Home Remedies

10 natural, home-made scrubs to get rid of dead skin cells

natural-scrubs

Want to keep your skin looking young? Apart from cleansing and moisturising it, you also need to use a scrub. Even if you have the most sensitive skin, you will still have to exfoliate it using a mild scrub. Exfoliation helps clear out the layer of dead skin cells and helps in better blood circulation as well giving you renewed and younger looking skin. It is a good practice to scrub your skin – not just your face but knees, elbows, etc too – at least once a week of once every two weeks. But if you are wary of using chemical laden products, here are 10 scrubs made using natural ingredients. Make them at home and use regularly to have clear skin.

Lentil or daal body scrub

Lentils are a common kitchen ingredient in every Indian home and you can use them to make scrubs. Red lentil or masoor ki daal makes an excellent scrub. To make this, take about 2 spoonfuls and grind it into a powder and then mix it with either honey or milk. Apply it before taking a bath and keep it for 15 minutes before washing it off. Another option is using moong ki daal. You need to keep it under the sun for a day before you can make the paste. Next, add rice (about one-fourth of the daal) and grind it. Add haldi and milk to it and make a thick paste. Apply it on your face and body for glowing and blemish-free skin.

Sandalwood or chandan face scrub

Make a chandan face scrub to get rid of dead skin cells and other impurities like dirt, oil which are hard to get rid of with face packs. Mix sandalwood with rice powder (chawal ka aata), gram flour (besan), milk and rose water. Remember, not to add too much milk or water as scrubs are thick in consistency. Apply this once in two weeks for the desired results.

Rice-curd-rose oil scrub

This is a creamy, moisturising scrub that gently removes dead cells leaving the skin soft. The scrub also helps remove tan and prevents cell damage by neutralising free radicals. It is suited for dry and sensitive skin. Add rice (you can grind it to make it less coarse), curd or dahi and two drops of rose oil. Apply this on the face and allow it to dry before washing it off with water.

Natural foot scrub

Combine the juice of half a lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Massage the mix on your feet thoroughly and leave for 15 minutes, then rinse off and pat dry. This mixture scrubs and moisturises your feet and helps in eliminating the dryness. Make this a weekly ritual to pamper your feet and keep them looking good.

Pomegranate or anar lip scrub

Do your lips look too dark or chapped? One reason could be that you haven’t exfoliated the dead skin from it. Get back the natural pink of your lips with a scrub made from pomegranate seeds. Crush a few seeds and mix in some milk cream or malai. Apply this on your lips and rub gently. You can also combine crushed pomegranate seeds with sugar and olive oil for added beauty benefits. Wash with plain water and pat dry.

Chocolate scrub

Take some cocoa powder and add rose water or lime juice (if you have oily skin) in it. Now, grind some oatmeal and add to the mixture. Add some raw sugar and honey too. Mix well but make sure the paste is semi-solid. Rub it on your face, knees, and elbows in a circular motion. If you feel it is too harsh for your face, add olive oil to the paste to balance it out.

Baking soda scrub

Yes, this ingredient used in desserts can also come in handy to remove dead skin cells. Mix about quarter of a teaspoon of baking soda with rose water and rub it on your elbows and knees and even feet. Avoid using it on the face if you have very sensitive or dry skin.

Anti-ageing coffee scrub

Coffee is rich in antioxidants which makes it excellent for removing dead skin as well as preventing sagging skin and wrinkles to a certain extent. Take some coarse, ground coffee beans and add olive oil to it. Add raw sugar if required and then gently rub it on your face. Wash with warm water and pat dry.

Oatmeal and sugar scrub

Both the ingredients have a grainy texture. Soak oatmeal in water for 10 minutes and then mix it with a few granules of sugar. Add honey to the mixture and then apply it on your face. Avoid area around the eyes. Remember, it should not be too harsh on the skin.

Sea salt hand scrub

Since sea salt is slightly harsh, you should consider using it on areas such as hands or feet instead of the face. But you need to add oil to the scrub to mellow down the harshness. Opt for an essential oil such as lavender or you could also try extra virgin olive oil or sweet almond. Mix it together and then apply on your hands before washing it off with water.

Source: The health site

Home Remedies for Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy

Home-remedies-to-stop-vomiting-during-pregnancy

 

 

Nausea is a sensation of discomfort in the stomach. It has lots of possible causes like stomach infection, weakness, depression, anxiety etc. It is common in pregnant women. Nausea sometimes precedes vomiting. But it is a part of pregnancy. It is believed to be normal. And it can be controlled from getting severe. There are some simple home remedies which can help control the discomfort.

