Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Review on my Jiuhuashan trip

It's a month since we are back from China Jiuhuashan and time flies...

Received comment that I slimmed down after I am back from the trip but I didn't do much there, I still eat alot during the trip but they are mostly organic fresh vegetables, I only really walked more than usual days versus sitting in front of PC & desk during the day. (And now 1 month back, tummy gaining back...:P)

We woke up around 4am daily to prepare for the morning chanting with the Sangha, had relaxing hours during the day and wondered how time passed so slowly in comparison to Spore hours while we were at temple premises.

What I like about Pilgrim trips are the greater possibilities to meet good Sangha. This trip is also fruitful, no only get to know our tour-mates but we get to know new China friends.
Is it the culture is different? When overseas, we get to freely conversed with the Sangha.
Their culture of lay-followers having meals with Venerables in 1 table, ice-breaking instantly with each other helping to serve dishes to one another. Opportunities to enquire to clarify doubts, with also indirect answers via wise non-answer moments...

Caring volunteers, compassionate brothers and also the guardians of the temple accompanying us to the back mountains...
Various fellow brothers having the same given names that if we gather 1 day, may be twins, triplets or quartlets? Interesting to be addressed in the given name CX and given same name as a compassionate brother, I hope to learn from her compassionate ways demonstrated in her way of life. (Taking care of our meals, bringing us around despite her busy schedule, offering food to the less fortunate, apologetic to not having coins to dana to the beggars, sweeping wasted rice to the bushes for the ants)
Brother CM who had fetch us from airport and accompanied us to the temple and who saw my clumsiness had kindly demonstrated the right way of prostration which really helped in following days.
A commented that when she is at the temple, she feels like she has returned home...

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Ven. Chodron in Spore 2011



Felt 10years younger during recent trip to Jiuhuashan in my Jeans & T-shirt and 1 week back to work, I regained my age:-P

Found time to attend Ven Chodron's talk. Today's the start of her series of Dharma Talks in Singapore and good to see her again.

She started with recalling the contributions of the prior abbess of Taipei Buddhist Centre who was very encouraging and motivational to her.

They had both been untiring in their effort in building Dharma centres for the sake of all. Reflecting, I am only complaining for my own mundane affairs:P

Sigh... What had I been doing???



