Garlic in its natural form contains an antibiotic called allicin. It also contains sulfides. Garlic is said to fight against certain types of cancers.

Nomenclature

Common name:           Garlic, Rocambole, Ajo, Allium,
Stinking Rose, Rustic Treacle,
Nectar of the gods, Camphor of the poor,
Poor man’s treacle, and clove garlic

Botanical name:          Allium sativum

Usage

Garlic is great for almost any bacterial or viral infection including

• Coughs
• Colds
• Athlete’s foot
• Jock itch
• Ringworm
• Splinter
• Bee stings
• Intestinal parasites
• Staph infections
• Garlic has been used to aid in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol
• Asthma treatment to reduce the intensity of attacks
• Garlic is also said to boost metabolismGarlic can also be used as a mosquito repellent

How to use

Garlic cloves may be swallowed whole or infused in honey to make syrup

Garlic oil may be placed on any affected wound externally, Gauze can be used to separate skin and garlic clove(s).

Side Effects

• Allergic reactions
• Skin inflammation
• Stomach upset
• Bad breath when excessive intakes occur

So what’s the thing to do to shape up naturally? One key is exercise. You need to burn fat and the most effective way to do this is to exercise. The idea is not alien to you, anymore, that’s for sure, but there’s plenty of misinformation about exercise on the net and elsewhere that people don’t always get the results they desire.

There are different types of exercise and there are those that are specific to losing weight. If you want to lose weight fast, consider step aerobics, bicycling, swimming, and playing racquetball. These exercises let you lose between 500 up to 1,000 calories.

Quite a lot of people don’t exercise properly, the reason why they don’t lose weight easily. If you plan to engage in any of these cardio exercises, make sure to consult with your doctor first as these tend to increase your heart rate and make you sweat a lot, which may not be a good thing if you are a diabetic or have heart problems to begin with. If your doctor declares you to be fit enough to be doing cardio exercises, choose which of them you are likely to enjoy more.

If you want to go for step aerobics, it’s important that you begin the exercise slowly, then just gradually increase your speed as you go along. Remember, you cannot lose weight overnight no matter what you do, so even if you go full blast on step aerobics, you can not expect yourself to look fit and beautiful at the end of your first session. So, start slow, but be consistent. Consistency is very important in any weight loss program. Cardio exercises may be done for about 20-30 minutes, 3 or four times a week.

It cannot be denied that there may be times when you will feel bored with the routine and decide to temporarily stop doing the program, but this is the last thing you must do. In the event that you will feel bored, you can try a different program for the time being. Maybe you can ride your bicycle this time and drive around the park, or perhaps, you may want to try swimming. A change of routine can be motivating under the circumstances. On the other hand, if you don’t want to change your routine, the best thing is to ask a friend to do the exercises with you. Anything when done with a close friend is always enjoyable.

Before beginning your workout, spend some time warming yourself up. Stretch your muscles and take deep breaths. Then when you are through with your routine, allow yourself to cool down for 5 minutes at least and 10 minutes at most.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!

Merry Christmas everyone! Stay healthy and stay organic!

A lot of people are not aware that their favorite shampoos, beauty creams and hand and body lotions contain chemicals that may cause cancer, hormonal imbalances, irritation, and ironically, pre-mature aging. Phtalates, propylene glycol, parabens, alcohol, fragrance, and SLS, to name a few, are all toxic to the body, yet these are the stuff our beauty products are made of! Even baby products contain these ingredients.

I shudder with disbelieve why regulating agencies approve the distribution of these products. Sure, the amount of one ingredient may be minimal, but the fact is, more than one toxic ingredient is present in each product, and how often do you use a certain product? Not just once, more two or more times everyday!

You don’t have to risk your health just to look beautiful because you can be both clean and beautiful without the chemicals.

Go organic with your choice of shampoos, beauty creams, lotions, make-ups, and experience real beauty.

* strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and plum because they are rich in antioxidants, and you know that antioxidants are responsible in fighting off free radicals that cause premature aging;

* green tea because it contains polyphenols that keep away bacteria that also promote aging;

* salmon and walnuts because they are high in Omega3 and Omega6, the fatty acids responsible in moisturizing your skin;

* avocados because it contains B-complex vitamins and essential oils. Eating avocados help to soothe irritated skin;

* mangoes because they are rich in Vitamin A. Mangoes help repair damaged skin cells;

* almonds because they are rich in Vitamin E, the vitamin that’s so essential in making your skin healthy.

