how to get rid of dark circles

How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Fast Dark circles are dark blemishes seen around the eyes. They are known as periorbital dark circles in medical terms. This is a common problem seen in men and women. Dark circles are also occasionally found in children. When people get aged their skin becomes thinner. The elasticity of the skin is lost due to the loss of collagens. This makes the area appear darker as the blood vessels beneath the eyes become more visible. Many people consider that dark circle appears when a person is tired; this is not true there are many causes for the development of dark circles under the eye. • In some people stress and fatigue worsen the dark circles. • In some people fluid imbalance causes puffy or swollen eyes which make the area under the eyes appear darker. • Sometimes trauma causing black eye can darken the entire area around the eyes. Dark circles under the eye are not a serious condition and in most cases some home remedies help to reduce or get rid of the dark circles. The Causes of Dark Circles Some of the important causes for the symptom of dark circles are discussed below Heredity Heredity is one of the most common causes for dark circles under the eye. Some people notice that this problem runs in their families. The skin around the eye is the thinnest skin present in our body. The blood vessels are more visible as the skin is very thin. When blood passes through the large veins near the surface of the skin it gives a bluish tint to the skin. The transparency of the skin is an inherited trait and if the skin is more transparent darker circles will appear. Allergies Allergies cause the eyes to itch and this will result in dark circles under the eye. People suffering from Hay fever especially are prone to under eye circles during the allergy season. In some people allergy to some foods can also cause dark circles. Anemia Lack of some nutrients in the diet is another cause of dark circles. Lack of a balanced diet will lead to lack of iron in the body which cause the dark circles. When a person is having anemia the body tissues will not get enough blood. Medications Some medications cause the blood vessels to dilate. This in turn will cause the skin under the eyes to darken. Some medicines also cause allergy which can lead to dark circles or puffiness around the eyes. Fatigue It is necessary for a person to have at least 8 hours of sleep. Lack of proper sleep can cause fatigueless and this will cause the areas under the eye to appear darker Liver Problems Sometimes the dark circle is a symptom of an underlying cause such as liver diseases. Age Dark circles most commonly occur in aged people. This is due to the loss of collagen from the skin. Hyper Pigmentation In some people production of melanin will be more around the eye area, giving it a darker shade than the other areas in the body. This is known as periorbital hyper pigmentation. Lifestyle Factors Some lifestyle factors such as smoking, continuous use of alcohol, etc. can cause dark circles under the eye. Exposure to Sun Exposure to sun promotes the production of more melanin in the skin leading to darker areas around the eye. Prevention of Dark Circles If you want to keep your eyes youthful and want to avoid the dark circles under the eye follow these tips • Avoid Smoking- smoking can cause faster loss of collagen from the skin • Apply Sunscreen- remember to apply sunscreen while you are going out. The UV rays in the sunlight cause damages to the collagen and increases melanin production • Get Plenty Of Sleep- proper sleep can reduce stress and fatigueless and this will help to avoid dark circles. • Healthy Diet- vitamin A is necessary for keeping your eyes bright and healthy. Include food items that are rich in vitamin A, iron, etc. to avoid dark circles. When to See a Doctor? If the dark circle appears only under one eye, and if it is getting worse over time, talk to your doctor. Depending on the cause of dark circles the doctor may suggest the ways to get rid of the dark circles. The doctor may suggest prescription medications or any other treatment to reduce discoloration. In some extreme cases treatments like laser therapy and chemical peel are used. However the dark circles are not a major problem and there are many home remedies which will help you to get rid of dark circles easily and effectively. Home Remedies to Get Rid Of Dark Circles Dark circles are quite worrying and annoying and there are even people who do not feel like venturing out of their homes due to the dark circles under their eyes. There are a lot of natural home remedies that you can try on the dark circles which can help you to get rid of dark circles fast. In fact, most of the home remedies discussed below are natural remedies that will not cause any side effects to your face. Cucumber Juice Cucumber is one of the well known natural remedy to provide soothing and cooling effect to your eyes. It is also a very good skin toner. All you need to do is to grind together two to three pieces of cucumber and extract cucumber juice from it. You can use two clean cotton balls to dip in the cucumber juice and to place the cotton balls on the top of your eyes. Leave it there for a few minutes. Repeat this process for a few times everyday and you will see visible results. Turmeric Paste Turmeric is known for its anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties and can be very effective in treating dark circles. You can take turmeric powder and mix it well with pineapple juice to make a thick paste. Apply this paste evenly on the dark circles under your eyes and allow it to react with your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Now you can wipe it off with a damp cotton cloth. This will help in not just reducing dark circles but will also help in making the skin under your eyes softer and smother. Cold Water If there is an easy remedy for how to get rid of dark circles fast, then it is the cold water. All you need to do is to regularly wash your eyes with cold water especially when you return after staying in the hot sun for quite some time. Cold water will help to constrict the blood vessels and will help to reduce eye puffiness and dark circles. Also, dip a clean wash cloth in cold water or even in cold milk and cover your eyelids with this wash cloth. Keep there for a few minutes and then take it off. Repeat this process for a few times every day to get rid of dark circles. You can also wrap ice cubes on a soft thin cotton cloth or napkin and place it under the eyes where dark circles are seen. Drinking Lots of Water Water is one of the most important and effective remedy for all your skin problems. Hydrating your skin with fresh water will prevent dark circles from developing under your eyes. You need to drink at least a minimum of 12 to 14 glasses of plain drinking water every day to keep your eyes fresh and to reduce dark circles. Good Night’s sleep It is very important for you to get a good night’s rest after a hectic day of work. Eyes also need rest and you need to sleep for a minimum of seven hours every day to reduce eye puffiness and also reduce the effects of dark circles. Yoga and Meditation Yoga and meditation will work wonders for reducing dark circles as it will always keep your mind and body fresh and full of energy. If you are able to relax and get absolute peace of mind, then your skin will also start to glow and you will see great results on the dark circles under your eyes. Practicing yoga and meditation every day is one of the answers on how to get rid of dark circles easily. Ripe Apples The tannin acid that is present in the apples will help in lightening your skin tone and hence is a very good and effective remedy to treat dark circles. You can cut ripe apples into small thin slices and then place it directly on top of your eyes for about half an hour. This will help in reducing dark circles if used regularly. Green Apple You can also apply boiled green apple paste under your eyes and in the affected area and leave it there for half an hour. Then, you can rinse it off with lukewarm water. The potassium, Vitamins B and C present in the apple will also help in toning the skin and give nourishment to the skin under your eyes. Lemon Juice The extracts of lemon are well known for its bleaching properties and it is a rich source of vitamin C. You can extract the juices of the lemon and apply this juice under your eyes with the help of cotton balls and leave it there for half an hour. Later, you can wipe it off using damp cloth. Repeat this process two to three times a day for a few days to see a reduction in the color of the skin under your eyes. Natural under Eye Home Pack You can prepare your own under eye pack by mixing a teaspoon of gram flour, a tablespoon of lemon juice, two or three tablespoons of fresh tomato puree and a teaspoon of turmeric powder and make it as a smooth paste. Apply this paste gently around the eyes and this mixture has to be applied only after you have washed your face and eyes with mild soap and water. Leave this mixture to dry off on your skin and then rinse it off. You can use this home made under eye pack for three to four times a week to enjoy smooth under eye skin as well as reduction in the color of the dark eyes. Mint Leaves Juice Mint leaves are known for its cooling properties. You need to extract thick mint juice from the mint leaves and either apply it directly on the affected area or can mix this juice with turmeric and gram flour powder and apply it on the affected area. Leave it there for 10 to 15 minutes and wipe it off with a damp cloth. This will help in reducing dark circles. Almond Oil You can apply almond oil regularly under the eyes so that you enjoy lighter color under the eyes. You can apply this oil around your eyes everyday when you go to sleep. Leave it overnight on the skin and then wash it off the next day morning. This will help in reducing the effects of dark circles under your eyes. Rose Water One of the most effective products that you can use on your skin is rose water. It has incredible skin careproperties and is very effective in reducing dark circles under the eyes. Apply generous amount of rose water that is soaked in cotton balls on your closed eyelids and leave it there for fifteen minutes. It has cooling properties and will help in rejuvenating the skin under your eyes. You will see visible results in a few days of regular application of rose water. Raw Potato Potatoes in its raw state have bleaching agents that will help in lightening the dark circles and also reduce eye puffiness. You can peel round potato slices and place it inside the refrigerator for a few minutes. Then, you can place these potato slices over your eyelids and allow it to rest on the affected area for a few minutes. You can also extract the juice of the raw potatoes and apply this mixture under your eyes with the help of cotton balls. Ice-Cream You can also place a dollop of cold ice cream on the affected area and leave it on for a brief period. You can then wash it off and this will help in reducing the effect of dark circles due to its cooling properties. So, are you worried about dark circles under your eyes? Do you want to somehow get rid of these dark circles that is spoiling your overall look? Just, follow the above tips and you will be able to easily get rid of the bothering dark circles under your eyes. How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Fast Dark circles are dark blemishes seen around the eyes. They are known as periorbital dark circles in medical terms. This is a common problem seen in men and women. Dark circles are also occasionally found in children. When people get aged their skin becomes thinner. The elasticity of the skin is lost due to the loss of collagens. This makes the area appear darker as the blood vessels beneath the eyes become more visible. Many people consider that dark circle appears when a person is tired; this is not true there are many causes for the development of dark circles under the eye. • In some people stress and fatigue worsen the dark circles. • In some people fluid imbalance causes puffy or swollen eyes which make the area under the eyes appear darker. • Sometimes trauma causing black eye can darken the entire area around the eyes. Dark circles under the eye are not a serious condition and in most cases some home remedies help to reduce or get rid of the dark circles. The Causes of Dark Circles Some of the important causes for the symptom of dark circles are discussed below Heredity Heredity is one of the most common causes for dark circles under the eye. Some people notice that this problem runs in their families. The skin around the eye is the thinnest skin present in our body. The blood vessels are more visible as the skin is very thin. When blood passes through the large veins near the surface of the skin it gives a bluish tint to the skin. The transparency of the skin is an inherited trait and if the skin is more transparent darker circles will appear. Allergies Allergies cause the eyes to itch and this will result in dark circles under the eye. People suffering from Hay fever especially are prone to under eye circles during the allergy season. In some people allergy to some foods can also cause dark circles. Anemia Lack of some nutrients in the diet is another cause of dark circles. Lack of a balanced diet will lead to lack of iron in the body which cause the dark circles. When a person is having anemia the body tissues will not get enough blood. Medications Some medications cause the blood vessels to dilate. This in turn will cause the skin under the eyes to darken. Some medicines also cause allergy which can lead to dark circles or puffiness around the eyes. Fatigue It is necessary for a person to have at least 8 hours of sleep. Lack of proper sleep can cause fatigueless and this will cause the areas under the eye to appear darker Liver Problems Sometimes the dark circle is a symptom of an underlying cause such as liver diseases. Age Dark circles most commonly occur in aged people. This is due to the loss of collagen from the skin. Hyper Pigmentation In some people production of melanin will be more around the eye area, giving it a darker shade than the other areas in the body. This is known as periorbital hyper pigmentation. Lifestyle Factors Some lifestyle factors such as smoking, continuous use of alcohol, etc. can cause dark circles under the eye. Exposure to Sun Exposure to sun promotes the production of more melanin in the skin leading to darker areas around the eye. Prevention of Dark Circles If you want to keep your eyes youthful and want to avoid the dark circles under the eye follow these tips • Avoid Smoking- smoking can cause faster loss of collagen from the skin • Apply Sunscreen- remember to apply sunscreen while you are going out. The UV rays in the sunlight cause damages to the collagen and increases melanin production • Get Plenty Of Sleep- proper sleep can reduce stress and fatigueless and this will help to avoid dark circles. • Healthy Diet- vitamin A is necessary for keeping your eyes bright and healthy. Include food items that are rich in vitamin A, iron, etc. to avoid dark circles. When to See a Doctor? If the dark circle appears only under one eye, and if it is getting worse over time, talk to your doctor. Depending on the cause of dark circles the doctor may suggest the ways to get rid of the dark circles. The doctor may suggest prescription medications or any other treatment to reduce discoloration. In some extreme cases treatments like laser therapy and chemical peel are used. However the dark circles are not a major problem and there are many home remedies which will help you to get rid of dark circles easily and effectively. Home Remedies to Get Rid Of Dark Circles Dark circles are quite worrying and annoying and there are even people who do not feel like venturing out of their homes due to the dark circles under their eyes. There are a lot of natural home remedies that you can try on the dark circles which can help you to get rid of dark circles fast. In fact, most of the home remedies discussed below are natural remedies that will not cause any side effects to your face. Cucumber Juice Cucumber is one of the well known natural remedy to provide soothing and cooling effect to your eyes. It is also a very good skin toner. All you need to do is to grind together two to three pieces of cucumber and extract cucumber juice from it. You can use two clean cotton balls to dip in the cucumber juice and to place the cotton balls on the top of your eyes. Leave it there for a few minutes. Repeat this process for a few times everyday and you will see visible results. Turmeric Paste Turmeric is known for its anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties and can be very effective in treating dark circles. You can take turmeric powder and mix it well with pineapple juice to make a thick paste. Apply this paste evenly on the dark circles under your eyes and allow it to react with your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Now you can wipe it off with a damp cotton cloth. This will help in not just reducing dark circles but will also help in making the skin under your eyes softer and smother. Cold Water If there is an easy remedy for how to get rid of dark circles fast, then it is the cold water. All you need to do is to regularly wash your eyes with cold water especially when you return after staying in the hot sun for quite some time. Cold water will help to constrict the blood vessels and will help to reduce eye puffiness and dark circles. Also, dip a clean wash cloth in cold water or even in cold milk and cover your eyelids with this wash cloth. Keep there for a few minutes and then take it off. Repeat this process for a few times every day to get rid of dark circles. You can also wrap ice cubes on a soft thin cotton cloth or napkin and place it under the eyes where dark circles are seen. Drinking Lots of Water Water is one of the most important and effective remedy for all your skin problems. Hydrating your skin with fresh water will prevent dark circles from developing under your eyes. You need to drink at least a minimum of 12 to 14 glasses of plain drinking water every day to keep your eyes fresh and to reduce dark circles. Good Night’s sleep It is very important for you to get a good night’s rest after a hectic day of work. Eyes also need rest and you need to sleep for a minimum of seven hours every day to reduce eye puffiness and also reduce the effects of dark circles. Yoga and Meditation Yoga and meditation will work wonders for reducing dark circles as it will always keep your mind and body fresh and full of energy. If you are able to relax and get absolute peace of mind, then your skin will also start to glow and you will see great results on the dark circles under your eyes. Practicing yoga and meditation every day is one of the answers on how to get rid of dark circles easily. Ripe Apples The tannin acid that is present in the apples will help in lightening your skin tone and hence is a very good and effective remedy to treat dark circles. You can cut ripe apples into small thin slices and then place it directly on top of your eyes for about half an hour. This will help in reducing dark circles if used regularly. Green Apple You can also apply boiled green apple paste under your eyes and in the affected area and leave it there for half an hour. Then, you can rinse it off with lukewarm water. The potassium, Vitamins B and C present in the apple will also help in toning the skin and give nourishment to the skin under your eyes. Lemon Juice The extracts of lemon are well known for its bleaching properties and it is a rich source of vitamin C. You can extract the juices of the lemon and apply this juice under your eyes with the help of cotton balls and leave it there for half an hour. Later, you can wipe it off using damp cloth. Repeat this process two to three times a day for a few days to see a reduction in the color of the skin under your eyes. Natural under Eye Home Pack You can prepare your own under eye pack by mixing a teaspoon of gram flour, a tablespoon of lemon juice, two or three tablespoons of fresh tomato puree and a teaspoon of turmeric powder and make it as a smooth paste. Apply this paste gently around the eyes and this mixture has to be applied only after you have washed your face and eyes with mild soap and water. Leave this mixture to dry off on your skin and then rinse it off. You can use this home made under eye pack for three to four times a week to enjoy smooth under eye skin as well as reduction in the color of the dark eyes. Mint Leaves Juice Mint leaves are known for its cooling properties. You need to extract thick mint juice from the mint leaves and either apply it directly on the affected area or can mix this juice with turmeric and gram flour powder and apply it on the affected area. Leave it there for 10 to 15 minutes and wipe it off with a damp cloth. This will help in reducing dark circles. Almond Oil You can apply almond oil regularly under the eyes so that you enjoy lighter color under the eyes. You can apply this oil around your eyes everyday when you go to sleep. Leave it overnight on the skin and then wash it off the next day morning. This will help in reducing the effects of dark circles under your eyes. Rose Water One of the most effective products that you can use on your skin is rose water. It has incredible skin careproperties and is very effective in reducing dark circles under the eyes. Apply generous amount of rose water that is soaked in cotton balls on your closed eyelids and leave it there for fifteen minutes. It has cooling properties and will help in rejuvenating the skin under your eyes. You will see visible results in a few days of regular application of rose water. Raw Potato Potatoes in its raw state have bleaching agents that will help in lightening the dark circles and also reduce eye puffiness. You can peel round potato slices and place it inside the refrigerator for a few minutes. Then, you can place these potato slices over your eyelids and allow it to rest on the affected area for a few minutes. You can also extract the juice of the raw potatoes and apply this mixture under your eyes with the help of cotton balls. Ice-Cream You can also place a dollop of cold ice cream on the affected area and leave it on for a brief period. You can then wash it off and this will help in reducing the effect of dark circles due to its cooling properties. So, are you worried about dark circles under your eyes? Do you want to somehow get rid of these dark circles that is spoiling your overall look? Just, follow the above tips and you will be able to easily get rid of the bothering dark circles under your eyes.

