Obesity : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

 

Obesity,as in Wikipedia is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. Body mass index (BMI), a measurement which compares weight and height, defines people as overweight (pre-obese) if their BMI is between 25 and 30 kg/m2, and obese when it is greater than 30 kg/m2.

Taking in more calories than you burn leads to being overweight and, eventually, obesity. The body stores unused calories as fat. Obesity can be the result of:

.Eating more food than your body can use
.Drinking too much alcohol
.Not getting enough exercise

Dieting and physical exercise are the mainstays of treatment for obesity. Moreover, it is important to improve diet quality by reducing the consumption of energy-dense foods such as those high in fat and sugars, and by increasing the intake of dietary fiber. To fight with this severe condition, you can also take help of some simple home remedies. Below are some easy and simple home remedies.

. Honey is an excellent natural remedy for obesity. 10 grams of honey should be taken with hot water in the starting and the doze can be increased with the time.

. Make a mixture of two teaspoon of lime juice, one teaspoon of honey, in a glass of water, add some pepper to it & have it regularly.

. Drink ginger tea 2-3 times a day. It is also a good remedy for obesity.

. Try to eat 10-12 fully grown curry leaves every morning for 3 to 4 months. It may prove beneficial for the obese people in losing weight.

. Mint is beneficial for losing weight. You can intake mint in liberal amount either as salads or in raw form.

. Regular intake of carrot juice also helps in the reduction of weight.

. Take some fresh jujube leaves. Soak some of them in water overnight. Next morning strain them and drink that water as a first thing in morning. If you continue this for about whole month then you will see a huge difference in yourself.

. Eating tomato early in the morning before breakfast for 3 months also reduces weight.

. Adding cabbage in a meal would be the simplest way to fight with obesity. Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Cabbage has a great value to control obesity.

. Boil sliced ginger in a pot and add lemon slices when boiling, drink it while hot or allow it to cool. This will control overeating and helps in the obesity treatment.

. For obese people finger millet is the best food. It digests slowly and also carbohydrates present in it take longer time to get absorbed.

. Make a mixture of 1/4th teaspoon powdered black pepper, 3 teaspoon lime juice and 1 teaspoon honey in a cup of water. Drinking this for 3-4 months can be helpful for the obese people.

. One should eat papaya as dinner for 2-3 weeks as it helps to lessen obesity.

. Vegetable soups can be taken as the dinner for some weeks continuously as it relieves the hunger pangs and thus it proves wonderful home remedy for obesity.

. Drinking 2 cups of green tea everyday will help in weight reduction. Green tea boost metabolism and keep fat accumulation at bay.

Taking home remedies can address obesity related issues without causing any side effects. They are effective in their job because the ingredients of these remedies do not contain any artificial chemicals.


~source:obesity.ygoy.com~

Food Reward: a Dominant Factor in Obesity, Part I

A Curious Finding

It all started with one little sentence buried in a paper about obese rats. I was reading about how rats become obese when they're given chocolate Ensure, the "meal replacement drink", when I came across this:

...neither [obesity-prone] nor [obesity-resistant] rats will overeat on either vanilla- or strawberry-flavored Ensure.

The only meaningful difference between chocolate, vanilla and strawberry Ensure is the flavor, yet rats eating the chocolate variety overate, rapidly gained fat and became metabolically ill, while rats eating the other flavors didn't (1). Furthermore, the study suggested that the food's flavor determined, in part, what amount of fatness the rats' bodies "defended."

As I explained in previous posts, the human (and rodent) brain regulates the amount of fat the body carries, in a manner similar to how the brain regulates blood pressure, body temperature, blood oxygenation and blood pH (2). That fact, in addition to several other lines of evidence, suggests that obesity probably results from a change in this regulatory system. I refer to the amount of body fat that the brain defends as the "body fat setpoint", however it's clear that the setpoint is dependent on diet and lifestyle factors. The implication of this paper that I could not escape is that a food's flavor influences body fatness and probably the body fat setpoint.

An Introduction to Food Reward

The brain contains a sophisticated system that assigns a value judgment to everything we experience, integrating a vast amount of information into a one-dimensional rating system that labels things from awesome to terrible. This is the system that decides whether we should seek out a particular experience, or avoid it. For example, if you burn yourself each time you touch the burner on your stove, your brain will label that action as bad and it will discourage you from touching it again. On the other hand, if you feel good every time you're cold and put on a sweater, your brain will encourage that behavior. In the psychology literature, this phenomenon is called "reward," and it's critical to survival.

The brain assigns reward to, and seeks out, experiences that it perceives as positive, and discourages behaviors that it views as threatening. Drugs of abuse plug directly into reward pathways, bypassing the external routes that would typically trigger reward. Although this system has been studied most in the context of drug addiction, it evolved to deal with natural environmental stimuli, not drugs.

As food is one of the most important elements of survival, the brain's reward system is highly attuned to food's rewarding properties. The brain uses input from smell, taste, touch, social cues, and numerous signals from the digestive tract* to assign a reward value to foods. Experiments in rats and humans have outlined some of the qualities of food that are inherently rewarding:

• Fat
• Starch
• Sugar
• Salt
• Meatiness (glutamate)
• The absence of bitterness
  
• Certain textures (e.g., soft or liquid calories, crunchy foods)
• Certain aromas (e.g., esters found in many fruits)
• Calorie density ("heavy" food)
  

We are generally born liking the qualities listed above, and aromas and flavors that are associated with these qualities become rewarding over time. For example, beer tastes terrible the first time you drink it because it's bitter, but after you drink it a few times and your brain catches wind that there are calories and a drug in there, it often begins tasting good. The same applies to many vegetables. Children are generally not fond of vegetables, but if you serve them spinach smothered in butter enough times, they'll learn to like it by the time they're adults.

The human brain evolved to deal with a certain range of rewarding experiences. It didn't evolve to constructively manage strong drugs of abuse such as heroin and crack cocaine, which overstimulate reward pathways, leading to the pathological drug seeking behaviors that characterize addiction. These drugs are "superstimuli" that exceed our reward system's normal operating parameters. Over the next few posts, I'll try to convince you that in a similar manner, industrially processed food, which has been professionally crafted to maximize its rewarding properties, is a superstimulus that exceeds the brain's normal operating parameters, leading to an increase in body fatness and other negative consequences.


* Nerves measure stomach distension. A number of of gut-derived paracrine and endocrine signals, including CCK, PYY, ghrelin, GLP-1 and many others potentially participate in food reward sensing, some by acting directly on the brain via the circulation, and others by signaling indirectly via the vagus nerve. More on this later.

Skin Whitening : How To and Home Remedies

Skin whitening, skin lightening and skin bleaching refers to the practice of using chemical substances in an attempt to whiten or lighten the skin. Flawless and clear skin helps get better appearance and boosts confidence. Skin pigment, melanin, is reduced by different methods to make the skin tone lighter during skin whitening procedure.

Using skin whitening products in routine along with proper skin care gives positive results and it will prevent skin from getting darker. The most widely used skin whitening agent is hydroquinone. But recently according to some studies, it has shown some toxic effects. There are safer alternatives like arbutin, kojic acid and licorice derivatives.

Here are some simple home remedies that you can do to lighten the skin tone and get a lighter complexion. However, they must be done regularly and best results are obtained if they are inculcated as a part of daily routine.

. Apply a paste of turmeric powder and lime juice to reduce tan with their natural bleaching abilities.

. Prepare a mixture of 1 tsp milk powder, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey and � tsp almond oil. Apply it daily for 10-15 and rinse it off with lukewarm water.

. Rubbing of raw potato over the blemishes and tan gives positive results because of its bleaching qualities.

. Take 4 blanched almonds and grind them with milk. Apply it over your skin overnight and wash with cold water. Within 15 days, you will see the change.

. Combine lemon juice with the same amount of honey and let it remain for roughly 15 minutes on your body. After this, you can gently wash off the lemon and honey mix.

. Mix a tablespoon of the chickpea flour with a pinch of turmeric and a tiny amount of milk. Make a thick paste and apply on your face, hands and neck. As it dries you will feel your skin tighten. You can use a small amount of water to rub off the paste.