Then of course, you must drink lots of water everyday because it keeps you hydrated.

However, despite the importance of exercise to the general health, a lot of people find this activity too tiring, too boring, time-consuming, and the like, and so planning to exercise takes a backseat and eventually forgotten.

Basically, exercise programs fall into four categories — aerobic exercises or endurance exercises, strength exercises, balance exercises, and stretching exercises, and as you explore each category, you will realize that there is bound to be an exercise that is just right for you.

Aerobic exercises help to build stamina and endurance. As such, they have to be done continuously for about 15 minutes at one time, and gradually, meaning you have to start slow, then gradually hasten your speed. There may be times when you feel dizzy, difficulty in breathing, chest pain or pain in the legs while doing aerobic exercises. When you experience these things, you are advised to immediately stop what you’re doing. The different types of aerobic exercises include basketball, swimming, cycling, running, playing tennis, and brisk walking, and these are often the choice of people who want to lose weight. Jumping rope, dancing, and using a treadmill, are great aerobic exercises which you can do at home.

Strength exercises are exercises that tone the muscles, and help you become more flexible, with better coordination. They also delay bone loss. In a way, strength exercises which also help in weight loss programs, are usually done by pulling something up against gravity. Ideally, strength exercises should be performed two or more times in a week, and the same muscle group must not be used consecutively for a couple of days. Leg press, sit-ups, push-ups, and squats are some types of strength exercises.

Balance exercises are exercises that are designed to prevent falls, especially in the elderly. The legs and the hips are given more importance in this exercise category.

Stretching exercises or flexibility exercises, are important preliminaries to the real thing. Often considered by many us unnecessary, stretching exercises, on the contrary, are necessary before engaging in a full-blown exercise routine. Stretching exercises should be done at least three times a week for you to be able to see desired results.

Consistency is important to achieve results. Keep in mind also that you cannot do these exercises abruptly and expect that you’ll get the figure you’ve been dreaming of in an instant. You need to be consistent when it comes to things like this, and being consistent does not mean a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks. It actually takes some time before you begin to notice a change in you, and so you have to be very patient and dedicated.

Age spots are common among middle aged and beyond of Caucasian descent. However, these spots are not just because of skin color or they just want to appear. Most of the age spots are caused by sun exposure. When melanocytes which contains melanin increased its number due to ultraviolet rays from the sun, age spots begins to appear.

 

 

Cause of Age Spots

Longer than usual exposure to the sun, or exposure during the time of the day which the sun is on its heightened heat.

 

Home Remedies / Treatment for Age Spots

Sour cream: Apply sour cream on the affected area. Half-rinse it, then gently wipe off the remaining residue with a soft facial tissue. Follow with moisturizer afterwards.

Lemon juice: Apply lemon juice in the dark spots using the tip of your fingers.

Fruit and vegetable masks: Facial masks made from apricots, cucumbers, red currant and strawberries will help lighten Age Spots.

Sour milk: Wash face using sour milk on a regular basis. The lactic aid present in sour milk will peel the skin gently without irritation or dryness.

Honey: Mix warm honey with little amount of wheat germ. Apply on the face and gently pat it off. Wash with warm water and rinse with cool water.

Horseradish: Horseradish juice or vinegar can also lighten Age Spots. Oatmeal is good substitute for horseradish.

Parsley: Mix parsley juice, and equal parts of lemon, orange and red currant juice. Apply on the face followed by your favorite facial cream. It’s an effective concealer on your face.

Castor oil: Applying odorless castor oil or vitamin E every night before bedtime is also effective as home remedy for Age Spots.

Lemon: Make a juice from one lemon fruit and add some sugar to it. Apply on the Age Spots using a brush.

Yellow mustard: Mix grounded yellow mustard with milk. Apply on the face in the evening and rinse it in the morning.

Onions: Rub sliced red onions on the Age Spots and age spots twice daily until all spots have faded.

Buttermilk: Buttermilk can also lighten Age Spots.

Turmeric: Grin equal parts of turmeric and sesame seeds. Mix both in water and apply it on the face.