home remedies to get rid of itching

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Itching Itching is an irritating and uncomfortable sensation that makes the person to scratch any area of the body. Itches can be restricted to any particular area of the body or they can occur all over the body. In medical terms itching is known as pruritus. Sometimes itching is accompanied by visible skin abnormalities like rash, blisters or bumps. In some cases itching worsens at night. The causes of itching may vary in each person. Infections, insect stings, bites, sun exposure, dry skin, any chronic diseases, skin conditions like eczema, allergies etc can cause itching in people. The scratching of the skin may disrupt the skin and may lead to infections. The itching caused by bites, stings, dry skin, sun exposure etc can be effectively treated with various home remedies. It is necessary to understand the underlying cause and use appropriate home remedies. Some of the important home remedies for itching caused by different reasons are given below. Home Remedies For itching 1. Baking Soda Baking soda can cleanse the skin. It can be used in different ways to get rid of general and localized itch. • Add one cup of baking soda to the warm bathing water. • Soak your body in this water for at least 30 minutes • Pat dry the skin • For localized itching, make a paste of the three parts of baking soda with one part of water and apply to the affected area. 2. Lemon Juice Lemon juice acts as a cleanser and also has antiseptic properties. This can reduce the itching and prevent any infections of the skin. • Extract the juice from lemon. • Apply it directly on the affected area. • If you have scratched the skin this will cause a burning sensation, but it will heal the scratches and scars faster. 3. Essential Oils The itching of the skin caused by the dryness of the skin and some fungal infections can be easily removed using essential oils. Some of the essential oils such as lavender oil, rosemary oil, basil oil, clove oil, chamomile oil have anti- inflammatory and soothing properties which will alleviate the irritations. • Add essential oils to the bathing water. • Instead you can directly apply it on to the skin and wash it off after 30 minutes. 4. Olive, Sesame Or Almond Oil These oils reduce the dryness of the skin and relieve you from the itch caused by dry and flaky skin. This remedy will be extremely helpful in winter season. • Heat any of these oils and apply to the whole body or to the particular areas as required. 5. Coconut Oil This remedy will be extremely useful for night time itch. Coconut oil has antiseptic properties and it also moisturizes the skin. • Soak your body in warm water for 20 minutes. • Pat dry the skin and apply a thick layer of coconut oil on the dry skin areas. • Cover the areas with warm clothes and go to bed • You will be having an itch free-sleep at night and your skin will look very fresh the next day. 6. Apple Cider Vinegar This remedy can relieve you from itching more effectively. • Apply vinegar using a cotton ball to the affected areas • Add 2-3 cups of vinegar in the bathtub and soak your body for 15-20 minutes. 7. Aloe Aloe Vera gel can moisturize the skin and hydrate it. It will protect your skin from any infections. • Take the gel out of the fresh leaf of Aloe Vera and apply to the itchy skin • Let it dry for some time and wash it off with lukewarm water. 8. Honey And Milk Honey has anti microbial property and milk has anti inflammatory property. Honey and milk moisturizes the skin as well. • Make a mixture of milk and honey using equal quantities. • Dip a washcloth in this mixture and apply to the affected areas of the skin 9. Beeswax This remedy will be very effective for people suffering from itching due to psoriasis or eczema. • Mix honey, olive oil and melted beeswax. • Apply this mixture to the itchy areas of the skin when it is warm. • Repeat the remedy till you get relief from itching. 10. mint Mint has anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of menthol in it. Mint also has antiseptic properties • Boil 1 cup of mint leaves in 2cups of water • Allow the mixture to cool and strain it • Apply this mint tea to the affected areas of the skin 11. Basil The eugenol present in basil has anesthetic properties which help to relieve itching. • Prepare a brew of the basil leaves and water • Allow the preparation to cool and apply to the itchy skin 12. Cold Compress This is an easy way to reduce itching caused by bites or stings • Apply ice pack or washcloth containing ice to the itchy areas 13. Witch Hazel This astringent cleanses the skin and reduces itching. • Boil the bark of witch hazel in water and apply the cold mix to the skin • You can also use the witch hazel in the astringent form available from drugstore. 14. Oatmeal Oatmeal works as exfoliate and removes the dead skin cells. • Add 2 cups of oatmeal to the bath water. • Soak the body in this water or 15- 30 minutes. • Wash off with water after rubbing the skin. 15. Vaseline Or Petroleum Jelly Petroleum jelly helps to prevent itching caused by the dryness of the skin. Vaseline coating helps to hold the moisture within the skin. • Take a bath in hot water using mild soap. • When the skin is damp apply the Vaseline. Are you suffering from any kind of itching sensation? What are you waiting for? Stop scratching and try any of the above given home remedies to get rid of itching. Find out which method will be most suitable for you to get relief from the itch

