalizes the arteries and veins.


INSECT BITES: Take one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.

In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week out of the 200 people so treated practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

HAIR LOSS: Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found to be effective even if kept on for 5 minutes.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

TOOTHACHE: Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied 3 times a day till the tooth stops aching.

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day, any Chronic cholesterol is cured. As per information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.


COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.


INFERTILITY: Yunani and Ayurvedic Medicine have been using honey for thousands of years to strengthen the semen of men. If impotent men regularly take two tablespoon of honey before going to sleep, their problem will be solved.

In China, Japan and Far-East countries, women, who do not conceive and need to strengthen the uterus, have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries. Women who cannot conceive may take a pinch of cinnamon powder in half teaspoon of honey and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body.

A couple in Maryland, USA, had no children for 14 years and had lost hope of having a child of their own. When told about this process, husband and wife started taking honey and cinnamon as stated above; the wife conceived after a few months and had twins at full term.

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient, which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age.

Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of Honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3 times a day.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon power in equal parts, are more alert and flexible.

Dr. Milton who has done research says that a half tablespoon honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3.00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, first thing in the morning gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water. So their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder taken in equal parts restore hearing.

NOTE: The honey used needs to be REAL RAW UNPASTEURIZED HONEY. If it says PURE honey it is most likely pasteurized. It is best to only buy honey that says RAW or UNPASTEURIZED on the label. The difference is that the enzymes are all heated out of the pasteurized honey.

The Golden Rule

The Golden Rule or Ethic of Reciprocity is a maxim, an ethical code, or a morality, that essentially states any of the following:

1. One should treat others according to how one would like others to treat one's self.
2. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
3. One should not treat others in ways one would not like to be treated.
4. Do not treat others in ways you would not like to be treated.

The Golden Rule has a long history, and a great number of prominent religious figures and philosophers have restated its reciprocal, bilateral nature in various ways and not limited to the above forms.

The Golden Rule is arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights, in which each individual has a right to just treatment, and a responsibility to ensure justice for others. A key element of the Golden Rule is that a person attempting to live by this rule treats all people with consideration, not just members of his or her in-group. The Golden Rule has its roots in a wide range of world cultures, and is a standard which different cultures use to resolve conflicts.

Christianity	All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.       Matthew 7:1
Confucianism	Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state.       Analects 12:2
Buddhism	Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.       Udana-Varga 5,1
Hinduism	This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.       Mahabharata 5,1517
Islam	No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.       Sunnah
Judaism	What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.       Talmud, Shabbat 3id
Taoism	Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.       Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien
Zoroastrianism	That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself.       Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5

