Thursday, November 11, 2010
Pigmentation , melasma on face
CAUSES: Anyone from teenage to oldage can get pigmentation, melasma or chloasma. The main cause in women is harmonal imbalance and aggravates due to even little sun-exposure.
Many women get pigmentation marks in pregnancy, called mask of pregnancy; these fade away slowly. It may also occur when a woman is on birth control pills or after HRT.
Men may also suffer with this problem due to hereditary reasons or diabetes and it triggers with stress and overexposure in sun.
REMEDIES:
1. First and foremost consult a doctor for the exact cause of melasma before going for any remedy.
2. Application of creams with Hydroquinone and Tretonoin. They contain bleaching agents which reduce the production of melanin, responsible for the brown colour of the skin. The results may start coming after 3-4 weeks. These can be irritable to the skin and can have adverse effects with the slightest increase in concentration.
3. Laser treatment in removing brown pigment, melasma.
4. Use sun screen lotions daily.
HOME REMEDIES:
All Skin lightners like vinegar, lime, papaya(unripe) are useful remedies in the treatment of melasma. Although these things are very good for the entire face, but apply them only on the affected parts as a treatment. If any sort of irritation occurs by applying any of the products, discontinue its usage:
1. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and clean the pigmented parts of the face. Vinegar has acetic acid which helps to burn old skin cells and form new light ones. Apple cider vinegar can be used.
2. An excellent remedy : Mix equal parts of vinegar and onion juice and apply with a cotton ball twice daily. Wash after some time, say 20 minutes,
3. Application of papaya juice or 'papaya + yoghurt' a wonderful remedy. This is an exfoliant too. Here also unripe papaya is used. Grate a piece of papaya, squeeze out the juice and mix with curd. Apply and wash with warm water after sometime. It will not be tedious if made into a habit.
4. Lemon slice(contains citric acid which lightens skin) can also be rubbed on the area twice daily.
5. Similarly, juice of mint leaves/onion juice/piece of raw papaya/aloe vera gel (massaged gently in circular motion for 15 minutes and left overnight)/turmeric+milk/milk+oatmeal(uncooked)/almond and honey paste /whichever suits your time and skin, can be massaged gently over the patches and washed after 20 minutes.
Stick to one or two remedies that suit the skin and be regular. Make it into a habit until the pigmentation disappears.
6. Kapalbhati pranayam is a great yogic breathing exercise which helps to fade away melasma completely. High BP and heart patients must do it slowly, otherwise there is no harm at all. Learn properly from an expert.
Protection from sun is extremely important. You will have to apply a sunscreen daily.
Drink plenty of water to flush off toxins.
Wash your face with mild soap and let dry it on its own.
Diet can also effect melasma. Consult your doctor about the intake of calcium/iron. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will improve the skin overall.
Start the home remedies now and they will really work. The pigmentation is quite stubborn, so it takes time. Remember ROME was not built in a day.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Ginger + tulsi + pepper in tea = Relief from cough + cold + fever
Ginger has properties of ibuprofen and aspirin; is a remedy not only against cold and flu but also helps in muscle or body pain.
Tulsi, the most important medicinal herb is a preventive as well as cure for various ailments like cough, cold, fever, flu, kidney, heart, and skin problems.
Pepper, the king of spices is also anti-bacterial which not only prevents diseases, but aids digestion, improves appetite and soothes sore throat.
Try to be close to nature.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Switch to mobile blogging
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Spinach forever!
The fresh, green, organic spinach leaves not only provide me and my family with calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, protein, phosphorus, zinc, copper, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibre, beta-cerotene and vitamins like K, E, C, B6 and A which not only improve eye sight, bone health, learning capacity, reduce migraine attacks, but are also a protection against osteoporosis, arthiritis, asthma, heart diseases, cancer etc.
Spinach has not only added greenery to my garden, but also given me immense satisfaction that my family will not be deprived of the essential nutrients. Spinach is grown all the year round, why don't you try it too?
P.S. EAT EVERYTHING IN MODERATION AND STAY HEALTHY.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Treat under eye puffiness the natural way!
Puffiness and under eye bags can also age you as much as deep wrinkles around the eyes. Under eye puffiness is caused mainly due to the following reasons:
1.Water retention in the body.
2.Taking too many steroids.
3.Hereditary factors.
4.Growing age.
5.Lack of sleep.
6.Allergies.
5.Heart problems.
6.Using a very low pillow.
