Backache!!

Backache is one of the most common ailments prevalent today. Sedentary living habits, hazardous work patterns and psychological conditions associated with emotional stress, which bring about spasm of the muscles, cause backaches. As the back bears the weight of the entire body, overweight persons feel the strain on the back when they have to carry an extra load.

Symptoms of Backache or Back pain

Pain in the middle of back or lower down
In most cases of backache, the pain is usually felt either in the middle of the back or lower down. It may spread to both sides of the waist and the hips. In a condition of acute pain, the patient is unable to move and is bedridden.

People suffer from cervical and lumbar spondylosis
About ninety per cent of backache patients suffer from what is called cervical and lumbar spondylosis. It is a degenerative disorder in which the different vertebrae adhere to each other through bony unions. As a result of this, the spine loses its flexibility.

Causes of Backache

Muscular tension, straining of the joints, poor posture
The main causes of backache and spondylosis are muscular tension, straining of the joints, poor posture, and incorrect nutrition resulting from dietetic errors and lack of exercise.

Kidney or prostate problems, female disorders, influenza
Acute or chronic illnesses like kidney or prostate problems, female disorders, Influenza, and arthritis, may also lead to backache.

Sitting for a long time, high heels
Other causes include stress and strain resulting from sitting for a long time, improper lifting of weights, high heels, and emotional problems which may cause painful muscle cramping.

Home Remedies for Backache

Backache treatment using Garlic
The most important home remedy for backache is the use of garlic. Two or three cloves should be taken every morning to get results. An oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give great relief. This oil is prepared by frying ten cloves of garlic in 60 ml of oil in a frying pan. Any of the oils which are used as rubefacients, such as mustard oil. sesame oil, and coconut oil can be used according to one's choice. They should be fried on a slow fire till they are brown. After the oil has cooled, it should be applied vigorously on the back, and allowed to remain there for three hours. The patient may, thereafter, take a warm-water bath. This treatment should be continu ed for at least fifteen days.

Backache treatment using Lemon
Lemon is another useful remedy for backache. The juice of one lemon should be mixed with common salt and taken by the patient twice daily. It will give relief.

Backache treatment using Chebulic Myroblan
The use of chebulic myroblan is beneficial in the treatment of backache. A small piece of this fruit should be eaten after meals. This will give quick relief.

Backache treatment using Vitamin C
Vitamin C has proved valuable in case of severe backaches. About 2,000 mg of this vitamin should be taken daily for treating this condition. Considerable improvement will be noticeable within two days.

Backache treatment using Potato
Raw potato is an ancient home remedy for backache, characterised by incapacitating pain in the lumbar region, especially in the lower part of the back. Application of raw potato in the fom of a poultice has been found very effective in this condition.

Dietaries for Backache

Salad of raw vegetables, plenty of fruits
The diet of those suffering from backache should consist of a salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce, and, at least two steamed or lightly cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach, and plenty of fruits, except bananas. The patient should have four meals daily. Fruit and milk are advised for breakfast, steamed vegetables and wholewheat chapatis for lunch; fresh fruit or fruit juice in the evening; and a bowl of raw salad and sprouts during dinner.

Avoid fatty, spicy fried foods and processed foods
The patient should avoid fatty, spicy, and fried foods; curd, sweetmeats and sugar; condiments; and tea and coffee. Foods that have been processed for preservation have few nutrients and should also be eliminated from the diet.

Other Backache treatments for back pains

Avoid smoking and tobacco intake
Smoking or taking tobacco in any from should be given up completely.

Hot fomentation and alternate sponging
Hot fomentation, alternate sponging, or application of heat to the back will also give immediate relief.

Yogic asanas are also useful
Yogic asanas which are beneficial in the treatment of backache are bhujangasana, shalabhasana, halasana, uttanpadasana and shavasana.

NOSEBLEEDS!!

Most people have had a nosebleed. They tend to be minor and can be brought on by allergies, cold weather, sinus infection and other illnesses. When the nasal passages are irritated by rubbing, picking or blowing, the tiny blood vessels break and the nose, it starts a-flowin'!

Common Causes of Nose bleed

• Nose picking
• Nose injury
• Cold or flu
• Inserting small objects
• Allergies
• Nasal tumor
• Dry nasal passages
• Nasal infection

CAUTION: Nasal hemorrhaging- blood flowing from both nostrils-requires immediate medical attention. Rush to the nearest doctor or hospital emergency room. Also, recurrent nosebleeds may be a symptom of an underlying ailment. Seek appropriate medical attention.

Natural home remedies
For the occasional nosebleed, the first thing to do is to gently blow your nose. It will help rid your nostrils of blood clots that may prevent a blood vessel from sealing. Then try any of the following remedies.

• Take cayenne, goldenseal, and white oak bark to help with bleeding.
• A wet towel placed on the head stops nose bleeds.
• When you have a nosebleed, sit or stand. Do not lie down. Do not put your head back. It will cause you to swallow blood.
• Eat leafy green vegetables and take chlorophyll as a preventative measure.
• A small piece of brown paper from a brown paper bag, placed between the upper lip and the gum, has been known to stop a bloody nose in no time.

We have heard that a dime under the upper lip also stops the nosebleed. If you're outdoors without a paper bag or a dime, a stiff green leaf from a tree can serve the purpose. Place the leaf under your upper lip and press down on it with your finger.

Tie Things Up

• This is a remedy that came to us from the Caribbean islands-take the pinkie finger of the hand opposite the bleeding nostril and tightly tie a string under the pinkie's fingernail.
• We know that cayenne pepper stops the bleeding of a cut or gash. We've been told that drinking 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne in a glass of warm water will help to stop a nosebleed.
• Gem therapists say that a nosebleed can be stopped by placing a piece of pure amber on top of the nose.
• Vinegar is said to be very helpful in getting a bloody nose under control. Pour some distilled white vinegar on a cloth and wash the neck, nose and temples with it. Also, mix 2 teaspoons in half a glass of warm water and drink it.