. Mix 1 tsp of milk powder, 1 tsp of honey, 1 tsp of lemon juice, and � tsp of almond oil. Apply on face and wash off after 10-15 minutes. This pack helps bring shine to the skin and also removes tan.

. Mix oatmeal with curd and tomato juice and apply on the face. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. It helps lightens the skin.

. Apply a paste of fresh ground mint leaves and leave it for about 20 minutes. Wash with cold water, continue for 15 days.

. Apply a mixture of grated tomato with 2-3 drops of lime juice on the face. Leave it for 20 minutes before washing off. Do this twice a day for 15-20 days for best results.

. Use a good quality sunscreen when going out in the sun to protect the skin from tanning as well as the sun's UV rays.

. Include lots of vitamin C rich foods in your diet like oranges, papaya, strawberries, tomatoes, cabbage, green peppers, dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli and pineapple. These foods would help improve the skin texture.


~source:natural-homeremedies.com~

Grow Thicker Longer Eyelashes Naturally : How To and Home Remedies

Everyone wants to look good. They want to beautiful and different than others. They try out new dresses, hair styles, shoes and fragrances. One important aspect of our body that gives us an appealing look is eyelashes.

Eyelashes are like frames to our eyes and it is important for us to take care of them in order to look beautiful. Long and thick eyelashes are a universal symbol of beauty. Many products, such as mascara and fake eyelashes, will make your eyelashes look longer and thicker. Other cosmetics promise to stimulate eyelashes. But there are also plenty of household items you can use to longer and thicken up your lashes.

. Improve your diet to grow longer eyelashes naturally. Without proper nutrition, your body will cease to grow hair, fingernails and even eyelashes. Likewise, anything that makes your hair grow also will help your eyelashes grow.

. Apply natural lubricants, such as olive oil,castor oil or petroleum jelly, to your eyelashes to make them strong. Put the product on your eyelashes at night and wash it off in the morning.

. Cut a piece of the lemon peel and let some of its moisture dry out. Once it is ready, simply place it inside of the olive oil or castor oil. The lemon-infused oil can then be applied, in the same manner, to the eyelids.

. Apply vitamin E oil to your eyelashes with a clean eyelash brush.

. Brush the eyelashes daily because this will help to keep the lashes healthy and stimulate growth.

. Take off your makeup before you go to bed. If you leave mascara on overnight, it makes the lashes more susceptible to breakage and leaves them brittle.

. Take a B complex vitamin to feed the hair. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) helps metabolize protein, the material that makes hair and aids in treating anemia, a condition that causes hair and lash loss.

. Take a gelatin supplement daily. The body needs amino acids to grow any type of hair. Unflavored gelatin taken daily supplies 18 amino acids.

. Consider trimming the very tips of the eyelashes. By trimming the lashes, their follicles will be stimulated to grow the lashes back.


~source:ehow.com~

Intestinal Worms : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Intestinal Worms are parasites, which infect human beings as well as animals like cats and dogs. Intestinal worms may further give rise to many other symptoms which are troublesome and which may lead to severe complications.
Worms and other intestinal parasites which infest human beings are found in all countries of the world. However, they are more common in tropical and subtropical areas and are widely prevalent during the rainy season. Children are more often infested with intsestinal worms than adults.

Since almost majority of human race continues to suffer from the presence of intestinal worms, the most common parasites found in human intestines are:

.Round Worms
.Pin Worms
.Whip Worms
.Book Worms
.Thread Worms
.Giardia
.Hook Worms
.Tape Worms

Some of the main factors responsible for getting you intestinal worms are:

.Visiting a tropic country or a area known to have parasites.
.Eating contaminated food.
.Visiting a area where sanitation is very poor.
.Poor personal cleanliness.
.Eating raw food or a food which is not properly cooked.
.Sometimes worms enter the human body through bare foot, when you are walking on a infected earth.
.Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The treatment for intestinal worms should begin with diet. The patient should be kept on an exclusive fresh-fruit diet for four or five days. There are also several home remedies for intestinal worms.

. A tablespoon of freshly ground coconut should be taken at breakfast, followed by 30 to 60 ml of castor oil mixed with 250 to 375 ml of lukewarm milk after three hours. This process may be repeated till the cure is complete.

. Those who can eat raw garlic,should chew three cloves of garlic every morning.

. A small cup of grated carrot taken every morning, with no other food added to the meal, can clear these worms quickly.

. A tablespoon of the fresh juice of an unripe papaya, and an equal quantity of honey should be mixed with three to four tablespoons of hot water and taken as a dose by an adult.

. The papaya seeds should be powdered and taken in doses of one teaspoon with one cup of milk or water daily in the morning on an empty stomach.

. The seeds of ripe pumpkin are useful in intestinal worms, especially tapeworms. One tablespoon of the seeds should be peeled and crushed, and then infused in 250 ml of boiling water and drunk. This will kill the parasites and help in expelling the tapeworms.

. Pineapple juice taken on an empty stomach every morning will rid you of tape worms.

. One litre of water should be boiled thoroughly with two spoons of cumin. 250 ml water should be taken early morning for 10 days.

Although there are plenty of intestinal worms remedies some of which may even be effective it is best to seek treatment for a doctor as an accurate diagnosis of the type of worms is essential. Intestinal worms in children should be treated particularly seriously as inappropriate or ineffective treatments and neglecting the condition can have more lasting consequences because of the effects on growth.


~source:ayurvedic-medicines.org~

Blemishes : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Blemishes,as in Wisegeek are marks or areas of discoloration on the skin. In some cases, acne such as whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples may also be referred to as blemishes.

Some blemishes, such as port-wine stains, are discolorations a person is born with. Other blemishes, particularly acne, are caused by clogged pores. These are often caused by toiletries and cosmetics, particularly night creams, foundations, and moisturizers.

Blemishes, a nightmare for anyone who cares enough about their skin, can happen to anyone and could occur anywhere on the body. Nobody likes having blemishes, especially on the parts of the skin where they can be visible.

There are several remedies that can be used for lightening blemishes. With time and regular usage of these home remedies, it is possible that your blemishes may entirely go away. There are also some home remedies which can help blemishes from occurring on your skin.

. Rub a lemon peel on the skin with a little sugar on it or without the sugar. After rubbing it leave it on the skin for at least 10 minutes. If you practice this regularly you can reduce the acne and pimple marks finely.

. Take two spoonful of gram flour, add a pinch of turmeric to it as turmeric have some agents in it which reduces the marks, few drops of lemon juice and make a paste with a spoonful of curd. Apply this pack on the face regularly and you will notice drastic changes in your skin.

. Grate potatoes, wrap them in a cloth and take out the juice. Mix few drops of lemon juice and honey to it and apply it on the face. Wash off after 20 minutes. Potato has bleaching agents, which reduces the blemishes.

. Make a mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice. You can fill it in a bottle and keep it in the refrigerator. You can apply this mixture on your face daily with a cotton ball. It lightens the skin tone and facial hair and reduces the blemishes.

. Orange peel contains a lot of vitamin C and can be used to lighten the blemishes on the skin. Take the peel of a few oranges and dry them in the sun. Once they are dry, grind them into a fine powder. To this powder, add the juice of a lemon and a teaspoon of rosewater to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected areas to improve skin texture and remove the blemishes.

. A combination of honey and lemon with a pinch of turmeric to it reduces the marks and blemishes if applied on the skin regularly.

. Soak almonds in water overnight. In the morning peel them off, make a paste and add some honey and lemon juice to it. Apply this everyday on your skin for 15 minutes;then you will get a beautiful blemish free skin with a clear complexion.

. Apply some orange juice with cotton ball on the skin and leave it on for half an hour. Rinse off after few minutes. It helps in lightening the facial blemishes.

. Soak a piece of cotton in raw milk and wipe your face with it twice a day�once before going to sleep and once after waking up in the morning.

. Apply grated potato on your skin. Leave it on at least for 30 minutes. Rinse off with water after 30 minutes. Try this at least once a week to reduce the marks.

. Honey added in milk powder helps in reducing the blemishes if applied on the skin.

. Rub a papaya peel and banana peel on the skin and leave it for at least 15 minutes. It reduces the blemishes from the skin.