# Sucking a lime or peppermint sweet :- These give a feeling of relaxation to your mind and calm you down.

# Sipping iced cold tea

# Drinking herbal tea such as light tulsi/mint tea without sugar or milk

# Strong ginger flavour or powdered ginger

# Eat some protein snack before retiring to bed at night

# Put one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of lukewarm water and drink in the morning on an empty stomach.

# Eat Saunf or aniseed

Source: the med guru

Stop Back Pain Before It Starts

Stop-Back-Pain-Before-It-Starts

You don’t have back pain…yet. Want to keep it that way? Try these techniques to prevent the pain long before it begins.

Sit pretty
You don’t need a fancy ergonomically designed office chair, but you should have one that provides good support so that your back is curved like an S, not a C, says Jeffrey Goldstein, MD, director of the spine service at the New York University Langone Medical Center.

Every half hour, get up and walk around for a few seconds to take some of the stress off your back.

Stand tall
Imagine a line coming down through your body from the ceiling, says physical therapist Renée Garrison.

Your ears, shoulders, hips, and knees should all stack up along that line, with your head stacked directly atop your neck, not jutting forward.
Wear soft soles
“If your shoe has little cushioning, every time your foot strikes concrete, you’ll jar the bones and muscles in your low back,” says Raj Rao, MD, vice chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. (That holds true for flats as well as heels.)

Look for a shoe with a cushioned sole, or buy an insert like Spenco For Her Women’s Q-Factor Cushioning Insole ($17; amazon.com). When you’re at home, pad around in thick flip-flops or well-cushioned sneakers.

Don’t smoke
A 2010 review of 40 studies found that smokers have more low back pain than nonsmokers, possibly because smoking reduces blood flow to the spine, says Dr. Rao

Learn how to lift
You know to hoist heavy objects using your legs, not your back. But what about a very light object?

Answer: Lean over it, slightly bend one knee, and extend the other leg behind you. Hold onto a chair or table for support.

Downsize your pillows
“Sleeping with two or three pillows under your neck can strain your muscles,” says Jessica Shellock, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at the Texas Back Institute.

Source: health

 

15 Natural Back Pain Remedies

back-pain-woman-holding-back

Scientifically proven ways to find back pain relief, no medication required.

No-pill ways to treat back pain
by Christine MattheisAchy back? You’re not alone: back problems send more Americans to the doctor annually than nearly any other medical problem, according to a 2013 Mayo Clinic study. Whether you’re recovering from misjudging a heavy load (we’ve all been there), dealing with a lingering injury, or have a chronic problem, you don’t necessarily need to resort to popping tons of pain relievers. Talk to your doc about these 15 expert-approved natural back pain remedies, and find out if they are safe and appropriate for you.

Yoga
Just say om. In a British study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, low-back pain sufferers who took one yoga class a week for three months saw greater improvements in function compared to those receiving conventional care like medicine or physical therapy.

Stretching
The same study found that stretching is just as effective as yoga in treating back pain. The 52-minute stretching classes consisted of 15 exercises that stretched all major muscle groups, but emphasized the trunk and legs.

Massage
Two words: Treat yourself. Chronic low back pain sufferers who got weekly massages reported less pain after 10 weeks than those who didn’t, according to another Annals of Internal Medicine study.

Acupuncture
If the idea of having needles inserted into your skin gives you the heebie-jeebies, try to have an open mind—it may be the key to relieving your chronic back pain. In a study, people who received acupuncture treatments were more likely to find back pain relief than those receiving conventional care.

Talk therapy
Talking about your back pain with a therapist may bring some relief. In a UK study, back pain sufferers who had 90 minutes of group cognitive behavioral therapy a week for six weeks reported less pain during the treatment. (Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on solving problems by changing thoughts and behavior.) A year later, 59% said their pain was totally cured, compared to just 31% in the group that did not go through therapy.

Strength training
Celebrity fitness trainer Kathy Kaehler has a test for you: “Stand with your back to a wall, shoulder blades pressed against it. Can you hold the position for the length of the song ‘Happy Birthday’? If not, you’ll need to strengthen your back and core.” Building strength in those areas can help prevent and relieve back pain. Try these four moves.

Physical therapy
Good things come to those who wait—except perhaps when it comes to back pain treatment. Starting physical therapy within two weeks of back pain onset was associated with less risk of need for subsequent medical care as well as lower overall health costs, according to a study published in the journal Spine

Osteopathic manual therapy
In osteopathic manual therapy (OMT), an osteopath or chiropractor moves your back muscles using hands-on techniques such as stretching, light pressure, and resistance. One study found that people who underwent OMT for 12 weeks saw a 30% reduction in their pain level

Stress reduction
Learning to keep your cool is as good for your back as it is for your mental health. When you’re anxious, your body sets off the “fight or flight” response, which involves tensing your muscles so you’re ready to spring into action. One European study revealed that people prone to negative thoughts and anxiety are more likely to suffer from back pain. Get calm now with these stress-busting solutions.