Nosebleed Prevention

• Bioflavonoids help prevent nosebleeds. Eat at least one citrus fruit a day and be sure to include the white rubbery skin under the peel. It's called the "pith" and it's extremely rich in bioflavonoids.

In addition, take a vitamin C supplement with bio flavonoids. And add green leafy vegetables-lots of them-to your diet. They're rich in vitamin K, needed for the production of pro thrombin, which is necessary for blood clotting.

CAUTION: Broccoli and turnip greens are rich in vitamin K, the clot-promoting vitamin. If you take anti clotting medication prescribed by your doctor, be aware that those vegetables may counteract the effects of the medicine.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it.The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

LEG PAINS!!

Pain in legs, coming on after walking a moderate distance often arises from narrowing of the blood vessels leading to these areas. If the vessel becomes completely blocked, gangrene may result and the toes become dark and cold. This is most frequently seen in cases of uncontrolled diabetes.

People with varicose veins suffer from swelling of the veins, followed by muscle cramps and a tired feeling in the legs behind the knees. In some cases the skin over the lower part of the leg may break down, forming a large, ugly ulcer, which is often painful.

Leg cramps can occur due to running, walking, riding a bike, standing up, even sleeping. While every lower-leg injury has its specific biomechanical causes, all are rooted in tight calf muscles and relative weakness in the front leg muscles. This is very, very common in runners, since running tends to exercise the calf muscles more than those in the front.

Anterior shin splints is defined as the pain in the front and outer edge of your legs. The main cause of shin splints is tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles, the injury may have been further aggravated by a variety of factors. Shin splints are very common among beginning runners.

Posterior shin splint may be defined as the pain on the inner side of your leg, right where the calf muscle meets the big shinbone. The cause of this may be straining of a muscle that gives some support to the arch of your foot.

Achilles Tendinitis may be defined as the pain in the lower calf along the Achilles tendon, the cord connecting the heel to the calf muscle. The main cause of this may be extra pulling of the tendon, which causes a lot of pain in legs.

HOME REMEDIES FOR LEG PAINS

• Grab your upper lip between your thumb and index finger, and squeeze for about 30 seconds to get relief.
• Grab the cramping muscle tightly, pushing your fingertips deep into the cramp for about 10 to 15 seconds, then release. You can repeat as often as necessary to relieve the cramp.
• After the cramp is gone, stretch out the muscle but begin slowly and without bouncing on it. To begin, sit down on the floor and extend the leg. Then reach out and gently pull your toes toward your knee.
• Drinking a cup of water (about eight ounces) every 20 minutes before, during and after exercise will help keep your system from dehydrating. Dehydration helps to prevent cramping.
• Boil 1-teaspoon saffron in 1/2 cup water. Let it reduce to become 1 tablespoon. Divide this solution into three portions and take with equal quantities of water, thrice daily for a couple of days. This is very effective home remedy for leg pains and will help to reduce the pain.
• A diet high in natural fibres from fruits and vegetables, pulses, whole grains, calcium, magnesium and vitamin E rich foods also help in fighting against the joint pains.
• Drink 1 cup of warm water mixed with limejuice and honey to reduce pain.
• Avoid mental tensions that lead to stress. Lose weight, if necessary, to get close to your ideal weight. If you weigh less, there is less weight on your joints and less pain.
• Take foods rich in calcium and protein. Exposure to sunlight for vitamin D is also good. Milk and milk products, ragi, drumstick leaves and drumstick are excellent sources of calcium and sprouted pulses and nuts are very good sources of protein for a vegetarian. Include these foods in the daily diet.
• During the painful stages it is important for the patient to have one or two rest periods during the day.
• Add one-tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before sleeping.
• One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Take for 2 months.
• Drink 15 grams of fresh bathu juice daily with an empty stomach without adding any salt or sugar to it. This is very effective home remedy for leg pains.
• Massage the affected area with any oil will to provide relief from the pain.
• Drink a cup of papaya seed tea six or seven times daily for two or three weeks for relief from joint pain.
• Heavy meals, meat and fish, sour fruits and fried foods should be avoided, as they are difficult to digest.
• Consumption of rice during nighttime should be avoided. Among fruits bananas are considered best as they provide strength to the joints and grease them.
• To get relief from a severe leg cramp in the calf muscle, flex your shin muscle (which opposes your calf muscle) by pulling your toes toward your knee.
• To ease the leg pains and reduce inflammation, ice your shins immediately after running.
• Use either a store-bought cold pack or simply freeze a wet towel before going out on a run. Whatever you use, wrap the ice pack around your leg and keep it on for 10 or 15 minutes, keeping your foot elevated all the while.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

REMOVING BLACKHEADS!!

It is very difficult to keep your hands off the blackhead or blemish that may appear on your skin . You always consciously or unconsciously, tend to squeeze your blackheads. But contrary to the popular beliefs, the fact is, "gentle removal of your blackheads" can actually help in reducing and preventing any further damage to your skin. But, the golden question here is how to remove a blackhead.

Following are some of the ways and means to remove blackheads with ease:

Light squeezing: You can remove the stuff from inside a blackhead with light handed squeezing. Such a process can actually help the skin. Yes, squeezing is detrimental to the skin, but how you squeeze determines whether it harms the skin or benefits it. Gentle is the key word and you have to be careful not to over squeeze it.

