Healty Tips

TURMERIC REMEDIES

The marigold-coloured spice, known as Turmeric, which is revered in India as ‘holy powder’, has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other health problems. There has been increasing research into Turmeric’s main ingredient, Curcumin, and its astonishing array of antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibiotic, antiviral, and other, properties. Researchers have discovered that Curcumin acts by inserting itself into cell
membranes, and making them more orderly, a move that improves the cells’ resistance to infection and malignancy. It appears that Curcumin the pigment that gives Turmeric its yellow-orange colour, and which is thought to be responsible for many of its medicinal effects is able to ‘discipline’ cells, and get them back into working order.

The reason people in India refer to Turmeric as ‘holy powder’ is because it has such a broad range of health effects. In fact, Curcumin has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, with benefits that include:

TURMERIC REMEDIES
1. Pigmentation: Apply a little Turmeric, mixed with Cucumber Juice or Lemon Juice, to the affected area to reduce pigmentation. Leave on for 15 minutes, or more, and wash off. For best results, do this every day until you regain your skin tone colour.

2. Strong Bones: To strengthen bones, add Turmeric to hot milk, and drink before going to bed at night.

3. This will assist in curing numerous ailments, and reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis.

4. Pregnancy Stretch Marks: To prevent unsightly stretch marks, due to pregnancy, apply a mixture of Turmeric and Malai, or Turmeric and Curd, to your stomach and waist before going for a bath. Leave it on for 15 minutes, and then wash off.

5. Wounds: Sprinkle a bit of Turmeric with Honey (optional), on cuts, bruises, or scrapes, after a thorough wash, as the anti-bacterial action will prevent wound infections.

6. Arthritis: Turmeric can be used to reduce pain associated with Arthritis. Warm a cup of milk. Before it boils, remove it from the heat, and add in one teaspoon of Turmeric powder. Stir, and drink it (this can be done up to 3 times daily).

7. Reduce Fats: Regular use of Turmeric reduces fats, aids blood circulation, and purifies the blood.

8. Cosmetic Use: For dry skin, make a paste of Milk Cream (1/2 tablespoon), Gram Flour (1 tablespoon – available in Indian stores) and Turmeric (1/2 teaspoon), and apply it daily to your face to own glowing skin without any marks. Leave out the Milk Cream if your skin is oily. Make sure to scrub the paste into your face well, as it helps to remove blackheads too. Turmeric may also be mixed with Almond Oil and Honey to purify and nourish skin.

9. Cysts: Turmeric is very effective in resolving Cysts. Apply a Turmeric paste on the Cyst. The Cyst is, generally, resolved in about one month.

10. Joint Pain: Mix 1/8 teaspoon Turmeric, 3 Cardamom Pods (optional), 1/4 cup Water, simmer for 5-7 minutes, then add 1 cup of Milk, 2 tablespoons Almond Oil (cold-pressed). Bring just to boiling point (but do not boil). Add honey or maple syrup to taste, if desired. Sip slowly as a hot tea.

11. Cancer/Leukemia: No-one really knows the quantity required to treat cancerous conditions, however, it’s recommended to take at least 10 grams per day (5 grams twice a day), dissolved in fat. The Curcumin in Turmeric is not toxic, so why screw around with low doses (however, be aware of the side effects).

12. Digestion/Metabolism/Stomach/Dyspepsia/Indigestion: (a) For a digestive system ‘cleanse’, mix 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric with 1 cup hot Milk, allow mixture to cool, and then drink. (b) To balance digestion, add 1 teaspoon Turmeric to 1 cup of Yoghurt, and eat it right after lunch. (c) For Stomach Ache, mix Turmeric and Honey.

13. Anaemia: Every day, take a dose of 1 teaspoon of Turmeric juice mixed with Honey.

14. Asthma: Boil 1 cup of milk and add 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder. Drink warm.

15. Burns: Mix 1 teaspoon of Turmeric with 1 teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel, and apply to burnt area.

16. Conjunctivitis: Mix 1 tablespoon of crushed raw Turmeric in 1/3 cup of water. Boil and sieve. Use 2-3 drops of this mixture in each eye, up to 3 times per day.

17. Dental Problems: Mix 1 teaspoon of Turmeric with 1/2 teaspoon of Salt. Add Mustard Oil to make a paste. Rub the teeth and gums with this paste twice daily.

18. Diabetes: Take between 1/2 teaspoon and 1 teaspoon of Turmeric 3 times per day.

19. Diarrhoea: Take 1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric powder or juice in water (or with Yoghurt), 3 times per day.