Meditation
Meditation has been proven to reduce chronic pain in several scientific studies. Research from Duke University found that people suffering from chronic back pain saw significant reductions in pain and psychological distress after practicing a form of meditation that focuses on releasing anger. In another study, meditators experienced a 40% reduction in pain intensity.

Comfrey root
People who used an ointment that contains this plant-based extract for 5 days reduced the intensity of lower back pain by 95%, according to a 2009 study conducted by Merck (which manufactures the ointment). In comparison, a placebo group had a 38% reduction in pain during that same time, according to the study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Look for comfrey root ointment in health food stores or online. Just don’t use it for more than 10 days at a time—it can be toxic.

Aquatic therapy
Aquatic therapy is essentially physical therapy in a pool. Instead of using weights for resistance, patients use the resistance of the water. Studies show it may help alleviate lower back pain. In one 2013 study, sedentary adults who underwent aquatic therapy five times a week for two months saw reductions in pain and increases in quality of life. One smaller study found that aquatic therapy also helped pregnant women who were experiencing aching lower backs.

Tai Chi
This slow-moving form of Chinese martial arts may be an effective back pain treatment. In a 2011 American College of Rheumatology study, people who completed two 40-minute Tai Chi sessions a week for 10 weeks reduced pain intensity 1.3 points on a zero to 10 scale.

The Alexander technique
A form of physical therapy, practitioners of the Alexander technique teach patients how to adjust their posture during everyday activities to reduce muscular tension and stress. In a BMJ study, people who took lessons in the Alexander technique saw long-term improvement in pain and quality of life.

Pilates
It may be tempting to quit exercising when you’re suffering from back pain, but it’s essential to keep yourself moving. Pilates is one great option. In a 2014 European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine study, researchers found an improvement in pain, disability, and psychological health in chronic low-back pain patients who took five hourlong Pilates classes a week for six months. Meanwhile, people who remained inactive experienced further worsening of their pain. Similarly, a Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise study revealed that taking either Pilates or a general exercise class twice a week for six weeks both improved pain and quality of life.

Source: Health

26 Wonders of Honey..!!

benefits of honey

1. Drinking merged honey into water, all bowel stains will disappear.

2. Regular eating honey helps strengthen memorizing (strengthens memory) and strengthens the body physically.

3. If you drink honey dissolved in warm water helps against diarrhea.

4. If you drink honey dissolved in cold water, helps against constipation.

5. With the use of honey you purify and facilitate the circulation of blood in your body.

6. Honey is the only remedy for curing heart fast beating(tachycardia).

7. Honey creates facilitation of organism, while sugar burdens it.

8. If you drink hot honey it will be mixed with blood for 7 minutes, while cool for 20 minutes.

9. When you eat honey the stomach works fine and does not require powders or medication to help processing.

10. Honey removes the pain in the eyes by swiping with clean finger the eye.

11. For anemic, honey is the bomb blood.

12. For bone pain eating honey is undisputed medicine

13. The icterus, if he eat honey morning and evening, for 15-20 days it will be healed.

14. Honey removes the nerves cramp.

15. Honey helps in the growth and development of children.

16. Persons who are nervous, and to those who have sleep, honey helps to relax.

17. He who eats honey may not have constipation and hemorrhoids can not be created.

18. If honey dissolved in warm milk disappear intestinal worms.

19. If you dye a heated material with honey and place it on the neck or chest, throat pain shall be immediately removed. This is when you have flashing on tosils and angina.

20. If certain amount of honey is mixed with cherry and you wash the throat several times a day the smell of mouth will be removed immediately.

21. Honey used for healing of the wound with pus. Such a wound should immediately be dyed with honey, and the patient should eat 10 to 15 times. Rapid improvement will be noticed.
22. Honey interrupts stomach pains.

23. Wounds of the stomach and intestines honey heals quickly. During a week should eat up to 4 kg of honey. If so eat for three weeks, to become a month, from wounds of stomach will not remain any sign.

Dr. Kolosau says: “I have personally experienced this in 97 patients and my own child and I gained 100% positive results. ”

24. If places in the back and shoulders where the pain is felt, you dye with honey and put pepper dust on it, pain immediately will be removed.

