Flax seed, also known as linseed (Alsi in Hindi), is known for its high nutritional value, making it a priority choice of food for health conscious people. Considered as one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet, studies have shown that the seed can help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. That’s indeed very high claims for a tiny seed but various research has proved the health benefits of flax seeds. Flax seed has the natural properties of fiber, lignans and omega-3 fatty acids that provide preventative and restorative abilities to your diet. There are two types of flax seed. One type of seed is grown for the seed use and considered an oil seed variety. The other flax seed type is grown specifically for fiber production to be used in the texture industry. These days, flaxseed is found in all kinds of foods, from crackers to frozen waffles to oatmeal. The Health Benefits of Flax SeedCancer:Recent studies have suggested that flaxseeds have a protective effect against cancer, particularly prostate cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer. The omega-3 fatty acid found in flaxseed inhibited tumor incidence and growth.The lignans in flaxseed may provide some protection against cancers that are sensitive to hormones. Improved Immune Function: Immunity is the body’s ability to defend itself successfully against foreign substances. The alpha linolenic acid and lignans in flax seed, decreases inflammation and promotes healthy functioning of the immune system. Flax seed may be useful to manage autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus.Weight Management: Research indicates that including flaxseed in your daily diet can help you manage your weight. Besides stabilizing your sugar levels, flax expands five times in bulk when ingested. Flax taken half an hour before meals will help you eat less, so you will lose weight while simultaneously strengthening your immune system.Cardiovascular/Heart Disease: Research suggests that diets rich in flaxseed omega-3s help prevent hardening of the arteries and keep plaque from being deposited in the arteries and thus help the cardiovascular system. The cholesterol-lowering effects of flaxseed are due to the benefits of omega 3 ALA; fiber and lignans. Reducing inflammatory reactions associated with plaque buildup in the arteries prevent heart attack and strokes.Diabetes: Studies have also shown that the daily intake of the lignans in flax may modestly improve blood sugar.Hot Flashes: A study on menopausal women reported that 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed (taken twice daily) reduces the women’s hot flashes in half. And, the intensity of their hot flashes dropped by 57%. The women noticed a difference after taking flaxseed daily for just one week, and achieved the maximum benefit within two weeks. How to take flax seed?Buy it ground or grind it yourself. Flaxseed, when eaten whole, is more likely be undigested, which means your body doesn’t get all the healthful components. You can use your mixer grinder for grinding flaxseed. Add flaxseed to a food you habitually eat maybe oatmeal, soup, or yogurt or curry. Stir in a 1 or 2 tbsp ground flaxseed. Soon it will be a habit and you won’t have to think about it, you’ll just do it. You can add grounded flax seeds in darkly colored sauces or meat mixtures. Use it in baking. Substitute ground flaxseed for part of the flour in recipes for quick breads, rolls, muffins, bread, pancakes, and waffles. Try replacing 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the flour with ground flaxseed if the recipe calls for 2 or more cups of flour. How much flaxseed do you need? The optimum dose to obtain health benefits is not yet known. According to the Flax Council of Canada, 1-2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day is currently the suggested dose, . Who shouldn’t use Flaxseed?Until more reports and studies are published, pregnant women and possibly breastfeeding mothers should not supplement their diets with flaxseeds. Tips for buying and storing flaxseedsMilled = ground = flax meal These are the different product names for ground flaxseed. Milled or ground flaxseed is the same thing as flax meal.Buy either brown or golden flaxseed.There is very little difference nutritionally between the two, so the choice is up to you.Check the product label. Flaxseed is a featured ingredient in cereals, pasta, whole grain breads and crackers, energy bars, meatless meal products, and snack foods. Make sure when buying products containing flaxseed, the label reads ground flaxseed, not whole flaxseed.The best place to store ground flaxseed is the freezer. Keep the grounded flax seeds in a plastic sealable bag and put it in the freezer. It’s a good idea to keep your whole flaxseed in a dark, cool place until you grind it. But as long as it is dry and of good quality, whole flaxseed can be stored at room temperature for up to a year.