Using products for exfoliating: You can use some low potency benzoyl peroxide exfoliating product for removing dead skin cells. It is very effective on the blackheads and is mild to your skin as well. In this way you can remove even the most stubborn blackheads. Also, microdermabrasion can be used to remove stubborn blackheads.

Topical retinoids: Topical retinoids such as Retin-A help in battling against the blackheads, successfully. It also removes and prevents the formation of the blackheads. It reduces oil secretion and unclogs the pores by promoting normal functioning of the cells. However, it is a long process.

Chemical peels: Skin care products with salicyclic acid and chemical peels with glycolic acid are very useful in removing dead skin cells from the pores, effectively and quickly. However, you can not use them if you are already using topical retinoids.

Metallic Extractor: You can also take the help of a metallic extractor that has a small and round opening in the end. You can individually plug out each blackhead by using it. But, it must be done with utmost care to prevent scarring.

Blackhead strips: You can use blackhead strips which are tape like strips. Place the strip over the nose for 10 minutes or as directed on the cover of the strip. And pull off. The surface level blackheads will be successfully removed. This is an easy to use, quick and temporary method of removing blackheads. Always read the instructions on the pack carefully.

Diet/Food: You also need to alter your bad eating habits. You need to naturally reduce the oil production, initiate appropriate moisture for the skin and reduce acne. Drink lots of water and avoid oil food. Also, include lots of fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet. Cooked carbohydrates and fats are a big no no and use raw fats such as olive oil in your recipes.

Make up: This is a cosmetic tip but important for those who do not clear it of their skin. You need cosmetics that do not blocks your pores. That is, the non-comedogenic make up! Follow some tips- do not keep the make up when sweating. Use make up cleanser and properly remove the cosmetics of your skin. Also, keep your brushes, sponges clean.

Undoubtedly these methods will help you remove your blackheads, but along you need to follow a regular skin care regime to permanently remove your blackheads.

Nose And Ear BLACKHEADS

Blackheads are yellow-black type of material present in a bump. This material is generally accumulated in the thin pocket of a sebaceous gland. A blackhead is also known technically as an open comedone. It is caused by accumulation of excess oils in the sebaceous gland's bump.

Nose and ear blackheads are all the same, only they appear on the nose and ear and are more difficult and painful to extract.

Treatments for nose and ear blackheads are not different from general treatments for blackheads. The hair follicle in nose and ear blackheads should be extracted with a good extractor with the help of a dermatologist. The presence of dermatologist is important as damage to the nearby tissues by hard-squeezing can lead to permanent scarring.

But how do you remove nose and ear blackheads? As in the case of other blackheads, nose and ear blackheads can also be remove by light squeezing, exfoliating, using chemical peels or by using a metallic extractor.

As your nose and ear are very sensitive, you should take utmost care in removing blackheads from these areas. Blackheads in nose and ear can make you look ugly, so you should take extra care to prevent it from appearing in the first place.

Blackhead Treatment Guide: How To Treat Those Dark Spots Forever?

Blackhead is nothing but a small comedo which is non inflammatory acne, pimple, or zit and appears with a black tip. The one with white tip is called whitehead. If you want to read detailed information on the blackheads read articles Blackheads And Whiteheads , What Is Blackheads? and What Is Blackheads? Part II.

There are several methods you can employ to treat, cure and remove blackheads prevalent on your nose, ear and back. Many of them may promise to remove blackheads at once but they would not ensure you the permanent cure. When it comes to selecting the right method for blackhead treatment, many of you would settle on blackhead removal methods such as blackhead removal strips, squeezing blackheads or using blackhead dissolving solutions.

I do not say they are No-No at all, but they are not blackhead treatment options your dermatologist would suggest you. This is simply because a wrong tampering with blackhead can infest "sebum" in it, which will cause a more severe form of acne called as " cyst." However the cases of cyst overruns are not common. Thus most people still prefer to get rid of their blackheads in the beauty salons.

Now let's find out how to treat these tiny black monsters, typically identified as "blackheads" with the help of medical treatments.

As with other mild to moderate form of acne, blackheads can be treated with both over the counter products and prescription medications.

OTC Treatments
Before using over the counter products to treat blackheads you should pay attention to following points:

Yours is mild case of blackheads, use it. If it is a case of severe blackheads, meet the dermatologist and get prescription advice. OTC products are not meant for severe cases.
Check out the ingredients written over the tube or bottle you plan to use over blackheads. If not listed, better not buy that product or call expert to find out the inside story of that product.
Always use OTC product first as a sample product. Only after you notice good results on your skin, continue its usage.

OTC Products with following ingredients have shown the best results:

Salicylic Acid or Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
What does it do to your skin?

Firstly, BHA exfoliates the top layer of your skin.
Then, it provides radiant skin by cleaning out the dull skin.
It gets inside the oil glands and clears clogged pores.
And finally, breaks down the dead skin cells and claim war against blackheads.

Glycolic Acid or Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA)

AHA comes out from sugar cane. Let's find out what they do to your skin.
AHA increases the population of skin cells by exfoliating them.
It dissolves the protein bonds present in the cells and which helps in their growth.
The dead skin cells then fall off.
This remarks skin present underneath the top layer which is more fresh and soft than the flaky skin on the top layer.
Besides, they even out skin tone.

Thus, AHA products are best for skin with blotch or marks. However, regular usage may make your skin more vulnerable to the sun. Also, do not use it for more than twice a week. You can use it after every three days. Benzoyl peroxide 5% lotion or gel is also used by many. It is good for other forms of acne but does nothing much for blackheads.You can employ other methods as well. These include: Light Squeezing, Exfoliation (using products containing Benzoyl Peroxide), Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, Metallic Extractor, Blackhead Strips, Improving Diet/Food, Make up and facials. All these methods help but should be undertaken by expert hands. Read articles Popping blackheads, Your guide on removing blackheads and Removing blackheads on Nose to know about these methods.