25. The bee honey is the remedy for rheumatism. Time to time allow bee to bite you at parts affected by rheumatic pains.

26. Children who urinate in bed should eat honey and this disease will be terminated.

Source: Healthy advisement

7 Miraculous ‘home remedies’ for combating acidity bug

Are you squirming uncomfortably because of a loaded stomach, heart burn and acidity? This may be the result of that one extra bite of sumptuous food that was placed in front of you. Now that you couldn’t resist that “put the blame on meal” we shall help you find a way out of this uncomfortable experience and help you stay away from that bottle of antacid. Let’s tell you about some home remedies for acid reflux right on your kitchen shelf:

The potassium rich Banana

You may not relish that banana but believe us; it’s loaded on potassium with a high PH value and has alkaline properties. The acidity level lowers because of the high PH value. The high-fiber rich bananas help the lining of the stomach produce mucous that helps in increasing the digestion and also acts as a protector to the inner lining. This saves the person from the renewed acidity attacks. The overripe banana work wonders during an extreme acidity bout.

Cold milk

The high-calcium content of the milk prevents the acid formation in the stomach and also prevents the ulcers from forming. The peptic acids are neutralized by the cold milk and this excessive acidity feeling is curbed down drastically by consuming a glassful of cold milk. Leave the sugar alone, drink it sugar free. If you are lactose intolerant then this may not be the answer for you.

Fragrance full fennel

This is a popular mouth freshener and helps in relieving constipation and aiding digestion. Fennel has coolant properties and balms the stomach lining aiding in the healing process. Fennel is a rich source of plasmatic acid, flavonoids, and other volatile oils and also possesses anti-ulcer properties. Best way is to boil fennel seeds in water and then leave them overnight, strain and consume whenever needed.

The digestive Basil leaves

Basil leaves possess digestive compounds that stimulate the stomach’s production of mucous. This mucous that lines the inner stomach, protects the lining from peptic ulcers, helping on the reduction of the acid levels in the stomach. Basil or tulsi leaves also help curb the formation of gas. The basil leaves provide instant relief and need to be consumed right after the meal.

Fresh green Mint leaves

This is a common thing used for preparing a mouth freshener. It improves digestion by lowering the rising acid levels in the stomach. The pain and burning caused by acid reflux can be beaten by eating the leaves of mint. Faster relief can be obtained if the leaves are boiled in water and then taken after cooling it. The tangy smell of the leaves keeps the mouth fresh.

Aromatic Cardamom

Cardamom has magical properties of soothing the stomach by relieving stomach spasms and by calming the excess acid production in the stomach. It has a cooling effect and soothes the mucosal stomach lining and relieves the sensation of burning that makes the person uncomfortable. Boil crushed cardamom in water and cool the water before drinking it.

The succulent and tangy ginger

This is a common Indian kitchen ingredient that also helps in digestion by promoting the production of mucous for the stomach lining. It helps in the reduction of the acid formation and also splits down proteins contained in the food. Ginger also helps in the absorption and assimilation of food.

Source: med guru

How to Never Have Another Headache Ever Again

Painkillers will do the trick for the occasional headache, but if you’re slammed with them on a weekly or even daily basis — as 45 million Americans are — you need a better solution. Here, proven strategies that can ease, and even eliminate, chronic headache pain

Rack open a window
When a home is well-sealed, indoor levels of mold, perfumes, smoke and other irritants can skyrocket, worsening headaches for one in four sufferers, according to research at Johns Hopkins University. An easy Rx: Open a few windows to air out those pollutants. Keep them open long enough for a refreshing breeze to sweep out stale smells. Repeat as necessary to circulate some fresh air throughout your home, study authors say.

Sneak in some ginger
Add 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ginger to your daily diet, and you could tamp down even chronic headaches within one week, say researchers at Connecticut’s Manchester Memorial Hospital. Credit ginger’s active ingredient, gingerol. Danish studies suggest this powerful anti-inflammatory that is chemically similar to aspirin blocks the formation of pain-triggering compounds called leukotrienes in the brain.

Tip: Use ginger to add a zesty dash of flavor to stir fries, rice dishes, soups, casseroles and dipping sauces, grate it over ice cream, or steep it to make a tea.

Sport sunglasses
One in three headaches are triggered — or made worse — by blasts of sunlight, say UCLA researchers. The reason? When bright light hits the delicate retinas in your eyes, it activates your brain’s pain nerves. To stay ache-free, slip on shades before you head outdoors on bright days, even if you don’t think you need them.

Sniff tangerine essential oil
Spend one minute three times daily relaxing and inhaling the tangy, sweet smell of tangerine essential oil, and you could reduce your risk of tension headaches in as little as one week, say Stanford University researchers. Tangerine’s aromatic compounds soothe the central nervous system, relax tight neck and scalp muscles, plus boost your brain’s production of a pain-soothing compound called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), says Hyla Cass, M.D., author of Eight Weeks To Vibrant Health. Look for it in health and whole foods stores.