Natural Treatment for Constipation, Constipation Home Remedies, Natural Home Remedies for Constipation
A common disturbance of the digestive tract in which the bowels do not move regularly, or are not completely emptied when they move is a condition of constipation faced by many. This condition is the chief cause of many diseases as it produces toxins which find their way into the bloodstream and are carried to all parts of the body. Appendicitis, high blood pressure, cataract, rheumatism, arthritis, and cancer are only a few of the diseases in which chronic constipation is an important after effect.Home Remedies for Constipation: Constipation Treatment with FruitsGenerally all fruits, except banana and jack fruit, are helpful in the treatment of constipation. Certain fruits are, however, more effective. Bael Fruit: Bael fruit is considered as the best of all laxatives. It cleans and tones up the intestines. Its regular use atleast for 2-3 months throws out even the old accumulated faecal matter. It should be preferably taken in its original form. Pear: Pears are effective in the treatment of constipation. An exclusive diet of this fruit or its juice is recommended for chronic patients for a few days. But in normal cases, a medium-sized pear taken after dinner or with breakfast will produce desired result. Guava:Guava is another effective remedy for constipation. One or two guavas, preferable should be taken everyday. Grapes:Grapes have proved very beneficial in treating constipation. The combination of grapes’ properties like cellulose, sugar, and organic acid make them a laxative food. They not only clearing the bowels but also tone up the stomach and intestines. Orange: Orange is also beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Taking one or two oranges on rising in the morning and at bedtime is an excellent way of stimulating the bowels. Papaya and Figs: Other fruits for constipation treatment are papaya and figs. Half a medium-sized papaya should be eaten at breakfast for it to act as a laxative. Both fresh and dry figs have a laxative effect. Soaked 4-5 figs overnight in a little water and eat them in the morning. Lime:Half a lime, squeezed in a glass of hot water, with half a teaspoon of salt is also an effective remedy for constipation. Other Natural Constipation Treatment Raisin: When fresh grapes are not available, raisins, soaked in water, can be used. Raisins should be soaked overnight. This will make them swell to the original size of the grapes. They should be eaten early in the morning, along with the water in which they have been soaked. Spinach and carrot juice: Among the vegetables, spinach is the most vital food for the entire digestive tract. Raw spinach contains the finest organic material for the cleansing, reconstruction, and regeneration of the intestinal tract. Raw spinach juice, approx.-100 ml, mixed with an equal quantity of water and taken twice daily, will cure constipation within a few days. Carrot juice mixed with spinach juice gives immediate relief from constipation. Water:To dring 8-10 glasses of water everyday brings a solution to many intestinal problems. Drinking water which has been kept overnight in a copper vessel, first thing in the morning, brings effective results in treating constipation. Linseed (alse): A teaspoon of linseed swallowed with water before each meal is extremely useful in difficult cases of constipation. Fennel seed:Take some fennel seeds and add them to a glass full of warm water. Drink this water each night before going to bed. The regular use of the seeds will normalize the functioning of the digestive system and heal the constipation problems. Epsom Salt:Mix 1/4 teaspoon of Epsom salt to 1/2 a glass of water and drink. This is a good constipation remedy. Almond oil with milk: Take milk mixed with almond oil every night before going to sleep. This controls the constipation. Triphala powder: 4 grams of triphala powder when taken with 200 grams of warm water or milk also relieves constipation. Constipation diet: What to eat? Natural and simple diet consisting of unrefined foods such as wholegrain cereals, bran, honey, lentils, green and leafy vegetables, fresh and dry fruits, and milk products in the form of butter, and cream. Chew food properly. Avoid Irregular Meals and Hurried Meals. What to avoid ?Sugar and sugary foods should be strictly avoided. Foods which constipate are all products made of white flour, bread, rice, pulses, cakes, cheese, pastries, biscuits, fleshy foods, preserves, white sugar, hard-boiled eggs etc.
