Have you ever noticed the leather bag that you carry with all the stuff under the sun? It gets so stretched that it reaches the limit of its elasticity. It is then, when you see those wrinkle type marks on your old overused leather bag. You discard it and buy a new one. But you cannot do this with your own skin! Yes, your skin is composed of elastin which can be thought of as a soft elastic tissue. It is soft, supple and stretchable but it too has its own limits. Some situations exert extra pressure on your skin such as sudden weight gain or loss, pregnancy and even rapid growth of your body during teenage. Sometimes while exercising too, you stretch your body out of its limits. In such situations you get those thick red or purple lines on your skin which is popularly known as stretch marks. Gradually these lines do fade away and become white or silvery white in color but they don’t go away on their own. You have to put efforts to remove these stretch marks. Here are some home remedies to help you with your task.

Natural Remedies to Remove Stretch Marks

1. Apricot Mask to Remove Stretch Marks

Many people use apricot scrub for rapid removal of stretch marks from their skin. However, I am giving you the recipe of a mask made from apricot that you have to apply on your stretch marks daily for at least a month or more.

Get these things:

• Apricots- 2-3

• Lukewarm water- enough to wash off your skin having marks.

Do this:

• Cut open the apricots and remove their seeds.

• Crush the fruits to get their paste.

• Apply this apricot paste on your stretch marks.

• Leave for about 15-20 minutes.

• Now wash off with warm water.

• Repeat everyday (you may initially do it twice a day) for a month.

2. Aloe Vera to Remove Stretch Marks

Benefits of aloe vera are now very popular among the fans of home remedies. This herb has in it the plant collagen which excellently repairs human skin too. Use, as far as possible, the fresh aloe gel taken from the leaves instead of using store bought gel.

Get this:

• Aloe vera leaf

Do this:

• De-thorn the aloe vera leaf and remove its outer skin.

• Take out the sticky gel from the inside of the leaf.

• Apply this fresh aloe gel on your stretch marks.

• Now forget it for two hours.

• Wash off with water after this couple of hours.

3. Oils to Remove Stretch Marks

Natural oils are excellent emollients and they have these capacity to treat all scalp and hair problems as also skin issues including stretch marks. You just need to identify the right type of oil for the very purpose. You should ideally gently massage your skin having stretch marks with oil for about half an hour daily. However, just applying oils to the marks (something near to soaking them in oil) can also do wonders. If doing so, you need to apply oil for about three to four times a day. Olive oil, with all its antioxidant properties and loads of nutrients, is considered one of the best oils for removing stretch marks but there are many other oils that you can use. They too are good when it comes to curing stretch marks. Here is the list.

• Olive oil

• Lavender oil

• Rose oil

• Frankincense oil

• Myrrh oil

• Geranium oil

• Helichrysum oil

• Chamomile oil

The best thing will be to mix certain oils and then apply to the marks. Here’s the recipe.

Get this:

• lavender oil- ½ tsp

• Chamomile oil- ½ tsp

• Almond oil- 2 tsp ( you can use any other carrier oil like avocado oil, jojoba oil etc. in place of almond oil)

Do this:

• Mix lavender, chamomile oils with almond or the other carrier oil that you are using.

• Mix them well.

• Apply this oil mix to your stretch marks daily.

• Do this preferably thrice or four times a day.

4. Potato Juice to Remove Stretch Marks

This is the cheapest and one of the rapid home remedies for stretch marks. Potato is a super food due to its many components like essential fatty acids and a variety of phytochemicals, like carotenoids and polyphenols. It also has loads of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin-C, B-complex, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc. Because a potato is capable of stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis, it can effectively restore skin cells fading away your stretch marks.

Get this:

• Potato- 1 (medium sized)

• Knife- to cut potato

• Lukewarm water- to wash off

Do this:

• Cut the potato into thick sized slices.

• Take a slice and rub it gently over your stretch marks. Ensure to apply its juice all over your marks.

• Leave it for 5-10 minutes.

• Wash off with lukewarm water.

Home remedies for Stretch Marks

5. Lemon Juice to Remove Stretch Marks

Lemons have been recognized as fine natural bleaching agents beyond doubt. The alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and vitamin C in lemons can efficient;y remove the dead skin and make your stretch marks disappear fast.

Get this:

• Lemon- 1

• Warm water- to wash off

Do this:

• Cut the lemon into 2 halves.

• Take a half piece of lemon and gently rub it on your stretch marks.

