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Page 77
| Carminative teas taken with meals instead of coffee can also help; fennel, peppermint, or chamomile, which are generally available in tea bags from health food stores and restaurants, are worth trying. |
| If nausea is a problem, drink a tea of one to two slices of fresh ginger root simmered with 1 1/2 cups of water in a decoction. |
| The pain of indigestion can sometimes be confused with heart pain from disorders like angina pectoris. Heart pain eases with rest, while heartburn is generally worse when the sufferer lies down. Sudden severe ''indigestion" in someone who has previously been symptom-free should always be professionally investigated for a possible underlying heart condition. Chronic indigestion can also be a sign of peptic ulcers, gallbladder disorders, liver problems, or cancer, and expert diagnosis is essential. |
| Insect Bites and Stings |
| For most people, insect bites and stings lead to little more than local irritation that eases in a few days, although for an unfortunate minority certain types of stings can lead to severe allergic reactions that may be fatal. Typical symptoms include dizziness, sickness, breathing problems, and marked swelling of the affected area. Immediate emergency medical treatment is vital in such cases. |
| Bees will only sting if they or their hives are attacked, as the hooked barb on the sting cannot be withdrawn and the insect dies defending itself. Make sure you remove any remaining sting with a sterile needle before cleaning and treating the would. Wasps have a straight sting and can repeatedly attack their victims. Bee stings are acidic, and in traditional first aid, were treated with bicarbonate of soda, while alkaline wasp stings can be soothed by vinegar. Both types, however, respond well to slices of onion. |
| Mosquitoes and gnats can be troublesome in the summer, and in sensitive individuals, can lead to weeping sores that will take several days to heal. |
| Generally soothing for most types of insect bites and stings are |
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