Avoid herbal slip-ups
If you use prescription pain medication to tame your worst headaches, check with your doctor or pharmacist before trying any herbal remedies. Surprising University of Utah research suggests that some of today’s most popular herbs — including ginkgo, ginseng, St. John’s wort and valerian — can counteract prescription pain meds, leading to nasty headache flare-ups.

Warm up before working out
According to Columbia University researchers, up to one in four headache-prone women are hit with brain pain within five hours of exercising if they jump into vigorous workouts without warming up. The culprit? Rapid changes in blood flow can trigger painful swelling of brain blood vessels. To prevent the problem, do your first 10 minutes of exercise at a leisurely pace, then gradually pick up the speed, Columbia researchers suggest.

Eat more vegetarian meals
When women pile their plates with fruits, vegetables, legumes and 100-percent whole grains, their headache frequency is reduced by 70 percent, and their attacks are 66 percent shorter and less painful, say doctors at California’s Loma Linda University. “These healthy carbs contain hundreds of natural anti-inflammatories that quickly lower the amount of headache-triggering inflammation your body produces,” says Neal Barnard, M.D., president of the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C.

Sip mullein leaf tea
Drink 16 ounces of this herbal brew daily and you’ll tamp down blood vessel and scalp muscle inflammation, reducing your risk of headache flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say Stanford University researchers. Credit mullein’s rich supply of natural anti-inflammatories. Look for mullein leaf tea in whole-food stores and well-stocked department stores like Walgreens. It can taste a bit bitter, so sweeten to taste with sugar or honey.

Level out your estrogen
Almost 60 percent of women struggle with their worst headaches right before their periods hit. Called menstrual migraines, these headaches are set off by sudden estrogen dips. A quick fix: If you take birth control pills, Yale University researchers suggest asking your doctor about skipping the placebos so your estrogen levels can stay steady all month long. Not on the pill? Consider using an estrogen patch during your premenstrual week, so those pain-triggering hormone plunges don’t occur.

Get up with your alarm
Get your sleep, but don’t linger in bed. According to University of Texas researchers, 79 percent of headache sufferers are prone to pain if they lounge in bed too long — even if they’re getting roughly the same amount of sleep each night. “Changing your wake-up time has a huge impact on brain function, lowering your pain threshold and making your brain blood vessels a lot more likely to spasm,” explains Michael Smolensky, Ph.D., author of The Body Clock Guide to Better Health.

Tip: Set your alarm so you get up at roughly the time every day, even on weekends.

Treat your snoring
Almost 30 million Americans struggle with sleep apnea — short breathing pauses during sleep – which triggers loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and nasty morning headaches. Those lapses in breathing allow carbon dioxide to build up in the bloodstream, which is a powerful headache trigger, explain researchers at Columbia-Presbyterian Eastside. If you’ve been told you snore loudly or stop breathing during sleep, report it to your doctor. Columbia studies show treating sleep apnea can make morning headaches vanish in as little as two days.

Take melatonin
Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, it may be wise to take a natural sleep aid . In a surprising Brazilian study, when migraine-prone patients took 3 milligrams of melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime, their headache frequency (and the level of pain) was cut in half. For one in four subjects, this simple treatment erased their migraines within three months! Turns out this sleep-inducing hormone helps prevent one of the most common migraine triggers — the amount or quality of sleep people get each night.

Soothe stress with a little “me” time
Carve out 30 minutes each day to relax and unwind, and your headache attacks could be cut in half within two weeks, say researchers at Utah State University. “Making time to nurture yourself drastically cuts your production of pain-triggering stress hormones,” explains Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of Real Cause, Real Cure. Try leisurely baths, deep breathing, yoga, napping or any other calming activity that fits easily into your schedule.

Tame rebound pain
If you’re getting at least three headaches every week, chances are good you’re struggling with rebound headaches (pain that flares every time painkillers wear off). To fix the problem fast, try switching to plain aspirin or acetaminophen. “Although most over-the-counter painkillers cause rebound headaches, those two are completely innocent,” says David Buchholz, M.D., author of Heal Your Headache. Make the switch, and your headache flare-ups could be cut in half within one week, he says.

When it’s time to see a doctor
If none of these solutions work, you probably have migraines and should see a doctor to get them under control.