• Feel it’s juice soaking into your skin.

• Do this for at least 10 minutes.

• Then wash off with warm water.

To make it a superfast remedy for stretch marks, you can mix lemon juice with other ingredients in equal quantities (for example 1tbsp lemon juice with 1 tbsp other juice):

• Lemon juice with cucumber juice

• Lemon juice with potato juice

• Lemon juice with tomato juice.

6. Cocoa- Shea Butter Homemade Cream to Remove Stretch Marks

If you are fed up with all the stretch removal creams available in the market, make your own at home. You’ll be using some very commonly available ingredients for this home made cream- those that have been recognized as most skin friendly ingredients by all – cocoa butter, Shea butter and vitamin E oil. The natural antioxidants and emollient properties of cocoa butter lends it excellent moisturizing ability which penetrates deep and fast into the skin repairing it and removing stretch marks. The fatty acids of Shea butter, which has been used by Africans since ages, aids cocoa butter in repairing the skin further. As Shea butter melts at body temperature, it can be absorbed by skin very fast. Vitamin E in your cream is a powerful antioxidant which will penetrate through the layers of your skin and assist its natural wound healing process while removing the scars on it.

Get this:

• Cocoa butter- 2 tsp

• Shea butter- 2tsp

• Vitamin E oil- 1 tsp

Do this:

• Melt the Shea butter and cocoa butter.

• Add vitamin E oil to the melted butters.

• Mix well.

• Store in a container.

• The cream will get into solid state once it cools down.

Each time when you apply this cream on your stretch marks, it will melt as soon as it comes in contact with your skin. Apply this cream at least twice a day after having bath.

7. Egg Whites to Remove Stretch Marks

Egg white contains 40 different proteins. You can understand why it is so beneficial for skin health. Egg whites are also rich in collagen and vitamin A and thus can treat scars or burns too effectively. So go ahead with this remedy and apply egg white on your stretch marks. It’s as simple as this-

• Take out the egg white by separating the yolk from the egg.

• Beat the egg white a little with a fork

• Apply on your marks.

• Leave for 15 minutes

• Wash off with water.

Apply some moisturizer or oil (like olive oil) after you pat dry the area.

8. Alfalfa to remove Stretch Marks

Rich in amino acids, vitamins E and K, this herb,Alfalfa is used by many to fade the marks away. You may also give it a try as they are said to be great skin toners.

Get this:

• Alfalfa Powder- 1 tsp

• Chamomile oil- few drops to make paste

Do this:

• Mix alfalfa powder with chamomile oil and mix well.

• Apply the paste to your stretch marks.

• Leave for 15 minutes.

• Wash off with water.

• Do this thrice a day.

9. Drink Water for Hydrated Skin to Aid Removal of Stretch Marks

No remedy will work effectively if your skin is not always hydrated and full of suppleness. Drink enough water (if enough means 8-10 glasses for you, have at least this much!) Not only hydrated skin detoxifies your body but also restores the lost elasticity of the skin.

10.

Eat Well to Remove Stretch Marks

Apart from keeping your skin well hydrated, you also need to keep it well nourished. Lack of nutrients inside your body can never give you full benefits of creams, lotions, oils, masks or any other thing that you apply externally on your skin.

Have a good amount of proteins daily. Beans, fish, egg whites, yogurt, nuts and seeds like those of pumpkin, squash, and watermelon seeds, peanuts, almonds etc.

have foods high in Vitamin C and E to encourage growth of skin tissues. Peppers, guavas, dark leafy greens, broccoli, gooseberries, papaya, oranges, strawberries are high in vitamin C. Spinach, nuts, kale, olive oil, tropical fruits like papaya and kiwi, wheat all are rich in Vitamin E.

Have seeds and nuts rich in mineral content (especially zinc) during your pregnancy. This tones up your skin well.

Avoid saturated fats in your diet as they make you gain weigh and obesity can cause stretching of the skin giving you those ugly stretch marks.

Ebola virus disease

This information is gotten from the W.H.O website

Key facts

    Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.
    EVD outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 90%.
    EVD outbreaks occur primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests.
    The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
    Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be the natural host of the Ebola virus.
    Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. No licensed specific treatment or vaccine is available for use in people or animals.

Ebola first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter was in a village situated near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.

Genus Ebolavirus is 1 of 3 members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus), along with genus Marburgvirus and genus Cuevavirus. Genus Ebolavirus comprises 5 distinct species:

1.     Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV)
2.     Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV)
3.     Reston ebolavirus (RESTV)
4.     Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV)
5.     Taï Forest ebolavirus (TAFV).