. A paste of neem leaves or boiled neem leaves water if applied on the skin reduces the blemishes.

. Apply sandalwood paste on skin made with rose water. It even soothes the acne, pimples and boils from the skin.

. Drink lots of fluids throughout the day and take in lots of vitamin C and E. Both of these help improve the texture of the skin and make your skin more radiant and healthy from the inside.

. Follow a healthy skin care regime. Cleanse your skin twice a day, and immediately after cleansing use a balancing toner and a moisturizer which is suited to your skin.


~source:home-remedies-for-you.com~

Frequent Urination : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Frequent urination or urinary frequency as in Wikipedia,is the need to urinate more often than usual. It is often, though not necessarily, associated with urinary incontinence and polyuria. Most people typically urinate four to eight times a day. Needing to go more than eight times a day or waking up in the night to go to the bathroom more than once in the night is considered frequent urination.

Frequent urination can indicate a lot of medical conditions such as:

.Urinary tract infection
This is a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. It is more common in women than in men.

.Diabetes
An early symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be frequent urination, as the body tries to rid itself of unused glucose (blood sugar) through the urine.

.Diuretic use
Medications used to treat high blood pressure or fluid buildup work in the kidney and flush excess fluid from the body, causing frequent urination.

.Prostate problems
This is a condition that affects the internal prostrate organs of the male, which makes the fluid that is combined with sperms to make semen. It is characterized by urinary hesitancy, weak urination, urinary leakage, blockage or urgency.

.Pregnancy
Hormonal changes and the growing uterus placing pressure on the bladder cause frequent urination.

.Interstitial cystitis
This condition is characterized by pain in the bladder and pelvic region, often leading to frequent urination.

.Stroke or other neurological diseases
Damage to nerves that supply the bladder can lead to problems with bladder function, including frequent and sudden urges to urinate.

.Bladder cancer
Tumors taking up space or causing bleeding in the bladder may lead to more frequent urination.

.Overactive bladder syndrome
Often frequent urination is itself the problem. Involuntary bladder contractions lead to frequent and often urgent urination, even if the bladder is not full.

.Drinking too much
Ingesting more fluids than your body needs can cause the body to urinate more often.

.Artificial sweeteners, alcohol, caffeine and other foods
Alcohol and caffeine can act as diuretics, which can cause more frequent urination. Carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda or Equal), and citrus fruits are known to irritate the bladder, causing more frequent urination.


If there is no underlying medical condition that requires treatment by a physician, there are things that can be done to reduce urinary frequency.

. Avoid foods that appear to irritate your bladder or act as a diuretic, including caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, tomato-based products, chocolate, and spicy foods.

. Drink enough to prevent constipation and over-concentration of urine. Drink as little as possible four to five hours before bedtime to reduce or eliminate nighttime urination.

. Eat a lot of fresh yogurt, which is preferably unflavored. Yogurt contains lactobacillus hydrophilus that prevents the invasion of bacteria into your body.

. Cranberry juice helps in the treatment of urinary tract infections and should be consumed regularly.

. Train your bladder to control urination with kegel exercises. This is done by contracting and relaxing your bladder for 5 seconds at a time. This should be done in at least a set of ten. This exercise can be done when you are in any position.

. Mix basil leaves juices and honey while making sure that they are extracted fresh. Consume this mixture everyday in the morning, before breakfast. It helps removing infections.

. Women can consume one teaspoonful of magnesium hydroxide everyday. Magnesium hydroxide is found in the milk of magnesia and is a good medication.

. Men, on the other hand, can take herb called Saw palmetto. It is especially helpful if the cause for frequent urination is related to the prostrate glands.



~source:emedicinehealth.com~

Gout : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Gout is a disease that results from an overload of uric acid in the body. This overload of uric acid leads to the formation of tiny crystals of urate that deposit in tissues of the body, especially the joints. When crystals form in the joints, it causes recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis).

Chronic gout can also lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in the tissues, particularly in and around the joints and may cause joint destruction, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones.

The most common gout symptom is acute pain in the big toe, which becomes tender, hot, and swollen in a few hours. It is therefore also known as the toe/feet disease. Likewise, it is known to affect other joints such as the knees and the wrists. It is possible for more than one joint to be affected simultaneously. The patient may experience gout attacks close to midnight or in the early hours of the morning. The intense pain can even cause the patient to wake up.

Self care is an important aspect of gout treatment, whether or not you are on medications for the condition. Home remedies for gout pain, whether in the knee, big toe, ankle or foot are meant to facilitate healing and provide relief from the painful symptoms of gout attacks, they are not meant to treat the condition itself.

. The cherry, sweet or sour, is considered in effective treating gout.Consume about fifteen to twenty cherries a day, preferably as soon as you wake up. Subsequently, you can begin to reduce the amount of cherries you consume.

. A mocktail of carrot, beetroot and cucumber juice seems to be effective in treating gout. Add 100 ml of beetroot and 100 ml of cucumber juice to 300 ml of carrot juice and this must be consumed on a daily basis.

. The juice of French beans has also proved effective in treating gout. About 150 ml of this juice should be taken daily by the patient suffering from this disease.

. Apples are regarded as an excellent source for curing gout. The patient is advised to take one apple after each meal.

. A diet of bananas only for three or four days is advised for providing some relief from gout. A patient can take eight or nine bananas daily during this period and nothing else.

. The citric acid found in lime is a solvent of the uric acid which is the primary cause of this disease. The juice of half a lime, squeezed into a glass of water, should be taken twice daily.

. Avoid all purine and uric acid-producing foods such as all meats, eggs, and fish; tea, coffee, sugar, white flour and its products; and all canned, processed, and fried foods.

. Mackerel, herring, and anchovies are just a few of the fish foods to avoid with gout.

. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated drinks as these will simply aggravate the problem.

. Avoid consuming any alcohol as it severely impairs your body�s ability to eliminate excess uric acid.

. Epsom salts foot baths are advised twice daily. About 250 gm - 500gm of these salts may be added to tolerably hot water for this purpose.

. Cold packs, applied to the affected joints at night, will be beneficial.

. A natural remedy that can bring immediate relief is to make a paste of � cup activated powdered charcoal, 3 tbsps of finely ground flaxseed and warm water. Apply directly on the affected area and cover with a cloth.

. A castor oil pack is also an excellent remedy for treating gout. This can be made by soaking a piece of white flannel in warm castor oil. Squeeze out the excess oil and place it over the affected area.

. Taking a tbsp of organic raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of water daily is also helpful as the apple cider vinegar creates an alkaline environment which is effective in treating gout.


~source:natural-homeremedies.com~

Upcoming Talks

I'll be giving at least two talks at conferences this year:

Ancestral Health Symposium; "The Human Ecological Niche and Modern Health"; August 5-6 in Los Angeles. This is going to be a great conference. Many of my favorite health/nutrition writers will be presenting. Organizer Brent Pottenger and I collaborated on designing the symposium's name so I hope you like it.

My talk will be titled "Obesity; Old Solutions to a New Problem." I'll be presenting some of my emerging thoughts on obesity. I expect to ruffle some feathers!

Tickets are going fast so reserve one today! I doubt there will be any left two weeks from now.


TEDx Harvard Law; "Food Policy and Public Health"; Oct 21 at Harvard. My talk is tentatively titled "The American Diet: a Historical Perspective." This topic interests me because it helps us frame the discussion on why chronic disease is so prevalent today, and what are the appropriate public health measures to combat it. This should also be a great conference.

Moles : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Moles are growths on the skin. They happen when cells in the skin, called melanocytes, grow in a cluster with tissue surrounding them. Moles are very common. Moles are usually pink, tan or brown. They can be flat or raised. They are usually round or oval and no larger than a pencil eraser.

Since skin moles are very common, they are usually not removed. However, if they are especially large or unsightly, people may want them to be removed. There are several ways of removing moles. However, the removal has to be done carefully or these moles may leave scars behind. There are many medical ways of removing moles from the body. However, there are also some home remedies which can be used to remove moles naturally.

. Make a poultice out of ground coriander. You can apply this poultice on the skin on specific moles. When you keep applying this poultice for some days, the moles may begin to lighten.