Prescription Treatment
The best prescription solution for blackhead comes in the form of topical Retinoids.

Retinoids can be defined as a derivative of Vitamin A. It opens pores of oil glands. So it works well with both blackheads as well as whiteheads.

When you use Retinoids in the form of creams, it unclogs the pores and allows other medications such as antibiotics to enter the hair ducts to fight the prevalent infection.

It also prevents clogging of dead cells and thereby reduces the possibility of further outbreaks.

Side effects: Topical Retinoids makes you highly sensitive to the sun. You will get dry, flaky, red skin. But these side effects would subside with discontinuation of the treatment.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Prostate Disorders!!

A large percentage of men over fifty years of age suffer from prostate troubles of one form or other. The prostate gland is a male gland, comparable in shape and size to a large chestnut. It is situated at the base of the urinary bladder and around the commencement of the urethra. There are various types of prostate disorders, the more important being hypertrophy or enlargement of the prostate gland, and prostatitis or inflammation in the prostate gland.

Prostate Disorders symptoms

Interference with the passage of urine
There are two warning signals to indicate the possibility of prostate disorders. The first is the interference with the passage of urine, and the second is the need to void the urine frequently during the night's sleep.

Aching pain in the lower back and hips
Other symptoms are a dull aching pain in the lower back and pain in the hips, legs, and feet. The position of the prostate gland makes it liable to congestion and other disorders. In an erect position, pressure falls on the pelvic region just where the prostate gland is situated. With ageing, the body gets heavier and loses its flexibility. This puts greater pressure on the pelvis and increases the vulnerability of the prostate gland.

Prostate Disorders causes

Prolonged periods of sitting
Prolonged periods of sitting, as in certain occupations, also increase the pressure on the pelvic region, resulting in congestion of the tissues in and around the prostate gland.

Exposure to cold, chill and infectious diseases
Acute prostatitis may also result from exposure to cold and chill, and from infectious diseases. Chronic prostatis is an after-effect of the acute condition.

Excessive sexual excitement and constipation
It may also be caused by continual irritation of the gland due to excessive sexual excitement. Another important cause of prostate disorders is constipation, when the faeces become hardened and the rectum or lower bowel is overloaded, causing undue pressure on the prostate gland.

Home Remedies for Prostate Disorders

Prostate Disorders treatment using Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are an effective home remedy for prostate problems and many patients have been helped by their use. These seeds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are essential to the health of the prostate. Persons beyond the age of fifty, who have any signs of prostate trouble; or those who suffer from urinary disorders of some kind, namely, burning or difficulty in passing urine freely, should take sixty to ninety grams of pumpkin steeds per day. The seeds may be taken in the form of powder sprinkled over cooked vegetables or mixed with wheat flour to make chapatis. They can also be taken in the form of a paste made with honey, or as a drink mixed with diluted milk and sugar to taste.

Prostate Disorders treatment using Vegetable Juices
The use of vegetable juices has been found beneficial in the treatment of prostate problems, including prostate enlargement. The juice of carrots, taken separately in a 500 ml quantity, or in combination with spinach juice, is specially valuable. In the case of combined juices, 200 ml of spinach juice should be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to prepare 500 ml or half a litre of combined juices.

Prostate Disorders treatment using Zinc
The use of zinc has been found valuable in cases of prostate disorders. About thirty milligrams of this mineral should he taken daily in the treatment of these diseases.

Prostate Disorders treatment using Vitamin E
Vitamin E has proved to be an important factor for prostate health. The patient should therefore use vitamin E-rich foods liberally or take 600 IU of this vitamin daily. Vitamin E-rich foods are wholegrain products, green leafy vegetables, eggs, milk, and all raw or sprouted seeds.

• Pumpkin seeds are extremely useful in treating prostate disorders. The seeds of pumpkin act as a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids that are vital to the health of the prostate. Men suffering from prostate trouble must take about 60-90 gm of pumpkin seeds daily. Pumpkin can be consumed in the form of powder spread over the cooked food. You can also mix them with white flour for making chapattis.
• Zinc has been found beneficial in the treatment of prostate disorders. Take about 30 milligrams of this mineral everyday.
• Vitamin E is beneficial for prostate health. The patient should be given foods rich in vitamin E like wholegrain products, green leafy vegetables, milk and sprouted seeds.
• In 200 ml spinach juice, add 300 ml of carrot juice. You can even have carrot juice separately. Vegetable juices are excellent in curing prostate disorders.

Prostate Disorders diet
Water mixed with a lemon juice
To begin with, the patient should forego all solid foods and subsist on water, mixed with a little lemon juice, for two or three days. The water may be taken cold or hot and it should be taken every hour or so during waking hours. This will greatly increase the flow of urine.

All-fruit diet
After the short fast, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet, consisting of juicy fruits, for the next three days. This should be followed by a diet consisting of two meals of fruits and one of cooked vegetables for seven days.

Well-balanced diet
Thereafter, the patient may adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Avoid heavy starches, highly seasoned foods, hurried meals etc
Heavy starches, sweet stimulants, and highly seasoned foods are entirely forbidden, as they are said to cause direct irritation to the prostate gland and bladder. The diet should also exclude spices, condiments, salt in excess, sauces, and meats, cheese, asparagus, watercress, greasy or fried foods, alcohol, tobacco, and too much of tea or coffee. The patient should avoid hurried meals and must chew his food thoroughly and slowly. Water should be taken between meals and not at meal times.