Best Home Remedies For Chest Congestion

Best Home Remedies For Chest Congestion Many people suffer from chest congestion. This is a common problem and this condition indicates other health conditions or diseases. Chest congestion can be caused by ailments affecting the respiratory system, due to common cold or due to heart diseases. The feeling of tightness, heaviness or pressure in the chest region is considered as chest congestion. Breathing becomes difficult due to the tightness or pressure in the chest. There will be restarted air flow through the air passages. Chest congestion implies to the obstruction in the flow of oxygen in to the lungs. Since chest congestion actually indicates the underlying health condition it is necessary to seek medical diagnosis as some of the causes may be life threatening. The buildup of mucus or fluids in and around the lungs results in chest congestion. The inflammation in the lower respiratory tract is an immune response to any infection, allergy, foreign body, bacteria or virus. The mucus accumulates in the chest region causing congestion. The Causes of Chest Congestion There are a number of causes for chest congestion. They are • Common cold • Bronchitis • Flu • Asthma • Gastro esophageal reflux • Pneumonia • Pulmonary edema • Lung cancer • Cystic fibrosis • Airborne allergies • Heart problems Of these causes the most common one is common cold. The Symptoms Of Chest Congestion It is easy to identify the symptoms of chest congestion. The labored breathing and restricted supply of oxygen to the lungs due to chest congestion makes a person feel tired. Cough and chest pain are the common symptoms associated with the condition. Cough is the natural method through which the body tries to get rid of the accumulated mucus or phlegm from the lungs. The mucus in and around the lungs trap the pathogens and pollutants entering through the respiratory tract. The important symptoms of chest congestion are • Coughing • Shortness of breath • Chest pain • Runny nose • Labored breathing • Wheezing • Dizziness • Discomfort in the chest • Blood in phlegm • Crackling noise while breathing As chest congestion is a symptom of other disease or medical condition it may be accompanied by several other symptoms as well. If the chest congestion is caused by flu the associated symptoms include • Fever • Chills • Body ache • Malaise If the breathing of the patient becomes more difficult or if there is blood present in the mucous while coughing, the condition may be serious and it is better to get medical consultation. So, the symptoms of chest congestion mainly depend on the cause. The above symptoms either appear in isolation or sometime occur together. If you make sure that the chest congestion is not due to any serious health conditions, you can opt for home remedies for chest congestion. What Is The Role Of Chest Mucus? Mucus has an important role to play in our respiratory system. • They protect the walls of the respiratory system. • They contain antiseptic enzymes and immunoglobulins which protect the system from infections and lung irritants. • When we have infection of the respiratory system the mucus is produced in large amounts and the immunoglobulins present in it fights with the foreign bodies invading the system. • This mucous along with the dead immune cells and the invaded bacteria and virus is expelled out though coughing. Chest Congestion in Children Even small children suffer from chest congestion. They are more susceptible to infections which cause the chest mucus production. They are unable to clear the congestion or to avoid the discomfort. Try to reduce the mucus entering the chest of the children or babies by timely removal of the mucus buildup in the nose. You can use the home remedies for chest congestion removal if the problem is due to cold. Methods to Remove the Chest Mucus It is necessary to remove the mucus deposited in the chest region to get relief from chest congestion. Here are some tips to clear mucus from chest. • If you are a smoker, stop the habit. Smoking can aggravate the respiratory problems infections and lung problems. Smoking irritates the mucus membranes and causes the excess production of chest mucus. • It is necessary to treat nasal and sinus infections as early as possible to prevent chest infections and deposition of phlegm in the chest. • Some cough suppressants cause the build–up of phlegm in the lungs and this leads to prolonged chest infections. • Drinking plenty of warm water will loosen the phlegm and helps them to get removed from the system. • Practicing ‘pranayamam’ in yoga helps to improve breathing and increases the lung capacity. The Importance of Home Remedies for Chest Congestion The natural treatments or home remedies are extremely useful if the chest congestion is not due to any serious conditions or if the problem is not persistent. The chest congestion due to common cold or flu can be easily relieved by home remedies. • These remedies are effective in people of all ages. • In situations where the use of pharmaceutical products has to be avoided such as pregnancy home remedies are the best options. • They are safe to use as there are no side effects associated with it. • They are easily available Diet for Reducing Chest Congestion A weak immune system causes the infections like flu, pneumonia etc. consume a balanced diet to improve the immune system and to get rid of congestion. Diet rich in vitamin C and vitamin E can boost your immune system. The mucus production in the body can be reduced by proper diet. Avoid dairy products if you are having cheat congestion. Dairy products increase the mucus production. Onions, celery and garlic are effective in reducing mucus production in the body. Opt for warm foods when you are having chest congestion. Warm foods and drinks help to open the airways and this result in the easy elimination of mucus from body. Home Remedies for Chest Congestion Home remedies are the treatments which are used by people generation after generation and they are the best way to treat non- serious ailments. Here are some of the options that have been around for years to cure chest congestion. Onions Onions can be used cooked or raw for reducing chest congestion. You can use the raw small onions or the shallots along with sugar to thin the mucous present in the chest. Chew and swallow about 5-6 shallots along with sugar before you go to bed at night. You can also use the big onions sautéed or curried to treat this problem. This is one of the most effective home remedies for chest congestion. The sulfur and quercetin present in the onion helps to break down the mucus and eases the chest congestion. The next day morning you will be feeling better. Hot Water Whenever you feel thirsty drink hot water, anything hot will dissolve the thick phlegm associated with congestion. So, when you cough the phlegm will come out. You can also keep a hot water pack over the chest to ease of chest pain and to loosen the phlegm. Gargling with salty hot water for three to four times a day is also effective in reducing the mucus deposition. Chicken Soup This one of the common home remedies for chest congestion. Drinking hot chicken soup reduces the inflammation in the lungs. The black pepper used in soup reduces the production of mucus and soothes cough. Chicken soup helps to speed up the movement of mucus through body and it get eliminated quickly. Lemon and Honey Lemon and Honey is a well known cough suppressant. You can drink a teaspoon of honey alone or you can mix honey with warm water and drink it. This will reduce the congestion and cough for several hours. Honey has antibacterial properties which reduces the infection of the respiratory tract. You can mix a glass of hot water, a teaspoon of lemon juice and honey and drink it like tea. Breathing the steam helps to open up the nasal passages. Drink the mix three to four times a day to loosen the congestion. Black Coffee If you are suffering from cough and shortness of breath due to asthma attack then black coffee is good remedy for your problem. Drink one or two cups of strong black coffee to get relief from breathing problem. Do not drink more than two cups as more caffeine can create adverse effect in asthma patients. Excess caffeine can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Honey and Red Hot Chili Peppersoney and pepper are effective in reducing the thickness of phlegm and helps in the easy removal of the phlegm from the respiratory tract and from lungs. Honey again help in reducing the infections as they have antiseptic properties. Take half a teaspoon of powdered black pepper and mix it with honey to make a paste. Swallow this paste at least thrice a day to get faster relief from the chest congestion problem. Ginger Tea Ginger tea helps in reducing the inflammations in the respiratory tract as it has analgesic and antibacterial property. Ginger candies can be used to soothe the cough due to cold. You can also take powdered ginger along with honey to reduce the problem of throat infections and chest congestion. Increasing the Humidity of the Room To reduce congestion and cough and to breathe properly add humidity to the room used by the person with chest congestion. Running a humidifier at night in the room, adds more water vapor to the air. When this water vapor reaches the lungs, it helps to loosen the mucus and thus removal of mucus is made easy. Inhaling Eucalyptus Oil Eucalyptus oil also has antibacterial properties and analgesic properties. Heat water in a pot and add three to four drops of eucalyptus oil in to it. Cover your head as well as the pot containing the inhalation solution using a bath towel. This helps the vapors from the pot to reach in to your nostrils. Breathe in, to get the vapors into your lungs. Repeat this treatment twice daily to get faster result. Lemon Drink lemon juice mixed with hot water and salt for three to four times a day. The vitamin C present in the lemon improves the immunity of the body and helps the body to fight against the virus causing cold. The acidic nature of the lemon water also reduces the thickness of the mucus. Licorice Licorice is considered as a natural expectorant. Drinking tea made with ½ tsp licorice root thrice a day can soothe the irritated throats and inflamed lungs. If you have blood pressure, does not use this remedy. Increase the Fluid Intake Drinking more fluids helps to break up the congestion caused by mucus. You can take soups, juices or tea to increase your fluid intake. This prevents the mucus from coagulating. Coagulated mucus is difficult to get removed. When you drink more fluids, it will be easier to cough up the loosened mucus. Have Spicy Food When you have spicy food containing ginger, garlic chili or black pepper they act like decongestants. You can get rid of unwanted bacteria from the body using the spicy food. The spicy foods loosen the phlegm. This is the reason why you have a runny nose when you eat the spicy food. Parsley This natural herb helps to break up the mucus associated with cold and chest congestion. You can add this herb to a variety of dishes. They release the histamines which help in healing ailments. Most of these home remedies for chest congestion help in reducing the pain and discomfort caused by chest congestion. One has to find out which one is effective for them by using different remedies. Are you a person regularly suffering from the chest congestion due to common cold? Are you looking for best ways to get rid of the chest congestion without the use of prescribed or over the counter medicines? Try the above methods to find the most suited method for removing cough and chest congestion.