. Sour apples are also another remedy for moles. Extract the juice of these apples and apply it on the mole several times during the day.

. If you have a raised mole on your skin, applying the juice of sour apples can thin the mole and ultimately the mole may fade away.

. Consuming foods rich in potassium can help you get rid of warts and other blemishes on the skin.

. Apple cider vinegar is a rich source of potassium and therefore should be consumed everyday.

. Laser treatment can be used to remove large moles. This is a non-invasive procedure and has the least chance of leaving scars as compared to other surgical removal methods.

. Castor oil is very beneficial in the treatment of moles and should be gently massaged into the area of the mole at least twice daily for best results.

. Apply a garlic clove making a slit on the pulpy side and pasting upon the mole so that it's liquid spreads on the mole. Cover it with a tape. Keep for 6-8 hours.

. Try crushing some vitamin C tablets and applying the powder over the spotted area of the skin, holding it in place with the help of an adhesive bandage.

. Make a paste of castor oil and baking soda. Soak a gauze with this paste and tape it over the mole. Leave this overnight.

. Make a fresh paste daily from ground flaxseed, a drop of flaxseed oil with honey. Apply this mixture on the moles.



~source:home-remedies-for-you.com~

Head Lice : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Head lice are tiny parasitic insects found living amongst human hair. These tiny parasites are wingless and feed on blood which they draw through the scalp. Though these lice only feed on small amounts of blood at a time, they may cause itching and irritation on the scalp.

They can cause infections and wounding of the scalp due to persistent itching and scratching. People living in unclean and crowded places are more prone to head lice. These tiny wingless creatures are of a grayish brown shade and are extremely tiny, at the size of a pinhead upon hatching, and full grown specimens reaching a size of around 3mm. Head lice are incapable of flight and unlike fleas they cannot jump, nor can they swim. So the only mode through which they can spread is through direct contact.

Treatments for head lice infestations need to be intensive in part because of the short life cycles of lice, which also implies that they have rapid breeding cycles. Once hatched a louse will reach maturity within six to ten days and the female will start to lay eggs on the seventh day itself. So whether you are using medicated shampoos or home remedies for head lice, the treatments for head lice need to be rigorous and regular.

In order to eliminate head lice, one can look around the house for things that can be used for home remedies.

. Wash your hair with vinegar. This should be rubbed directly onto the scalp, kept for an hour or two and then rinsed with water.It will kill all the nits in two days.

. Apply coconut oil to your head after shampoo and condition.

. Add ten to fifteen drops of tea tree oil into shampoo bottle and use it daily.

. Rub Listerine mouth wash on your head. This will kill all the lice.

. Massage your head with mayonnaise and comb it after 2 hours. This will kill all the lice and their eggs.

. Apply a mixture of lemon and butter on your head, wait for 15 seconds and then rinse your head.

. Remove the eggs with a nit comb. Before doing this, rub olive oil in the hair or run the metal comb through beeswax. This helps make the nits easier to remove.

. A mixture of lemon and butter left on the head for about fifteen seconds and rinsing it thereafter can do the job.

. The application of Vaseline may also help by suffocating and then removing the lice.

. Completely soak hair with olive oil and wrap it in towel for 1-2 hours. Rinse and wash as usual.

. Use the medicine shampoo. First rinse and dry the hair. Then apply the medicine to the hair and scalp. After 10 minutes, rinse it off. Check for lice and nits again in 1 week and repeat the treatment if necessary.


Easy to prevent, but difficult to treat - good hygiene is the most effective prevention of head lice.

.Avoid sharing personal items like combs, brushes, towels, pillows, hats, headwear, etc.
.Avoid head to head contact with any person.
.Trim your hair to a shorter length as lice can not find suitable environment in short hair.
.Do a regular check in and around the nape of the neck, behind the ears and scalp, especially for children.
.If one member of the family is infected with lice, treat all the members of the family at the same time to prevent lice spreading from one head to another.


~source:natural-homeremedies.org~

Ingrown Hair : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Ingrown hair,as in Wikipedia is a condition where the hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin. The ingrown hair condition is seen primarily among people having curly hairs. It may or may not be accompanied by an infection of the hair follicle or "razor bumps", which vary in size. While ingrown hair most commonly appears in areas where the skin is shaved or waxed (beard, legs, pubic region), it can appear anywhere.

Anything which causes the hair to be broken off short with a sharp tip can cause ingrown hair. Shaving is the leading cause, followed by waxing and tight clothing. Sometimes an ingrown hair occurs without external intervention, when the pore is blocked for various reasons, as is the case in keratosis pilaris, and the hair is forced to grow sideways.

Whilst ingrown hair is unattractive and painful, often leading to infection, it is easily removable. Following are some simple ways in which you can get rid of ingrown hair.

. One of the simplest ways to get rid of ingrown hair is exfoliation, where you scrub the area, at least twice daily.

. Applying warm compress to the area will help lift the hair from the follicle, which in turn will allow for its easy removal. The heat from the warm water will actually soften the hair and allow its easy and fast removal.

. Application of acne medication on the area will help soften the hair and enable its easy removal. It is essential to combine this treatment method with exfoliation.

. Another excellent way to get rid of ingrown hair is to use tweezers, especially after applying warm compresses. In cases where the hair is inbound, you might have to use a needle to remove it.

. Don�t wear too tight clothes as this will press your hair against the skin. Opt for somewhat loose clothing to prevent ingrown hairs.

. Hydrate and soften both the skin and the hair before shaving. This can result in a duller, rounded tip to the hair, which decreases the likelihood for hairs to reenter the skin.

Best results may be achieved with combination therapy. Consulting a medical doctor who specializes in dermatology may be necessary for the optimal treatment of more severe cases.


~source:medicinenet.com~

Obesity and the Fluid-in, Fluid-out Therapy for Edema

I recently attended a lecture by Dr. Arya M. Sharma here at the University of Washington. Dr. Sharma is a Canadian clinician who specializes in the treatment of obesity. He gave the UW Science in Medicine lecture, which is a prestigious invited lecture.

He spent a little bit of time pointing out the fallacy behind conventional obesity treatment. He used the analogy of edema, which is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body.

Since we know that the amount of fluid contained in the body depends on the amount of fluid entering the body and the amount of fluid leaving the body, the treatment for edema is obvious: drink less, pee more.

Of course, this makes no sense. It doesn't address the underlying cause of edema and it will not help the patient. Yet we apply that exact same logic to fat loss. Since the amount of energy contained in the body (in the form of fat) depends on the amount entering and the amount leaving, the solution is easy: eat less, move more. Well, yes, if you can stick to that program it will cause fat loss. But that's equivalent to telling someone with edema to drink less water. It will cause a loss of fluid, but it won't correct the underlying problem that caused excessive fluid retention in the first place.

For example, if you have edema because your heart isn't pumping effectively (cardiac insufficiency), the heart is the problem that must be addressed. Any other treatment is purely symptomatic and is not a cure.

The same applies to obesity. If you don't correct the alteration in the system that causes an obese person to 'defend' his elevated fat mass against changes*, anything you do is symptomatic treatment and is unlikely to be very effective in the long term. My goal is to develop a method that goes beyond symptomatic treatment and allows the body to naturally return to a lower fat mass. I've been doing a lot of reading and I have a simple new idea that I feel confident in. It also neatly explains the results of a variety of weight loss diets. I've dropped a few hints here and there, but I'll be formally unveiling it in the next couple of months. Stay tuned.


* The body fat homeostasis system. The core element appears to be a negative feedback loop between body fat (via leptin, and insulin to a lesser degree) and the brain (primarily the hypothalamus, but other regions are involved). There are many other elements in the system, but that one seems to set the 'gain' on all the others and guides long-term fat mass homeostasis. The brain is the gatekeeper of both energy intake and energy expenditure, and unconscious processes strongly suggest appropriate levels for both factors according to the brain's perceived homeostatic needs. Those suggestions can be overridden consciously, but it requires a perpetual high degree of discipline, whereas someone who has been lean all her life doesn't require discipline to remain lean because her brain is suggesting behaviors that naturally defend leanness. I know what I'm saying here may seem controversial to some people reading this, because it's contrary to what they've read on the internet or in the popular press, but it's not particularly controversial in my field. In fact, you'll find most of this stuff in general neuroscience textbooks dating back more than 10 years (e.g., Eric Kandel and colleagues, Principles of Neuroscience).