Reduce the puffiness by trying to follow as many below-mentioned ways as as possible:
1. Remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When enough water is not provided to the body, it starts retaining water as a defense mechanism, causing puffiness or bags under the eyes. Try drinking 4 glasses of water as you get up in the morning without brushing your teeth and the rest, throughout the day.
2. Press very gently the under-eye area with your ring finger(this finger gives the least pressure on the delicate eye area) as you get up in the morning.
3. Keep a set of six to eight spoons in the freezer and press gently the upper and lower eye puffiness with them or dip spoons in cold water and press gently.
4. Rinse used tea/chamomile/green tea bags in cold water and keep on the closed eyelids for 15 minutes daily. The tannin and caffeine present in tea help to reduce puffiness under the eyes. Tea bags can be stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
5. Cucumber or potato slices placed on the eyelids reduce swelling and puffiness.
6. Take two or one higher pillow to sleep if you have puffiness.
7. Do not drink much water just before bedtime.
8. If applying or massaging the under eye area with almond or any other cream, make it a point to wipe it off softly before sleeping.
9. Avoid oily, heavy and food especially in dinner.
10.Keep a gap of atleast 3 hours between dinner and sleep.
11.Try not to sleep on your stomach.
12.Have adequate sleep. Early to bed, early to rise as a right adage. The sleep before 12 in the night is very important; the ratio of sleep before and after 12 being 1:2.
Your eyes are the window to your soul! Take care of them in every respect.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Can you name the simple breathing exercise which has the following benefits?
2.Useful in acidity.
3.Helps to cure BP.
4.Cures disorders of kidneys.
5.If practised at bedtime helps to keep away nightmares and get a peaceful sleep.
6.Improves digestion.
7.Beneficial in migraine and headaches.
8.Helps to clear the respiratory system thus increasing immunity to allergies, cough, cold and other respiratory ailments.
9.Reduces wrinkles.
10.Reduces premature greying and falling of hair.
11.Retards the process of ageying.
12.Gives natural glow to the face.
Yes! it is the "Udgeeth Pranayam".
This pranayam is very easy, anybody can learn and practice.
Method: Sit in any position with back straight. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly with the sound of O.........m. The exhalation takes 15 seconds(10 seconds for long OOOOOOOO and 5 seconds for small mmmm). This is one round. Practice 3 to 10 times daily and see the amazing results!
p.s. For the first time this technique can be learnt under the supervision of a yoga teacher/guru.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
"SECRET TO A SLIM BODY" courtesy- Almonds
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Secret of pot belly
According to the report, those who take less than 56 mg of Vitamin C (recommended Vitamin C is 75 mg per day), the chances of fat accumulation rises upto 131%. So take sufficient quantities of vit.c naturally through fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C is eliminated from the body in 12 hours, so maintain this vitamin by distributing your intake throughout the day.
Study says that Calcium taken less than 398 mg increases the chances of accumulating fat around stomach to 30%(recommended calcium per day is 1000mg in the age group 19-50 and 1200mg in the age group 50-70 years). If calcium intake is lower than recommended, it not only leads to thinning of bones and osteoporosis, but also increases the fat around the tummy.
It is a fact that sufficient amounts of Vitamin C and Calcium in the body do not allow the fat to accumulate in the mid section.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Your neighbour's baby can also help you lose weight!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Some connectivity somewhere!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Have you noticed your belly bulging of late?
1. Have you been sleeping on your stomach? Sleep on your back instead or on your left!
2.Are you having dinner late in the night? Give a gap of 3 hrs between your dinner and sleep.
3.Have you been taking heavy dinner? Eat like a pauper!
4.Do you starve when you are busy and hog when idle? Do the opposite!(Do not starve literally).
5.Have you been snacking more on fried and junk food? Replace with nuts sprouts, salads and healthy snacks.
6.Have you stopped drinking enough water? Drink plenty of the magical liquid between meals.
7.Have you forgotten or do not have the time to chew food? Chew it well for it to get digested properly.
8.Have you been skipping breakfast? Break that 8-hour fast to stay trim!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Home Spa: Rose petal mist
In a bowl, bring some water to a boil. Remove from fire and put some fresh rose petals in it. Steam your face for 5 minutes with this fragrant water by covering your head with a towel. Now splash cool water on your face. Apply moisturiser.
This simple procedure unclogs the pores, removes impurities and improves blood circulation, thus refreshing and renewing the face. Soothes your senses too!
p.s. Rose water is made at home in a similar way, with rose petals put in hot water and covered with lid till it gets cool. It is strained and filled in a sterlized bottle and refrigerated. But this does not last long.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Amazing Cucumber
This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon? Put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror. It will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin, and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent which is undetectable to humans but drives garden pests crazy and makes them flee the area.