20 is God's Number

Five Tibetan Rites

How the Five Rites Work Medical professions explain the benefits based on their personal perspective and I suggest you read the entire two books for a broad overview. However, the majority share the view that the rites represent a system of exercise that affects the body, emotions and mind. The Tibetans claim that these exercises activate and stimulate the seven key chakras that in turn stimulate all the glands of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for the body's overall functioning and aging process. This means that the Five Rites will affect the functioning of all your organs and systems, including the physical and energetic systems and that includes the aging process. The man who brought these Five Rights out of Tibet stated that "performing the Five Rites stimulates the circulation of essential life energy throughout the body".   Chakras Chakra is an Indian Sanskrit word that translates to mean "Wheel of Spinning Energy". Chakras are spinning wheels or vortexes of energy of different color that perform many functions connecting our energy fields, bodies and the Cosmic Energy Field. Chakras are powerful electrical and magnetic fields. Chakras govern the endocrine system that in turn regulates all of the body's functions including the ageing process. Energy flows from the Universal Energy Field through the chakras into the energy systems within our bodies, including the Meridian System. Our bodies contain seven major chakras or energy centers and 122 minor chakras. The major chakras are located at the base of the spine (Root Chakra), at the navel (Sacral Chakra), in the solar plexus (Solar Plexus Chakra), within your heart (Heart Chakra), within the throat (Throat Chakra), at the center of your forehead (Brow or Third Eye Chakra), and at the top of your head (Crown Chakra). These chakras are linked together with all other energy systems in the body and various layers of the auras. The Speed of the chakra spin is a key to vibrant health. The other keys to vibrant health that relates to the chakra is ensuring they are clear of negative energy and that they are perfectly shaped and not distorted. The Five Rites speed up the spinning of the chakras, coordinate their spin so they are in complete harmony, distribute pure prana energy to the endocrine system, and in turn to all organs and processes in the body. This is one of the major requirements for vibrant health, rejuvenation and youthfulness.   The Five Rites Exercise Program This program is often described as a modified yoga program. Simply put, yoga is a science that unites the body, mind and spirit. Today this is often called Mind/ Body Healing. The author of the book believes that yoga was brought to Tibet from India in the 11th or 12th century and that Tibetan monks over time developed modified these exercises and developed an effective program of exercises that western society now calls the "Five Tibetan Rites". The rugged mountainous conditions these monks live in may well account for their particular emphasis on vigor. Many of the yoga exercises and practices being taught in the western world today are very new. The "Five Tibetan Rites" are exactly what the ancient Tibetans developed over many centuries of time. Therefore it's very important to do the "Five Tibetan Rites" exactly as they are presented without altering the form or sequence to achieve some of the benefits accrued to these "Rites".   The Five Tibetan Rites   Rite #1 Stand erect with arms outstretched horizontal to the floor, palms facing down. Your arms should be in line with your shoulders. Spin around clockwise until you become slightly dizzy. Gradually increase number of spins from 1 spin to 21 spins. Breathing: Inhale and exhale deeply as you do the spins.   Rite #2 Lie flat on the floor, face up. Fully extend your arms Along your sides and place the palms of your hands against the floor, keeping fingers close together. Then raise your head off the floor tucking your chin into your chest. As you do this, lift your legs, knees straight, into a vertical position. If possible, extend the legs over the body towards your head. Do not let the knees bend. Then slowly lower the legs and head to the floor, always Keeping the knees straight. Allow the muscles to relax, and repeat. Breathing: Breathe in deeply as you lift your head and legs and exhale as you lower your head and legs.   Rite #3 Kneel on the floor with the body erect. The hands should be placed on the backs of your thigh muscles. Incline the head and neck forward, tucking your chin in against your chest. Then throw the head and neck backward, arching the spine. Your toes should be curled under through this exercise. As you arch, you will brace your arms and hands against the thighs for support. After the arching return your body to an erect position and begin the rite all over again.   Breathing: Inhale as you arch the spine and exhale as you return to an erect position.   Rite #4 Sit down on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you and your feet about 12" apart. With the trunk of the body erect, place the palms of your hands on the floor alongside your buttocks. Then tuck the chin forward against the chest. Now drop the head backward as far as it will go. At the same time raise your body so that the knees bend while the arms remain straight. Then tense every muscle in your body. Finally let the muscles relax as you return to your original sitting position. Rest before repeating this Rite.  Breathing: Breathe in as you raise up, hold your breath as you tense the muscles, and breathe out fully as you come down.    Rite #5 Lie down with your face down to the floor. You will be supported by the hands palms down against the floor and the toes in the flexed position. Throughout this rite, the hands and feet should be kept straight. Start with your arms perpendicular to the Floor, and the spine arched, so that the body Is in a sagging position. Now throw the head back as far as possible. The, bending at the hips, bring the body up into an inverted "V". At the same time, bring the chin forward, Tucking it against the chest. Breathing: Breathe in deeply as you raise the body, and exhale fully as you lower the body.   