Archive for January 2008

Pimples

Pimples are serious adolescence problem of the skin. They appear on the cheeks, forehead and nose and spoil looks. Pimples are almost developed in young adults and teenagers due to the inflammation of skin. The acne home remedies listed below have worked for many people, but they may not work for some people. Pimples can be removed by taking enough vitamins, calcium, fruits etc. Try out these home remedies to cure pimples.

Pimples Home Remedies
Mix 1 tablespoon groundnut oil with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples.

Another overnight home remedy for zapping a zit is to put a dab of toothpaste on it to help dry it out. You may need to test this on a short-term basis to make sure it doesn't irritate your pimple. Calamine lotion will have the same drying effect.

Honey is a great remedy for pimples and acne. It kills bacteria and leaves the skin pimple free.

A common home remedy for pimples is toothpaste. Use the paste variety, not gel and gently apply a small drop directly on top of the blemish and let it dry. This will draw the pimple out and leave you blemish free. If left on too long, the skin may become irritated.

Juice of raw papaya is the best treatment for pimples. Apply fresh juice of raw papaya on pimples and get a good result.

Take a raw potato, peel and grate it. Put the grated into a muslin piece and tie it tightly to form a pad. Rub this pad all over the face in the firm, circular motions for about 5 minutes and then wash your face. Alternatively you could directly rub potato slices all over the face, Helps to get rid of blemishes and pimple scar.

Take a few pods of cloves and roast them dry in a pan. Powder them and add a little curd to make be a paste. Dab the paste on the pimples and let it dry. Wash off. Use this treatment regularly if you are prone to pimples. It is especially good for people who have an oily skin. The roasted cloves help to dry up the pimples faster.

A few handy tips for those who suffer from pimple 'attacks'. Drink plenty of water and vegetable or fruit juices. Use cucumber or other fruit and vegetable packs to cure pimple scars. Maintain a diet that is rich in cottage cheese, fish and yoghurt. These help to cleanse your system and ward off pimples.

Pimples treatment using Zinc
Another useful remedy for acne and pimples is zinc. It should be taken in a dose of 50 mg daily for a month to reduce pimples. Then you can reduce the dose if noticeable improvements are seen on your skin.

Pimples treatment using Orange peel
Homemade Pimple Treatment using Orange peel has been found very effective. Pound the orange peel with water on a piece stone and apply to acne affected areas.

Mix equal amount of lemon juice and groundnut oil to form a paste. Apply on face and leave for 15 minutes and then wash off with water. Another good remedy to prevent pimples.

Marigold petals crushed with a little castor oil can bring the zit to its head quickly. To suppress it, sandalwood paste with holy basil leaf helps.

To avoid transferring bacteria and germs, clean your pillowcase, washcloths, towels, make-up brushes and applicators frequently.

Apply fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk as a face wash for acne, pimples, blackheads, and cracked skin.

Make a paste by mixing 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever.

Use of sulphur soap is effective in keeping the oil glands clean and thus reducing pimples and acne. Grease can be removed by the use of lemon juice or camphor­spirit.
Blend cucumber and make a paste. Apply this as a mask on your face and leave it for 1/2 hour and then rinse. This refreshes your skin and prevents acne.

A mask of grated apple mixed with a little honey is an excellent remedy for pimples. Most facial masks can be applied to the skin for 15-20 minutes then washed off with warm water, followed by a cold rinse.

Avoid consuming ghee, butter oils and sweets.

The Pimple affected parts must be thoroughly cleaned and wiped with a soft towel.
Cleanse the face free of make-up at night and before going to bed.

Fuller's earth (multani mitti) pack is an effective means to control pimples.
Daily intake of a spoonful of honey mixed with rose water clears the skin.
Too much fingering and bursting of pimples causes septic and may leave behind permanent marks and damages to your looks.

Grind Neem leaves and turmeric. Mix with water to make a paste. It should be rubbed on the pimple or scars, this helps clear away the spots.

Carbohydrate foods with low glycemic index or a low GI diet can improve acne by 50%.

Grind nutmeg (jaiphal) with unboiled milk and apply on acne for 1-2 hours. This works as a magic. Pimples should disappear without leaving a mark.

Make a paste by mixing honey and cinnamon powder. Apply this paste onthe pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever.

Apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder. Note that this remedy is not for sensitive skin.

Make orange peel paste by grinding it in some water. Apply on and around pimples.

Rub fresh garlic on and around pimples. Pimples will disappear without a mark with regular applications.

Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.

Ground drumstick pods and leaves and mix mixed with fresh lime juice, and apply on pimples. This is also good for blackheads and dark spots.