Blocked Nose : Causes, How To and Home Remedies

Blocked nose, is caused by the inflammation of the mucus membranes that line the inner walls of the nasal cavity. Common cold, allergies, flu and sinus infections are the most common causes for this condition. Less frequently, excessive use of certain nasal sprays and drops may also be responsible for a blocked nose.

Do you want to know about some of the effective ways to get rid of stuffy nose? There are a lot of medicines available in the market these days to get rid of stuffy nose. Therefore, natural remedies are always considered to be better options for dealing with stuffy nose, as compared to drugs and medicines.

. Avoid eating heavy food items, such as dairy products. These products make the nose stuffier. You should make sure to eat light food items such as fruits and soups.

. Drink fresh fruit juices. Make sure to take hot bath and shower. The stuffy nose would be opened up in a great way with the help of steam from hot water.

. Vicks Vapor-rub is a very good solution for stuffy nose. The strong scent of the vapors helps in unclogging the stuffy nose.

. Take hot water steam to get relief from stuffy nose. Take this steam two to three times in a day to get immense relief.

. A simpler home remedy involves sniffing an onion, which makes the nose run and thus unblocks it.

. Drinking plenty of hot soups, hot lemon tea and even hot water with honey is beneficial.

. Increase your intake of zinc and Vitamin C for long-term effects.

. Avoid lying flat when your nose is blocked since it restricts breathing. Instead prop up your head, by using more than one pillow, so that the nasal passage drains while you are sleeping and it is easier to breathe.

. Apply raw mustard oil on both sides of the nose externally every night before going to bed. This naturally warms up the nasal cavity and loosens the accumulated mucus inside that is often responsible for the congestion.

. Mix equal portions of coconut oil and ginger extract and warm this mixture gently on a low flame and then apply it on the forehead about an hour before taking a bath.

. Use eucalyptus oil to massage your forehead every day.



~source:natural-homeremedies.com~

Scars : Causes,How To and Home Remedies

Scars as in Wikipedia,are areas of fibrous tissue (fibrosis) that replace normal skin after injury. A scar results from the biological process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process.

Scars usually fade over time but never go away completely. If the way a scar looks bothers you, various treatments might minimize it. These include surgical revision, dermabrasion, laser treatments, injections, chemical peels and creams.

Making scars smaller and less obvious is a common dermatologic concern. Let's now take a look at what both traditional and alternative medicine have to offer us for help with this problem. You should remember however, that these remedies are not likely to produce instant results.


. Vitamin E is considered best for the healthy glowing skin. Application of vitamin E oil or capsule to the scar will completely vanish the scar in few weeks.

. Applying calendula gel or cream to a scar twice a day reduces inflammation and increases healing in an early scar.

. Apply essential oil of lavender on the scars with a cotton ball twice a day.

. Take a few mint leaves and crush them. Tie these crushed leaves in piece of muslin cloth and extract juice. Use it all over your face.

. Application of tea tree oil to the affected area will help in curing the acne scars.

. Soak a cotton ball in blanched green tea and apply this on the scar.

. Application of olive oil is also beneficial in getting rid of any kind of scars.

. Apply cucumber juice to the scars and leave for 15 minutes and wash the face with cold water.

. The most effective home remedy for scars is application of honey several times a day. It will give a natural glow to the skin and will remove all scars.

. Lemon juice is natural bleach and helps in lightening the scars and blemishes of the skin.

. The best method of scars treatment is the application of sandalwood paste with rose water. Apply paste overnight and wash the face next morning.

. Application of Aloe Vera gel to the fresh wounds prevents the formation of permanent scars.

. You can also mix three fourth teaspoon of Aloe Vera juice with natural glycerin and use this on the scars.

. Applying cocoa butter is also a good remedy in getting rid of the scars.



~source:homemademedicine.com~

Jetlag : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Jet lag,as in Wikipedia is a physiological condition which results from alterations to the body's circadian rhythms; it is classified as one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Jet lag results from rapid long-distance transmeridian as on a jet plane. It makes difficult for the people to adjust to the external environment like doing work, routine sleeping and loss of appetite.

The symptoms of jet lag can be quite varied, depending on the amount of time zone alteration, time of day and individual differences. They may include the following:

.Headaches
.Fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, insomnia
.Disorientation, grogginess, irritability
.Mild depression
.Constipation or

It is possible to minimize the effects of jet lag by following some basic steps before, during, and after the flight.

. Drink plenty of water, especially during the flight, to counteract the effects of the dry atmosphere inside the plane.

. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Avoid items that pinch, restrict, or chafe.

. During extended stopovers on a long-haul flight, try to grab a shower.A shower not only freshens you up but gets the muscles and circulation going again and makes you feel much better for the rest of the flight.

. Take enough sleep a night before traveling.

. While seated during your flight, exercise your legs from time to time. Move them up and down and back and forth.

. Avoid alcohol, caffeine on the flight. Caffeine can cause dehydration and disrupt sleeping schedules.

. Add few drops of rosemary oil to � a cup of water and drink. After few hours, have a Valerian tea.

. The best jetlag treatment is Epsom salt bath.

. Get plenty of exercise in the days prior to departure and try to avoid sickness such as the flu, colds and so on.


~source:medicinenet.com~

Toothache : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

A toothache,as in Wikipedia, is an aching pain in or around a tooth. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, or gum disease.

The severity of a toothache can range from chronic and mild to sharp and excruciating. The pain may be aggravated by chewing or by cold or heat. Other signs and symptoms that may lead you to seek care include the following:

.Pain with chewing

.Hot or cold sensitivity

.Bleeding or discharge from around a tooth or gums

.Swelling around a tooth or swelling of your jaw

.Injury or trauma to the area


You can prevent the majority of dental problems through flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. The dentist may apply sealants and fluoride, which are especially important in children.

There are several remedies available which may ease a toothache. Following is a brief description of some of the home remedies for toothache.

. Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may be used.

. Relief may be obtained from biting on a cotton ball soaked in oil of cloves.

. Chewing leaves of guava tree will also provide relief from pain. This is one of the simplest toothache treatment.

. Garlic clove when placed on the aching tooth provides immediate relief from pain.

. Apply a mixture of a pinch of pepper powder and a quarter teaspoon of common salt on the aching tooth as it will give relief.

. Chewing fresh leaves of spinach makes the gums strong and prevents tooth decay.

. The juice of wheat grass is an excellent home remedy for toothache and tooth decay.

. Application of ice pack on the cheeks also reduces pain.

. Pouring few 3-4 drops of vanilla extract on the aching tooth will immediately provide relief and is also good home remedy for toothache.

. Mix a pinch of pepper powder and clove oil and apply on the paining tooth.

. Chewing raw onion for three minutes will kill all the harmful germs in the mouth.

. Intake of sugar should be restricted to prevent any kind of tooth problems.

. Mix mustard oil and turmeric powder and apply on the teeth. It is highly beneficial in curing all the teeth problems. This is one of the best toothache cure.

. Good amount of vitamin C and calcium should be taken to make the teeth strong. It is a good diet for toothache.

. Gargling with hydrogen peroxide after every meal will remove all the germs and bacteria from the teeth and strengthens the teeth.

. In 1 cup of water boil 5 gram of peppermint with a pinch of salt. Drink it for toothache pain relief and other pains.

. One drop of oregano oil on the tongue and rub on the hurting tooth will immediately took away the pain.

. Apply rock salt with the garlic paste on the aching tooth to achieve better results.

It should be noted, though that the remedies mentioned above do provide relief, but they should not ever be accepted as permanent treatment for dental problems. A dental check is strongly recommended when a person experiences a toothache. Home remedies only lower the rate of bacterial growth, or kill the pain causing bacteria but they fail to cure the cavities or infections in the teeth, which are the main cause of pain.