Exercises In Preparation For Doing the Five Tibetan Rites The following group of exercises has been developed as a preparation for doing the Five Rites, or as an alternative when you are unable to do any of the Five Rites. Doing these exercises will help you strengthen and become more flexible to be able to do the Five Rites as they have been described above. Do these alternative exercises in the sequence from one to five and when possible, substitute the Five Rite exercise into this alternative program until you have fully integrated the Five Rites. As with the Five Rites, begin by doing two or three of each exercise daily, until you are able to do 10 each day. Once you are able to do ten of these alternatives, you should be ready to begin doing the Five Rite exercises themselves.   Alternative (for Rite#1) Exercise #1 Stand with your feet about 12 inches apart. Extend your arms palms down until your arms are level with your shoulders. Swing your arms to the right, letting your slapping your left hand against your right shoulder, with your right hand slapping against the small of your back. Then swing your arms in the opposite direction, having your right hand slap against your left shoulder and the back of your left hand slap against the small of your back. As you swing back and forth allow your torso and legs to follow the movement. Allow your heels to lift from the floor but do not allow either foot to completely leave the floor. As you swing right turn your head right, and turn your head left as you swing to the left. Breathing: Breathe in rhythm to your swinging Movement.   Alternative (for Rite #2) Exercise #2 Lie down on the floor and elevate your head and shoulders propping up on your elbows keeping your forearms flat on the floor, palms facing down. Keeping your legs straight, hold them off the floor For 20 or 30 seconds. Breathing: Inhale as you raise your legs, breathe in and out normally while holding your legs up, and exhale as you lower your legs.   Alternative ( for Rite #3) Exercise #3 Stand with your back to the wall and your feet 12 - 18 inches apart. Without moving your feet bend forward from the hips so that your buttocks rest against the wall. Slide downward, bending your knees as you go. Keep sliding down until your thighs are horizontal, as if you were sitting in a chair. Hold this position for 15 seconds and then slide back up. Breathing: Begin to exhale as you slide down to the chair position and inhale when slide back up.   Alternative ( for Rite #4) Exercise #4 Lie flat on your back, your arms straight, palms down, feet flat, and knees bent. Press your pelvis up a few inches off the floor and hold it for 10 seconds. Release and lower your pelvis to its original position. Breathing: Inhale as you lift your pelvis and Exhale as you lower your pelvis.   Alternative ( for Rite #5) Exercise #5 Begin in the table position. Curl your toes under And bend your hips raising your buttocks so that Your body forms an inverted "V". Your knees will lift up off the floor, your legs will be straight, and your outstretched arms will be in a straight line with your back. Hold this position for 15 seconds. Breathing: Inhale as you raise your buttocks, breath Slowly and deeply while holding the position, and exhale as you return to the table position.   Warm-up Exercises The following group of exercises has been developed to open, relax, release tension, to strengthen various parts of the body, and to provide toning to different parts of your body. If you are overweight, in poor physical condition, or experiencing serious illness, this group of exercises is an excellent to help you begin your journey towards physical fitness. I suggest you do these warm-up exercises prior to the Five Rites if you are overweight or have not exercised in a long time. Begin this group of exercises by doing 2 of each exercise and then gradually increase the repetition until you are able to do 10 of each warm-up exercise.   Warm-Up Exercise #1 Stand upright, tilt your head sideways towards your left shoulder and hold it for five seconds, then tilt your head towards your chest and hold it 5 seconds. Then tilt your head towards your left Shoulder and hold it five seconds, and lastly tilt your head backward and hold it five seconds. Return your head to a normal position. Breathing: Exhale as you move your head around, and inhale as you return to the upright position.   Warm-Up Exercise #2 Stand upright, slowly rotate your shoulders in a forward circular motion 5 times, then reverse the movement and rotate your shoulders in a backward circular motion 5 times. Breathing: Breathe normally but deeply as you do this exercise.   Warm-Up Exercise #3 Stand upright with your arms help up, your elbows bent, and your hands together in front of your chest, with your fingertips touching and palms apart. Press inward on your fingers until their inside surfaces are almost touching. Your palms should not be touching. Release and press your fingers again. Breathing: Breathe normally.   Warm-Up Exercise #4 In a relaxed standing position, hold your arms in front of you. Clasp your right hand around your left wrist, with your thumb against the inside of the wrist. Squeeze gently but firmly five times. Repeat the procedure with the left hand Squeezing the right wrist. Breathing: Breathe normally.   Warm-Up Exercise #5 Recline on the floor, resting the upper part of your body on your upper arms. Flex your knees and rhythmically bang Them up and down against the floor in rapid succession. Your heels should remain on the floor throughout this exercise. Do this exercise for 20 - 30 seconds. Breathing: Breathe normally through this exercise.   Warm-Up Exercise #6 Get down on the floor on your hands and Knees with your hands positioned under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Bring your chin up and rotate your hips so the tailbone moves up, arching your back down. Then tuck your chin into your chest and rotate your back so that your pelvis moves down, arching you're your back down. Breathing: Inhale as you move your tailbone up and exhale as you move your tailbone down. Conclusion: The daily practice of the exercises I have described in this article is an essential element of vibrant health. It's a proven fact that people who loose weight can only maintain their weight loss if they incorporate a daily exercise program into their everyday lives. These exercises will stretch muscles you haven't felt in years so approach this program gently and begin with one or two repetitions each day, increasing each exercise by one repetition every week. After you are able to do ten repetitions of the Alternate Exercise program, you should be able to begin to do the Five Rites. And add a half hour of a brisk walk on a daily basis. Not only will it contribute to your physical health, it will give you the opportunity to enjoy all of nature around you. You will feel younger than you have felt in years.