Watermelon: Store some rice grains inside a watermelon for a week. Grind the flavored grains into a paste and apply it on the face to get rid of Age Spots.

Currants: Mix ¼ cup of mashed unripe currants with 1 tablespoon of unpasteurized honey. Apply on the face and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Dab with fresh lemon juice diluted in water.

OTC lightening creams – always consider the cream with hydroquinone content. However, if age spots are much darker, ask for dermatologist advice.

AHA – the mild natural acid from sugarcane, fruit and milk. This serves as exfoliating agent and exposing the new skin replacing the skin that has age spots.

Diets Suggestions for Age Spots

Increase intake of fresh vegetables and whole grains rich in vitamins A, B complex and C.

Cabbage, eggs, milk, nutritional yeast and wheat germ all contains vitamin B5 that prevents dryness of the skin.

Apples, citrus fruits, black and red currant, green onions and rosehip tea are rich in vitamin C that makes the skin less prone to sun damage.

Other Suggestions for Age Spots

Wear broad-rimmed hat when the occasion permits to help shade your face from the heat of the sun

Age spots can be minimized by camouflaging especially for women by using concealers. Just choose your right shade

Use sunblock cream or sunscreen lotion everytime you expose yourself to the heat of the sun especially during summer. Choose the non chemical sunscreen which contains titanium oxide

Two types

• Respiratory Alkalemia
• Metabolic Alkalemia

Causes of Alkalemia

Metabolic Alkalemia develops when the body loses too much acid or gains too much base. When stomach acid is lost during periods of long instance of vomiting. In some cases, metabolic Alkalemia develops in a person who ingested higher base amount from substances like baking soda. This kind of Alkalemia can develop when excessive loss of sodium or potassium that affects the kidneys’ ability to control the blood’s acid and base balance.

Respiratory Alkalemia develops when rapid, deep breathing or hyperventilation which causes too much carbon dioxide to be expelled from the bloodstream. The most common cause of hyperventilation or respiratory Alkalemia, is anxiety.

Other causes of hyperventilation and consequent respiratory Alkalemia include pain, cirrhosis, low levels of oxygen in the blood, fever, and aspirin overdose which can also cause metabolic acidosis, the lungs and kidneys regulate the acid/base status of the body..

Hypokalemic Alkalemia is caused by the kidneys’ reaction to an extreme lack or loss of potassium which may be caused by some diuretic medications.

Compensated Alkalemia is caused when the body has partially compensated for Alkalemia, returning the acid/base balance to normal, even though bicarbonate and carbon dioxide levels remain abnormal.

Symptoms of Alkalemia

Alkalemia may cause the following:

• Irritability
• Muscle twitching
• Muscle cramps
• Confusion (may progress to stupor or coma)
• Hand tremor
• Nausea, vomiting
• Numbness or tingling in the face or extremities
• Light-headedness
• Sometimes no symptoms might occur.

If Alkalemia is severe, long instance of contraction and spasms of muscles or tetany can develop.

Natural Treatments Home Remedies for Alkalemia

In respiratory Alkalemia, the only treatment needed is to slow down the rate of breathing.
If pain is causing the person to breathe rapidly, relieving the pain usually subsides.
If it is caused by anxiety, an effort to slow breathing may make the condition disappear.
Breathing into a paper bag may help to raise the carbon dioxide level in the blood as the person breathes carbon dioxide back in after breathing it out.

Oral Rehydration Salt:
It is an OTC drug and can easily be converted into liquid form to replace water and electrolytes in the body

Cranberry Juice:
Drink everyday in either sweetened with honey or unsweetened

Citrus Fruits:
Eat raw, it can help to balance the base in the blood pH

Preventive Measures for Alkalemia

Always ensure that your kidneys are in good conditions, usually those individuals with healthy kidneys and lungs do not significantly experience Alkalemia.

Symptoms of Apthuos Ulcer

A burning or tingling sensation can be felt before a small, reddish sores appears. It measures less than 10 mm and targets the movable parts inside the mouth such as the tongue. A ruptured sore is covered with a yellowish coat surrounded by a reddish color.

Swollen lymph nodes, listlessness and are some of the other symptoms concerning Apthous Ulcer.