Other Prostate Disorders treatment

Warm-water enema and hot and cold application
During the initial water fast for two to three days, an enema may be taken once a day to clear the lower bowel of accumulation. Hot and cold applications are highly beneficial in the treatment of prostate disorders. After a thorough cleansing of the bowels through a warm-water enema, hot and cold applications may be used directly on the prostate gland and its surrounding parts. The heat will relieve the tissues and a brief cold immersion will tone them up.

Hot, cold hipbaths
The patient should take alternate hot and cold hipbath these are of great value in relieving pain and reducing congestion.

Wet girdle pack should be applied
A wet girdle pack is another valuable remedy in the realm of hydrotherapy, which provides great relief in prostatitis and prostate enlargement. For this mode of treatment, thin cotton underwear and thick or woolen underwear are required. The thin underwear should be wrung in cold water and worn by the patient. The thick dry underwear should be worn above the wet underwear. This treatment should be continued for ninety minute regularly every night. If the patient feels chilly, he should be covered with a blanket.

Avoid sexual excess, irregularities in eating and drinking
The patient should avoid sexual excess, irregularities in eating and drinking, long periods of sitting, and vigorous exercise. All efforts should be made to tone up the general condition of the body.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

MOLES (Til)

Moles are small-pigmented tumors, consisting of clusters of nevus cells containing melanin, a pigment of the skin. Moles vary in color; some being yellow or brown and others are purple and black. They may be large or small, flat or raised, smooth, hairy, and some even have the appearance of warts. A few moles may be present at birth and are known as birthmarks. Occasionally a mole may become malignant, a condition known as melanoma, a particular dangerous form of skin cancer.

Ordinary moles are usually benign and the chance of their developing into malignant tumors is very less. But a special kind of mole called a junction nevus may appear like any other mole, and yet it can become highly malignant. Any mole that is growing rapidly and turning a darker color may be malignant and should be removed.

Generally malignant melanomas are more likely to develop in the legs. Moles that are constantly subjected to irritation as from belts or tight bands are always more likely to undergo malignant change. Such moles should be removed. As a rule, if there is hair growing out of the mole, it is not likely to be malignant.

People who have fair skin have greater effect of the sun on the skin. These individuals are more sensitive to sunburn as well as changes in moles, so it is very necessary for the use of protective sunscreen lotions. Moles may be pigmented or non-pigmented. If pigmented, color may vary from light tan to black. A mole that is blackish in color, and especially if elevated and rough in appearance, may be a melanoma.

HOME REMEDIES FOR MOLES

• Prepare a paste of baking soda and castor oil. Soak some gauze in this mixture and tape this gauze over the mole. Leave the gauze on overnight. This will possibly remove moles over time.
• The real cure (and prevention) for the moles is to eat enough foods that contain potassium or take apple cider vinegar that contain potassium.
• Take a small piece of garlic; place it over the mole, scraping the flat side of the garlic that touches the mole so the juice can get onto it. Keep this for the whole day and night. Within two to three days, the mole will disappear.
• Rub some iodine on the mole at night for two three days. This is an effective remedy for the moles.
• Take some Ground drumstick pods and leaves and mix with fresh limejuice, and apply on pimples. This is also good for blackheads and dark spots.
• Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomegranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over acne, boils, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.
• Apply grated potatoes as poultice to treat skin blemishes, wrinkles, boils, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads , etc.
• Take a piece of ripe (or raw) banana peel and apply the pulp side to the wart and cover with a band-aid. Remove it only when taking bath. Apply daily for many months. This is very effective home remedy for moles.
• For old moles, chew some cashews and place it on the moles. Moles will disappear in 3-4 weeks.
• Open the stem of a dandelion and rub on the warts 2-3 times daily until the wart disappears in 3-4 weeks.
• Chop one raw onion and cover with salt and leave overnight. Apply the juice to the warts 2-3 times daily until warts disappear.
• Apply the juice of cauliflower on the moles daily until it falls.
• Apply a drop of grapefruit seed extract to the moles and cover with a band-aid, 2-3 times daily. This is also very effective home remedy for moles and your moles will disappear in 3-4 weeks.
• Rub a slice of fresh pineapple or raw potato peelings or radish 2-3 times daily on your mole.
• Apply the milky juice exuding from the stems of figs and leaves.
• Put the contents of one 100 I.U. of natural vitamin E capsule on a band-aid and cover the mole. Moles will disappear soon.
• Apply vitamin E on the wart, crush a clove of raw garlic and place it on the wart, and cover it with an adhesive bandage.
• Soak a small piece of cotton in aloe gel and tape over the wart. Add more gel every three hours. Change cotton daily. The mole should begin to lighten in a few days and in a few weeks may disappear.
• Rub the mole daily with a piece of white chalk.
• Apply a drop of grape seed extract directly to the mole and cover with a Band-Aid; repeat twice daily. The mole will turn white and will disappear in about a week.
• Another effective home remedy for moles is - Apply milkweed juice to the mole.
• A tea made from purple coneflower (Echinacea), burdock root or red clover may help in the prevention of moles.
• Take some green (not fully ripe) black walnuts and make a few incisions in the outer shell; rub the juice on the moles. There may be a slight stinging sensation or the area may turn brown, but this is only temporary. This is a very effective remedy for moles and moles will disappear within a few days.
• Simply apply the purest honey on your mole, keep applying it morning and night until the mole disappears.
• Soak your mole in warm water for 15-20 minutes and dry. Apply apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with water and dry.
• Dissolve an aspirin with a small drop of water and apply to the mole. Cover with a band-aid. Repeat twice daily.