Home Remedies That Will Help In Getting Rid Of Erectile Dysfunction

Home Remedies That Will Help In Getting Rid Of Erectile Dysfunction What Is Erectile Dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction is the condition in which a man is unable to maintain an erection of the penis that is sufficient for sexual intercourse. It is also known as impotence. In some people erectile dysfunction occurs only in certain situations. A person may be able to get an erection while masturbating but fails to get an erection when he is with the sexual partner. There are many reasons for this condition. It includes narrowing of the blood vessels to the penis, changes in hormones, anxiety, depression, relationship problem or any injury. According to the cause of the erectile dysfunction different remedies are available. The erectile dysfunction caused by poor blood supply to the penis or due to anxiety and depression can be cured using various home remedies. In some men there will be erection which will last for hours without sexual stimulation. This condition is painful. It is necessary to consult the medical practitioner if the erectile dysfunction lasts for more than 2-3 weeks. The home remedies for erectile dysfunction are safe to try. Natural Home Remedies Getting Rid Of Erectile Dysfunction There are a few tried and tested home remedies that will help in easily getting rid of erectile dysfunction in men without any medication or surgery. 1. Drumstick Flowers in milk one of the easiest and cheapest ways to fight erectile dysfunction from home is to use a mixture of milk and drumstick flowers. It is said that drumstick has certain aphrodisiac properties and is quite effective home remedy for erectile dysfunction. • Add a handful of drumstick flowers in a glass of milk. • Heat the milk with the drumstick flowers until it boils. • Allow this mixture to cool down till it is lukewarm and then drink it. • Try his home remedy for one or two months continuously to see good results. 2. Carrots, Honey and Egg Another home remedy to treat erectile dysfunction and to develop sexual desire in men is to feed the person with a mixture of honey, egg and carrots. • Add 2 tablespoons of honey, a half boiled egg and half a cup of finely chopped or grated carrots in a bowl. • Mix this mixture very well and have it once every day. • Consume this mixture daily for 30 to 45 days and you will find great improvements in your sexual desire. 3. Ginger and Honey Mixture Ginger is a well known natural ingredient to treat a lot of health problems and it does wonders for erectile dysfunction also. • Take cleaned ginger pieces and crush it to make a paste. • Now, extract the ginger juice from this paste. • Take 2 teaspoons of ginger paste and mix it well with 2 teaspoons of honey. • Consume this mixture for three times a day for a month to see visible results. 4. Dried Dates and and Nuts Dried dates offer good strength to the body and have the ability to increase sexual drive in humans. • Mix a handful of dried date, pistachio nuts, almonds and quince seeds in equal proportions and then pound them into fine powder. • Mix this powder in a glass of milk and consume it daily to see effective results. 5. Black Raisins Black raisins are said to be a very good ingredient that helps in improving sexual vigor. • Wash about 30 grams of good quality black raisins in lukewarm water. • Now boil these raisins in 200 ml of milk and the raisins will get swollen. • Now eat these raisins and then drink the glass full of this milk. • Take this mixture for three times a day to see effective results. 6. Lady Finger with Candy sugar Lady’s finger is also known to be a wonderful vegetable that will arouse sexual desire in humans. • Mix 5 grams of the root powder of lady’s finger with a glass of lukewarm milk. • Add two teaspoons of candy sugar to the milk and mix well. • Consume this every day to see the symptoms of erectile dysfunction disappear. 7. Asparagus roots The white musli or dried roots of asparagus are known to be an aphrodisiac and will help in getting rid of erectile dysfunction easily. • Add 15 grams of dried roots of asparagus to a cup of milk. • Boil this milk and consume it when it is lukewarm. • Repeat this process twice a day to see satisfactory results. 8. Saffron Saffron is a well known ingredient that arouses sexual desire and also relaxes your nerves. • Consume saffron in food to increase sexual desire. • You can also add it to massage oil and apply it all over your body to relax your nerves and to drive sexual desire. 9. Garlic Garlic is known to be a really effective natural vegetable for sexual impotence. It is an antiseptic as well as an immune booster and can help people to improve their sexual activities. • Chew three to four raw fresh garlic cloves daily for effective results. • Eating garlic bread with a whole lot of grains will also help in improving sexual desires. 10. White Onions Onions are well known to have aphrodisiac properties and also help in enhancing libidos. • Peel white onion, crush it and make it a smooth paste. • Fry this paste in a teaspoon of butter and then add this mixture to a spoonful of honey. • You need to take this medicine on an empty stomach or you should not eat for at least two hours before taking this medicine. • With regular use, you will find remarkable changes in your attitude towards sex. 11. Relaxing Your Body • Try to have a relaxed mind when indulging in sex. • Too much of performance anxiety thoughts can make you a bad player in bed. • Try relaxation exercises like muscle relaxation and breathing exercises to calm your body and mind. This will help you to be a better performer in bed. 12. Quit Smoking • Try to use nicotine replacements like gums or electric cigarettes if you cannot quit smoking all of a sudden. • You will find yourself a better performer in bed once you quit smoking. 13. No Drink before Sex • Never drink before sex as alcohol has the ability to weaken your sexual functioning. 14. Vitamin A Rich Foods • Eat foods that are rich in vitamin A to help in reducing sexual dysfunction. This has to be done on a daily basis. 15. Fiber Rich Foods • A diet of fruits and vegetables that is rich in water soluble fibers will help in reducing the erectile dysfunction. Are you not getting the right mood to satisfy your wife in bed? Are you fed up of taking the ineffective pills and syrups in the market? Then, try out the above mentioned home remedies to easily get rid of erectile dysfunction problems.

Parkinson’s Disease – Signs, Symptoms & Siddha Treatment

Parkinson’s Disease – Signs, Symptoms & Siddha Treatment Causes : Deficiency of Dopamine, a neurotransmitter which produces smooth controlled movements is the major cause of onset of this disease. Slowly, neuro- degeneration occurs causing secondary symptoms like anxiety, stress, confusion, memory loss, dementia, depression, male errectile dysfunction etc. Symptoms : Main symptoms are : Rigidity : Stiffness of limbs and trunk which increases during movements. Muscle pain may be present due to rigidity. Cogged-wheel rigidity of upper limbs and Lead-pipe rigidity of lower limbs are seen. Bradykinesia : Weakness of muscles leading to reduced voluntary movements. Short- Stepping Gait or Shuffled gait with diminished or absence of arm swing seen. Mask like face, Indistinct speech. Patient tends to fall due to postural instability. Balancing of body becomes difficult. Diagnosis : Early diagnosis may be difficult and sometimes misinterpreted or inaccurately diagnosed but for a good treatment early and accurate diagnosis is very neccessary. On basis of medical history, symptoms, family history, types of medication, history of head trauma or any toxin exposure, neurological examination, this disease can be diagnosed. If any of the two symptoms among the triad i.e tremor, rigidity and bradikinesia is seen, Parkinson disease is diagnosed. Usually its starts on any one side of the body first. Treatment : No treatment or cure as per Modern Science. Therapies to increase Dopamine in brain or replace Dopamine resembling transmitters. Leva dopa (sinemet) is most commonly used and effective therapy for Parkinson as per modern science. Long term medication can produce side effects like painful cramps and involuntary movements. Other side effects include fluid retention in body tissues, drowsiness, constipation, dizziness, hallucination, nausea etc. Siddha Concept & Treatment : According to Siddha this disease is classified under Vatha ailment. It may be compared to ‘Sira-kamba Vatham’ or ‘Naddukku Vatham’ as per Siddha. The term ‘Sira-kamba vatham’ is used as degeneration of nerves in brain is caused due to derranged Vatha humour affecting Motor movements and muscle control. The term ‘Nadukku vatham’ is used for this disease due to its charecteristic feature or symptom ‘tremor’ which is seen even during rest. Siddha treatment has very effective response towards this disease. The symptoms gets well controlled and slowly with prolonged course of medication it is found that patients can even survive on minimum dose of allopathy drugs without any side effects. Basic line of treatment involves 3 steps : First and foremost step is to normalise the derranged vatha humour, there by correcting the 3 doshas. First and foremost way to normalise the vatha humour is to induce purgation. Drug of choice is done according to patient’s age, physical condition, disease etc. Then digestion has to be corrected. Second Step is administration of Internal medicine : Poonaikkali or Macuna pruriens : An internal medicine for parkinson disease is prepared from processed seeds of this plant as it contains natural dopamine, known as Poonaikkali Choornam. Dose: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon with hot milk twice daily. Amukkura Choornam : Siddha medicine given as Nervine tonic and general body nourisher. Poorna chandrodayam, Rasa gendhi mezhugu, Karisalai karpam, Thanka Parpam, Armugha chendooram, Ksheerabala thaila Capsules etc are other important medicines given for this. Third step or External Treatment or Thokkanam : Regular Varma massage of Head and body with oil like Ulunthu Thailam, Ksheerabala Oil etc along with steam bath allows the toxins to flush out of body and improve motor movements, reduce tremors and improve balancing the body. Advices : With proper treatment, most individual can lead long productive lives for many years.

Home Remedies For Treating Liver Disease

Home Remedies For Treating Liver Disease What Is Liver Disease? Any disturbances in liver function that can lead to an illness of a person is known as liver disease. The liver is the organ responsible for a number of critical functions in the body. When they get injured or diseased it will affect the proper functioning of the body. Liver disease is otherwise known as hepatic disease. The liver plays an important role in the metabolism of sugar, fat and iron. It produces bile which helps in fat digestion. It is also involved in protein production and the production of blood clotting factors. Symptoms of liver diseases include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, yellow discoloration of the skin known as Jaundice etc. It requires more than 75% of the liver tissues to be damaged to affect the function of the liver. The liver can easily regenerate the damaged cells but if more and 75% of the cells are lost, it may not be able to meet the needs of the body. Some liver problems can be treated with home remedies. Some may require medication and liver failure may require liver transplant. Home Remedies to Treat Liver Disease 1. Milk Thistle This herb is effective for a wide variety of liver diseases. There are evidences suggesting that this remedy is beneficial for viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, the toxicity caused by chemicals, mushrooms etc. • Take 900 milligrams of this remedy twice a day at mealtimes. 2. Apple Cider Vinegar This remedy helps to detoxify the liver. If taken before meals, it will help in metabolizing fat easily • Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in one glass of water • Add one teaspoon of honey to this mix • Drink this mixture three times a day to cleanse the liver 4. Amla or Indian Gooseberry This is one of the richest sources of vitamin C and it helps to keep the liver function at optimal level. Studies have proved that amla has liver-protective functions. • You can eat 4-5 raw amlas a day • Instead you can use them in salads or grate them and eat with curd and salt. 5. Licorice This is an excellent remedy for non-alcoholic fatty liver conditions. This remedy is used in siddha preparations to cure liver ailments. • Powder the licorice root • Make a tea by pouring boiling water into the powder • Keep it for a few minutes and strain the liquid • Consume this tea once or twice a day. 6. Turmeric Turmeric has antiseptic properties and also acts as an antioxidant. They can improve the liver health considerably. The antiviral action of turmeric prevents the multiplication of viruses causing hepatitis B and C • Include turmeric in your cooking • You can mix ½ tsp turmeric with milk and drink it every day • You can take half teaspoon turmeric mixed with 1 teaspoonful of honey everyday. 7. Flax Seeds The liver removes the hormones which are circulating in the blood. This causes strain for the liver. The phytoconstituents in flax seeds prevents the hormones from circulating in the blood and reduces the strain on the liver. • Use whole or crushed flax seeds on your toast or salads. • You can also use them along with your cereals. 8. Papaya Fruit Papaya fruit is an effective remedy for liver cirrhosis. This is one of the safest natural remedy for liver disease. • Add half teaspoon of lemon juice to two teaspoons of papaya juice and consume it every day • Take this mixture for three-four weeks to completely cure the problem. 9. Spinach and Carrot Juice This home remedy is also effective for liver cirrhosis • Mix half glass of spinach juice and half glass of carrot juice • Drink this natural juice every day for at least for three hours 10. Avoid Alcohol • If you want to keep your liver healthy avoid taking alcohol. Alcohol puts strain on the liver. 11. Avocados and Walnuts If you want to protect your liver from diseases include avocados and walnuts in your diet. • The glutathione present in avocados and walnut cleanses the toxins deposited in the liver 12. Apples and Leafy Vegetables Leafy vegetables stimulate the flow of bile and pectin present in the apple remove toxins from the digestive tract. This will help to protect the liver. 13. Drink Fluoride Free Water Drink plenty of fluoride free water. Water helps to cleanse your system. • Drink 10-12 glass of water daily to keep your liver healthy and free from toxins. 14. Exercise Regular exercise stimulates the proper digestion of food and the elimination of fat from the body. Exercise increases sweating which helps to remove the toxins through the skin. This relieves the strain on the liver. • At least 40 minutes of exercise for 5 days of the week is necessary to get the benefits. 15. Green Tea This is an excellent remedy for liver problems. Green tea contains high amount of catechins which supports the liver functions. • Drink 3-4 cups of green tea every day to get relief from liver disease and to protect your liver. Apart from these remedies, avoid the use of cigarettes and the excess use of iron supplements, if you want to protect your liver from diseases. Are you suffering from any kind of liver diseases? Are you looking for the home remedies to clear the toxins from the liver which are affecting the functioning of this organ? If you feel that your liver diseases is not a severe problem which requires immediate medical attention, you can opt for any of the above given home remedies. Not all home remedies work similarly for everyone, so by trial and error find out which one is effective for you.