Quick and Simple Household Tips: Timely Advices to Help You in Your Household Chores
Presenting before you a collection of some household tips. Some timely advices to help you in your household chores. To clean mirrors and window glass, sprinkle ammonia on a rag and wipe. Apply a coat of clear nail polish on the cover of the label of medicine bottle. This wont smear the label with medicine spills. You can brighten up rug colors by using a cloth wrung out of warm water to which ammonia and salt have been added and wiping an old soiled rug. A paste of vinegar, flour, and salt makes an excellent cleaner for copper, brass, or pewter. Let paste stand 1 hour on the object, wipe off, wash and polish. If you do not like the objectionable odor of new paint, then place a bucket of water in the freshly painted room. Rub a bit of furniture wax on a soft cloth and pass it lightly over the writing on the package you must take in the rain to post or mail. Address will not blur. If you need a wide piece of wax paper, seal two strips together with a hot iron; it cools quickly. Put a safety pin in a certain corner of the rug before you take it up. In this way you can distribute the wear and know how the rug was laid before. Put aside an old pair of white gloves and use them for cleaning the slats on your venetian blinds. Slip the gloves on and, with your fingers, you’ll be able to reach every bit of dust. Rubber tends to darken silverware, so never put anything made of rubber in the silver drawers. Use cord or ribbon to hold silver together–not rubber bands. To remove the yellow stains from enameled bathtubs and wash basins, wash with salt and turpentine. White spots on furniture that has been caused by water, hot dishes, or alcohol, may be removed by rubbing the stains with camphorated oil or oil of peppermint. Wax candles will burn more slowly and for a longer period of time if they are chilled in the icebox several days before they are lighted. Wrap a strip of adhesive tape around picture frame wire exactly at the center. This will keep the wire from slipping and always hold the picture in place. One of the best things for polishing mirrors and glass of all sorts after washing is crumpled tissue paper. Hang rubber gloves with a piece of cellulose tape to a towel rack; this enables the air to get inside for quick drying and they will not stick together. Put all left-over pieces of soap, either hand or laundry soap, and place in a can. Pour a small amount of water over them and place on back of stove, the soap will melt and form a jelly. This is ideal for washing dishes or clothes. If you have a brass or metal door knocker, wax it immediately after polishing. This practice will keep it bright.
Home Remedies for Cracked Heels: Natural Remedies to Care for your Feet and Heels
Cracked heels are a common problem seen in many people resulting is a very unpleasant, untidy and rough look. Cracked heels though not a very serious health problem can result to severe pain and bleeding if not taken care of at an early stage. Cracked heel is associated with red or flaky patches, peeling and cracked skin, itchy skin and bleeding or discharge from cracks. Most common causes that lead to cracked heels are naturally dry skin, prolonged standing, overweight, back-open sandals that leads the fat under the heel to expand sideways, disease and disorders like athlete’s foot, eczema, thyroid disease, diabetes and other skin problems, deficiency of vitamins, minerals and zinc and lastly not taking care of your feet. Feet care should not be neglected. Dirty feet, cracked heels decreases your beauty no matter how beautiful your face is. So giving a little attention to your feet can make lots of changes in your appearance. You just need to give them your little time atleast once a week. You can effectively cure and prevent cracked heels by following some simple home remedies. Natural home remedies provide the best cost effective and result oriented solutions to cure cracked heels.Home Remedies for Cracked Heels Wash your feet before going to bed. Apply any shortening or hydrogenated vegetable oil on dry and cracked areas of the feet. Wear a pair of thick socks overnight. This can surely provide positive results in few days. Apply the pulp of a ripe banana and leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse it clean. Soak the feet in lemon juice for about 10 minutes. This therapy if followed on a weekly basis can bring changes. A regular application of a mixture of glycerin and rosewater is known to cure cracked heels. Another result oriented solution is to melt paraffin wax and mix it well with little mustard oil. Apply on the dry or cracked area of the heels. Rinse it off in the morning. A continuous application can achieve desirable results. Rubbing pumic stone or foot scrubber is helpful in clearing the dead dull skin. Moisturize Your FeetMoisturize and exfoliate the feet whenever possible. A daily regime of cleaning and moisturizing is a good cure for cracked heels. Soak your feet in warm soapy water for about 15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Make a healing mixture of one teaspoon Vaseline and the juice of one lemon. Rub this mixture onto the cracked heels till it is thoroughly absorbed. This can be done daily until visible results are obtained.Simple Tips to Follow Wear right sized shoes to foot pain. You should buy new shoes in the evening because that is the time when there is water retention in the body and you will come to know the exact size of your feet. Never wear shoes in wet legs and never wear wet soaks. You can spray foot spray or powder in your shoes while putting your feet in. Keep feet clean and dirt free. Exercise the feet regularly. You can apply petroleum jelly or your daily body lotion on your feet every night before going to bed. Alternate hot and cold water for a feet bath to soothe the feet. Avoid walking bare feet as much as possible. Drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrate. Walk on the grass barefoot early morning. It rejuvenates the feet and improves the eyesight. If there is pain in your feet then soak them in hot water with salt added to it and alter the feet in cold. Cracked heels may be sign of zinc and omega-3 fatty acids deficiency in your body. So add them in your daily diet. Being over weight too results in permanent cracked heels. So the best home remedy for it is to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