Reference:
The Editors of Time-Life Books. The Medical Advisor: The Complete Guide to Alternative and Conventional Treatments. Alexandria, VA: Time Life, Inc., 1996.
The Consumer's Medical Desk Reference. Ed. Charles B. Inlander. New York: Hyperion, 1995 Body, Mind, and Soul by Deepak Chopra . Clifford R. Anderson, M.D. : Your Guide To Health. Second edition

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

LEUCODERMA / VITILIGO

Leucoderma, also known as vitiligo, is a distressing skin condition. The word literally means white skin. There is a gradual loss of the pigment melanin from the skin layers which results in white patches. These patches look ugly, especially in persons with a dark complexion. The condition does not cause any organic harm. This disease is caused neither by any germs, nor is it due to bad blood. It is considered to be neither infectious nor contagious.

Leucoderma symptoms
Small white patch appear in the beginning
The problem usually starts with a small white spot which later develops into patches. These patches are pale in the beginning, but become whiter and whiter as time passes by due to loss of pigment. As the spots enlarge, they merge into each other and, in course of time, form a very broad patch. In some cases, most of the skin of the body may be covered with white patches.

Leucoderma causes

Excessive mental worry, chronic or acute gastric disorders
The main causes of leucoderma are said to be excessive mental worry, chronic or acute gastric disorders, impaired hepatic function such as jaundice, worms or other parasites in the alimentary canal, typhoid, a defective perspiratory mechanism, and burn injuries.

This disease is caused neither by any germs, nor is it due to bad blood. The problem usually starts with a small white spot and later on it develops into patches. These patches are pale in the beginning but become whiter and whiter as time passes due to loss of pigment. As spots enlarge, they merge into each other and, in course of time, form a very broad patch. Leucoderma does not differentiate between races, religions or even socio-economic groups. Females are more commonly affected than males. The main causes of leucoderma are said to be excessive mental worry, chronic or acute gastric disorders, impaired hepatic function such as jaundice, worms or other parasites in the alimentary canal, typhoid, a defective perspiratory mechanism, and burn injuries. Heredity is also a causative factor and about 30 per cent of patients have a family history of the disorder. Treatment of vitiligo usually takes a long time. Medical treatment helps arrest the spread of depigmentation and in some cases, may bring back the pigmentation. The most commonly affected areas are face, neck, back, wrist, hand, groin, genitals, armpits, etc.

Heredity
Heredity is also a well-recognized causative factor.


HOME REMEDIES FOR LEUCODERMA

• A paste made from radish seeds is extremely useful in treating leucoderma. Take about 35 grams of these seeds and powder them in 2 tsp of vinegar. Apply this paste on the white patches.
• Goosefoot vegetable is considered valuable in treating white patches. Extract the juice of this vegetable and apply to the affected area. Also, consume this vegetable two times in a day, for about 2 months.
• In 8 liters of water, soak about 500 gm of turmeric. Boil it, till the point when only one-liter water is left. Strain the water and add 500 ml mustard oil in it. Strain the mixture and apply to the white Leucoderma patches every morning and evening for a couple of months.

Leucoderma treatment using Psoralea
The best-know home remedy for leucoderma is the use of seeds of psoralea (babchi). These seeds should be steeped in the juice of ginger for three days. The fluid should be renewed every day. The seeds should then be rubbed with the hands to remove the husks, dried in the shade and powdered. One gram of this powder should be taken every day with one cup of fresh milk for forty days continuously. The ground seeds should also be applied to the white spots. Babchi seeds, combined with tamarind (imli) seeds. are also useful. An equal quantity of both the seeds should be steeped in water for three to four days. They should then be shelled and dried in the shade. They should be ground into paste and applied to the white patches for a week. If the application of this paste causes itching, or the white spots become red and a fluid begins to ooze out, this treatment should be discontinued.

Leucoderma treatment using Red Clay
Another useful remedy for leucoderma is red clay found by the river side or on hill slopes. The clay should be mixed in ginger juice in a ratio of 1:1, and applied over the white spots once a day. The copper contained in the clay seems to bring back skin pigmentation. Ginger juice also serves as a mild stimulant, facilitating increased blood flow to the spots. Drinking water kept overnight in a copper vessel will also help.

Leucoderma treatment using Radish
A paste made from the seeds of the radish is valuable in treating leucoderma. About thirty-five grams of these seeds should be powdered in two teaspoons of vinegar and applied on the white patches.

Leucoderma treatment using Goose Foot
The use of goose foot is beneficial in the treatment of this disease. This vegetable should be taken twice daily, in the morning as well as in the evening, for two months continuously. Simultaneously, the juice of the leaves should be applied over the patches of leucoderma.

Leucoderma treatment using Turmeric
Turmeric mixed with mustard oil has also proved useful in leucoderma. About 500 gm of turmeric should be pounded and soaked in 8 litres of water at night. It should be boiled in the morning till only one litre of water is left, and then be strained and mixed with 500 ml of mustard oil. This mixture should be heated till only the oil is left. It should then be strained and preserved in a bottle. The mixture should be applied on the white patches every morning and evening for a few months.

Leucoderma diet

Fast of juices followed by restricted diet of fresh fruits.
Constitutional measures should be adopted to cleanse the system of accumulated toxins. To begin with, the patient should undertake a fast of juices for about a week. After the juice fast, the patient may adopt a restricted diet consisting of fresh fruits, raw or steamed vegetables, and whole meal bread or chapatis. Curd and milk may be added to this diet after a few days.

Well-balanced diet
The patient may, thereafter, gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits. This diet may be supplemented with cold-pressed vegetable oils, honey, and yeast. Juice fasting may be repeated at intervals of two months or so.

Avoid tea/coffee, polished rice, tinned or bottled foods etc.
The patient should avoid tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, all condiments and highly- flavoured dishes, sugar, white flour products, denatured cereals like polished rice and pearled barley, and tinned or bottled foods.