Free Weights Training

• Training starts after waking up and with only a drink of water in the stomach.
• Attires are usually a comfortable short and top that would not restrict movement; a flat rubber flip-flops; and the ever-present neoprene gloves.
• One warm-up set of twenty reps at the start of each muscle group exercises. Load weight is  about 30% of regular set weight.
• The muscle groups are:
• Thigh
• Hamstring 
• Back
• Chest
• Shoulders
• Biceps
• Triceps
• Calves
• Waist
• Sets are done to muscle failure with load weights heavy enough just to complete the repetitions.
• Deep diaphragm breathing during sets; exhale during the lifting part of a repetition.
• After sets, drink water as needed.
• After sets; static stretching on the targeted muscle lasting 30 seconds for each stretch exercise.
• At least one minute rest interval between sets.
• Total work-out time is about: 45~60 minutes.
• Protein load immediately after work out.
• Work outs are scheduled or spaced at least 48 hours apart. 

Full Body Work Out

1. Dead Lift, Barbell 2x10
2. Squat, Barbell 2x10
3. Straight Leg Dead Lifts, Barbell 2x10
4. Bent-Over Row, Barbell, Wide-Grip 2x10
5. Chin Ups 2x10
6. Bent-Over Row, Dumbbell 1x20
7. Bench Press, Barbell 2x10
8. Chest Dips 2x10
9. Incline Press, Barbell 1x20
10. Shoulder Press, Barbell 2x10
11. Rear Delt Rows, Barbell 2x10
12. Lateral Raise 1x20
13. Shrugs, Barbell 2x10
14. Hanging Leg-Hip Raise 2x10 (or Inclined Twisting Sit Ups 1x20)
15. Ankle Bounce, Dumbbell 1x100

Split Work Outs

• Back & Triceps
1. Pull Ups 3x8
2. Chin Ups 3x8
3. Bent Over Rows, Barbell 2x10
4. Dumbbell Rows 1x20
5. Lying Triceps Press, EZ Barbell 3x6
6. Overhead Triceps, EZ Barbell Press 2x10
7. Bench Dips 1x30
8. Inclined Sit-ups, Barbell 2x10

• Leg & Biceps
1. Squats, Barbell 3x6
2. Stiff Leg Deads 2x10
3. Lunges, Dumbbell 1x20
4. Barbell Curls, Shoulder Wide Grip 3x6
5. Alternating Dumbbell Curls 2x10
6. EZ Barbell Curls, Narrow Grip 1x20
7. Calf Raise, Dumbbell 2x20
8. Ankle Bounce 1x100
9. Inclined Twisting Sit Ups 1x20

• Chest & Shoulders
1. Bench Press, Barbell 3x6
2. Incline Press 2x10
3. Chest Dips 1x20
4. Shoulder Press, Barbell 3x6
5. Rear Delt Rows, Barbell 2x10
6. Lateral Raise, Dumbbell 1x20
7. Shrugs, Barbell 2x15
8. Reverse Fly, Dumbbell 1x20
9. Hanging Leg-Hip Raise 2x10

Circuit Work Out

• The exercises of the first circuit is a warm up set of twenty reps and 30% weight load.
• The exercises of the second and third circuit is done just below muscle failure.
• Rest between exercises is 30 seconds maximum.
• Rest between circuits will be time stretching of all targeted muscles.

1. Dead Lifts, Barbell 1x10
2. Squat, Barbell 1x10
3. Chin-Up 1x10
4. Bent-Over Row, Barbell 1x10
5. Bench Press, Barbell 1x10
6. Inclined Sit Ups, Dumbbell 1x10
7. Shoulder Press, Barbell 1x10
8. Ankle Bounce, Dumbbell 1x60

• Eat a balanced diet of natural foods sans processed food. 
• Protein from boiled egg whites, tuna, salmon, mackerel and whey.
• Load up on super foods and anti-oxidants; less on meat fats and more green-leafy veg.
• Supplements of multivitamin rich in B-complex and E. Fish Oil.
• Sleep 7 hours a day.

Tibetan Eye Chart

For generations the people of Tibet have used natural methods to correct visual weakness and improve their eyesight. Chief among the methods employed has been the use of certain exercises which have proved useful over long periods of time. The figure on this chart was designed by Tibetan Lama Monks to give the necessary corrective exercises and stimulation to the muscles and nerves of the optical system. The eye Muscles focus similar to a camera shutter. The purpose of these exercises is to strengthen the eye muscles to improve vision. A few minutes practice morning and evening will bring immediate effects and over a period of months a most definite improvement will result.