20. Pain/Swelling: Mix 1 teaspoon of Turmeric and 2 teaspoons of Ginger with Water to make a paste.Spread over a cloth, place on the affected area (pain), and bandage. Also, add 1 teaspoon of Turmeric to 1 cup of Warm Milk, and drink before bed.

21. Other: Turmeric also assists Gallbladder, Premenstrual discomfort, Eczema, Endometriosis, Cataracts, Immune System, Melanoma, Heart/Cardiovascular conditions, Cholesterol, Liver, Colon, Coughs/Colds (take with Ghee), Alzheimer’s disease, Piles (Turmeric/Onion/Mustard Oil paste on rectal area), Allergies, Hayfever, Boils, Menopause, Heel Spurs, Bunions, Fatigue, Goiter, Sinus, Migraine/Headache, Obesity, Itching, Bruises, Inflammation, Eye Conditions, Respiratory conditions, and more.

22. Use Glutamine When Taking Turmeric: It is recommended to use Glutamine, at least 20 grams per day, with Curcumin, to make it maximally effective.

SEMINAL WEAKNESS AND PREMATURE EJACULATION

This is defined as ejaculation that occurs prior to penetration or ejaculation before the person and the partner achieve orgasm. This usually is a result of the sexual debility and excesses and is not an uncommon condition nowadays. It is often associated with a lot of anxiety that tends to aggravate the condition. Ejaculation, controlled by the central nervous system, happens when friction on the genitalia and other forms of sexual stimulation provide impulses that are sent up the spinal cord and into the brain.

SOME HOME REMEDIES

1. Avoid taking salty, sour, pungent and bitter things. Food ingredients having sweet and astringent tastes are usually administered. Meat, eggs, cow's milk and ghee prepared from it are useful for this condition.

2. Mixture of cardamoms (elaichi), almonds, butter and sugar is taken daily in the morning.

3. Powdered root of the herb ashvagandha is useful when taken in one teaspoonful doses twice daily.

4. Juice of onions is useful when given with honey.

5. Mixture of roasted husked gram and sugar is taken at night daily for a month.

6. Twenty to twenty-five tender fruits of the ladies finger (bhindi) are given in the morning.

RF FOR RENAL CANCER

Elderly patients with renal cancer and patients with comorbidities who are poor candidates for surgery do well after treatment with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and have few complications and recurrences, according to a new study.

"Nearly half of all renal cancers are now diagnosed incidentally because of the increasing use of imaging. For these patients, a conservative surgery has been developed to preserve renal function," lead investigator Pierre Balageas, MD, from Saint-André Hospital in Bordeaux, France, told Medscape Medical News.

However, Dr. Balageas, who presented the results here at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2013, pointed out that "there still are patients with small renal cancers who are poor candidates for surgery because of advanced age or comorbidities. For these patients, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation works well."

To evaluate the effectiveness of the approach, Dr. Balageas and his team retrospectively reviewed all T1a renal cancers treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation at a single centre from 2002 to 2009. A total of 93 patients (median age, 73.5 years) underwent the procedure.

The technique used depended on tumor size, morphology, and location. "Most patients were treated with computerized-tomography-guided ablation," but 2 were treated with ultrasound guidance, Dr. Balageas noted.

The survival analysis involved 62 patients (mean age, 69.5 years) with 71 tumors (mean size, 23.9 mm). Mean follow-up was 38.8 months.

After initial treatment of the tumors, the technical success rate was more than 95%. After the retreatment of recurrences, the secondary success rate was more than 98%.

There was no change in real function 2 and 6 months after the procedure. Rates of both tumor progression (~3%) and metastatic evolution (~10%) were relatively low, and median survival was 68 months, Dr. Balageas reported.

One year after radiofrequency ablation, more than 98% of patients were alive and free of disease; 3 years after, 92% were; and 5 years after, approximately 61% were.

"In our study, tumor site was the only independent factor predicting risk for residual tumor or in situ recurrence," Dr. Balageas said, "and all tumors less than 40 mm were completed ablated after 1 procedure."

Major complications occurred at a rate of 5.9% per session. Central location of the tumor was the only factor associated with an increased risk for complications.

"Our experience using radiofrequency for renal tumors is increasingly being helped, not only by our good results, but also by the treatment strategy established with members of our surgical team, who have become convinced of the benefits of this technique," Dr. Balageas observed.

Session chair Jurgen Fütterer, MD, from the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre in the Netherlands, who was asked by Medscape Medical News to comment on this study, noted that both radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation can be used to treat small renal tumors with curative intent.