~source:emedicinehealth.com~

Lower Your Cholesterol : How To and Home Remedies

Cholesterol is a fatty molecule that is manufactured by your liver. You need cholesterol in order to help you manufacture certain types of hormones. However, too much cholesterol circulating through the blood can lead to develop some serious health problems.

The body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. It takes only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. If a person has too much cholesterol in the bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in arteries, including the coronary arteries of the heart, the carotid arteries to the brain, and the arteries that supply blood to the legs.

The only way to find out if you have high cholesterol is through a cholesterol test. A cholesterol test is a blood test that will look at the key lipids, or fats, that are in the blood, such as:

-LDL
-HDL
-Triglycerides
-Total cholesterol

If you have any of the conditions listed below, you are at risk of having high cholesterol and should get checked if you have not already done so:

-Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise)
-Poor diet
-Smoking
-Certain medications
-Age (the older you are, the more you are at risk)
-Family history of high cholesterol
-Certain diseases (diabetes, certain thyroid gland conditions)

Lowering your cholesterol reduces your risk of contracting heart disease and dying from a heart attack. Here are several tips and remedies on how to lower your cholesterol.

. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily as it stimulates the excretory activity of the kidneys.

. Onion juice reduces cholesterol level and works as a tonic. It cleans blood, helps digestive system, cures insomnia and regulates the heart action & helps in lowering cholesterol.

. A mudpack applied over the abdomen improves digestion and also improves the functioning of the liver and activates kidneys to promote excretion.

. Soy products or soy compounds known, as isoflavones are the best to regulate the cholesterol levels in the blood. They act as human hormones.

. Sunflower seeds are also highly beneficial in regulating the cholesterol levels and is good herbal remedies for cholesterol.

. Exercise such as swimming, running, and jogging,yoga and walking can also strengthen your heart, bones, and other muscles of the body, in addition to helping you to lose weight.

. Avoid foods rich in cholesterol and saturated fats like eggs; organ meats, cheese, butter, beef, whole milk and vegetable oils.

. A rich fiber diet is recommended for the patients with high blood cholesterol levels.

. Diet high in vitamin B6, choline and inositol are also effective in reducing blood cholesterol. Wheat germ and yeasts are the rich sources.

. Don't smoke. Smoking increases your cholesterol.

. Take fish oil for Omega 3. Omega 3 has many health benefits including lowering cholesterol naturally.

. Lecithin is a fatty food substance that is highly beneficial in controlling cholesterol levels. Egg yolk, vegetable oils, whole grain cereals, soybeans and unpasteurized milk are the best sources of lecithin.

. Boil 10 pieces of cinnamon sticks (2.5cm each) in 5 teacups of water and put a tablespoon of honey and drink this when it is hot. This is very effective natural remedy for cholesterol.

. Eating 1 clove garlic a day for 12 weeks helps in reducing cholesterol gradually.

. Take evening primrose oil to lower your cholesterol. Evening primrose oil helps to lower high blood cholesterol.


~sources:ehow.com,cholesterol.about.com~

Hiccups : Causes, How To and Home Remedies

A hiccup or hiccough,as in Wikipedia is a contraction of the diaphragm that repeats several times per minute. In humans, the abrupt rush of air into the lungs causes the vocal cords to close, creating a "hic" sound.

The exact cause of hiccups is not known but some believed causes are:

.Eating too much and too fast
.Sudden excitement
.Hot and spicy foods
.Stomach disorders
.Kidney problems
.Infection in lungs

A bout of hiccups, in general, resolves itself without intervention, although many home remedies claim to shorten the duration. Medical treatment is occasionally necessary in cases of chronic hiccups.Home remedies are generally sufficient to resolve hiccups.

. Place a teaspoon of dry granulated sugar on the back of the tongue and then swallowing it.

. Fill a glass with ice cubes and water, and then drinking it slowly (the rapid change of temperature in the esophagus may shut down the hiccup response).

. Pull the tongue with your fingers.

. Holding the breath will stop the hiccups.

. Eating a spoonful of peanut butter stops hiccups quickly and is one of the effective home remedies for hiccups.

. Gargling with water is also considered effective.

. Make a mixture by adding 2 tsp of common salt in a cup of plain yogurt and eat it slowly. This is very effective home remedy for hiccups.

. Eating a bowl full of yogurt with a pinch of salt is also a good hiccups remedy.

. Boil 1/2 tsp of cardamom fresh powder in 2 cup water, sieve it and drink a glassful of this warm water to stop hiccups.

. Sucking crushed ice provides immediate relief from irritating hiccups.

. Eating a teaspoon of peanut butter will immediately stop the hiccups. It is good diet for hiccups.

. Tickling the throat with a cotton swab is also effective.

. Sucking small piece of ginger will also cure recurring hiccups.

Most cases of hiccups resolve themselves in a short period of time and are rarely a medical emergency. See your doctor if hiccups last more than three hours, or if they disturb your eating or sleeping habits.


~sources:healthscout.com,medicinenet.com~

US Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fat Consumption over the Last Century

Omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) are essential nutrients that play many important roles in the body. They are highly bioactive, and so any deviation from ancestral intake norms should probably be viewed with suspicion. I've expressed my opinion many times on this blog that omega-6 consumption is currently too high due to our high intake of refined seed oils (corn, soybean, sunflower, etc.) in industrial nations. Although it's clear that the quantity of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fat have changed over the last century, no one had ever published a paper that attempted to systematically quantify it until last month (1).

Drs. Chris Ramsden and Joseph Hibbeln worked on this paper (the first author was Dr. Tanya Blasbalg and the senior author was Dr. Robert Rawlings)-- they were the first and second authors of a different review article I reviewed recently (2). Their new paper is a great reference that I'm sure I'll cite many times. I'm going to briefly review it and highlight a few key points.

1. The intake of omega-6 linoleic acid has increased quite a bit since 1909. It would have been roughly 2.3% of calories in 1909, while in 1999 it was 7.2%. That represents an increase of 213%. Linoleic acid is the form of omega-6 that predominates in seed oils.

2. The intake of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid has also increased, for reasons that I'll explain below. It changed from 0.35% of calories to 0.72%, an increase of 109%.

3. The intake of long-chain omega-6 and omega-3 fats have decreased. These are the highly bioactive fats for which linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid are precursors. Arachidonic acid, DHA, DPA and EPA intakes have declined. This mostly has to do with changing husbandry practices and the replacement of animal fats with seed oils in the diet.

4. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats has increased. There is still quite a bit of debate over whether the ratios matter, or simply the absolute amount of each. I maintain that there is enough evidence from highly controlled animal studies and the basic biochemistry of PUFAs to tentatively conclude that the ratio is important. At a minimum, we know that excess linoleic acid inhibits omega-3 metabolism (3, 4, 5, 6). The omega-6:3 ratio increased from 5.4:1 to 9.6:1 between 1909 and 2009, a 78% increase.

5. The biggest factor in both linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid intake changes was the astonishing rise in soybean oil consumption. Soybean oil consumption increased from virtually nothing to 7.4% of total calories, eclipsing all sources of calories besides sugar, dairy and grains! That's because processed food is stuffed with it. It's essentially a byproduct of defatted soybean meal-- the second most important animal feed after corn. Check out this graph from the paper:

I think this paper is an important piece of the puzzle as we try to figure out what happened to nutrition and health in the US over the last century.

Sunburn : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

A sunburn,as in Wikipedia is a burn to living tissue, such as skin, which is produced by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Usual mild symptoms in humans and animals include red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV radiation can be life-threatening in extreme cases.

Sunburn usually appears within a few hours after sun exposure and may take from several days to several weeks to fade. Intense sun exposure that results in sunburn increases your risk of certain complications and related skin diseases. These include dry, wrinkled skin; liver spots; actinic keratoses; and skin cancer, including melanoma.

You can prevent sunburn and the related skin conditions by protecting your skin whenever you're outdoors, even on cloudy days. If you do get sunburn, several home remedies and treatments can relieve your pain and speed the healing of your skin.

. Before going out in sun it�s always better to apply sunscreen lotion to prevent tanning and sunburns.

. Lotions containing lanolin should be avoided before going out in sun.

. Applying lavender essential oil to the area will reduce pain and itching.