natural foods to clean colon

[10 Foods To CleanseColon] Colon is the last and most important part of the #digestive system. It extracts the water and salt from solid wastes. To have a healthy digestive system then colon cleansing is very important. It also prevent colon cancer. Here we list the top 10 foods to cleanse the Colon 1. #Lemon : Citrus fruits are very effective in cleansing the colon, especially a lemon. Drinking a glass of lemon juice in the morning helps to cleanse and detox the body. 2. #Spinach : Spinach helps to protect the digestive tract from ailments and can cleanse the colon. 3. #Green #Tea : Green Tea is enriched with lot of health benefits. It will be good if we drink green tea to detox the liver. 4. #Legumes : Kidney beans and Lentils are good to cleanse the colon and promotes healthy digestive system. 5. #Whole #Grains : Grains are low in calories and cholesterol.You must include grains in your diet to cleanse the colon. Due to their high fiber content, it is also good for digestion. 6. #Avocado : The Omega-3 oils in the Avocado helps to cleanse the colon. The Omega-3 oils acts as a lubricant to the intestine walls and removes all the toxins and waste food particles. 7. #Fish : The Omega-3 fatty acids and oils in the fish helps to cleanse the system and also improves digestion. 8. #Garlic : Garlic is an herb which has lot of health benefits. It is also one of the foods for cleansing the colon. 9. #Fruit Juice : Fruit Juices are rich in fiber which helps in cleansing salts that detoxifies the system. So include fruit juices in your diet chart. 10. #Broccoli Sprouts : Broccoli Sprouts detoxifies the colon and keeps it clean. It also cleanse the liver and promotes healthy digestion.

Consuming sprouts is like eating live vegetable food. Think for yourself, how nutrient-dense a growing food could be…

Consuming sprouts is like eating live vegetable food. Think for yourself, how nutrient-dense a growing food could be… It is said that sprouts ‘represent the miracle of birth’. They are in the true sense, super foods. They are alkaline, whole, pure, and natural foods. It is inexcusable that though aware of their miraculous effects, we do not take full advantage of them. We scour departmental and organic stores, looking for health foods and recipes, but forget to eat ordinary sprouts on daily basis – considering them a poor cousin of high-fashion health foods. Sprouts are the cheapest and most convenient source of complete nourishment. They are food for long-term health and wellness. If consumed judiciously and chosen over other foods, they can prevent diseases and lifestyle-related ailments. Sprouting a seed enables it to produce an enormously enhanced bundle of nutrients. A sprout is at the transitional stage between seed and plant. It is, to put it simply, a baby plant. These are essentially pre-digested foods as the seeds’ own enzymes do most of the work. The nutritional changes that occur during sprouting primarily happen because complex compounds get broken down into simpler forms. This, added to development of some essential nutrients, constituents, and breakdown of anti-nutrients, makes the whole phenomenon of sprouting possible. Metabolic activity in dormant seeds is initiated as soon as they are hydrated during soaking. Sprouted seeds acquire natural increased digestibility and nutrients as compared to unsprouted seeds. They provide us with all the essential minerals and vitamins, and must ideally form a part of our daily diets. The sprouting process: On sprouting, grains, legumes, and seeds turn into super foods. They then become an extremely sound source of protein, fiber, and vitamin B. All edible grains, legumes, and seeds can be sprouted. The following are generally used for sprouting: Grains: Wheat (wheat grass is the sprouted form of wheat. It must be juiced. Soak hard wheat grains for 12 hours and then grow in soil. It will be ready in 12 days’ time), maize, ragi, barley, bajra. Seeds: Alfalfa seeds (sensitive to heat, ready in seven days), sesame seeds, radish seeds, fenugreek seeds (bitter in taste. To be mixed with milder sprouts to tone it down, ready in 9 days’ time), coriander seeds, pumpkin seeds, and musk melon seeds, groundnut. Legumes: Green gram, Bengal gram, chickpea, kidney beans, dried peas. Oats: (oat groats) to be used -- ready in 3 to 4 days), buckwheat, quinoas are foods which are lesser known as sprouts, but are at the same time, highly nutritious. They should be sprouted and consumed if readily available. Alfalfa is called the ‘father of all foods’ or the ‘king of sprouts’. It is highly rich in minerals like manganese and is also a rich source of vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. It also contains all the essential amino acids. Alfalfa contains most of the essential amino acids and has a higher concentration of calcium than milk. The lesser explored sesame seed sprouts are also said to be great source nutrients. They too, contain most of the essential amino acids and are high in vitamin E and vitamin B complex, apart from other nutrients. The sprouting process Firstly, one has to ensure that the seeds, legumes or grains will easily sprout. (For instance, soyabeans are said to become sour and do not sprout too well; and wheat has to be grown in soil). The seeds should be thoroughly washed and then soaked in fresh water overnight. The time span of soaking is mostly 12 hours, though it depends on the size of the seeds. Next morning the seeds should be rinsed and the water drained off. Soaking turns the seed soft and laden with water. They eventually germinate and become sprouts in two to three days’ time, depending upon the temperature and humidity. One should not soak the seeds for a longer period than required, as the seeds may rot and ferment. After they sprout, they should be stored in a refrigerator. Nutritional Benefits: The ISS (International Speciality Supply, USA) is a company that supplies sprouts to many countries. It describes in detail, the nutrient changes which occur during the process of sprouting. On sprouting, there is a tremendous increase in nutrients as compared to the dried embryo. The vitamins, minerals and protein content substantially increase with a simultaneous decrease in caloric and carbohydrate content. Pulses and seeds show a very low water content. This, however, tends to increase tenfold when converted into sprouts. The ISS elaborates that sprouted green gram (mung beans) have an 8.3 percent increase of water content over dried beans. Hence the nutritional value of sprouted and dried mung beans can be compared by multiplying the analyzed nutrients of sprouted mung beans by the factor of 8.3. Based on this criterion, the changes found in sprouted mung beans when compared with the figures for the beans in the dried state are as follows: Energy content - calories Decrease 15 percent Total carbohydrate content Decrease 15 percent Protein availability Increase 30 percent Calcium content Increase 34 percent Potassium content Increase 80 percent Sodium content Increase 690 percent Iron content Increase 40 percent Phosphorous content Increase 56 percent Vitamin A content Increase 285 percent Thiamine or Vitamin B1 content Increase 208 percent Riboflavin or Vitamin B2 content Increase 515 percent Niacin or Vitamin B3 content Increase 256 percent Ascorbic acid or Vitamin C content An infinite increase The increase in protein availability is of great significance. It is a valuable indicator of the enhanced nutritional value of a food when sprouted. The amazing fact is that sprouts are a food -- very easily available to all sections of society, and yet the biggest storehouse of all nutrients. The reduction in carbohydrate content indicates molecules being broken down during sprouting to allow absorption of atmospheric nitrogen and re-formation of amino-acids. The resultant protein is the most easily digestible of all proteins available in foods. Grains, legumes are nowhere even near to be considered a source of vitamin C. However, when sprouted, they reveal significant quantities of this vitamin. The infinite increase in Vitamin C or ascorbic acid derives from their absorption of atmospheric elements during growth. Sprouts supply food in a pre-digested form -- food, which has already been acted upon by enzymes and simplified. During sprouting, much of the starch is broken down into simple sugars such as glucose and sucrose by the action of the enzyme ‘amylase’. Proteins are converted into amino acids and amides. Fats and oils are converted into simpler fatty acids by the action of the enzyme lipase. Also, during sprouting there is s reduction in the gas producing quality of beans. Mainly oligosaccharides have been held responsible for gas formation. As the process of germination ends and sprouting begins, the content of oligosaccharides is reduced by 90 percent. The content of fiber and water increases tremendously, which is a boon for a healthy digestive system. Sprouts are a good source of chlorophyll, said to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They are highly beneficial foods for losing weight too. They keep one full for a long time and also prevent over-eating as one feels satisfied on consuming just a handful. Sprouts are an extremely inexpensive method of obtaining a concentration of protein, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Eating sprouts is the safest and best way of getting the advantage of complete nutrition. Cooking with Sprouts: Sprouts could be eaten in various ways, other than just the standard salads that we generally know of. They could be used in the following ways: To make hummus to be used as dips, for sandwich fillings (sprouted chickpea is best suited for this). To make healthy vegetables and curries. To be crushed lightly and added to pancakes, or used as a filling for pancakes. To prepare a variety of stir fries. To cook and serve with rice. To be added to yoghurts. To be juiced up (wheat grass is a sprout). To be dried and turned into malt. This is called malted flour. It is especially given to babies in the form of porridge as it is easily digestible and has a high nutrient density. Ragi malt (Red millet malt) is very commonly prepared in southern India. It’s highly rich in calcium and iron, and is relished by all age groups. The dry ragi sprouts are roasted with wheat, green mung dal, and almonds, and are then ground and cooked with milk and sugar. Malted multigrain flours are also readily available. They can be had as porridge, they can be mixed in flour, or can be added to various food preparations. Consuming sprouts is like eating live vegetable food. Think for yourself, how nutrient-dense a growing food could be… It is said that sprouts ‘represent the miracle of birth’. They are in the true sense, super foods. They are alkaline, whole, pure, and natural foods. It is inexcusable that though aware of their miraculous effects, we do not take full advantage of them. We scour departmental and organic stores, looking for health foods and recipes, but forget to eat ordinary sprouts on daily basis – considering them a poor cousin of high-fashion health foods. Sprouts are the cheapest and most convenient source of complete nourishment. They are food for long-term health and wellness. If consumed judiciously and chosen over other foods, they can prevent diseases and lifestyle-related ailments. Sprouting a seed enables it to produce an enormously enhanced bundle of nutrients. A sprout is at the transitional stage between seed and plant. It is, to put it simply, a baby plant. These are essentially pre-digested foods as the seeds’ own enzymes do most of the work. The nutritional changes that occur during sprouting primarily happen because complex compounds get broken down into simpler forms. This, added to development of some essential nutrients, constituents, and breakdown of anti-nutrients, makes the whole phenomenon of sprouting possible. Metabolic activity in dormant seeds is initiated as soon as they are hydrated during soaking. Sprouted seeds acquire natural increased digestibility and nutrients as compared to unsprouted seeds. They provide us with all the essential minerals and vitamins, and must ideally form a part of our daily diets. The sprouting process: On sprouting, grains, legumes, and seeds turn into super foods. They then become an extremely sound source of protein, fiber, and vitamin B. All edible grains, legumes, and seeds can be sprouted. The following are generally used for sprouting: Grains: Wheat (wheat grass is the sprouted form of wheat. It must be juiced. Soak hard wheat grains for 12 hours and then grow in soil. It will be ready in 12 days’ time), maize, ragi, barley, bajra. Seeds: Alfalfa seeds (sensitive to heat, ready in seven days), sesame seeds, radish seeds, fenugreek seeds (bitter in taste. To be mixed with milder sprouts to tone it down, ready in 9 days’ time), coriander seeds, pumpkin seeds, and musk melon seeds, groundnut. Legumes: Green gram, Bengal gram, chickpea, kidney beans, dried peas. Oats: (oat groats) to be used -- ready in 3 to 4 days), buckwheat, quinoas are foods which are lesser known as sprouts, but are at the same time, highly nutritious. They should be sprouted and consumed if readily available. Alfalfa is called the ‘father of all foods’ or the ‘king of sprouts’. It is highly rich in minerals like manganese and is also a rich source of vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. It also contains all the essential amino acids. Alfalfa contains most of the essential amino acids and has a higher concentration of calcium than milk. The lesser explored sesame seed sprouts are also said to be great source nutrients. They too, contain most of the essential amino acids and are high in vitamin E and vitamin B complex, apart from other nutrients. The sprouting process Firstly, one has to ensure that the seeds, legumes or grains will easily sprout. (For instance, soyabeans are said to become sour and do not sprout too well; and wheat has to be grown in soil). The seeds should be thoroughly washed and then soaked in fresh water overnight. The time span of soaking is mostly 12 hours, though it depends on the size of the seeds. Next morning the seeds should be rinsed and the water drained off. Soaking turns the seed soft and laden with water. They eventually germinate and become sprouts in two to three days’ time, depending upon the temperature and humidity. One should not soak the seeds for a longer period than required, as the seeds may rot and ferment. After they sprout, they should be stored in a refrigerator. Nutritional Benefits: The ISS (International Speciality Supply, USA) is a company that supplies sprouts to many countries. It describes in detail, the nutrient changes which occur during the process of sprouting. On sprouting, there is a tremendous increase in nutrients as compared to the dried embryo. The vitamins, minerals and protein content substantially increase with a simultaneous decrease in caloric and carbohydrate content. Pulses and seeds show a very low water content. This, however, tends to increase tenfold when converted into sprouts. The ISS elaborates that sprouted green gram (mung beans) have an 8.3 percent increase of water content over dried beans. Hence the nutritional value of sprouted and dried mung beans can be compared by multiplying the analyzed nutrients of sprouted mung beans by the factor of 8.3. Based on this criterion, the changes found in sprouted mung beans when compared with the figures for the beans in the dried state are as follows: Energy content - calories Decrease 15 percent Total carbohydrate content Decrease 15 percent Protein availability Increase 30 percent Calcium content Increase 34 percent Potassium content Increase 80 percent Sodium content Increase 690 percent Iron content Increase 40 percent Phosphorous content Increase 56 percent Vitamin A content Increase 285 percent Thiamine or Vitamin B1 content Increase 208 percent Riboflavin or Vitamin B2 content Increase 515 percent Niacin or Vitamin B3 content Increase 256 percent Ascorbic acid or Vitamin C content An infinite increase The increase in protein availability is of great significance. It is a valuable indicator of the enhanced nutritional value of a food when sprouted. The amazing fact is that sprouts are a food -- very easily available to all sections of society, and yet the biggest storehouse of all nutrients. The reduction in carbohydrate content indicates molecules being broken down during sprouting to allow absorption of atmospheric nitrogen and re-formation of amino-acids. The resultant protein is the most easily digestible of all proteins available in foods. Grains, legumes are nowhere even near to be considered a source of vitamin C. However, when sprouted, they reveal significant quantities of this vitamin. The infinite increase in Vitamin C or ascorbic acid derives from their absorption of atmospheric elements during growth. Sprouts supply food in a pre-digested form -- food, which has already been acted upon by enzymes and simplified. During sprouting, much of the starch is broken down into simple sugars such as glucose and sucrose by the action of the enzyme ‘amylase’. Proteins are converted into amino acids and amides. Fats and oils are converted into simpler fatty acids by the action of the enzyme lipase. Also, during sprouting there is s reduction in the gas producing quality of beans. Mainly oligosaccharides have been held responsible for gas formation. As the process of germination ends and sprouting begins, the content of oligosaccharides is reduced by 90 percent. The content of fiber and water increases tremendously, which is a boon for a healthy digestive system. Sprouts are a good source of chlorophyll, said to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They are highly beneficial foods for losing weight too. They keep one full for a long time and also prevent over-eating as one feels satisfied on consuming just a handful. Sprouts are an extremely inexpensive method of obtaining a concentration of protein, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Eating sprouts is the safest and best way of getting the advantage of complete nutrition. Cooking with Sprouts: Sprouts could be eaten in various ways, other than just the standard salads that we generally know of. They could be used in the following ways: To make hummus to be used as dips, for sandwich fillings (sprouted chickpea is best suited for this). To make healthy vegetables and curries. To be crushed lightly and added to pancakes, or used as a filling for pancakes. To prepare a variety of stir fries. To cook and serve with rice. To be added to yoghurts. To be juiced up (wheat grass is a sprout). To be dried and turned into malt. This is called malted flour. It is especially given to babies in the form of porridge as it is easily digestible and has a high nutrient density. Ragi malt (Red millet malt) is very commonly prepared in southern India. It’s highly rich in calcium and iron, and is relished by all age groups. The dry ragi sprouts are roasted with wheat, green mung dal, and almonds, and are then ground and cooked with milk and sugar. Malted multigrain flours are also readily available. They can be had as porridge, they can be mixed in flour, or can be added to various food preparations.

