Health tips this Summer

Summer is the time we all plan a change. Kids have their vacation for more than a month, we avail earned leaves, go for family outings, are eager to fulfill our long commitments to our near and dears and so on. However, the strong sun’s rays can play a roller coaster ride with our plans if we don’t take the following into consideration.

1. Drink minimum ten glasses of water a day and don’t wait till you are thirsty. Due to faster body metabolism and heat, more water is excreted out of the body which needs to be replenished with electrolytes like glucose. Most of us wait till we are thirsty to drink water or any other liquid. This is a wrong practice till the time our body realizes that we are thirsty, the body is already dehydrated and it is already late for the water to be replenished.
2. Avoid carbonated liquids as they contain preservatives, added colors and flavors.

Moreover the thirst is rarely quenched with these carbonated beverages.

1. Avoid moving out between noon and two P.M when the sun’s rays are at it’s peak and ultraviolet rays can harm maximum. Even during other hours, a sun screen with an SPF of 15 is indispensable on the skin.
2. The eyes need protection from the sun too. Good sunglasses with protection against UV rays is important. Don’t judge the glasses with it’s color. There is a film on the lens which avoids penetration of UV rays. A bigger frame would do wonders by offering better protection from UV rays.
3. Rose water can act as a coolant for the eyes when they are over tired or are watering or itching due to heat.
4. Many allergens increase in the environment during summers. Hence the nourishment should be adequate through the food we eat so that good supplements of zinc, vitamins and other minerals which act as antioxidants are supplied to the body. Vitamin B, C , E and carotenoids all boost the immune system to fight the allergens.
5. Eat smartly by avoiding fried , salty and junk food. Get dequate quantities of balanced diet. While traveling or during picnics substitute snacks and junk food with fresh fruits and vegetables.
6. Use an air conditioner if possible during sleep or take a good bath before going to bed to ensure good quality of sleep and avoid prickly heat.
7. Never compromise on the number of hours you sleep and ensure you are active after seven hours of sleep. Sleeping more than seven hours a day can make you lazy than never before.
8. Lemon, Barley water and other liquids which act as body cleansers are good quenchers for thirst. Coconut water is a sterile option to provide good vitamins and minerals to the body.
9. Fresh juices of orange, sweet lime, watermelon and the like are ideal supplies of minerals and vitamins. Raw mango helps fight heat when consumed in form of squash or consumed raw.

Tags: herbal, acupuncture, blood pressure, asthma, obesity, diabetes, medicine, homeopathic, chinese, Ayurvedic

Herbs for beauty

Let me share an experience…..

It was early 2005 and I was to get married. I had taken appointments for sittings in a beauty parlor for the bridal package. It included facial, bleach, manicure, waxing and all other regular finishing touches. There were preparatory sittings scheduled ten days before wedding day so that the final day was assured to give best results. So there I was on the table to experience the facial pack which was supposed to rejuvenate and clarify my skin around ten days before the wedding.

After a cumbersome process for more than two hours involving burning sensations from the bleach, the pack was cleared off and I was asked to wash my face. It was then that I realized that instead of flaunting glowing skin, I would now have to sport blemished skin with redness all over. The bleach was actually to harsh for my skin . Though this was not a very pleasant experience I consoled myself that this was just the preparatory sittings and asked the beautician to modify the chemical components in the facial when she does it just before the wedding day. She readily accepted. Soon the thought of new life ahead took over my blemishes and when I stepped into the parlor one Day before the auspicious day for the last and final facial, the blemishes had almost disappeared. I then reminded the lady at the parlor to use milder bleach this time and so did she promise. There was another sitting of three hours this time and after I washed my face , I was red with anger this time and perhaps even confused and ashamed to be in front of my mom who was always against chemical use on skin. The faint rashes of the earlier facial were now substituted with dark red blemishes and scars. These were very prominent and the worse part was that there was no time left for self healing.

This has happened with nearly half of my friends and colleagues in one or the other facial sitting. But still the need of looking good carries us off to the parlor. But perhaps now we have a choice, a choice which deserves to be explored; that of using herbal beauty products. Just as herbs are used as spices and medications, they are also used as beauty agents. The cleansing properties of gritty scrubs, antiseptic properties of herbs, cooling and toning characters of mud based natural products and moisturizing properties of emollients are all exploited in the beautification industry. The benefits of the most commonly used beauty products are mentioned below:

Turmeric

Turmeric is a major ingredient in many face packs. It is the best choice for glowing bright skin. The flavanoids in turmeric give them this character. Moreover the antiseptic properties treat any mild infections and sores. Turmeric maintains the ph of the skin and this treats pigmentation of the skin. Hence turmeric paste has conventionally been applied on the elbows, face and neck to lighten the skin and keep it a fresh.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is used in the form of a powder or a paste. It is a cooling agent and treats blemishes, prickly heat and other skin disorders related to excessive heat. On account of its pleasant aroma, it has been a component in many body oils too. It is a good face pack as it tones the skin and also cools and clarifies it.

Neem

This is perhaps the strongest antibacterial and anti fungal agent amongst all herbs. Hence it is applied in paste form on skin to get rid of pimples and acne. Sometimes, to purify the skin and remove excessive fatty deposits, neem extract is also taken in orally to gain a healthy clear glowing skin. Another area where it is generally applied is in treating dandruff. This is also due to fungal infestation and hence the anti fungal properties of neem are valuable.

Rosemary

This is used to prevent premature hair loss and to nourish the hair and keep them moisturized to prevent drying. In addition it is also used to revitalize the skin by removing the dead cells and energizing the skin.

Chamomile

The extracts of chamomile flower is also used to cleanse the eyes and give them a shine. Also, it is used in shampoos to cleanse the hair.

Aloe Vera

This is primarily used as a humectant to moisturize the skin and hair. It is an effective component of face packs with honey and kelp.

Henna

Though predominantly used in hair nourishment henna is also applied on the skin in various forms. For hair care henna paste is made from the powdery extract of henna plant. It is then mixed with egg white and thoroughly applied for thick, shiny hair. In combination with coffee powder, amla powder and onion peels henna makes a perfect hair conditioner. Henna is also used to color the body, primarily hands and feet and for making temporary tattoos on the skin

Tags: homeopathic, diabetes, weight loss, blood pressure, acupressure, obesity, herbs, acupuncture, diabetes, alternative

“Women never reveal their true age.
Never ask your girl friend about her age.”

These are well known sayings and are nearly universal in appeal. However, I feel that this is no longer valid for women only. Even men want to look younger than their age, youth is after all a symbol of an activity, vitality, productivity and strength. Today, cosmetics and technical advancement are even challenging the eternal truths of advancing age. That’s why the term anti-ageing today, sounds a reality and not a dream. Yes, we can stop time from influencing us.

There are some changes in the body as time goes by and the body gets tired and experiences an urge to slow down. The metabolic rate goes down. Free radicals are produced in higher concentrations on account of weak