. Application of any cream containing vitamin E to the affected areas will reduce itching. This is a very simple sunburn treatment.

. Applying ice to the area will also be beneficial

. Keeping cold tea bags on the area will remove tanning from the sunburns.

. Drink plenty of fluids. Sun exposure and heat can cause fluid loss through your skin. Be sure to replenish those fluids to prevent dehydration.

. Milk is the best food remedy for any kind of burns. Applying the cloth to the burn dipped in milk will provide relief. Good home remedy for sunburn.

. Make a mixture by mixing, yogurt, turmeric and barley, apply on the affected area. This is one of the simple and good home remedies for sunburn.

. Sliced pieces of raw cucumber or potato when applied to the affected area reduce inflammation of the skin. This is one of the best sunburn remedy.

. Pouring one cup of white cider vinegar to the bathtub will provide relief from sunburns.

. Application of sandal wood paste to the area will provide relief from the burning sensation.

. Taking a bath of tide laundry detergent will provide relief from sunburn blisters.

. Make a mixture of one part tomato juice and 6 parts buttermilk and apply it to the affected areas and wash it after 30 minutes.

. Apply a mixture of one part olive oil and one part vinegar to affected areas and wash it after an hour.

. Make a mixture of wheat flour mixed with milk, olive oil, or barley flour, honey, and raw egg white paste. It will be a best facial for sunburn skin.

. Boil some lettuce in water, allow the liquid to cool and strain it. Then apply to the affected area with cotton balls.

. If blisters form, don't break them. They contain your natural body fluid (serum) and are a protective layer.

Use these methods to prevent sunburn:

. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Because the sun's rays are strongest during these hours, try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day. Seek shade whenever possible.

. Wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs, and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or golf visor. Also consider wearing clothing or outdoor gear specially designed to provide sun protection.

. Use sunscreen frequently and liberally. Apply sunscreen liberally 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply about every two hours � sooner if it's washed away by perspiration or water.

. Wear sunglasses when outdoors. Look for a manufacturer's label that says the sunglasses block 99 percent or 100 percent of all UV light.


~source:mayoclinic.com~

Mouth Ulcer : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

As in Wikipedia,a mouth ulcer,or oral ulcer, or, in American English, canker sore is an open sore inside the mouth, or rarely a break in the mucous membrane or the epithelium on the lips or surrounding the mouth.

Once formed, the ulcer may be maintained by inflammation and/or secondary infection. Two common types of ulcer are aphthous ulcers ("canker sores") and cold sores (fever blisters, oral herpes). Cold sores around the lip are caused by viruses.

The various causes of mouth ulcers are:

.High intake of spicy or acidic food
.Lack of vitamin B2 in the diet
.Minor injuries
.Viral infections
.Poor dental hygiene
.Bowel disease
.Biting of cheeks or lips
.Food allergies
.Hormonal imbalance

Good oral hygiene may help prevent some types of mouth ulcers, as well as some complications from mouth ulcers. Good oral hygiene includes brushing the teeth at least twice per day, flossing at least daily, and getting regular professional dental cleanings and examinations.

Home remedies are the best and easiest way to cure mouth ulcers that to without any side effects. Some of the effective home remedies which can cure your painful mouth ulcers are:

. Most effective home remedy for mouth ulcer is to chew few holy basil leaves with water twice in a day. This not only treats your ulcers but also prevents bad smell.

. Gargle at least 3-4 times in a day with fresh coconut milk.

. Alternately gargle with cold and hot water.

. Eat lot of raw salad especially raw onions. Onion contains lot of sulfur and it is effective in treating mouth ulcers.

. Drink lot of orange juice as deficiency of Vitamin C can lead to mouth ulcer.

. Eat lot of yogurt, buttermilk and cottage cheese.

. Mix small amount of sodium bicarbonate with water and use this solution as mouth rinse.

. Avoid eating spicy food especially meat, fish or any type of animal protein.

. Avoid eating sharp edged food like dry bread or potato chips. Also avoid lozenges, chewing gums, coffee, tobacco and any food which you think can trigger ulcer formation.

. Apply peppermint oil on the ulcers; this will relieve you from the irritation and pain.

. Thrice a day gently massage your affected gums with honey and coconut milk mixture.

. Until your mouth ulcers are cured make it a point to eat curd and banana daily in morning.

. Apply paste of honey and 1 tsp of powdered root bark of Indian Gooseberry on the affected area.

. Mulberry juice is highly beneficial in treating mouth ulcers.

. Take 1 tsp of coriander seeds in 1 cup of water and boil to make slightly warm. Gargle 3-4 times a day. This is also effective home remedy for mouth ulcers.

. Gargling daily with Listerine prevents bad smell from the mouth and also mouth ulcers cures.

. Application of any toothpaste on the area many times a day gives quick relief from mouth ulcers.

. Daily intake of tomatoes juice is also beneficial for the mouth ulcers treatment.

Even after following these simple home remedies your mouth ulcers are not cured then it is advisable to visit your physician immediately.


~source:homeremedies.ygoy.com~

Stretch Marks : Causes, How To and Home Remedies

Stretch marks or striae (singular stria), as in Wikipedia, are a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. They are caused by tearing of the dermis, and over time can diminish but not disappear completely.

Stretch marks first appear as reddish or purple lines, but tend to gradually fade to a lighter range. The affected areas appear empty and are soft to the touch. Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, but are most likely to appear in places where larger amounts of fat are stored. Most common places are the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, underarms, back, thighs (both inner and outer), hips, and buttocks.

The various causes of stretch marks are:

.Pregnancy
.Gain in weight or weight loss
.Rapid growth especially in adolescents
.Change in physical conditions

Once the stretch mark develop they will stay with you forever; but with time they will be less noticeable. The only way to avoid stretch marks is preventing them. There are also several remedies for those who have stretch marks.

. Make sure in your diet you are getting plenty of protein and foods rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E, they promote good tissue growth.

. Massaging your body with olive oil or Vitamin E may help.

. It is very important to exercise in order to get rid of stretch marks; toning your muscles helps your skin to firm thus preventing stretch marks.

. Apply cocoa butter and/ or elastin cream though out the body as directed on label. These are very good for stretch marks.

. Application of vitamin K cream is also beneficial in the stretch marks treatment. The foods containing vitamin K can also be included in the diet and they are green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, liver and dairy products.

. Application of Aloe Vera gel also helps to cure stretch marks and is also good home remedy for stretch marks.

. Applying lavender oil on the marks thrice a day will fade up the marks soon. This is one of the simple and good home remedies for stretch marks.

. Application of Vaseline intensive care lotion on the stomach during pregnancy helps in the prevention of stretch marks.

. Rubbing the area with apricot scrub fades the marks in a short duration. This is also good home remedy for stretch marks.

. Mix one ounce of carrier oil ( try avocado, sweet almond, jojoba, they are the best ) with seven drops of lavender and five drops of chamomile.Apply this on the affected areas.


~Source:homemademedicine.com~

Blackheads : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

A blackhead as in Wikipedia, is a yellow or blackish bump or plug on the skin. A blackhead is a type of acne vulgaris. Blackheads are caused by excess oils that have accumulated in the sebaceous gland's duct. The substance found in these bumps mostly consists of keratin and modified sebum (an oily secretion of the sebaceous gland), which darkens as it oxidizes.

Clogged hair follicles, where blackheads often occur, reflect light irregularly to produce a blackhead's "black" hue. For this reason, the blockage might not necessarily look black when extracted from the pore, but may have a more yellow-brown colour as a result of its melanin content.

Prevention is the best step towards eliminating blackheads. Avoid all facial products that are thick, greasy and oily. Use a cleanser that is water soluble and also gentle and only use a moisturizer on areas of the skin that need it. Exfoliate your skin every day with an exfoliating cream or a wash cloth, and use products to help absorb any excess oil that may be on your face during the day.

There are several treatments and remedies for blackheads that you can use to get rid of your blackheads and prevent further outbreaks.

. Apply a thin film of adapalene gel once daily before bedtime. Its mainly available in the form of "Differin".

. Exfoliate the blackhead prone area 3-4 times a week using facial exfoliators and scrubs.