Health Benefits of Grapes: Goodness of Grapes as a Natural Health Remedy
Grapes are highly nutritious, low-calorie fruits. Containing vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, they are also a good source of potassium. Made of about 80% water and 10% pure glucose, or “grape sugar,” Grapes are immensely energizing and have always been trusted upon as a highly healthy fruit. The goodness of grapes on one’s health have been known from the time unknown. Doctors all across the world insist on regular intake of grapes whether green, red, or purple or grape juice. Some of the health benefits of grapes are as follows:Heart DiseasesGrapes have helped in preventing or slowing down heart diseases. About 20 years ago, researchers have discovered that French people had less heart related health problems than other countries. This discovery was called the French Paradox. The main explanation for this was that French people drank red wine with their meals which is made of grapes. Since this discovery was made, many studies were carried out, to prove the fat that red wine or grapes juice can reduce the risk of heart diseases in time. Grapes block the artery clogging effects of fatty food products. Antioxidants in fresh grapes are responsible for preventing the accumulation of oxidized cholesterol. Grapes reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the body, promote lower blood pressure, and benefit heart health. Cancer Grapes are also very good cancer fighting fruits. They contain high levels of caffeic acid, a very strong cancer fighting substance. Bioflavonoids, a nutrient contained by grapes, helps the absorption of vitamin C into our bodies and help vitamin C maintain healthy connective tissue in our bodies. Grapes also function as antioxidants and provide strength to our cells in the battle with cancerous cells and also help kill cancer cells. Resveratrol, another nutrient in grapes, also helps in preventing cancer, especially liver, lung, breast and prostate cancer. In women regular intake of grape juice prevents the synthesis of estrogen thereby keeping the growth breast cancer at bay. VirusesAnother study discovered that grapes have an effective antimicrobial action that helps in killig certain bacteria like E. coli. Additionally, the high concentration of tannin, in grapes, can help fight viruses and tumors. AgingAccording to Harvard Medical School researchers, resveratrol in grapes activates enzymes that slow aging, thus increasing DNA stability and extending life span by 70%. Eye powerGrapes can contribute to reducing the risk of loss of eyesight (a major problem among the elderly). By increasing grapes intake we can reduce the risk of macular degeneration (the main cause of vision loss) by 30-40%. Anti Fatigue and StressFatigue, tiredness can be possibly due to poor functioning of our immune system. This generally happens if the diet is not balanced or if we are under stress. In order to boost our immune system, taking grapes or drinking grape juice regularly is an effective remedy. Grapes contain antioxidants that are excellent for strengthening immune system thereby making you feel healthier and fresh. AnemiaRegular intake of grape juice helps people suffering from anemia as it increases iron content in our body. Other Health BenefitsGrape juice is also effective in curing liver and skin disorders, rheumatism, gout, and constipation. Eating grapes strengthens your body when you need to recover from anemia, gastritis with high acidity, chronic insomnia, metabolism disorder, and constipation. It is recommended to include grapes in your diet in the first stage of tuberculosis. How to Eat and Preserve GrapesFresh grapes usually stay good for about two to three days in the refrigerator. Before you eat them, make sure that you rinse them with water. For enhanced taste and flavor, serve grapes slightly chilled. To squeeze juice out of grapes, use a glass bottle and fill it completely. This prevents oxidation and damage to the juice. Nutrients are lost if the juice is stored for a long time. Drink your grape juice as soon as possible. If you buy grape juice from the market make sure that there are no added sugars and minimal stabilisers as they are naturally sweet. People who want to get the benefits of grapes by drinking wine should be aware that alcohol can have deleterious effects on the body, especially when consumed in high volume. Drawbacks Grapes are not recommended for obesity, diabetes, colitis, stomach ulcers, diarrhea and dysentery. If you eat grapes with milk, cucumbers, melon, fish, beer, mineral water and fatty meals, you will get an upset stomach. If you have a cavity in a tooth, eating grapes or drinking grape juice will intensify your tooth destruction. Rinse your mouth every time you eat grapes.