"Not every patient with renal cancer is a candidate for radiofrequency ablation, but patients with localized disease who have a high mortality risk with general anesthesia are," he said.

Dr. Fütterer noted that the literature suggests that radiofrequency ablation has a success rate of ~80%, so the success rate achieved by Dr. Balageas and colleagues is very good.

Factors Affecting Success

In another study presented during the same session, Vanessa Acosta-Ruiz, a medical student at Uppsala University in Sweden, reported that her team also found very high success rates in 44 patients treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation over a period of 4.5 years.

"After the first ablation, 75% of the tumors were completed ablated, 8 tumors were incompletely ablated, and 7 were retreated, so we ended up with a total success rate of 85%," Acosta-Ruiz said.

Correct positioning of the electrode over the tumor favorably affected results, as might be expected, she added.

However, a tumor smaller than 30 mm and a distance from the tumor to the collecting system of at least 10 cm were more likely to be associated with complete ablation, she added.

Clove Oil - Health Benefits

Clove is an evergreen tree, which produces a flower bud that has numerous medicinal properties. It is often referred as clove bud. Clove bud has a shaft and a head and hence it has the Latin name clavus meaning nail. Clove was extensively used in the ancient Indian and Chinese civilizations and it spread to other parts of the world, including Europe, during the seventh and eight centuries. Clove is rich in minerals such as calcium, hydrochloric acid, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamin A and vitamin C.

Sopurce: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

1. Dental Care: The most prominent use of clove oil is in dental care. The germicidal properties of the oil make it very effective for relieving dental pain, tooth ache, sore gums and mouth ulcers. Gargles with diluted clove oil help in easing the throat. The characteristic smell of clove oil helps removing bad breath. As a result, clove oil is added to numerous dental products and medications, including, mouth washes, and tooth pastes. Dentists also mix clove oil with zinc oxide and prepare a white filling material as a temporary alternative to root canal.

2. Infections: Due to its antiseptic properties, clove oil is useful for wound, cuts, scabies, athlete’s foot, fungal infections, bruises, prickly heat, etc. It can also be used insect bites and stings. Clove oil is very strong in nature and hence should be used in diluted form. Further, it should not be used on sensitive skin.

3. Skin Care: Clove oil is often recommended for skin care, especially to acne patients.

4. Stress: Clove oil is aphrodisiac in nature and hence serves as an excellent stress reliever. It has a stimulating effect on the mind and removes mental exhaustion and

5. fatigue. When taken internally, in appropriate amounts, it refreshes the mind. Clove oil also induces sleep and is helpful to insomnia patients. It is useful for treating mental problems such as loss of memory, depression and anxiety.

6. Headache: Clove oil when mixed with salt, and applied on the forehead, gives a cooling effect and helps in getting relief from headache.

7. Respiratory Problems: Clove oil has a cooling and anti inflammatory effect, and thereby clears the nasal passage. This expectorant is useful in various respiratory disorders including coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and tuberculosis. Chewing a clove bud eases sore throats

8. Earache: A mixture of warm clove oil and sesame oil is a good remedy for earaches.

9. Indigestion: Clove oil is effective in stomach related problems such as hiccups, indigestion, motion sickness, and flatulence. Hence, clove one of the important spices added in Indian dishes.

10. Nausea: Clove oil is helpful in case of nausea and vomiting and is often used for pregnancy related vomiting.

11. Blood Circulation: Clove oil increases your body metabolism by increasing blood circulation and reducing body temperature.

12. Blood Purification: Clove oil also helps in purifying the blood.

13. Diabetes: Along with blood purification, clove oil also helps in controlling the blood sugar levels and hence is useful to diabetics.

14. Immune System: Both clove and clove oil is useful for boosting the immune system. Its antiviral properties and ability to purify blood increases your resistance to diseases.

15. Premature Ejaculation: Research has indicated that clove can be useful for treating premature ejaculation.

16. Cholera: It is believed that clove oil is useful for treating cholera.

17. Sty: Clove and clove oil is a very effective home remedy for treating sty. Sty is an inflammation on the eyelash and is a very irritating condition. Sty is not only painful, but also causes difficulty in the proper functioning of the eye. Other benefits of clove oil include the following:

18. Cosmetics: Clove oil is often added in cosmetic creams and lotions. It is a good massage oil providing relief from pain and stress.

19. Clove Cigarettes: Usage of clove in making cigarettes is a new trend all over the world. Traditionally, clove was added in cigarettes in Indonesia. Smokers (wrongly) feel that the numerous health benefits of clove would nullify the ill effects of smoking.