Other Leucoderma treatments
Lukewarm-water enema to cleanse bowels

During the initial one-week juice fast, the bowels should be cleansed daily with it lukewarm-water enema.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Miscarriage--Home Remedies!!

Miscarriage or abortion may be defined as the termination of pregnancy before the period of viability, which is considered to occur at 28 th week. Miscarriages generally take place in the first two trimesters. The chance of a miscarriage in the third trimester is extremely low.

Various causes for the miscarriage may be infection such as viral infection, chronic illness such as chronic nephritis, acute or chronic respiratory disease, and severe anemia. Direct trauma on the abdominal wall by blow or fall may be related to abortion. Emotional upset or change in environment may lead to abortion by affecting the uterine activity. A mom in a high stress situation (perhaps unmarried, financial problems, health problems, unstable marriage, unwanted pregnancy, etc.) is more likely to miscarry. In some women even a minor trauma, internal examination in the early months of pregnancy or sexual intercourse in early months can also lead to abortion.

Environmental toxins like lead, arsenic, anesthetic gases, tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, radiation in excess amount increase the risk of abortion. Drugs used for epilepsy or antimalarial preparations are not harmful when used in small doses but in high doses they can induce abortion.

Cervical incompetence, either congenital or acquired is one of the commonest causes of midtrimester and recurrent abortions. Congenital malformation of the uterus may be responsible for midtrimester or recurrent abortion. Premature rupture of the membranes inevitably leads to abortion. Hormonal imbalance due to deficiency of progesterone making the uterine environment less receptive is also responsible for abortion.

Other causes of miscarriage may include the following: Chromosomal abnormalities of the fetus, incompetent os i.e. weakness of the cervical muscles, excessive water i.e. hydramnios, low-lying placenta causing bleeding and consequently abortion, and lifting heavy weights

Sometimes dietary factors such as deficiency of folic acid or vitamin E are often thinks to be responsible for the abortion. When a pregnant woman is under stress, she not only depletes her own vitamin and mineral reserves and her own adrenal and glandular strength, but she drains these things off her baby.

The patient with threatened abortion shows the increased vaginal bleeding, aggravation of pain in the lower abdomen.

HOME REMEDIES FOR MISCARRIAGE

• Drinking raspberry tea during pregnancy strengthens the uterus, which will coordinate contractions and shorten labor.
• Take the herbs cramp bark along with wild yam to relieve leg pains and to prevent miscarriages. The herb corn silk can help in easy labor and reduce bleeding after labor.
• Nutmeg tea helps the uterus to contract and lessens bleeding afterbirth.
• The herb thyme taken in a tea helps expel the placenta.
• Apply myrrh to the newborn's navel after the cord has been removed to prevent infection.
• St.-John's-wort taken in the form of capsules helps to relieve after pain.
• The herbs pennyroyal and mistletoe may induce abortion by causing uterine contractions.
• The herbs cramp bark and hawthorn may be taken in capsules to help prevent miscarriages.
• The herbs red raspberry, false unicorn, and lobelia help to strengthen the uterus which will helpin shortening labor. Take them regularly during pregnancy.
• The herbs catnip and cayenne in capsules help to prevent morning sickness.
• The herbs bayberry and mistletoe help in stopping bleeding from the uterus.
• The herbs wild yam, red raspberry, false unicorn, and hawthorn will strengthen the uterus muscles, prevent miscarriage, and reduces cramps.
• Take cod liver oil, iodine, and iron to prevent morning sickness, and birth defects in your infant.
• Take dandelion, kelp, and alfalfa to provide minerals and keep weight off the hips.
• Alcohol consumption is the leading cause of birth defects and mental retardation in newborns and should be avoided at all stages of pregnancy.
• Smoking during pregnancy robs the baby of oxygen and contributes to colic.
• The diet mustinclude whole, live foods. Herbs and other nutritional supplements may be used to enhance the diet. Fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, sprouts, butter (not margarine), dairy products (if they are tolerated), nuts, seeds, organically raised animal protein (to avoid the hormones and antibiotics used in producing commercial animals) and yogurt are the types of foods to be included in the diet.
• Red raspberry acts as a uterine tonic, contains many vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron and B-Complex.
• Good natural source vitamins can also be used to prevent miscarriages and enhance the health of both mom and babe. Some that are considered to be essential are vitamin E, Zinc, Vitamin B6 and B-Complex.

References:
Nobles, R., and Schiff, D., "Miscarriages of justice: a systems approach" (1996) 59 Modern Law Review 299
Poole, A., "Remedies in miscarriage of justice cases" 1998 Scottish Law Times 65
Christopher, John, School of Natural Healing, Christopher Publications
Gardner, Joy, Healing the Family, Bantam Books
Mervyn, Leonard, Thorson's Complete Guide to Vitamins and Minerals.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Food Poisoning!!

Food poisoning, also known as acute gastroenteritis, is an acute inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small bowel. It is caused in various ways, one of which is excessive indulgence in alcohol. Some people are allergic to certain items of food, which may act poison to them.

Food poisoning usually begins suddenly with a feeling of nausea and abdominal cramps, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. Rectal burning may be intense, and the stools may contain blood and mucus. All of this loss of fluid from the bowel may result in severe dehydration and shock. There is pain in the abdomen, with some distension, especially in the lower area.

Germs cause the worst attacks of food poisoning. Foods used at picnics, in restaurants, and at home are easily contaminated by toxins or poisonous substances, produced by staphylococcus bacteria. Foods most commonly that cause food poisoning are various meats, fish, pastes, custards, cream filled pastry, milk, ad many different kinds of deserts.

The trouble seems to arise from skin infections on the hands of those who handle food. Within two or three hours after taking this type of contaminated food, the patient suffers from severe abdominal cramps, followed by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, often resulting in severe prostration and shock. Most of these attacks only last a few hours and are followed by complete recovery. Severe poisoning may be caused by different types of fish.