According to Cleveland Clinic researchers, women with migraines often need preventive meds to really get their pain under control. Yet fewer than half of all migraine sufferers have been accurately diagnosed. If you have even one of these migraine symptoms, and at-home remedies haven’t made a dent in your misery, talk to your doctor about it:

Your headaches last 4 to 72 hours
You’d describe the pain as throbbing
Your headaches worsen if you make abrupt movements (like bending down to pick something off the floor)

You’re sensitive to light or sound, or feel nauseous, during headache attacks

Source: stumble upon

Simple Beauty tips that work

beauty-tips

Use toothpaste on yellow nails.
This usually happens when you let nail polish stay on your nails for very long and when you’ve used cheap nail polish. Whiten them all up by rubbing toothpaste to remove the stains. You can also add a few drops of lemon for extra whitening, it’s a natural bleaching agent.

Use suntan oil to treat damaged hair.
Here’s another use for that coconut suntan oil you love so much. If your tresses have been damaged from over styling or coloring, you can use this oil to treat it. Rinse your hair with warm water and then with a dollop of suntan oil, rub this on your hair. Wrap it in plastic cling wrap and secure with a towel. Sleep with this on overnight. The next day, wash your hair with baby shampoo (or anything moisturizing) to get the greasiness out.

Protect skin from the pool and the beach.
Don’t you hate the chlorine smell after swimming in the pool and the sticky feel of sea salt on your hair and skin after a dip in the beach? You can help minimize these effects by showering first with non-chlorinated water, which fills your pores and hair follicles. By doing this your hair won’t soak up much more water and then the residues will be easy to shower off.

Treat burns with milk.
If you’re burnt badly, first aid treatment could be standing under the shower and pouring canned milk over the burns. It will help pull the heat from the burn until you can get medical treatment.

Hydrate before travelling.
Since when you’re in a plane, you’re much closer to the sun, the proximity lets you be exposed more to the solar rays. Avoid drinking alcohol and salty foods because they are dehydrating. Drink lots of water instead, this will help your skin a lot.

Powder Your Roots
If by any chance you have no chance to jump into the shower and you need to look your best. Say for example you’ve spend the whole night preparing for an important presentation. Get a fluffy makeup brush and dab it onto loose powder and then brush it on the roots of your hair. Shake off the excess. The powder will soak off the grease in your locks.

Cure Calluses with Vaseline or petroleum jelly
It’s very unsightly to see hard calluses on your feet especially when you’ve been wearing closed shoes for a long time. I’ve seen a friend do this. To soften these tough calluses, she puts on petroleum jelly on them and puts on socks before going to bed.

Spot-Treat Smudges
I find cotton tips very usual for this. You can use it on your eyelids if you’ve made a mistake with your eyeliner and for your nails to correct a stray nail polish line.

Soften Your Body with an Avocado
Since avocadoes are natural moisturizers. Mash one up and slather this on your body just before taking a shower. The body mask will do wonders for your skin.

uper-Glue a Nail
Yikes! Accidents sometimes happen and when one of your nails break, you can choose to Super Glue it for the meantime. Add an opaque nail polish to cover the crack. Then when you get the chance to, better to cut it off.

Use Makeup Remover on Stubborn Lipstick
Instead of rubbing vigorously on your lips to remove red or dark lipstick, just dab on a cotton ball with makeup remover instead. This will help your lips from getting chapped and bruised.

Tame Brows with Eye Cream
Don’t you just hate it when there appears unsightly white specks on your brows that look like dandruff? This means they’re a bit dry, keep them hydrated with rich eye cream.

Use brown sugar to treat dandruff
If you’ve tried all the dandruff shampoos that you can buy and still your dandruff persists, try out this homemade treatment instead. Mix two parts of brown sugar with one part conditioner and then use this on your scalp. Leave on for about 3 minutes and then rinse it off.

Buff with Baking Soda
I’ve laughed at that episode in Friends when Ross went to a self-tanning sauna and got disastrous results. If you find yourself streaking (not glowing) after applying self-tanner (not all of us become experts at the first try), scrub away the unsightly spots with a loofah doused with baking soda.

Brush on Hair Spray
What I hate about hair sprays is that your hair becomes so stiff and the overall look doesn’t look natural anymore. For a neat hair trick, spray the hair spray on your hair brush after blow drying it. This way, you’ll still get the effects of the hair spray without making your hair look very stiff.

Boost Body Lotion with Baby Oil
For that shiny leg effect but don’t have any bronzing lotion with you, mix in a little baby oil into your everyday lotion to get the same effect.

Dab Body Oil on a Hangnail
Put on apricot oil, the kind found in health-food stores, to protect cuticles from turning rough and raggedy.

For younger hands, rub lemon and salt
Remove dead skin cells by rubbing lemon juice and sea salt on your hands with the aid of a toothbrush.