20. Flavoring Agent: Along with its digestive properties, clove oil is added in food items due to its flavor. It is added in many Indian dishes, pickles, sauce, spice cakes, etc.

21. Soaps: Due to the characteristic aroma, soothing effect and antiseptic properties, clove oil is added in making soaps.

22. Perfumes: Clove oil is also used in making perfumes.

One should be careful while using clove oil. Clove oil is strong in nature and hence should be diluted before application.

Natural Help for Anxiety

Dealing with Anxiety
Anxiety is a part of normal human existence. Everyone has been tense before a big test or performing in front of a crowd. It’s hard wired into our system to protect us through the “fight or flight” reflex. For some people these experiences are isolated, but for others anxiety is a constant and domineering force that controls and impairs their whole being.

A fast-paced modern lifestyle can be difficult for both adults and children. Trying activities such as work deadlines, job interviews, school competitions and public interactions don’t make it any easier either.

It’s not uncommon to find oneself a little overwhelmed at the thought of a particular upcoming event or situation. Sometimes demands may be so great that it is difficult to slow down and take a deep breath, causing us to worry about everything.

The natural way
1. A lot can be done to support a healthy ability to relax and slow down. One way of doing this is to keep your mind producing its own natural feel good chemicals by eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grain foods, getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine and exercising regularly.

2. Practicing relaxation techniques, meditation or even taking time for a regular walk on the beach can all help to reduce stress levels and facilitate a feeling of calm - helping us to wind down and relax.

3. Natural remedies can also help to support the nervous system and to keep nerves settled and soothed - to enable us to cope more easily with the everyday stresses of our modern existence. In fact, natural remedies have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to support the healthy functioning of the brain and nervous system.

4. In more recent times, research has confirmed this traditional wisdom. There are now many published clinical studies demonstrating the ability of a range of herbs to support the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system and maintain a healthy equilibrium - which will assist with staying calm under pressure.

5. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter manufactured and found in the brain. Along with other neurotransmitters, serotonin helps to support emotional wellness and sleep patterns as well as energy levels, sex drive and appetite. Serotonin also promotes healthy concentration, a positive mental attitude, memory and mental alertness.

6. While your feelings are not all about brain chemicals, the delicate balance between neurotransmitters and other hormones can play a big part in maintaining emotional stability, wellness and a positive outlook. Lifestyle, stress management and maintaining healthy relationships all contribute to happiness.

7. However, when there are challenges to face, a solid foundation of emotional health, balanced brain chemistry and a healthy self esteem will make all the difference to how we are able to cope or have the emotional strength to make changes necessary to improve our lives.

8. A lot can be done to naturally maintain emotional health and a healthy positive mental attitude.

9. It is a good idea to keep your natural feel-good chemicals flowing by eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods, ensuring plenty of fresh air, adequate sleep, moderate sunshine and regular exercise. Many healthy foods (e.g. bananas, turkey and carbohydrates) contain nutritional precursors of serotonin and this makes them natural ‘mood foods’ to maintain healthy serotonin levels!

10. Also, never underestimate the power of a few stolen minutes during the workday (or school day) to rejuvenate the spirit and relax the mind - meditation, yoga or listening to a calming CD can all promote relaxation. Smoking, recreational drugs and alcohol can all depress the nervous system and affect the balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin - so try to cut back or avoid these habits for the sake of your emotional as well as your physical health.

11. Participate in social and community activities. Social interaction and a sense of giving to your community enhance self-esteem and reduce stress.

12. Take care of yourself. Get regular exercise, eat nourishing food, and maintain a healthy weight.

13. Participate in activities you enjoy. Have you always wanted to learn a new language? Take up ballroom dancing? Mentor a child? Now is the time! (And activities like these will also help your brain.)

14. Stay focused on positive things and avoid negative self talk such as “I can’t do that” or “I’m too old.” When your self talk is negative, you will feel more stress. Instead of thinking what you can’t do, remember what you can do.

15. Connect with the people who are most meaningful to you. People with friends tend to be happier than those without. Stable social relations help you adjust to changes such retiring, moving, and losing loved ones.

16. Remember stressful events that you successfully coped with in the past and repeat what worked before.

17. Focus on addressing your problems instead of feeling helpless about them. Think of them as “challenges” or “tests” rather than as insurmountable obstacles.

18. Learn and use relaxation techniques and meditation.

19. If you are a caregiver, make use of support and education groups, as well as respite care, which provides time off for caregivers.

20. Medication may be needed in severe cases, which would require consultation with your doctor. Also, symptoms may begin to diminish on their own with age.