back aches

Home Remedies That Will Help You To Fight Backaches Backache is one of the most common problems that an average adult faces in his or her life. Although people of all ages can catch backache, it is most commonly seen among adults between the age group of 35 and 55 years. According to reports, nearly 80 percent of the Americans will experience lower back ache at least one time in their life time. There are quite a lot of people living with mild to moderate backache and take it as part of their life. But, if you are suffering from mild or moderate or even severe backache for a considerable period of time continuously, then it is advised that you meet a doctor or a physician to diagnose the problem and to take necessary treatments for the problems before it worsens. It is not a serious problem as other major health issues, but it can cause a lot of pain and make you feel really uncomfortable. What Is Backache? Backache is a medical condition where you feel stiffness or hold in your lower back area and this result in mild to severe pain and discomfort. It is not a serious medical condition, but if you have chronic or continuous discomfort or pain in your lower back, then it is advised that you get it treated by a physician or a doctor. Lumbago is the medical term for backache and it is defined to be mild or severe pain or discomfort in the lower areas of your back. You might experience sudden or severe backache known as acute backache or chronic backache that is mild to moderate pain in the lower area of your back for a considerable period of time, say two to three months. Lumbago is often seen to occur commonly in younger people who work in places where physical involvement is always needed. But, it can also be caught up by people in their retirement age. There are also chances for people to catch backaches if they are not used to lifting heavy objects. What Are The Causes Of Backaches? It is not possible to identify the exact cause of backache in a majority of the people suffering from this medical condition. The lumbago or lower backache can happen from different ways, either from a fall or due to lifting heavy objects or even due to wrong sitting postures. Experts believe that backaches occur depending on the way the bones, muscles and ligaments work together in the lower back area of human bodies. The aches in the lower back area of humans can be linked to • Ligaments around spine and discs • Discs between the vertebrae • Lower back muscles • Pelvic internal organs and abdomen • Spinal cord and its nerves • Skin around the lumbar area • Deformation of the natural spine curve • Damages to skeletons due to infection or tumor • Brittle bones Some of the other causes of backaches are: • Over stretching during exercises • Sitting for long hours • Driving for longer periods of time without a break • Pushing , pulling and lifting heavy things improperly • Overuse of the muscles due to rigorous workouts or repetitive movements • Standing for longer periods • Bending for longer periods Risk Factors That Trigger Backaches There are a lot of factors that are responsible for causing stiffness and muscle pull in the lower area of your back. Some of the risk factors that increase in the development of backaches in humans are: • Stressful job that requires a lot of physical work • Mentally stressful jobs • Depression and anxiety • Sedentary lifestyle • Overweight and obesity • Gender as backaches found to be more common in females than in men • Excessive smoking • Strenuous exercise not done in a proper way • Being pregnant • Trying different sexual positions you are not comfortable with • Long use of medications that are known to weaken bones Signs and Symptoms of Backaches A sign is something that a doctor finds out in a patient and a symptom is one that the patient feels and informs the doctor so that he can judge what the patient’s problem is. The main symptom for backaches is of course pain in the lower back area and sometimes pain that travels all the way to your buttocks, thighs and legs. In most of the cases, the signs and symptoms for backaches clear away after a few days. But, if you any of the following signs or symptoms is there with you for a considerable period of time along with your back pain, then it is advised that you meet a doctor. • Sudden weight loss • Swelling at the back • Fever and headache • Persistent back pain • Sleeplessness at nights due to severe back pain • Pain down to the thighs and legs • Peeing unintentionally • Pain from your back to your toes • Numbness around genitals, or buttocks or anus • Limitations in bending forward or leaning back • Joint pains • Neck pain and stiffness • Injury or blow to your lower back Diagnosis of Backaches Most of the causes of backaches are the normal causes which do not need any medical attention or visit to the physician. Backaches would die off all by itself or can be treated with over the counter pain killers and proper self care. But, it is advised that you meet a physician or a medical practitioner if you are not able to fight the backache and if the backache never seems to subside despite taking over the counter pain killers. The doctor will carry out the necessary examination and ask you a few questions to diagnose the problem and to suggest necessary treatments to get rid of your back aches. If your backache is mild or severe, then the doctor would suggest you to carry out a lot of home remedies to get rid of the back ache and to prevent the occurrence of backaches. Home Remedies for Backaches Exercise One of the best ways to prevent and reduce the backache you are suffering is to exercise. Swimming, walking and jogging will strengthen your muscles that will support your back. Some of the common exercises that you can do to strength your back muscles are: • Wall sliding exercise • Leg raising exercises • Bottom lifts Learn Correct Standing Posture Many people do not know the correct posture of standing and this can also cause an effect on your back. It is ideal to practice correct standing posture which is standing upright with head facing forward and the back has to be kept straight. It is also important for the legs and the feet to be perfectly straight when you are standing. Sitting Posture Nowadays, there are a lot of people who spend hours and hours sitting together in front of the computers and TV screens. • It is important for these people to maintain a proper sitting posture to avoid back aches. • It is important for you to sit upright and also to provide support to your back while sitting. • Your hips and the knees should be in level and the feet should be flat on the ground. Sleeping Posture A correct sleeping posture will help you to prevent backaches when you get up in the morning and is considered to be one among the many home remedies for backaches. Make sure that you use a mattress that is hard enough to support your body. • The mattress should be able to provide proper support to your spine and back area and also must support your buttocks and shoulders. • If the mattress is soft, place a hard board on the top of the bed and under the mattress to get firm back support. • Support your head with a pillow that does not force your neck to a steep angle. Ice the Back Area It would be ideal for you to apply an ice pack to the area where you suffer pain within 24 hours of feeling the back. This will make sure that there is no inflammation caused due to the injury to your back and prevent the nerves from carrying the pain signals to the brain. Place ice cubes in a plastic bag and apply it on the area of the skin covered with a thin towel. Leave the pack for 20 minutes and then take it off for 30 minutes and again place it for another 20 minutes. This will help in reducing inflammation and pain. Hot Bath If you are suffering from backache for two to three days, then it would be ideal for you to soak your entire body in a tub of hot water for about 20 to 30 minutes. This will help in improving the elasticity of the muscles in your body and reduce the stiffness in your lower back area. Increase Sleep Stress and strain and lack of sleep are some of the main causes of mild to moderate backaches. It would be better for you to get sufficient rest at nights in order to relax your back muscles. One best way to reduce back spasms is to lie with your side on the bed, with knees loosened and also place a pillow between your legs. If you like to lie on your back, then you can place pillows under your knees to reduce your back ache. Relaxation and Yoga Muscles in your body, especially in your back area tend to tighten up when you are in a lot of emotional stress and strain. The only way to get rid of this problem is to practice yoga and relaxation techniques. Meditation, deep breathing exercises and mild yoga for your lower back is one of the perfect home remedies for backaches. Massage the Back Area A simple and soft massage on the affected area of your back will do the trick for you. If you have an accommodating spouse or friend or partner at home, then you can ask them to slowly knead your back muscles. This will surely provide you with relief from mild backaches. Reduce Overweight If you are obese or overweight, then you are easy prey for backaches. It is important for you to cut down on oily and processed foods and concentrate on more intakes of fruits and vegetables to reduce your weight. Once you reduce your weight, you will find that your backache also has gone. Lifting Tips Most of the people suffer from backaches due to improper lifting of objects. Make sure that you give more stress on your knees and legs when you are lifting and do not try to lift weights by stressing your back. Also, make sure that you lift the weights very close to your body to prevent it from hurting your back area. Moving Things It is important for you to remember this simple technique while moving heavy objects. Make sure that you only push things to the desired position and never indulge in pulling things to its position as this will put a lot of stress on your back. Wearing Right Shoes Shoes play an important role in providing comfort not only to your feet but also your back. Flat and thin soled shoes are prone to increase back pain. Always buy shoes that offer arch support and have soft or rubber material under the heels so that the sole absorbs the shock when you walk or run. Eating Garlic Consuming two or three cloves of garlic on empty stomach is considered to be the best home remedies for backaches. You can also use garlic to massage the back areas where you feel stiffer. Increasing the quantity of garlic in your foods will also help in preventing mild backaches. Herbal Oil Massage One of the best home remedies for back aches is to massage your back with herbal oils. Any herbal oil like coconut oil or eucalyptus oil or almond oil can be used. You need to first warm the oil and then use it to massage your back areas where you feel stress or strain. Make sure that you massage the area gently. This will help the muscles to relax and you can get good relief from our backache.