How to Use the Chart

These exercises are to be done without eyeglasses or contacts. Do each movement for 30 seconds while in a sitting position, spine straight and do not move the head side to side. Move only the eyes.

1.) With the palm of each hand cup both closed eyes to relax them.

2.) Move the eyes clockwise around the outer circle of dots

3.) Repeat this movement in a counterclockwise rotation

4.) Move the eyes back and forth between the dots at 2 and 8 o’clock

5.) Repeat this movement back and forth between dots at 4 and 10 o’clock

6.) Blink the eyes briefly and finish therapy with the palming same as exercise #1

Repeat exercises as desired being careful to avoid strain. After beginning therapy wear eyeglasses and contacts as little as possible. In time these crutches will become unnecessary.

The process of repair and the reforming of the curvature of the back of the eye require specific exercise and the increase of the nutrients used only by the eye for its repair and maintenance. Like any other muscle the more exercise the more nutrients are needed.

The nutrients will reverse the loss of light processing and by taking extra selenium remove the deposits of ceroid lypofucsin, rancid vegetable oils, stored as cellular and subcelluar lipids in the form of darkened and discolored spots on the urea.

This type of damage is from the vegetable oils in the polyunsaturated configuration of the oils treated with hydrogen, (Trans fatty acids), causes the rancidity (free radical damage) of cellular fats.

Hoarseness

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR

• Your hoarseness persists longer than a week.

• You are hoarse even though you have not had a cold, an allergy problem or a recent injury to your voice.

• You also have a lump or bump in your neck, persistent pain while talking or a greenish discharge from your nose.

What Your Symptom Is Telling You

Your vocal cords (two small strips of muscle behind your Adam's apple) move apart as you breathe and vibrate back and forth as you speak. When your voice is hoarse, it means something is keeping the vocal cords from coming fully together or interfering with the way they vibrate.

Screaming!!!
That something is usually swelling from hours of happy howling at your son's football game (he won but you lost your voice), talking over loud background noise, yelling at your kids or even singing out of your natural range.

Vocal Cord Nodules
People who use (or abuse) their voices a great deal can develop tiny nodules on their vocal cords that produce hoarseness. These nodules are so common that doctors often name the condition after the professionals they treat. Singers', speakers', ministers' and teachers' nodules have been joined by one doctor's favorite; aerobic dance instructors' nodules. And in children, they're appropriately named screamers' nodules.

Common Ailments & Throat Clearing
Of course, abusing or simply overusing your vocal cords is not the only thing that can cause hoarseness. A sinus infection or an upper respiratory infection such as a cold may swell the vocal cords, causing common laryngitis. And any condition that causes coughing or repeated throat clearing can also lead to hoarseness.

Acid Reflux
Another common cause of hoarseness is nighttime acid reflux; excess stomach acid that seeps up the esophagus into your throat while you sleep. What's tricky about this type of reflux is that you may not know you have it. One clue is unusually pungent morning breath. So if you have unexplained hoarseness and very bad morning breath, nighttime reflux may be the problem.

Allergies & Irritating Fumes
Allergies can be an indirect cause of hoarseness, since they cause the coughing, mouth breathing and postnasal drip that can inflame vocal cords. And substances that you may not be allergic to, like cigarette smoke and chemical fumes, can also irritate the vocal cords and cause hoarseness.

Smoking & Throat Cancer
And all that cigarette smoke can cause hoarseness another way: By producing a tumor or growth on the vocal cords, a problem that hits smokers more than anyone else.

Dry Air
And no matter what the cause of your hoarseness, dry air makes it worse.

Symptom Relief

You don't have to be banished from the choir forever. There are many ways to treat hoarseness and get your instrument back in tune.

Rest your voice. Total silence is the most healing gift you can give your worn-out voice, says Howard Levine, M.D., director of the Mount Sinai Nasal Sinus Center in Cleveland. At the least, avoid the extremes; whispering and shouting. "Whispering puts tremendous stress on the vocal cords," Dr. Levine says. "If you must speak, you're better off using a soft voice."

Humidify, inside and out. "Inhaling the steam from a good old hot shower is one of the best treatments," says Glenn Bunting, a senior speech pathologist at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. Or try a steam inhaler. "It's like getting a facial," he says. You also might consider using a humidifier in your bedroom to offset the damage from dry indoor heat, he adds.