Get Rid of Facial Hair Naturally: Some Easy Home Remedies for Facial Hair Removal
Excessive hair growth on the face is a problem faced by many women. This may be the result of some hormonal disturbances, hereditary, by birth problem and medicines after effects. But in most cases there is no specific cause for excessive growth of hair. Hair growth is directly related to hormones, estrogen levels, and ancestry. But it is true that facial hair looks nasty and unattractive and spoil the beauty of any woman. Excessive hair on the face can be removed by treading, waxing, bleaching and very expensive methods like electrolysis and laser treatment. But you can also opt for some essential home remedies which are very effective in removing unwanted hair on face. Check out these home remedies for facial hair removal. Natural way of removing facial hair Sugar, lemon and water: Make a paste of sugar, lemon and water. Apply the paste on your face and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Then wash your face. It is very effective for your skin. Lemon and Honey: Make a paste using 1 tbsp of lemon juice and 4 tsps of honey. Then apply it on your face in the direction of hair growth. Leave it for some time and then wash your face. Use this two times in a week. It will keep your face fresh and remove the unwanted hair growth. Egg, Cornflour and Sugar: Blend one egg white with 1/2 tablespoon of corn flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar until it becomes a sticky paste. Apply the mixture to your face. When it dries gently peel it off. Wash your face with cold water. Do this 3-4 times a week. Turmeric (Haldi) powder and milk: Mix turmeric powder with milk. Apply the paste on the face. Scrub it off slowly moving your fingers in circular motion. Wash with cold water. This is a good hair removal home remedy. Lemon and sugar for browning your hair: Apply before bedtime a paste of 2 teaspoon fresh lime juice and ½ teaspoon sugar. This will turn hair golden brown. Apply this 3-4 times a week for 2 months. For Legs hair removal: Mix well ground white pepper with camphor and a few drops of kerosene. Apply on the legs and leave for a 10-15 minutes. The hair will fall off. Tips for Hair Removal on a Child Naturally Apply a besan -haldi paste. Take 75% besan (gram flour, chana flour) and 25% haldi (turmeric powder): that is a combination of 3 tsp of besan with 1 tsp of haldi turmeric powder . After sometime when it starts to dry, scrub it off gently. This would gradually reduce body hair over a period of time. Massage the baby with almond oil or any other oil. Mix besan, haldi with oil. Or make a paste of wheat flour and ghee. Massage for even a new born child for 2-3 months, every alternate day. If the baby has too much hair, they will vanish over a period of time.
Ginger–Nature's best known home remedy: Health Remedies using Ginger
One of the best and oldest home remedies for various diseases is ginger. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used for thousands of years, both for flavoring food and for medicinal purposes. Having a wonderful taste and aroma, this is a very popular cooking spice which adds flavor to many dishes. The best part is that it can also help with many illnesses and ailments. Some of the remedies using ginger are as follows: How to use ginger?Ginger is used fresh as a spice in culinary use. Ginger is also available in capsules, tablets, liquid extracts and tinctures, and powders, as well as in teas, cookies, such as ginger snaps, and candies. The use of small amounts of fresh ginger is considered to be generally safe. Dried, powdered, and extracted forms of ginger are considerably stronger and require more careful dosing. People suffering from gallstones or gallbladder disease should avoid ginger. Pregnant women may need to avoid consuming ginger in quantity. Health Remedies using Ginger Gas, Indigestion, Upset Stomach, Vomiting: Ginger can be used to prevent vomiting. Just keep a small piece of ginger in your mouth and swallow its juice after regular interval. This helps in relieving nausea or vomiting or indigestion. Motion sickness: Try the same process if you have motion sickness problem. But use before travel. Arthritis pain: Ginger has been used for years to relieve arthritis pain. Rub Ginger oil (available in health food stores) or fresh ginger on a painful joint. A warm poultice can be made with fresh or powdered ginger. Mix enough ginger with very hot water to make a paste, spread on a gauze and allow it to soak in. Apply, ginger side to skin, to painful areas . You will be relieved of the pain. Migraine:Most suggest that ginger works best when taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. It also works in menstrul cramps. For cold , cough and flu: Two tablespoons fresh ginger in hot water several times a day will help you get rid of cold, flu and even headache. If you have sore throat or cough have ginger tea. Just add a piece of ginger in tea without milk and add a dash of lemon and honey. This is a very popular remedy for cough. Some people find relief from inhaling a few drops of ginger oil or fresh ginger in steaming water. For children, it’s recommended that ginger not be used by children under two years of age. Diabetes: According to some doctors, drinking ginger in water first thing in the morning helps regulate glucose. Heart: Studies have shown that ginger may even lower blood pressure and improve blood-flow. Acne and skin problem:Ginger has many anti-acne properties and is ideal for natural acne treatment. Its culinary usage is safest.