Mix groundnut oil with an equal amount of fresh lime juice and apply on face. Leave for 10-15 minutes and wash. It may be applied daily to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples (acne).

Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling pimples or acne.

Mix lime juice and rose water in equal portions. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Apply ripe tomatoes pulp on acne pimples and keep upto 1 hour, then wash.

Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomegranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over boils, acne, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.

Apply grated potatoes as poultice to treat skin blemishes, wrinkles, boils, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads , etc.

Make a paste of sandalwood with rose water. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Make a paste of ground radish seeds with water and apply on face to remove blackheads.

Apply a paste of Ground Sesame seeds with water as poultice for inflammation of the skin due to allergies, skin rashes, and pimples - acne.

Apply a paste of fresh fenugreek (methi) leaves in water over the face every night and washed with warm water in the morning for preventing pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, dryness, and wrinkles.

Make a paste of ground orange peel with water and apply on the affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Make a paste of salt in vinegar. Rub it on the pimples. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Make a paste of turmeric powder in mint juice. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Drinking of wheat grass juice may remove acne.

How to reduce pimples:
· Regularly shampoo your hair.
· Avoid unnecessarily touching your affected areas.
· Change your dirty cloths , always wear clean and fresh cloth.
· Wash your face twice a day with mild soap.
· Avoid over make-up, only wear on special occasions.
· Try to minimize your stress levels.
· Keep a food diary to work out.


Warning: The reader should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on home remedies. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site. Never use any self treatment without being advised by a physician.

Jack-Fruit

Botanically, it is called Artocarpus heterophylla. It is an attractive tropical tree valued for its immense fruits and its timber. It grows 60 ft high & bears variable shaped evergreen leaves. The Jack-fruit, a member of the mulberry family (Moraceae), is native to eastern India & is extensively grown in tropical Asia. It has also been widely introduced into the American tropics.

Its fruit resembles bread-fruit but are of inferior quality. It is a staple food of tropical Asia. Jack-fruits are 12 to 20 inches long and 8 to 10 inches thick & commonly weigh 18 kg or more. The pulp of the ripe fruit is eaten raw. Green fruits, are very nutritious vegetable which is called inchar & is usually eaten in soups & stews. The ripe fruit is not very good for health as it may cause diarrhoea & even cholera. The ripe fruit is very dangerous & should not be taken more than 3 to 4 bulbs at a time during summer months. Its wood is valued for cabinet work.

Benefit & uses of Jack-fruit.

* The jackfruit root is a remedy for skin diseases & asthma. An extract of the root is taken in the cases of fever & diarrhea.
* Jackfruit provids a good supply of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins. Delicacies can be prepared from every part of the fruit.
* Contains 38% carbohydrates, 6.6% proteins & 0.4 g fats, vitamin A, C & certain B vitamins, & minerals like calcium, zinc, & phosphorous.
* Their health benefits are wide-ranging from anti-cancer.

Home Remedies for GROIN STRAIN

What is Groin Strain?
The abductor muscles are 5 in number, and start at the top of the thigh and extend to the inside of the knee. Microscopic ruptures or a major tear to the abductor muscles are called groin pulls or groin strains.

Symptoms of Groin Strain
1. After a quick movement or over-exertion, there is a sudden sharp pain in the upper inner thigh.
2. The strained area is extremely tender.
3. With continued movement and activity, there is increase in the stiffness and pain. In severe cases walking is painful and crutches have to be used for several days.

Causes of Groin Strain
1. Whenever you are involved in twisting, kicking actions, jumping or explosive running; when you run on a slippery surface or make a quick turn the abductor muscles maybe strained.

Home remedies for Groin Strain
1. Stop exercising the moment you experience pain in the inner thigh.
2. Apply ice for 10minutes to the sore spot, 3 to 4 times daily for 2 – 3 days.
3. Use an elastic support bandage to wrap the injured thigh.
4. Proper rehabilitation and strengthening of the muscles should be carried out, which may last for 2 weeks or as long as 2 years.

Preventing Groin Strain
1. Before beginning any exercise you should warm up properly. Gentle stretching along with the 2 strengthening exercises mentioned below also provides benefits.

1. Butterfly Stretch – Sit on the floor with a straight back and bent knees. Place the soles of your feet together and pull the ankles inward. Resting your elbows on the inside of your knees, lean forward from the waist, so that your elbows push your knees towards the floor. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds and repeat it 3 – 5 times

2. Hurdle Stretch – Stand with the healthy leg bent at the knee, toes pointed forward. Stretch the injured leg straight, out behind, flexing the foot so the toes point forward. As you bend the knee of the injured leg let your pelvis drop backwards towards the floor. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds and repeat it 3 – 5 times.



Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

8 Foods You Should Eat

Spinach
It may be green and leafy, but spinach is also the ultimate man food. This noted biceps builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the penis. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights age-related macular degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or ½ cup cooked per day. SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce FIT IT IN: Make your salads with spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip. PINCH HITTER: Sesame Stir-Braised Kale Heat 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp. sesame oil in a skillet. Add 2 Tbsp. water and 1 bunch kale (stemmed and chopped). Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds.

Yogurt
Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food's health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body, which boost the immune system and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic though, so make sure the label says "live and active cultures." Aim for 1 cup of the calcium- and protein-rich goop a day. SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast—or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips. HOME RUN: Power Smoothie Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.

Tomatoes
There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they're packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it's easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice. SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava FIT IT IN: Pile on the ketchup and Ragú; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe. PINCH HITTER: Red and Pink Fruit Bowl Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, 3 persimmons, 1 papaya, and 4 guavas. Garnish with mint.

Carrots
Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids—fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis—but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for ½ cup a day. SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango FIT IT IN: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake PINCH HITTER: Baked Sweet Potato Fries Scrub and dry 2 sweet potatoes. Cut each into 8 slices, and then toss with olive oil and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Turn and bake for 10 minutes more.

Blueberries
Host to more antioxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname "brain berry"). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or ½ cup frozen or dried. SUBSTITUTES: Açai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form. PINCH HITTER:

Black Beans
Açai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Mix 2 Tbsp. of açai powder into OJ or add 2 Tbsp. of açai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.

All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That's because they're full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily ½-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat. SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with ¼ cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes. HOME RUN: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with ½ cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.

Walnuts
Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts—about 1 ounce, or seven nuts—is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack. SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts FIT IT IN:HOME RUN: Mix 1 cup walnuts with ½ cup dried blueberries and ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks.

Oats
The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA's first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per ½-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy. SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice FIT IT IN:PINCH HITTER: Quinoa Salad Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in a mixture of 1 cup pear juice and 1 cup water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.

Bad & Unhealthy Skin

Determine Your Skin Type
There is no magic potion that can make ugly spots and pimples disappear overnight. But there are ways to rejuvenate the skin and bring it back to good health. Experts agree that taking regular care of your skin is the only way you can avoid problems and delay the ageing process. So cleanse, tone, moisturise and nourish your skin everyday. Within a week you will feel the difference. The skin has tremendous powers of self-regeneration when properly cared for and it is never too late to start.

Cleansing
Irrespective of the skin type, a thorough cleansing is a must. A film of dirt, stale sweat, oil deposits, stale make-up and other pollutants cover the skin and these are potent skin irritants. Cleanse your skin, according to your skin type. Splash your face with water then massage with a gentle face wash and work it up to a lather for about 30 seconds. A light massage will boost the supply of blood to the surface of your skin. Rinse until the soapy trace is removed. Pat dry your skin with a soft towel to absorb residual water from the surface of your skin.

Toning
Toning is again necessary for all skin types. It should follow immediately after cleansing. This helps in refreshing the skin. A good toning method is to keep cotton wool pads soaked in a bowl of skin tonic (any toner) in the refrigerator. After cleansing the skin, wipe with the skin toning pads and then pat the skin briskly with your finger tips. This stimulates the blood circulation. Gentle stroking movements can also be followed.

Moisturizing
The most important part of the skin care routine is moisturizing. Smooth your skin with moisturizing lotions. Dot lotion onto your face, then massage it with your fingertips using light, upward strokes. This will leave a protective film on the skin, allowing make-up to be easily applied and ensuring there is a balanced moisture content .

Nourishing
Nourishing is a way of supplying emollients to the skin so that it can hold moisture better and perform its other functions. Use nourishment cream with Vitamin A to relieve dryness and maintain skin elasticity.

Facials
One should go in for a facial at least once a month. But before going in for a facial it is advisable to sit with the beautician to determine the skin type, its sensitivity and the damage on the skin. Facials must suit the skin type. Facials meant for tightening the skin is not meant for youngsters. Avoid facials that involve bleaches and scrubs. Scrubs sometimes leave the skin with ugly tiny grains making it rough. You know that your facial is going wrong is when the skin feels extremely dry and patchy, so watch out for those symptoms.

Hair
Hair care depends on the type of hair and differs from person to person, but one important tip for everyone is to keep the scalp free of oil and dirt. People with extremely oily hair can wash it everyday, those with normal hair can wash hair twice or thrice a week, and people with extremely dry hair should go in for a deep conditioning treatment before washing the hair. Oiling hair twice a week is advisable for people with extremely dry scalp, while those with an oily scalp should oil their hair once in 15 days.