Best Home Remedies For Morning Sickness

Best Home Remedies For Morning Sickness What Is Morning Sickness? In medical terms, the nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is known as morning sickness. “Morning Sickness” is one of the first signs of pregnancy and it not only occurs in the morning. It can happen any time during the day, but in some women the vomiting sensation is worse in the morning hours. The symptom is reduced over the course of the day. The intensity of nausea and vomiting will be different in each pregnant woman. Half of the pregnant women experience both nausea and vomiting during the early stages of pregnancy. One quarter may suffer from nausea alone. How Long It Last? In most of the pregnant women the nausea starts around the 6th week of pregnancy, but in some women it can start as early as 4th week. It gets worse for the next one month. Most of the women having morning sickness will get complete relief within the 14th week of pregnancy. For some women it will take another one month or so to ease up the problem. The condition may return at any stage of the pregnancy. In some women morning sickness may persist throughout the pregnancy period. Does It Need Medical Attention? Morning sickness is considered as a common problem which lasts only for a few weeks or months. The problem is that even the mild nausea makes you feel tired and if the problem is there throughout the day the woman gets exhausted. If the problem is not very severe you can try some home remedies for morning sickness. In some rare cases morning sickness can become lead to a severe condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. The woman has to be hospitalized and treated with intravenous fluids and medications in such cases. What Are The Symptoms? • Feeling of nausea and vomiting, especially in the early morning • You pass less amount of urine • Unable to keep down the liquids you drink • Feeling dizzy when you stand up • Increased heart beats The Causes of Morning Sickness The exact reasons for the nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are not known. The physical changes occurring in the body of the pregnant woman are considered to be the possible reason for the sickness. • One of the prime suspects in causing nausea is the human chorionic gonadotropin. It has been found that nausea is at the peak when the level of this hormone is at the maximum. • In women carrying multiple children, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin is more and they experience higher level of nausea and vomiting. Another major cause for the morning sickness is estrogen hormone. • The level of estrogen is more during early pregnancy, which corresponds with the occurrence of the symptom. • Some researchers think that estrogen hormone increases the sense of smell and sensitivity to various odors during pregnancy. Some odors can trigger the nausea and vomiting. • According to some researchers, the gastrointestinal tract of some of the women are more sensitive to the changes happening during the early stages of pregnancy and hence the symptoms. In some women the morning sickness may be due to the increased stress during pregnancy. Are Some Women More Prone To Morning Sickness? If you are a woman belonging to any of the following groups you are more likely to experience morning sickness. • If you are carrying twins or multiples, the higher level of hormones can cause the sickness • If you suffered from morning sickness in the first pregnancy • If you had nausea and vomiting while using birth control pills • If you are a person with motion sickness • If you have a family history of the problem. If your mother or sisters experienced the morning sickness during their pregnancy period • If you have a migraine headache history • One study found that 50% of the women carrying a girl had severe nausea and vomiting Will Morning Sickness Affect The Baby In Anyway? Mild or moderate morning sickness in the first trimester does not threaten the well-being of the baby. It is not a problem even if you fail to gain weight during the first trimester. You should however keep your body hydrated and should be able to hold some food down. If you are suffering from severe nausea and vomiting you may not be getting sufficient nutrients, you may need to take prenatal vitamins. Prolonged vomiting has a greater risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Available Treatments There are different treatments available which will help to alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness. This includes acupressure, hypnotherapy, reflexology, acupuncture etc. • Acupressure- Pressing the particular points in the body helps to reduce nausea. This point lies in your wrist and there are acupressure wrist bands available without any prescription. The effectiveness of this method is not proven. According to the researchers this band only has a placebo effect. • Hypnotherapy has been found effective in vomiting caused by anxiety, fear and stress. There is no evidence to prove that hypnotherapy can reduce morning sickness. However some women find relief from the problem through hypnosis. • Acupuncture- this is another method which claims to help in treating morning sickness. This method works for some women and the effectiveness is not proven. You have to approach an acupuncture therapist to do the treatment. The stimulation using needles can cause skin irritation in some people. • Reflexology – this treatment should be done by a registered and experienced practitioner. Your symptoms may worsen if the reflexology is not done in the proper way. Moreover this treatment is costly and is not covered by insurance policies. Home Remedies for Morning Sickness Though there is no permanent cure available for morning sickness, some home remedies help you to overcome the unpleasant feeling. Some of the important home remedies for morning sickness is discussed below. Avoiding Large Meals Large meals are difficult to digest and there are chances of throwing up. It is easy to keep down small meals. So, it is better to opt for small, frequent meals .Eat at least 5-6 times a day rather than having three large meals. Do Not Leave the Stomach Empty Empty stomach can trigger morning sickness. When your stomach is empty the acids in the stomach has nothing to digest and this will bring on the nausea feeling. • Nibble some snacks you like, when you get up in the morning before you get out of your bed. • You can consume some in the middle of the night if you feel nauseated. • Get out of the bed only 20-30 minutes after you take the snacks. This will reduce the intensity of morning sickness. Carefully Choose the Food If you have morning sickness tries to avoid foods that are difficult to digest. It is better to opt for low fat foods which have more carbohydrates and proteins in it. Complex carbohydrates like bread, pasta, potatoes are easier to digest and give a soothing effect. Avoid spicy or acidic foods and fried foods which will irritate the digestive tract and makes you throw up. Do Not Lie Down As Soon As You Finish Eating Avoid lying down immediately after having your meal. Do not especially lie on your left side. Lying down will slow down the digestion process and trigger nausea. Avoid Smelly Foods Some women do not like a particular food smell when they are pregnant and it will trigger vomiting on them. • Avoid foods which have a smell that triggers nausea. • Eat foods which are appealing to you. Do not consider whether it is a balanced diet or not. This is extremely important if you are having severe morning sickness. Eat Food at Room Temperature Hot food items have a stronger aroma and this may trigger the nausea and vomiting. Hence try to eat food which are cold or at room temperature to avoid your sufferings. Ginger Tea Consuming ginger tea is one easy way to soothe the stomach. Ginger tea is very effective in reducing morning sickness as well as motion sickness. Sip some ginger tea when you feel that you are nauseated. Herbal Tea There are different types of herbal tea which will reduce the problem of morning sickness. Tea made with lemon, chamomile and peppermint are usually used for this purpose. You will have to find out which one works better for you. If you suffer from heartburn avoid using peppermint tea. Fennel Seeds Fennel seeds help to reduce the vomiting sensation. Chew on some fennel seeds when you feel queasy. Always keep some near your bedside, if you are suffering from morning sickness. Drinking Water Another home remedy for morning sickness is drinking water every one hour. • You can drink water even when you get up at night to visit the bathroom. This will reduce the concentration of stomach acids and also helps you hydrated. • When the concentration of the acids in the stomach gets reduced, you will get to relive from the nauseous feeling. • Your urine should be clear. If your urine is dark, you are not getting enough water. Lemon Women with morning sickness can either sniff the smell of sliced lemon or they can take some lemon juice with water to prevent nausea. You can also use ginger ale, without fizz. Most of the sour drinks help you to keep down. Brush Your Teeth Always brush your teeth after meals and after vomiting. This will remove the distaste from the mouth and also keep away the tendency to vomit. Avoiding Triggers Other than Food There are many non-food factors which may trigger the nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. The smell of certain perfumes, flowers, stuffy rooms, car rides and certain visual stimuli, all these can trigger nausea. Moving away from the stimuli is the best option to avoid vomiting. Try Liquid Diet When the morning sickness is at its worst, try having lsiquid diet which will ease your stomach. Try to get the essential nutrients from juices, soups and other drinks. Breathe Fresh Air If you are living in unpolluted areas you can open your windows to allow fresh air to come inside the room while you are at home or at your work place. Fresh air can make you feel better. Avoid the smell of cooking foods and cigarette smoke. Walking Getting mild exercises help to reduce the symptoms of morning sickness. Walking improves digestion and helps in the proper circulation of blood as well. Stay Away From Molds and Chemicals The smell of mold and the strong smell of chemicals can cause nausea. Keep away from petrol, diesel, ammonia, exhaust fumes etc. Avoid Sudden Movements of the Body Care should be taken to avoid sudden jerky movements of the body like when you get out of the bed. Sit on the bed for a few minutes and then slowly get down. This will help to prevent the nausea feeling. Frozen-Fruit Bar Continuous vomiting can remove the sugar from your body. When you chew on the fruit bar, you will be replacing the sugar needed by the body. The flavor of the fruit bar will also suppress nausea. Take Rest When you are tired, nausea gets worse. So take rest and relax whenever you can. Indulge in activities which will help you to forget about the discomfort, like talking to your friends, watching TV, etc. Yoga and Meditation If stress is the reason for your morning sickness you can try techniques like deep breathing, meditation, yoga or any relaxation exercises to reduce stress. When your stress is reduced your symptoms will automatically subside. What If The Symptoms Get Worse? If the symptoms get worse and if you are not able to drink or eat anything including liquid foods and water, you might be having hyperemesis gravidarum. See your doctor for medical assistance as your body will get deprived of the essential nutrients. Are you a pregnant woman suffering from the uncomfortable symptoms of morning sickness? Are you looking for home remedies that are effective and cheap? Then you can try some of the home remedies given above to find changes in your “sickness” condition