You need to get enough water inside your body, too. He suggests this guideline for healthy water intake: Increase your water consumption until your urine is clear. If you're taking vitamins like beta-carotene or medications that change the color of your urine, then simply consume 10 to 12 eight-ounce glasses of water daily.

Invite a chicken to lunch. If your hoarseness is from a cold, try chicken soup. "There's a good scientific basis for chicken soup," says Dr. Levine. The heat creates humidity, and the garlic is a good mucus thinner. If chicken soup isn't your favorite dish, he suggests taking a garlic supplement. Follow the manufacturer's suggestions for the recommended amount.

Thin secretions. Robitussin syrup is good for thinning out mucus, says Dr. Levine. But avoid antihistamines, which have a drying effect. A decongestant can also help reduce the flow of mucus, he says, but if you have a heart condition, check with your doctor before taking them. Certain oral decongestants may increase blood pressure.

Avoid aspirin. If your cold has produced a lot of inflammation, aspirin can cause more bruising of the vocal cords, says Dr. Levine, which can make your hoarseness worse. Choose a nonaspirin pain reliever instead.

Control your cough. Use a cough suppressant and expectorant to prevent coughing from further damaging your vocal cords, says C. Thomas Yarington, M.D., clinical professor of otolaryngology at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Don't gargle. Contrary to popular belief, gargling with mouthwash actually makes hoarseness worse, says David Alessi, M.D., an otolaryngologist in Los Angeles. Most mouthwashes contain alcohol, which irritates mucous membranes and dehydrates vocal cords. The gargled liquid doesn't actually get anywhere near the vocal cords, and the action of gargling itself is harmful. It will bang your vocal cords together and increase swelling.

Skip that drink. The alcohol in your cocktail has the same drying effect as the alcohol in a mouthwash, Dr. Alessi adds. If you're hoarse, soothe your throat with a nonalcoholic beverage instead.

Pass on the caffeine. "Stay away from caffeine; in coffee, sodas or chocolate," says Bunting. Caffeine is a drying agent, which won't help those inflamed vocal cords.

When You Need Medical Help

If vocal nodules are severe, or if a growth is discovered, your doctor can help.

Ask for voice therapy. If your vocal nodules don't clear up with voice rest and hoarseness-prevention techniques, your doctor may refer you to a speech pathologist for retraining your voice, says Dr. Levine. Surgery may be considered for severe cases.

Treat a tumor. If your doctor suspects a tumor is causing your hoarseness, don't let fear get in the way of help, says Dr. Levine. Most vocal cord tumors are small, and if they're found in an early stage, they can usually be cured while preserving your voice.

Preventing Future Problems

Once you've cleared up your hoarseness, here's how to keep that frog on his lily pad.

Warm up. Anyone who uses their voice a great deal is a vocal athlete, says Bonnie Raphael, Ph.D., a vocal coach for the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts. And just like any other athlete, they need a warm-up. Try this one before your next speech or concert practice.

Gently stretch your neck muscles by moving your head around slowly while breathing easily and allowing your jaw to hang loosely. Roll your shoulders in a number of different directions, then shake them loosely. Sip some water. Move your tongue around a little both inside your mouth and out. Yawn a few times and hum a bit of a song while feeling the sound vibrations on your gently closed lips. Do the same routine after you've used your voice, and you'll help forestall hoarseness.

Avoid irritants. Cigarette smoke, chemical fumes and wood dust all can produce hoarseness, says Dr. Alessi. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke; your own and other people's. And wear a filter mask in the workshop to protect your throat and vocal cords from wood dust and fumes, he suggests.

Stop clearing your throat. Clearing your throat is a common habit that can be hard to eradicate, says Bunting. To avoid the hoarseness that can result, try swallowing instead, he suggests. Take a slow, extended swallow as though you are actually swallowing a bite of food. It will alleviate the sensation that something is in your throat, he says.

Let your voice travel lightly. If you travel in airplanes a lot, your voice will encounter two enemies; very dry air and the necessity of talking above the background noise of the engines. Bunting suggests adding a steamy shower to your pre-airport routine and drinking a lot of water during the flight.

Get up close and personal. If you have to communicate in a noisy environment, "try to do it close up and in the other person's range of listening," says Bunting. "The best position is face-to-face, so they can read your lips."