. Use creams containing AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Fruit acids) like glyco-creams that will clear away any dead skin cells and "expose" the blackhead. Use the AHA's every 3 days or so.

. Avoid washing the face with soaps more than twice a day. Instead wash your face often with plain water splashes.

. If blackheads look ready to pop out, you could try removing them gently by using a blackhead extractor. This is a neat little instrument with a hole at one end, available from chemists.

. Wash your face thoroughly with warm water. Add the juice of a single lemon to a saucepan of hot water and use it to steam your face. Steam your face for at least 10 minutes. The steam also makes your face sweat and this helps to wash out your pores. You can then scrub your face lightly to get rid of any excess oil.

. Grate some carrot and cucumber. Allow the juice of these vegetables to drain so that you get at last a teaspoon of juice. Crush � a clove of garlic along with this juice and apply it to your face. Keep it on for fifteen minutes and then wash it off with warm water. Rinse your face with cold water and pat dry.

. Roast the skin of pomegranate and grind it. Mix this powder with lime juice and apply over the blackheads.

. Peel cucumber and place in blender. Blend until cucumber is of a pasty consistency, but not too watery. Take the mixture and apply as a face mask leaving it on face for 25 minutes.

. Steaming opens up the pores, which makes it easier to get rid of the blackheads from the chin, nose, ears and other areas of the face. Boil some fresh water in a large pot and after it comes to a boil, take it off the flame and leave it to cool for around five or ten minutes. Then cover your head with a thick and large towel, before bending it over the pot. The steam needs to permeate your skin for at least 5 to 10 minutes before the blackhead removal process can be initiated.

. Around quarter cup of honey should be applied like a face mask each night. Wash your face with warm water before applying the honey evenly. Allow your skin to soak up the moisturizing properties of the honey for at least 20 minutes or so, before washing it off with some warm water.


~Source:ultimate-cosmetics.com~

Natural Face Lift : How To and Home Remedies

The fine lines, the sagging skin, the wrinkles that appear at the outer corners of our eyes� these are all typical signs of aging that we all must contend with as our body grows older and older, year after year.

The best and safest method for face lifts is through facial exercising. The proper exercise for face lifts remedies the cause of the aging process of the face by tightening elongated muscles, thereby producing face lifts where the contour has drooped, a firming up where the face appears flabby, and a filling out by rebuilding atrophying muscle tissues.

You can start a facial fitness regime any where and at any time, though most women will opt to do it in the privacy of their own home as they may look a tad silly doing these exercises in public. Let�s start from the top of the face down:

The Forehead
Take your fingers and place them just above your eyebrow. With your fingers, pull the skin down. Now try to raise your eyebrows against the pressure that you are applying with your fingers. Repeat this ten times. This will help smooth out any wrinkles that may be on your forehead.

The Eyelids
Take your thumbs and place them at the corners of your two eyes. Now shut your eyes tightly, and then pull the skin upwards towards the forehead. Repeat this process ten times, and you should be finding that your crows� feet are far less noticeable.

To try and manage sagging eyelids, take your index fingers and hold them close to the brow bone. Now raise your eyebrows. While you�re raising your eyebrows, try to close your eyes. Repeat this step ten times.

The Cheeks
The best way to give your cheeks a good work out is to start by forming an �o� shape with your lips. Now try to push them forward as quickly as you possibly can. Release the �o� shape, and then smile as large as you possibly can. Follow this routine ten times and rest.

The Lips
To exercise the lips, push your lips outwards in a large and pronounced pout. Alternatively, you can try to suck on your finger as hard as you can. This will help keep those dreaded lip wrinkles at bay. Repeat this step ten times.

Fat-ten-u

I recently bought the book Food in the United States, 1820s-1890. I came across an ad for an interesting product that was sold in the late 1800s called Fat-ten-u. Check your calendars, it's not April fools day anymore; this is for real. Fat-ten-u was a dietary supplement guaranteed to "make the thin plump and rosy with honest fleshiness of form." I found several more ads for it online, and they feature drawings of despondent, lean women and drawings of happy overweight women accompanied by enthusiastic testimonials such as this:

"FAT-TEN-U FOODS increased my weight 39 pounds, gave me new womanly vigor and developed me finely. My two sisters also use FAT-TEN-U and because of our newly found vigor we have taken up Grecian dancing and have roles in all local productions."

I'm dying to know what was in this stuff, but I can't find the ingredients anywhere.

I find this rather extraordinary, for two reasons:

• Social norms have clearly changed since the late 1800s. Today, leanness is typically considered more attractive than plumpness.
• Women had to make an effort to become overweight in the late 1800s. In 2011, roughly two-thirds of US women are considered overweight or obese, despite the fact that most of them would rather be lean.

A rhetorical question: did everyone count calories in the 1800s, or did their diet and lifestyle naturally promote leanness? The existence of Fat-ten-u is consistent with the idea that our bodies naturally "defended" a lean body composition more effectively in the late 1800s, when our diets were less industrialized. This is supported by the only reliable data on obesity prevalence in the 1890s I'm aware of: body height and weight measurements from over 35,000 Union civil war veterans aged 40-69 years old (1). In that group of Caucasian men, obesity was about 10% of what it is today in the same age group. Whether or not you believe that this sample was representative of the population at large, I can't imagine any demographic in the modern US with an obesity prevalence of 3 percent (certainly not 60 year old war veterans).

Here are two more ads for Fat-ten-u and "Corpula foods" for your viewing pleasure:

Cough : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

A cough is a sudden and often repetitively occurring reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes.Frequent coughing usually indicates the presence of a disease. Many viruses and bacteria benefit evolutionarily by causing the host to cough, which helps to spread the disease to new hosts.

A cough is not usually a threatening condition and will resolve naturally, but it can be troublesome, particularly when coughing at night keeps you up and prevents you from recuperating. A productive cough is more likely to indicate an acute disease such as a virus or infection.If you have a productive cough in conjunction with fever, wheezing, or any such malaise, you should immediately visit a doctor, even if these symptoms only present when lying down.

A non-productive cough, however, is more likely a symptom of something chronic, such as asthma, bronchitis, or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder). Environmental factors can also cause either a productive or non-productive cough. Things such as allergies, dust, and certain molds can cause coughs in anyone who is exposed to them for long periods, very often not even being aware of the cause�s existence, in the case of molds and some allergies.

There are many synthetic medicines that cure cough instantly. However, natural remedies for cough could be advantageous.

. The extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma.

. Fill a cut lemon with black pepper powder and salt and suck on the lemon. This is said to reduce coughing.

. Eating garlic or rubbing garlic on your throat and chest are techniques used by some people to combat cough.

. Grapes tone up the lungs and act as an expectorant, relieving a simple cold and cough in a couple of days. A cup of grape juice mixed with a teaspoon of honey is advised for cough relief.

. Aniseed is another effective remedy for a hard dry cough with difficult expectoration. It breaks up the mucus. A tea made from this spice should be taken regularly for treating this condition.

. Mixing honey and hot water, or honey and tea to sooth the dryness in the throat are wide spread and masses of people swear this is the best of the home relief options for coughing.

. Combine honey and grape juice and drink this mixture warm. This really helps for that nagging wet cough.

. Boil mint leaves and eucalyptus in water, and then inhale the vapors. This helps to clear the lungs and break up �gunk� in the sinuses.

. Drink hot carrot juice. Nutrients in carrot juice can suppress the body�s natural cough reflex.

. Prepare a natural cough syrup by mixing 2 tbsp lemon juice in a cup of water. Add a tbsp of honey and ginger juice in equal proportions. Drink this syrup several times a day to ease cough.

. Increase the intake of fluids in the day time when you are at work. A nice chicken broth/soup or vegetable soup with garlic in it would also help.

. Mix three drops of cedar oil with olive, sweet almond or jojoba oil, and message onto your chest a few times daily. Another way to use this is to add about 12 drops of these to boiling water and inhale the steam.

. Mix a few drops of eucalyptus to oil to jojoba, sweet almond oil and rub it onto your chest. You can also add 12 to 15 drops of eucalyptus oil to steaming water and inhale the vapor.


~Source:coughtreatment.org~