Home Remedies for Food Poisoning!!

• Keep the patient in bed and give nothing by mouth as long as the nausea and vomiting persist.
• As the vomiting subsides, give sips of some warm drink, such as tea, barley or rice water.
• Gentle heat may be applied to the stomach to relieve spasm or pain and also the tendency to vomit.
• Wash your hands before preparing food to avoid passing on bacteria such as staphylococcus (commonly found on the skin and in the throat) or shigella (passed from fecal matter). Wash again after handling raw meat and eggs.
• Don't eat raw protein food like fish, fowl, meat, milk, or eggs. Avoid sushi, oysters on the half shell, Caesar salad made with raw eggs, and unpasteurized eggnog. Don't use cracked eggs.
• Don't taste test the raw pork sausage stew, the fish chowder, or even the cookie batter before it's done.
• Don't let raw meat juice drip onto other food. It can taint otherwise harmless food.
• Don't leave food at room temperature for more than two hours, and avoid eating anything that you suspect may have been unrefrigerated for that long.
• Don't taste any food that doesn't smell or look right.
• For food poisoning treatment drink fluids as much you can to combat the loss of fluids.
• Scrub counters with warm, soapy water and bleach to combat countertop bacteria.
• Use a plastic cutting board instead of a wooden one. Be sure to thoroughly clean the cutting board after you've finished using it.
• Avoid foods that are fried, smoked or salty as well as raw vegetables, pastries, preserves, candies, alcohol and spices and condiments.
• Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice or cider vinegar in a cup of hot water before a meal to prevent acid indigestion.
• Add three drops of garlic oil to half a cup of Soya oil and rub onto the stomach after food.
• For food poisoning treatment drink a herbal tea of mint, raspberry, chamomile and blackberry.
• Drink one cup of ginger tea after meals to promote a good digestion and for heartburn, nausea, etc.
• Cooking utensils and plates, as well as sponges and dishcloths that were used in the food preparation process, should also be cleaned appropriately.
• Grind a lemon along with seeds and make a paste. Add some salt. Take 1 tsp of this paste 2-3 times.
• Drink 1/2 tsp of dry ginger (saunth powder in 1 cup buttermilk (chhachh) 3 - 4 times a day.
• Chew a few pieces of the inner lining of pomegranate with salt, and/or drink pomegranate juice.
• Prepare a mixture by ading 1 Tbsp poppy seeds, 1 tsp edible gum, 1 tsp cardamom powder, 1/2 tsp nutmeg (jaiphal) powder, and2 tbs sugar, and grind to a powder. Take this powder every 2 hours.
• Prepare a mixture by adding 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp ginger juice, and 1/4 tsp pepper powder and drink it.
• Mix 5-6 chopped basil (tulsi) leaves, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and some black pepper in 3 Tbsp of curd, and eat it. Repeat this 4 times a day for one week. This is very useful home remedy for food pisoning treatment.
• Roast 1/2 tsp cumin (jeera) seeds and 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds (dana methi). Mix and powder it, add to 4 tsp of yogurt (curd). Take thrice a day. This is also very useful home remedy for food pisoning.
• Grate one raw papaya. Add 3 cups water, boil for 10 mins, strain and finish the water in one day.

Drink Water. "You are losing liquids very quickly when you have food poisoning. Therefore, it is extremely important to replenish your system," says Joseph Madden, Ph.D., director of the Division of Microbiology at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, a branch of the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C.
"Start with a few sips of water," says Dr. Ruderman. "Once you can keep water down, it is better to take in fluids containing sugar, because they are better absorbed by the body." Try clear fruit juices. If vomiting is a problem, though, wait several hours before taking in liquids.

Slurp on a sports drink. Drinks like Gatorade contain electrolytes, which are essential elements such as potassium and sodium that influence the way water is distributed throughout your body. "When you're vomiting or having diarrhea, these elements get lost along with liquid during dehydration, " says Dr. Madden. "The sports drinks like Gatorade help replenish these necessary elements as well as rehydrate your body with water." Rehydration is more important than replacement of electrolytes, so sports drinks can be diluted 50-50 with water.

Relax. "Most of the time, food poisoning problems tend to resolve themselves without needing intervention, " says Dr. Ruderman. Once your body's immune system takes over, relief is on the way, and you'll be feeling better soon. Just rest and drink fluids, and when you feel a little better, start to establish a diet.

Leave the over-the-counter drugs on the counter. If you feel the urge to reach for an antacid, stop yourself. "They don't really help," says Dr. Ruderman. If you're suffering from traveler's diarrhea, however, Pepto-Bismol is beneficial for relieving the symptoms until you feel better.

Ease into a bland diet. When you feel ready to begin eating, a bland diet is recommended. This means eating easily digestible foods such as cereal, pudding or chicken soup. Be sure to avoid foods that are fried, smoked or salty as well as raw vegetables, pastries, preserves, candies, alcohol and spices and condiments.

Get a lift from a sugary drink. If you're feeling weak, sip on a flat soft drink. "The advantage of soda is that it has sugar in it," says Dr. Ruderman. "This will give you some energy."

Reference:
Selkurt, E.E. (editor), Physiology, 2nd edition, Little, Brown and Company, Boston (1966).Chinese Medicinal Herbs, compiled by Li Shih-Chen, translated by F. Porter Smith, M.D., and G.A. Stuart, M.D., Georgetown Press, San Francisco (1973). Chandan BK, Sharma AK, Anand KK. Boerhavia diffusa: a study of its hepatoprotective activity. J Ethnopharmacol 1991 Mar;31(3):299- 307.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.