Causes Apthuos Ulcer

Actual causes are not yet authenticated. Conditions that may trigger the effect of Apthous Ulcer are unstable immune system, minor injuries inside the mouth caused by eating tough foods such as chips and nuts, or by biting the interior of the mouth.

Certain food allergies, bacterial infections, gastrointestinal tract-related diseases, gene transfer though heredity, hormonal imbalance caused by menstrual period for women, zinc, iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies and traumas caused by previous accidents also constitute to getting Apthous Ulcer.

Treatments / Home Remedies for Apthuos Ulcer

Aloe vera:
Aloe juice could make an excellent mouthwash.

Baking soda:
Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a half cup of warm water. Rinse your mouth with it several times a day to get rid of the sores.

Grapefruit:
Put 5-6 drops of grapefruit seed extracts in a glass of water. Use this excellent disinfectant for rinsing at least once a day.

Hydrogen peroxide:
Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 3 parts water and use this as mouthwash twice a day.

Plum: Make a plum juice extract. You can use a cotton ball to apply when the condition is worse than normal.

Soda:
Mix 1 teaspoon soda and a pinch of salt in a cup of warm water. Use it to gargle your mouth and reduce the soreness.

Goldenseal:
Make a mouthwash by mixing ½ Goldenseal powder, ¼ tsp salt to a cup of warm water. Or you can apply it directly to your mouth in powder form.

Alum:
Applying alum on the sores twice a day will help relieve the pain and speeds up healing.

Baking powder:
Applying baking powder will help reduce the presence of bacteria in the affected area. Use it in either powdered or in paste form.

Onion:
Rubbing raw onions are an excellent remedy for Apthous Ulcer.

Papaya: For instant relief, eat a slice of fresh papaya or chew some of its leaves. There are also papaya tablets that can use as a substitute.

Tea tree oil:
Rub a fairly amount of tea tree oil to the sores.

Diet Suggestions for Apthuos Ulcer

Include whole grains and green leafy vegetables in your every meal for they are good sources of vitamin B which greatly help relieve Apthous Ulcer.

At the same time, choose foods that are easy to digest by lightly cooking vegetables and grains.

Yogurt are not only tasty, but also healthy food supplement. It contains Active acidophilus in which helps cure and prevent an outbreak of Apthous Ulcer.

Food to avoid while having Apthuos Ulcer:

1. Coffee, citrus fruits and as they may irritate your mouth.
2. Spicy and acidic foods will increase the pain.
3. Chips, wafers and nuts.
4. Diary products, salty, sweet and oily foods, and animal protein from meats.

Other Suggestions for Apthuos Ulcer

Learn to take your meals slowly by chewing in a timely manner so as not to aggravate your mouth’s condition.

Don’t forget to brush your teeth after every meal.

When experiencing pain, apply ice directly to the sores.

For dry hair, mix one cup of coconut milk with two tablespoons of flour then massage onto your scalp. Let the solution stay for five minutes before rinsing it thoroughly. This treatment is most effective if done once a week.

An alternative treatment is to massage the scalp with olive oil or almond oil.

Dry hair is often the result of a diet that is deficient in zinc; so including zinc in your daily menu will help to lift your hair and make it soft and smooth.

If you have oily hair, carrots are powerful and effective substitutes to expensive shampoos and hair treatments. Puree carrots and apply on to the hair. Leave on for 15 minutes before washing it off thoroughly.

If you already have normal hair and want to keep it that way, puree cucumber and apply on to your hair. Let it stay on your hair for 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly. This should give your hair, not only volume, but star-quality shine. Using white vinegar to shampoo your hair with also works well to make your hair beautiful.

Got a very important date and you ran out of shampoo? Break two eggs, and separate the whites from the yolks. Beat the yolks in a glass of hot water. Strain the mixture, then apply to hair. Leave on for one hour, then wash it off thoroughly with warm water. Follow this up with home-made conditioner composed of one whole egg, two tablespoons of castor oil, a teaspoon of vinegar, and another teaspoon of glycerine.

Diet plays a very important role in making your hair beautiful and healthy. Reportedly, drinking at least eight glasses of water, and eating protein-rich foods, cheese, milk, cereals, fish, milk, curd, and, of course, fruits and vegetables, have profound effects on the health of your hair.