Natural Care Tips for Oily Hair: Home Remedies to Bring Body and Life to Oily Hair
Natural beauty treatments are gaining popularity because of the fact that there is less use or no use of harmful chemicals on your body. There are a whole range of natural beauty products to pamper your body. Oily hair is not like by anyone. If the sebaceous glands on your scalp produce a lot of oil, your hair will be oily. Natural remedies can make your oily hair silky and lustrous. Using any of these natural remedies for oily hair, will make your hair easily manageable and help you to style your hair in any way you like. Epsom Salt A good way to remove excess oil is to spike your shampoo with Epsom salts. Mix 2 to 3 teaspoons Epsom salts and 1/2 cup of a liquid shampoo in a mug. Thoroughly massage 1 tablespoon of this mixture into your hair before wetting it. Rinse. Do not use any conditioner. Lemon Juice: Mix the juice of one lemon and 1 cup of lukewarm water, and pour over your hair. After 10 minutes, rinse with cool water. Egg White and Fuller’s Earth Mix 2 beaten egg whites, 4 tbsp of Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti), 1 cup of 4 tbsp (heaped) blended mint Leaves, 2 tbsp Lemon Juice and 1 tsp Honey. Mix thoroughly to get a smooth even paste. Comb your hair and part it in the middle. Apply the paste evenly on your hair.Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it for half an hour. Rinse it off with water. Uses a Herbal shampoo like Reeth (Soapnut) shampoo. Use this hair pack once every week. Make your Own Reetha (Soapnut) Shikai Shampoo for Oily HairTake 1 cup Reetha Nuts (Soapnut), 1 liter Water, 2 tbsp (heaped) Shikakai (Acacia Concinna), 2 tbsp Lemon Juice, and 1 tsp Honey. Soak the reetha nuts overnight in 1 liter of water. Remove the stones from the nuts the next morning and mash the reetha nuts well in the water. Strain the solution and add the shikakai powder into it and mix well. Apply the mixture to your hair. This is a home made shampoo. Leave this on your head for 5-10 minutes and then rinse your hair thoroughly with water. Malt VinegarYou can make a mild toner for your oily hair using malr vinegar. Take 2 tbsp Malt Vinegar, 1/2 liter Water and 1/4 tsp Salt. Make a solution of the three in a clean, glass jar. You can keep this solution for a maximum period of five days. Take 4 tbsp of this solution and massage (using rotating movements of your finger tips) into your scalp every 3 days. Leave it on for 1 hour. Rinse it off with plain water. Quick Dry Cleaner for Oily HairUse 1/2 cup Cornstarch and sprinkle it in your hair. Let it absorb for a few minutes, brush it out. This is handy tip if you are in a hurry.These natural hair treatments also prevent hair loss or hair fall, and make your hair soft, lustrous and shiny.
Treat your Dry Skin Naturally, Dry Skin Home Remedies, Natural Remedies for Dry Skin
Dry skin is a common problem that is seen in almost everyone specially during winters when humidity is less. The areas most affected are the cheeks, area under the eye, thighs, lower arms, chest, and sides of abdomen. The skin becomes tight and itchy. In severe cases there is scaliness and cracks on the skin. There are many causes that leads to dry skin like environmental factors (less humidity, cold, sun exposure, use of excess make-up, harsh soaps and pollution), Nutrient deficiencies like deficiency of vitamin E, A and B, Skin problems like dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis and the last cause is less supply of oil by the oil glands to the skin. Many cosmetic products are available in the market to make your skin soft and reduce dryness. But then it is always better to opt for home remedies. Try these remedies to solve your dry skin problem. Home Remedies for Dry Skin Oil MassageMassage the face and other parts of the body with almond oil or olive oil every night before going to bed. You can also massage the skin with grapeseed oil. In severe cases of dry skin castor oil or avocado oil is highly beneficial. Face pack Face pack using egg yolk, orange juice, olive oil and lime juice. Prepare a fine mixture by adding 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of orange juice, few drops of rose water and some drops of lime juice. Apply this as a face pack in the morning for 15 minutes before taking bath. This is very useful home remedy for dry skin. Ripe banana: Mash a ripe banana and apply it on the face and neck. Leave it for sometime and then wash the face with lukewarm water. Raw peanuts and milk: Mix 2-5 tablespoons of raw peanuts with milk and make a fine paste. Add little honey to this paste. Apply this paste on face. Leave this paste to dry. Then wash with cold water. Egg