Monday, November 7, 2011

人生智慧 WISE WORDS OF LIFE

A Meaningful consolidation of Words of Wisdom from unknown sources introduced by our China friend for pleasure reading and forwarded to us in softcopy via request. Grateful to her sharing and the source
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人生智慧——幸福的来源不是财富的增长,而是欲望的降低
一、人之所以痛苦,在于追求错误的东西。
二、与其说是别人让你痛苦,不如说自己的修养不够。
三、如果你不给自己烦恼,别人也永远不可能给你烦恼。因为你自己的内心,你放不下。
四、好好的管教你自己,不要管别人。
五、不宽恕众生,不原谅众生,是苦了你自己。
六、别说别人可怜,自己更可怜,自己修行又如何?自己又懂得人生多少?
七、学佛是对自己的良心交待,不是做给别人看的。
八、福报不够的人,就会常常听到是非;福报够的人,从来就没听到过是非。
九、修行是点滴的工夫。
十、在顺境中修行,永远不能成佛。
十一、你永远要感谢给你逆境的众生。
十二、你随时要认命,因为你是人。
十三、你永远要宽恕众生,不论他有多坏,甚至他伤害过你,你一定要放下,才能得到真正的快乐。
十四、这个世界本来就是痛苦的,没有例外的。
十五、当你快乐时,你要想,这快乐不是永恒的。当你痛苦时你要想这痛苦也不是永恒的。
十六、认识自己,降伏自己,改变自己,才能改变别人。
十七、今日的执著,会造成明日的后悔。
十八、你可以拥有爱,但不要执著,因为分离是必然的。
十九、不要浪费你的生命在你一定会后悔的地方上。
二十、你什么时候放下,什么时候就没有烦恼。
二一、内心没有分别心,就是真正的苦行。
二二、学佛第一个观念,永远不去看众生的过错。你看众生的过错,你永远污染你自己,你根本不可能修行。
二三、你每天若看见众生的过失和是非,你就要赶快去忏悔,这就是修行 。
二四、业障深重的人,一天到晚都在看别人的过失与缺点,真正修行的人,从不会去看别人的过失与缺点。
二五、每一种创伤,都是一种成熟。
二六、当你知道迷惑时,并不可怜, 当你不知道迷惑时,才是最可怜的。
二七、狂妄的人有救,自卑的人没有救。
二八、你不要一直不满人家,你应该一直检讨自己才对。不满人家,是苦了你自己。
二九、一切恶法,本是虚妄的,你不要太自卑你自己。一切善法,也是虚妄的,你也不要太狂妄你自己。
三十、当你烦恼的时候,你就要告诉你自己,这一切都是假的,你烦恼什么?
三一、当你未学佛的时候,你看什么都不顺。当你学佛以后,你要看什么都很顺。
三二、你要包容那些意见跟你不同的人,这样子日子比较好过。你要是一直想改变他,那样子你会很痛苦。要学学怎样忍受他才是。你要学学怎样包容他才是。
三三、承认自己的伟大,就是认同自己的愚疑。
三四、修行就是修正自己错误的观念。
三五、医生难医命终之人,佛陀难渡无缘的众生。
三六、一个人如果不能从内心去原谅别人,那他就永远不会心安理得。
三七、心中装满着自己的看法与想法的人,永远听不见别人的心声。
三八、毁灭人只要一句话,培植一个人却要千句话,请你多口下留情。
三九、当你劝告别人时,若不顾及别人的自尊心,那么再好的言语都没有用的。
四十、不要在你的智慧中夹杂着傲慢。不要使你的谦虚心缺乏智慧。
四一、根本不必回头去看咒骂你的人是谁?如果有一条疯狗咬你一口,难道你也要趴下去反咬他一口吗?
四二、忌妒别人,不会给自己增加任何的好处。忌妒别人,也不可能减少别人的成就。
四三、永远不要浪费你的一分一秒,去想任何你不喜欢的人。
四四、多少人要离开这个世间时,都会说出同一句话,这世界真是无奈与凄凉啊!
四五、恋爱不是慈善事业,不能随便施舍的。感情是没有公式,没有原则,没有道理可循的。可是人们至死都还在执著与追求。
四六、请你用慈悲心和温和的态度,把你的不满与委屈说出来,别人就容易接受。
四七、创造机会的人是勇者。等待机会的人是愚者。
四八、能说不能行,不是真智慧。
四九、多用心去倾听别人怎么说,不要急着表达你自己的看法。
五十、同样的瓶子,你为什么要装毒药呢?同样的心理,你为什么要充满着烦恼呢?
五一、得不到的东西,我们会一直以为他是美好的,那是因为你对他了解太少,没有时间与他相处在一起。当有一天,你深入了解后,你会发现原不是你想像中的那么美好。
五二、这个世间只有圆滑,没有圆满的。
五三、修行要有耐性,要能甘于淡泊,乐于寂寞。
五四、活着一天,就是有福气,就该珍惜。当我哭泣我没有鞋子穿的时候,我发现有人却没有脚。
五五、多一分心力去注意别人,就少一分心力反省自己,你懂吗?
五六、眼睛不要老是睁得那么大,我且问你,百年以后,那一样是你的。
五七、欲知世上刀兵劫,但听屠门夜半声。不要光埋怨自己多病,灾祸横生,多看看横死在你刀下的众生又有多少?
五八、憎恨别人对自己是一种很大的损失。
五九、每一个人都拥有生命,但并非每个人都懂得生命,乃至于珍惜生命。不了解生命的人,生命对他来说,是一种惩罚。
六十、自以为拥有财富的人,其实是被财富所拥有。
六一、情执是苦恼的原因,放下情执,你才能得到自在。
六二、随缘不是得过且过,因循苟且,而是尽人事听天命。
六三、不要太肯定自己的看法,这样子比较少后悔。