The Best Home Remedies For Eczema Scars

The Best Home Remedies For Eczema Scars What Is Eczema? Eczema is a skin condition in which the skin of a person becomes dry, itchy, cracked and reddened. This chronic condition affects both males and females and mainly affects children. It is also known as atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis. About 30 % of the skin diseases diagnosed will be eczema. Atopic eczema means inherited eczema. It can occur in any part of the body and it is a long term disease. The intensity of the disease increases at some stages in the life and it needs intense treatment. Eczema can be triggered as an allergic response to various substances and situations. The Causes Of Eczema Eczema is commonly found in people with a history of atopic diseases such as asthma, hay fever and other allergies. Usually 90 % of the patients develop the condition before reaching 5 years of age. The rashes begin on face, scalp, hands and feet. In adults the rashes are seen inside the knees and elbows, neck, hands and feet. Though the exact cause or the eczema attack is not known, it can flare up when exposed to certain triggers like • Allergens- this includes pet hair, dander, pollen, mold, foods such as eggs, nuts, dairy products, wheat, shellfish etc. These allergens also trigger asthma and hay fever. • Skin Irritants- perfumes, household chemicals, harsh soaps, alcohol containing skin- products, tight clothing, wool are the main skin irritants. • Climatic Conditions- excess heat and low or high humidity triggers eczema. The dry skin conditions during winter also triggers the flare-up. • Water- hot baths and hard water trigger eczema. • Cold Or Flu- infections of the body triggers eczema • Stress- when the stress increases the dryness of the skin and itching increases. • Foods –certain foods cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. The food items which may cause allergy includes cow’s milk, eggs, nuts, soya, wheat etc. • Hormones – there are reports that eczema symptoms in women worsen during the menstrual cycle. About 30 % of the women have flare ups in the days preceding the periods. About 50% of the women with eczema experiences worse eczema symptoms when they are pregnant. This shows that the hormonal changes affect the symptoms of eczema. The Symptoms When the person is having eczema and there is no flare up the symptoms are as follows • The skin feels dry • Some areas of the skin appear cracked • The skin in particular areas becomes itchy and may appear as raw if scratching is uncontrollable • The itching increases at night • Thickened areas of the skin due to scratching • Some areas of the skin become red and inflamed • Some of the inflamed areas of the skin develop blisters and starts oozing liquid • The skin develops red, brown or gray colored patches • There will be bumps appearing on the skin When the patients have a flare up of the eczema, the above symptoms will be there and some new symptoms also appear. The symptoms that are developed during flare-up includes • The skin becomes extremely itchy • The itching and scratching makes the skin appear redder, raw and more sensitive • The skin becomes more scaly and drier • The affected areas become hotter • Skin develop blisters • The raised bumps will become more prominent and may leak fluids • Bacterial infection o0f the affected areas occurs How Does Eczema Affect Your Life? Eczema is a frustrating condition and causes stress. • In people with severe eczema the daily life will be challenging and very uncomfortable. • The intense itch cause loss of sleep and keep the children off from attending school and the adults from work. • The person will not want to mingle with others as they are embarrassed about the skin condition. • They won’t be able to enjoy the pool or sports activities as chemicals in the water and sweating can trigger flare-ups. Eczema puts the person in a vicious circle. The diseases start with unpleasant itching and the scratching cause the itch to worsen. The patient will scratch more causing the skin to bleed. The life becomes really challenging for the affected people. The diseases result in scars which make people embarrassed about their condition. There are home remedies for eczema scars which will help to remove the scars. Goals Of Managing Eczema You need to make smart choices and follow good routines to manage eczema effectively. The main goal of managing eczema includes • Maintaining healthy skin • Avoiding flares of the symptoms • Relieving the symptoms quickly when the flares occur Managing Eczema Good skin care is the most important thing needed to manage eczema. Some things which help to manage eczema includes • Regular Bathing- this helps to keep the skin hydrated and removes the crusts of the inflamed skin. It also removes the germs and dirt from the affected area. Do not use harsh soaps while bathing. Do not scrub or wipe the water aggressively. • Use Moisturizers- moisturizing using natural items to reduce dry skin. This is one of the best ways to keep eczema under control. Hydrating the skin reduces itching and irritation. • Cotton Dress- using cotton dress reduces itching • Cut Your Nails- this will do less damage to the skin when you scratch the skin • Keep Hydrated- drink at least 8 glasses of water to keep your skin hydrated. • Temperature Changes -Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Treatments And Medications For Eczema The treatment to be provided for eczema depends on the severity of the condition. For minor conditions home remedies for eczema scars are helpful. There are various topical creams available for treating mild eczema condition. Severe eczema results in scars which are difficult to remove. It may require strong –cortisone products to treat severe eczema conditions. Home Remedies For Eczema Scars There are many home treatments which will provide you relief from the itch and pain associated with eczema. They also help to reduce the unsightly scars. Here are 12 effective home remedies for getting rid of eczema scars. Oatmeal Bath Oatmeal bath is very effective in reducing the scars of eczema quickly. Take 1-2 cups of ground oatmeal add to warm bathing water. Use this water to soak your body for 20- 30 minutes. Pat dry the skin, after 30 minutes. Use this remedy two- three times a day for better results. Honey This remedy has excellent ability to remove all types of scars. The antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties to help you reduce any skin problems. Wash the area with rashes and apply honey directly on the rashes. You can also make a body scrub using honey and sugar and scrub the affected areas of the skin. Rinse off the honey or the scrub after 20-30 minutes with cold or warm water. Repeat the treatment daily to heal the scars of eczema. Shea Butter Shea butter contains vitamin A and vitamin E. These vitamins help to maintain the health of the skin. This remedy moisturizes skin and rejuvenates the skin when applied on the affected areas. This will make the scars to vanish. For getting quick results apply the remedy at least twice a day. You can also use Shea butter along with lemon juice. Mix 2 parts of Shea butter with one part fresh lemon juice and apply this paste on the affected areas. You can leave it on the skin overnight. Aloe Vera Take the gel from the fresh leaves of aloe Vera and apply it on the scars. This will reduce the dark scars of eczema. You can alternatively use it with vitamin E oil. Apply the remedy on the skin and leave it overnight. Next day morning use warm water to wash it off. Apply this remedy regularly to make the scars vanish. Lemon Lemon juice has acidic properties and kills the bacteria that will infect the skin. They also act as bleach and lighten the color of the scars. The vitamin C present in the lemon juice will help the skin to produce new cells. You can use lemon juice for the treatment of scars in different ways. You can either apply the fresh juice directly on the skin or you can mix the juice with sugar and use it for exfoliating the skin. This will remove the dead scar cells. Drinking water with lemon juice added to it helps to remove the toxins from your body. This makes healing of scars faster. Apple Cider Vinegar The antifungal and antibacterial properties of this home remedy help to prevent the flare up of eczema and also help to reduce the scars. Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of honey in one glass of water and drink it thrice a day. This home remedy will increase the immunity of the body and helps in reducing inflammation and scarring. You can also apply apple cider vinegar on the affected areas by diluting it with 1 part water the dryness and itchiness of the scars can be reduced by this method. Fish Oil If you want to minimize the scars caused by eczema, you should regularly take fish oil capsules. The fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids which help to reduce inflammations in the body. This helps to reduce the eczema scars. It is necessary to take a daily dose of 1200 milligrams three times a day to fade away the scars left by eczema attack. You can also consume foods enriched with fish oil to treat the scars. Olive Oil This is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and it reduces the inflammations caused by eczema. It softens the skin and reduces the skin color. It is necessary that you use extra virgin olive oil to get the proper result from the remedy. Apply the extra virgin oil directly on the scars. Leave it on the skin for a few minutes. Wipe away the oil using lukewarm water. Coconut Oil The virgin coconut oil has antiseptic properties and it also moisturizes the skin. Rub virgin coconut oil on the affected areas many times a day. This is one of the most effective home remedies for eczema scars. Nutmeg Powder Add water to powdered nutmeg and make it a paste applies the paste to the affected skin. Repeat the treatment regularly to lighten the skin. Vitamin E Oil Break open Vitamin E capsules and apply the oil contained in them on the affected skin. Avoid synthetic vitamin E. Read the labels of the capsule before buying it. You can also make a paste of vitamin E rich nuts like almonds and walnuts and apply it on the calloused skin. This remedy helps in itch reduction and removal of inflammation. The oil present in the nuts softens the skin and the granules exfoliate the skin removing the dead scar cells. Cocoa Butter This natural remedy helps to restore the damaged skin and get rid of the scars. Use pure cocoa butter and avoid beauty products containing the cocoa butter. The other ingredients in the product may aggravate your eczema. The cocoa butter moisturizes the skin when applied daily on the scars. Baking Soda Make a smooth paste of baking soda with water apply it on the affected skin and gently massage for two minutes. Rinse of the mix with lukewarm water. You will find an instant reduction in the redness and inflammation around the scars. Sea Salt Bath Take a bath with water having sea salts added to it. This offers the perfect cure for eczema scars. Soak yourself in salt water for at least 20 minutes. Salt helps to heal the cracks in the skin and will help to remove the infections and inflammations. Regular use of this remedy will remove the dirt scars from your body. Apart from these home remedies, take measures to prevent the flare up by changing your diet, soaps and detergents and the clothes you wear. Apply Vaseline on the affected areas after the bath this will prevent dryness of the skin. Are you worried about the dirty scars caused by eczema on your body? Are you on the lookout for best home remedies to treat the scars? Then, try the above said remedies and find the difference it makes to your skin.