yolk:Take the yolk of an egg and dab it on your face leave for 15 minutes. keep using this pack everyday till your face is clear. Fruit pack: Create a puree of 1 papaya, peach or avocado and mix it with 1 banana. Apply to skin and leave for few minutes. Clean with warm water. Honey, Egg yolk, Milk Powder: Mix up half-teaspoon honey with the yolk of an egg and one tablespoon dried out milk powder. Make it a paste and apply. Remove after few minutes with water. Grated cucumber: Apply grated cucumber all over the face and around the eyes too. The juice is good for the skin, gives a cooling and refreshing result and tightens the skin. Mayonnaise: Apply normal mayonnaise, either homemade or from one available in the market. Massage into skin, leave on for few minutes, and wash thoroughly with warm water. Raw papaya: Make a pulp of raw papaya and apply on affected area. It helps in softening dead skin cells and aiding their removal. Apple:Take 2-3 apples, grate them and apply on the skin, keep it for 20 minutes and then wash using cold water. Honey and rose water: Take half tablespoon of honey and mix it with 1-2 tablespoon of rose water. Apply on face, neck, and other dry skin area. This will clean the skin, tones it, and makes it smooth and glowing. Herbal Remedies for Dry SkinUse aloe vera extracts or gel for massaging the skin. Or prepare a mixture of fuller earth (multani mitti) with mint (pudina) leaves. Freeze the pack overnight. Keep outside for few minutes and then apply it on your face. After 10-15 minutes, wash off and pat dry. It has good results in treating dry skin. Other Home Remedies Soak the face with a soft towel dipped in lukewarm water for about 5-10 minutes. This is an effective remedy for dry skin. After bathing applying Aloe Vera gel is also effective. Before bathing add 5-6 drops of oat extract or lavender oil to the bathtub. Milk bath once a month is also effective.Make a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey for moisturizing and cleaning the face. Important Tips Try to avoid using tap water when cleansing dry skin. Dry skin gentle cleansing, massage and generous quantities of oil and moisture. Use non-detergent, neutral-pH products to wash your skin. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Include lots of fruits in your diet to get the essential vitamins.
How to take apple cider vinegar? Find the best way to drink Apple Cider Vinegar
Inorder to get health benefits and remedial effects from various ailments, there are different ways to integrate apple vinegar into your diet. The degree of effectiveness of an apple cider vinegar remedy is not only based on how you take it, but also on when you take it. You can use this as a daily tonic or as an inhaler in the very first sign of a cold or sinus infection. It can also be poured in a bath or taken in the form of supplements. For detailed information on apple cider vinegar, refer to Nature’s One of the Best Remedy.Some easy ways of taking apple cider vinegar Since the taste of apple cider vineagr is bitter, it is often mixed with other liquids. You can dilute 1/8 to 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar into 16 ounces of water or juice, and sip the drink throughout the day. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into 8 ounces of water or juice and drink it all at once, 2 – 3 times per day. When added to apple juice, it is more pleasant to drink. It can also be mixed into a cup of tea. If drinking apple cider vinegar is a problem, add it to various sauces, marinades, and/or dressings. Some recipes: The best way to take apple cider vinegar1 oz Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1-4oz glass of warm waterMethod: Warm up the water to a comfortable level and slowly stir in the honey. Once the honey is completely dissolved into the water, add slowly apple cider vinegar. Stir continuously, keeping the water at a warm level for a few minutes. Cool to a safe level and enjoy the drink. The honey offsets the bitter taste of the apple cider vinegar. 1 oz Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1-4oz glass of warm water Method: Boil the water first, as the sugar will mix in much faster. After boiling the water, add sugar and stir. After the sugar is completely dissolved, add the apple cider vinegar. Cool down the mixture a bit before drinking. 2 tbsp Bran, 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar, Porridge, Yogurt, or FruitMethod: Pour the bran into a mixing bowl. Gradually stir in the apple cider vinegar. Once the mixture is evenly distributed, pour it over the porridge, yogurt, or fresh fruit. Apple cider vinegar is also available in the form of tablets found in chemist shops.