六四、当你对自己诚实的时候,世界上没有人能够欺骗得了你。
六五、用伤害别人的手段来掩饰自己缺点的人,是可耻的。
六六、世间的人要对法律负责任。修行的人要对因果负责任。
六七、在你贫穷的时候,那你就用身体去布施,譬如说扫地、洒水、搬东西等,这也是一种布施。
六八、内心充满忌妒,心中不坦白,言语不正的人,不能算是一位五官端正的人。
六九、默默的关怀与祝福别人,那是一种无形的布施。
七十、多讲点笑话,以幽默的态度处事,这样子日子会好过一点。
七一、与人相处之道,在于无限的容忍。
七二、不要刻意去猜测他人的想法,如果你没有智慧与经验的正确判断,通常都会有错误的。
七三、要了解一个人,只需要看他的出发点与目的地是否相同,就可以知道他是否真心的。
七四、人生的真理,只是藏在平淡无味之中。
七五、不洗澡的人,硬擦香水是不会香的。名声与尊贵,是来自于真才实学的。有德自然香。
七六、与其你去排斥它已成的事实,你不如去接受它,这个叫做认命。
七七、佛菩萨只保佑那些肯帮助自己的人。
七八、逆境是成长必经的过程,能勇于接受逆境的人,生命就会日渐的茁壮。
七九、你要感谢告诉你缺点的人。
八十、能为别人设想的人,永远不寂寞。
八一、如果你能像看别人缺点一样,如此准确般的发现自己的缺点,那么你的生命将会不平凡。
八二、原谅别人,就是给自己心中留下空间,以便回旋。
八三、时间总会过去的,让时间流走你的烦恼吧!
八四、你硬要把单纯的事情看得很严重,那样子你会很痛苦。
八五、永远扭曲别人善意的人,无药可救。
八六、人不是坏的,只是习气罢了,每个人都有习气,只是深浅不同罢了。只要他有向道的心,能原谅的就原谅他,不要把他看做是坏人。
八七、说一句谎话,要编造十句谎话来弥补,何苦呢?
八八、其实爱美的人,只是与自己谈恋爱罢了。
八九、世界上没有一个永远不被毁谤的人,也没有一个永远被赞叹的人。当你话多的时候,别人要批评你,当你话少的时候,别人要批评你,当你沈默的时候,别人还是要批评你。在这个世界上,没有一个不被批评的。
九十、夸奖我们,赞叹我们的,这都不是名师。会讲我们,指示我们的,这才是善知识,有了他们我们才会进步。
九一、你目前所拥有的都将随着你的死亡而成为他人的,那为何不现在就布施给真正需要的人呢?
九二、为了赞美而去修行,有如被践踏的香花美草。
九三、白白的过一天,无所事事,就像犯了窃盗罪一样。
九五、广结众缘,就是不要去伤害任何一个人。
九六、沈默是毁谤最好的答覆。
九七、对人恭敬,就是在庄严你自己。
九八、拥有一颗无私的爱心,便拥有了一切。
九九、仇恨永远不能化解仇恨,只有慈悲才能化解仇恨,这是永恒的至理。
一00、你认命比抱怨还要好,对于不可改变的事实,你除了认命以外,没有更好的办法了。
一0一、不要因为众生的愚疑,而带来了自己的烦恼。不要因为众生的无知,而痛苦了你自己。
一0二、别人讲我们不好,不用生气、难过。说我们好也不用高兴,这不好中有好,好中有坏,就看你会不会用?
一0三、如果你自己明明对,别人硬说你不对,你也要向人忏悔,修行就是修这些。你什么事都能忍下来,才会进步。就是明明是你对,你也要向他人求忏悔,那就是修行了。
一0四、当你的错误显露时,可不要发脾气,别以为任性或吵闹,可以隐藏或克服你的缺点。
一0五、不要常常觉得自己很不幸,世界上比我们痛苦的人还要多。
一0六、愚痴的人,一直想要别人了解他。有智慧的人,却努力的了解自己。
一0七、别人永远对,我永远错,这样子比较没烦恼。
一0八、来是偶然的,走是必然的。所以你必须,随缘不变,不变随缘。
一0九、慈悲是你最好的武器。
一一0、只要面对现实,你才能超越现实。
一一一、良心是每一个人最公正的审判官,你骗得了别人,却永远骗不了你自己的良心。
一一二、不懂得自爱的人,是没有能力去爱别人的。
一一三、学佛就是在学做人而已。
一一四、正人行邪法,邪法亦正,邪人行正法,正法亦邪,一切唯心造。
一一五、有时候我们要冷静问问自已,我们在追求什么?我们活着为了什么?
一一六、不要因为小小的争执,远离了你至亲的好友,也不要因为小小的怨恨,忘记了别人的大恩。
一一七、勇于接受别人的批评,正好可以调整自己的缺点。
一一八、感谢上苍我所拥有的,感谢上苍我所没有的。
一一九、凡是能站在别人的角度为他人着想,这个就是慈悲。
一二0、学佛不是对死亡的一种寄托,而是当下就活得自在和超越。
一二一、佛陀从不勉强别人去做他不喜欢的事情,佛陀只是告诉众生,何者是善?何者是恶?善恶还是要自己去选择,生命还是要自己去掌握。
一二二、所谓的放下,就是去除你的分别心、是非心、得失心、执著心。
一二三、说话不要有攻击性,不要有杀伤力,不夸已能,不扬人恶,自然能化敌为友。
一二四、一个常常看别人缺点的人,自己本身就不够好,因为他没有时间检讨他自己。
一二五、是非天天有,不听自然无,是非天天有,不听还是有,是非天天有,看你怎么办?
一二六、真正的布施,就是把你的烦恼、忧虑、分别和执著心通通放下。
一二七、如果你真的爱他,那么你必须容忍他部份的缺点。
一二八、要克服对死亡的恐惧,你必须要接受世上所有的人,都会死去的观念。
一二九、所有的病患,医生最难治,所有的众生,自以为是的人最难渡。
一三0、一匹驴,吃再好的草,也不会成为一匹俊马。用执著和分别心去修行,再大的精进,也不会成佛。
一三一、了解永恒真理的人,就不会为任何的生离死别而哀伤悲泣,因为生离死别是必然的。
一三二、虽然你讨厌一个人,但却又能发觉他的优点好处,像这样子有修养的人,天下真是太少了。