5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes. The photo-chemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!
6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and were often used by European trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe; its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
9. Out of WD-40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voilà, the squeak is gone!
10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water. The chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and in college students during final exams.
11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath. The phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean. Not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing. Also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!
Monday, March 29, 2010
We are bombing our bodies with 515 chemicals everyday
There are innumerable home remedies from our food basket, but following are some tried n tested, easy-to-do, instant to little tedious home remedies that can knock off a few years your age if followed from a few to many, regularly:
MOISTURIZER/NOURISHING /ANTI-AGEING/PACKS
3. Tender neem leaves can also be chewed, neem is bitter but it purifies the blood.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Make use of ice trays in more interesting ways.........
* Ice trays with lids can be used to keep precious and delicate jewellery pieces like ear-rings, pendants, finger rings, chains etc. in different compartments. Cut and place small square pieces of paper napkin or tissue before putting the items. This way your jewellery will neither get scratched nor mixed and easier to choose as they are placed in different compartments.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Make ur voice sweet and mesmerising
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Its logic again!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Moisturize your body in seconds!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Apple and pear body shapes-compared
3.The waist is defined.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
What shape is your body?
The female body frame falls in the following categories:
* 'A', pear, bell or spoon shape: In this type, the upper part of the body is noticeably smaller than the bottom part i.e. hips and thighs are heavy and become more bulky when the body puts on weight. Pears have a defined waist. The extra fat is stored below the waist.
Dhanurasana, Shalabhasana, Padachalanasana and Bhujangasanas are helpful in reducing(upto some extent) the bottom and toning up the chest and shoulders.
*'H', straight, banana, or rectangular frame: This is the athlete type without curves having the bust, waist, hips equal. Here the waist measurement may be less than 9 inches smaller than bust or hips. The legs and arms are proportionally thin.When weight is put on, it is distributed throughout the body including the face. There is very little waist definition.
Katichakrasana, Trikonasana can help to reduce waist to bring a shape to the body.
*'V', cone or inverted triangle shaped: Here, the upper part of the body is larger than the lower part. The person has wide shoulders and bust, bottom and legs are slim. The waist may be defined. When cones put on weight they may become apples.
*Apple shaped: This frame has upper part larger than the lower body. The extra body fat is stored in the upper half (around the middle section i.e. chest, waist and abdomn) and face. There is no waist definition.
The belly fat can be reduced by practising Naukasana & its variations and Utanapadasana. Try to reduce the overall weight and always try to stand tall.Walking and swimming will help reduce weight. Avoid over-eating. Over-eating stretches the muscles of the abdomn and makes them loose and saggy, it is then difficult to train the stomach muscles.
YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE BONE SRUCTURE YOU ARE BORN WITH AS IT CAN BE GENETIC, BUT WITH SENSIBLE DIET, REGULAR EXERCISE AND STRESS-CONTROL TECHNIQUES(the high levels of cortisol tend to accumulate fat around the stomach) YOU CAN MAKE YOUR BODY BEAUTIFUL. LOVE YOUR BODY AND TAKE CARE OF IT.
A protien-filled diet and any exercise- P.T., yoga, jogging, brisk walking will help to tone the body.
*'8' or hourglass figure: This is said to be the ideal figure of a woman, the waist is clearly defined, app.10 inches smaller than chest and hips(are equal). If weight is put on in this figure, it is distributed proportionally especially in the bust and hips area.
A simple regime of exercise and mindful eating can maintain this figure.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sambhar tastes like Udupi's
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Hot and cold treatment to strengthen hair
Giving alternate hot and cold water rinses, increase the blood circulation of the scalp making the hair follicles active and strong. Do this four or five times ending up with cold water because cold water closes the pores.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tea lovers : be happy!
According to the latest research, drinking 6-8 cups a day can offer you significant benefits. The caffeine in tea helps fight heart disease, leading to lower risk of heart attack and stroke. It also improves brain power, making drinkers feel more alert and cheerful. It also increases longevity.
If you like green tea, it is more beneficial and can help you lose weight too.
The antioxidants (called flavonoids) present in green tea help manage the level of free radicals present in the body. (Free radicals are certain molecules produced by the body due to aging, pollution, poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle and damage cells and tissues if they increase).
So cheers! have your cups of tea without any guilt!