Freeze Your Eyeliner
I love eyeliners because they perk your eyes right back up. However sometimes they get too soft to be applied. A quick remedy for this will be to stick this into a freezer for 15 minutes.

Use Toothpaste on a Zit
Use just a pea-size amount. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb the oil so the pimple won’t get more clogged, then wash off. Additional tip from Heyhaie: Don’t use any toothpaste that whitens, the bleach will cause the zit to redden.

Heat Up Your Curler
If you have stick-straight lashes, try blasting your metal eyelash curler with a hair dryer for a couple seconds to heat it up so your lashes bend more easily. And use a waterproof mascara. The formula dries faster than other mascaras, so it sets the curl more effectively.

Use Soap Without Water
You know those fancy bars that are actually too pretty to use? Toss them in your underwear or tee-shirt drawers to make your skin smell delicious. You may also use fabric softener in packets.

Lubricate Your Lashes
An easy way to draw attention to your eyes without putting on a pile of makeup is to comb petroleum jelly lightly through the tips of eyelashes to get a sexy, subtle sparkle. It might feel icky if you put on a lot, so watch how much you’ll rub in.

Steamroll Flyaways
Spray on hair spray, then roll the can over your strands. The round bottle fits the curved shape of your head, locks in the spray, and flattens out frizz. You can also use a bit of lotion to further tame the flyaway.

Air-Dry Your Curls
Let your hair dry indoors before going out in the cold. Sometimes my curls look best when dried naturally instead of using a blow drier. It’s friendlier to your tresses too.

Press a Tea Bag on Splotches
If your skin is sensitive or just looking irritated and puffy for some reason, steep a bag of green tea for a minute or two, let it cool down, and dab it over your face. The antioxidants in the tea take down inflammation.

Shave with Conditioner
If you’ve ran out of shaving cream, you can use conditioner instead. Yep don’t use that body wash, the moisturizer in the conditioner will help prevent razor burns and will keep your skin smooth.

Amp Shine with Vinegar
Mix one part vinegar with four parts carbonated water, and soak dry hair. Leave on for 15 minutes before you shampoo to lock in shine and combat dullness.

Exfoliate Your Pits
If your underarms start to look dry and flaky, an easy trick is to exfoliate them with a gentle face scrub to keep that skin pretty when going sleeveless.

Customize Your Body Lotion
Instead of shelling out for an expensive perfumed body product, you can make your own by pouring a few drops of fragrance into any scent-free lotion. Rub it on-the scent will last for hours.

“Brush” with Mouthwash
If you’re too wiped out after a late night of partying to clean your teeth, rinse with water and mouthwash, then use a dry toothbrush on the area where your teeth hit your gums.

Use egg-whites for eyebags
The egg whites will tighten the skin right up. Let the egg whites dry before putting on make-up.

Make an Egg-White Mask
To revive tired, dull skin without hitting the spa table, try this: Crack open an egg in a bowl, separate the yolk, and use the egg whites to make a face mask. The proteins help to heal and restore skin’s moisture. Leave it on for five minutes, and rinse off. A note though, since egg whites tighten the skin and egg yolks moisturize, best not to use the egg white mask on a dry skin.

Source: Cher Cabula’s Mindbox

Home Remedies for Managing High Blood Pressure

Exercising 30 to 60 minutes a day can help bring down your blood pressure numbers by 4 to 9 mmHg. If you’ve been inactive for a while, talk to your doctor about a safe exercise routine. Start out slowly by walking or riding a bicycle. Gradually add moderate intensity activities to your routine. Not a fan of the gym? Take your workout outside. Go for a hike, jog, or swim and still reap the benefits. The important thing is to get moving! The AHA also recommends incorporating at least two days of muscle strength training a week.

Following the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) can lower your blood pressure by as much as 14 mmHg. The DASH diet consists of eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, low-fat dairy, lean meats, and fish. Eliminate foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol, such as processed foods, whole milk dairy products, fatty meats, and fried food.

Slow Down On the Salt
If you have high blood pressure, keeping your sodium intake to a minimum is vital. The AHA recommends limiting your sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg of sodium a day. That’s a little over half a teaspoon. One teaspoon of table salt has 2,400 mg of sodium! Table salt isn’t the only culprit when it comes to high sodium; processed food and many restaurant dishes tend to be loaded with sodium. Consuming too much sodium can cause the body to retain fluid, resulting in a sharp rise in blood pressure.

Lose Excess Weight
Weight and blood pressure go hand in hand. Losing just five pounds can help lower your blood pressure. It’s not just the number on your scale that matters, but the number of your waist size. The extra fat around your waist, called visceral fat, is troublesome because the fat tends to surround organs in the abdomen, which can lead to health issues including high blood pressure. Men should keep their waist measurement to less than 40 inches, while women should aim for less than 35 inches.