一三三、若能一切随他去,便是世间自在人。
一三四、希望你常对自己说,闻到了佛法,我是最幸福的人,除了这幸福外,再没有别的了。
一三五、如果你能每天呐喊二十一遍「我用不着为这一点小事而烦恼」,你会发现,你心里有一种不可思议的力量,试试看,很管用的。
一三六、诚实的面对你内心的矛盾和污点,不要欺骗你自己。
一三七、因果不曾亏欠过我们什么,所以请不要抱怨。
一三八、我们确实有如是的优点,但也要隐藏几分,这个叫做涵养。
一三九、无事莫把闲话聊,是非往往闲话生。
一四0、大多数的人一辈子只做了三件事;自欺、欺人、被人欺。
一四一、太过于欣赏自己的人,不会去欣赏别人的优点。
一四二、活在别人的掌声中,是禁不起考验的人。
一四三、心是最大的骗子,别人能骗你一时,而它却会骗你一辈子。
一四四、坏孩子,父母总是比较操心。所以对于罪业愈深重的众生,我们更应该特别宽恕他怜愍他,而不应该远离他舍弃他。
一四五、只要自觉心安,东西南北都好。如有一人未度,切莫自己逃了。
一四六、用平常心来生活,用惭愧心来待人,心来处事,用菩提心契佛心。
一四七、当你手中抓住一件东西不放时,你只能拥有这件东西,如果你肯放手,你就有机会选择别的。人的心若死执自己的观念,不肯放下,那么他的智慧也只能达到某种程度而已。
一四八、人家怕你,并不是一种福,人家欺你,并不是一种辱。
一四九、不是某人使我烦恼,而是我拿某人的言行来烦恼自己。
一五0、不要刻意去曲解别人的善意,你应当往好的地方想。
一五一、世上的事,不如己意者,那是当然的。
一五二、我的财富并不是因为我拥有很多,而是我要求的很少。
一五三、吃了就一定要拉,人一定要学会随缘放下,否则就会?便秘。
一五四、常以为别人在注意你,或希望别人注意你的人,会生活的比较烦恼。
一五五、我能为你煮东西,但我不能为你吃东西。各人吃饭是各人饱,各人生死是个人了。
一五六、看轻别人很容易,要摆平自己却很困难。
一五七、人类最大的错误,在于不敢承担圣人的心。
一五八、你只管活你自己的,不必去介意别人的扭曲与是非。
一五九、如果你准备结婚的话,告诉你一句非常重要的哲学名言「你一定要忍耐包容对方的缺点,世界上没有绝对幸福圆满的婚姻,幸福只是来自于无限的容忍与互相尊重。」
一六0、如果你能够平平安安的渡过一天,那就是一种福气了。多少人在今天已经见不到明天的太阳,多少人在今天已经成了残废,多少人在今天已经失去了自由,多少人在今天已经家破人亡。
一六一、是非和得失,要到最后的结果,才能评定。
一六二、你不必和因果争吵,因果从来就不会误人。你也不必和命运争吵,命运它是最公平的审判官。
一六三、你有你的生命观,我有我的生命观,我不干涉你。只要我能,我就感化你。如果不能,那我就认命。
一六四、你希望掌握永恒,那你必须控制现在。
一六五、恶口永远不要出自于我们的口中,不管他有多坏,有多恶。你愈骂他,你的心就被污染了,你要想,他就是你的善知识。
一六六、当你明天开始生活的时候,有人跟你争执,你就让他赢,这个赢跟输,都只是文字的观念罢了。当你让对方赢,你并没有损失什么。所谓的赢,他有赢到什么?得到什么?所谓的输,你又输到什么?失去什么?
一六七、我们大部份的生命都浪费在文字语言的捉摸上。
一六八、你不要常常觉得自己很委曲,你应该要想,他对我这样已经很好了,这就是修行的功夫。
一六九、别人可以违背因果,别人可以害我们,打我们,毁谤我们。可是我们不能因此而憎恨别人,为什么?我们一定要保有一颗完整的本性和一颗清净的心。
一七0、与任何人接触时,要常常问自己,我有什么对他有用?使他得益。如果我不能以个人的道德、学问和修持的力量,来使人受益,就等于欠了一份债。
一七一、出家是一生一世的事,修行是多生多劫的事。
一七二、信佛,学佛,不是为自己,乃是为一切苦海中的众生。
一七三、佛不渡无缘的人,不能渡的人,我们就把他当做菩萨来看。
一七四、如果一个人没有苦难的感受,就不容易对他人给予同情。你要学救苦救难的精神,就得先受苦受难。
一七五、一般人在遇到对方的权势大,财富大,气力大,在无可奈何的情形之下而忍,这算什么忍耐呢?真正的忍是,就算他欺负了你,对不住你,但他什么都不及你,你有足够的力量对付他,而你却能容忍他,认为他的本性和我一样,只是一时糊涂,或在恶劣的环境中受到熏染罢了,你不必与他计较,能在这样的情况及心境之下容忍那才是真正的忍耐。
一七六、如果我们放眼从累生历劫去看,那么一切的众生,谁不曾做过我的父母、兄弟姊妹、亲戚眷属?谁不曾做过我的仇敌冤家?如果说有恩,个个与我有恩;如果说有冤,个个与我有冤。这样子我们还有什么恩怨亲疏之别呢?再就智慧愚笨来说,人人有聪明的时候,也有愚痴的时候,聪明的人可能变愚痴,愚痴的人也可能变聪明。最坏的人,也曾做过许多好事,而且不会永远坏;好人也曾做过许多坏事,将来也不一定会好。如此我们反覆思索,所谓的冤亲、贤愚,这许多差别的概念,自然就会渐渐淡了。这绝对不是混沌,也不是不知好坏,而是要将我们无始以来的偏私差别之见,以一视同仁的平等观念罢了!
一七七、世界原本就不是属于你,因此你用不着抛弃,要抛弃的是一切的执著。万物皆为我所用,但非我所属。
一七八、宁可自己去原谅别人,莫让别人来原谅你。
一七九、当你用烦恼心来面对事物时,你会觉得一切都是业障,世界也会变得丑陋可恨。
一八0、欲为诸佛龙象,先做众生马牛。
一八一、虽然我们不能改变周遭的世界,我们就只好改变自己,用慈悲心和智慧心来面对这一切

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Natural Pain-killers in your kitchen

Some more useful health tips via email
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Make muscle pain a memory with ginger
When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.

Cure a toothache with clovesGot a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.

Heal heartburn with cider vinegarSip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.

Erase earaches with garlicPainful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.

Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries
Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing ’s Michigan State University . Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University . His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.

Prevent PMS with yogurtUp to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York ’s Columbia University. “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University.

Tame chronic pain with turmericStudies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book,Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.

End endometrial pain with oatsThe ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University .

Soothe foot pain with saltExperts 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

Prevent digestive upsets with pineappleGot 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.

Relax painful muscles with peppermintSuffering 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.

Give your back some TLC with grapesGot 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.

Wash away pain injuries with waterWhether 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.

Heal sinus problems with horseradishLatest 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 study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms

Beat bladder infections with blueberriesEating 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 mouth sores with honeyDab 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.

Fight breast pain with flaxIn 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.

Cure migraines with coffeeProne to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.

Tame leg cramps with tomato juiceAt 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.