Nix Your Nicotine Addiction
Studies show that smoking a cigarette can temporarily raise blood pressure 10 mmHg or more for up to an hour after you smoke. If you’re a heavy smoker, your blood pressure can stay elevated for extended periods of time. People with high blood pressure who smoke are at greater risk for developing dangerously high blood pressure. Even secondhand smoke can put you at increased risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.

Limit Alcohol
Drinking a glass of red wine with your dinner is perfectly fine and may even offer heart health benefits when done in moderation. Drinking alcohol in excess, however, can lead to many adverse health issues, including high blood pressure. What does drinking in moderation mean?

Stress Less
In this hurried, multitasking society we live in, it’s hard to slow down and relax. It’s important to step away from your daily stress and take a few deep breaths, meditate, or practice yoga. Stress can temporarily raise your blood pressure, and too much of it can keep your pressure up for extended periods of time. Try to identify what’s triggering your stress, such as your job, relationships, or your finances, and find ways to fix the problems.

Source: health line

Home Remedies for Sinusitis

Diet Choices: Although this may sound like common sense, many people fail to eat properly when they suffer from sinusitis, often because it is not very enjoyable, as your sense of taste is often compromised. However, as you are probably well aware, your diet impacts every part of your health, both what you intentionally include, as well as what you intentionally avoid.

For sinusitis, a small, balanced diet of grains, lentils, and vegetables is the best choice, since it boosts your body’s immune system and regulates your metabolism to flush out toxins. On the other side of the coin, you should avoid any food that generates more mucous in the sinuses. Basically, you should avoid dairy products like cheese, milk, yogurt, and wheat. Also, in a strange twist, citrus juice and fruits can often increase mucous, despite the fact that citrus fruits are often used as a home remedy for boosting the immune system.

Herbal Options: Adding certain herbs to your diet can have strong effects on the nasal sinuses, as well as on the immune system’s ability to flush out toxins, eliminate mucous, and alleviate the symptoms. Some of these are strong stimulants or contain antioxidants, but the main reason for their use, either in food or in some sort of mixed liquid, is to flush out the mucous in the nose where the infection is usually located. Some of the best herbs for stimulating this emptying of the sinuses is garlic, onions, horseradish, and cayenne pepper. They might make you cry or force your nose to run, but consuming some of these herbs might be your best chance of eliminating sinusitis without allopathic medicine.

Wasabi: As with the herbs listed above, wasabi is specifically praised as a method of intensely affecting the sinuses, which is why we experience the “clearing of sinuses” when we eat too much of it at once. This same effect can be used to flush the mucous and toxins out of the sinuses and into either the stomach or the mouth before it is eliminated from the body.

Apple Cider Vinegar: This useful beverage, which is suggested for many different illnesses, is known to thin mucous and make it less viscous, thereby keeping it from blocking up your breathing and perpetuating the condition.

Grapefruit Seed Extract: This oil can be dropped in the mouth (but only a few drops) or mixed in water, as a way to eliminate the sinus infection very rapidly. However, never take this on an empty stomach, as it is very powerful and can make you sick.

Neti Pots: Using a neti pot has been a technique for centuries, and it is very simple and effective. Simply purchase a neti pot from any drugstore or health shop and fill it with warm distilled or bottled water. Then, pour the water into one nostril and allow it to

come back out the other. It can be an uncomfortable or strange sensation, but it can easily flush out toxins and other materials that you don’t want to remain in your system.

Inhaling Steam: As simple as this sounds, inhaling steam is one of the most popular home remedies for sinusitis. Boiling a pot of water, taking a hot shower, or utilizing an actual steam machine for sinusitis relief can quickly warm the mucus and reduce its consistency, therefore allowing you to blow it out of your nose or spit it out. If you can get rid of the mucous that is making you sick, you’re much more likely to defend against the development of chronic rhinosinusitis. Using humidifiers can also be a good idea while sleeping to help the healing process overnight!

Peppermint Tea: One of the active ingredients in peppermint tea is menthol, which cuts through mucous and thins it out, allowing it to flush easily out of your system. The combination of heat, steam, menthol, and liquid in peppermint tea can be a fast-acting solution for sinusitis of all varieties.

A Final Word of Caution: As mentioned earlier, more serious, long-lasting varieties of sinusitis should not be taken lightly, and if you want relief, allopathic options are normally quite mild and the side effects are limited. However, it is always your choice of whether to use home remedies or medical treatment. Just pay attention to your body and do your best to get healthy!

Source: Organic Facts