BDBV, EBOV, and SUDV have been associated with large EVD outbreaks in Africa, whereas RESTV and TAFV have not. The RESTV species, found in Philippines and the People’s Republic of China, can infect humans, but no illness or death in humans from this species has been reported to date.

Transmission

Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. In Africa, infection has been documented through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest.

Ebola then spreads in the community through human-to-human transmission, with infection resulting from direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids. Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness.

Health-care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed EVD. This has occurred through close contact with patients when infection control precautions are not strictly practiced.

Among workers in contact with monkeys or pigs infected with Reston ebolavirus, several infections have been documented in people who were clinically asymptomatic. Thus, RESTV appears less capable of causing disease in humans than other Ebola species.

However, the only available evidence available comes from healthy adult males. It would be premature to extrapolate the health effects of the virus to all population groups, such as immuno-compromised persons, persons with underlying medical conditions, pregnant women and children. More studies of RESTV are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn about the pathogenicity and virulence of this virus in humans.
 

Signs and symptoms

EVD is a severe acute viral illness often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

People are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus. Ebola virus was isolated from semen 61 days after onset of illness in a man who was infected in a laboratory.

The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days.

Diagnosis

Other diseases that should be ruled out before a diagnosis of EVD can be made include: malaria, typhoid fever, shigellosis, cholera, leptospirosis, plague, rickettsiosis, relapsing fever, meningitis, hepatitis and other viral haemorrhagic fevers.

Ebola virus infections can be diagnosed definitively in a laboratory through several types of tests:

•     antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
•     antigen detection tests
•     serum neutralization test
•     reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay
•     electron microscopy
•     virus isolation by cell culture.

Samples from patients are an extreme biohazard risk; testing should be conducted under maximum biological containment conditions.

Vaccine and treatment

No licensed vaccine for EVD is available. Several vaccines are being tested, but none are available for clinical use.

Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. Patients are frequently dehydrated and require oral rehydration with solutions containing electrolytes or intravenous fluids.

No specific treatment is available. New drug therapies are being evaluated.

Natural host of Ebola virus

In Africa, fruit bats, particularly species of the genera Hypsignathus monstrosus, Epomops franqueti and Myonycteris torquata, are considered possible natural hosts for Ebola virus. As a result, the geographic distribution of Ebolaviruses may overlap with the range of the fruit bats.

Ebola virus in animals

Although non-human primates have been a source of infection for humans, they are not thought to be the reservoir but rather an accidental host like human beings. Since 1994, Ebola outbreaks from the EBOV and TAFV species have been observed in chimpanzees and gorillas.

RESTV has caused severe EVD outbreaks in macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) farmed in Philippines and detected in monkeys imported into the USA in 1989, 1990 and 1996, and in monkeys imported to Italy from Philippines in 1992.

Since 2008, RESTV viruses have been detected during several outbreaks of a deadly disease in pigs in People’s Republic of China and Philippines. Asymptomatic infection in pigs has been reported and experimental inoculations have shown that RESTV cannot cause disease in pigs.

Prevention and control

Controlling Reston ebolavirus in domestic animals

No animal vaccine against RESTV is available. Routine cleaning and disinfection of pig or monkey farms (with sodium hypochlorite or other detergents) should be effective in inactivating the virus.

If an outbreak is suspected, the premises should be quarantined immediately. Culling of infected animals, with close supervision of burial or incineration of carcasses, may be necessary to reduce the risk of animal-to-human transmission. Restricting or banning the movement of animals from infected farms to other areas can reduce the spread of the disease.

As RESTV outbreaks in pigs and monkeys have preceded human infections, the establishment of an active animal health surveillance system to detect new cases is essential in providing early warning for veterinary and human public health authorities.
Reducing the risk of Ebola infection in people

In the absence of effective treatment and a human vaccine, raising awareness of the risk factors for Ebola infection and the protective measures individuals can take is the only way to reduce human infection and death.

In Africa, during EVD outbreaks, educational public health messages for risk reduction should focus on several factors:

•     Reducing the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission from contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw meat. Animals should be handled with gloves and other appropriate protective clothing. Animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
•     Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission in the community arising from direct or close contact with infected patients, particularly with their bodily fluids. Close physical contact with Ebola patients should be avoided. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home. Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital, as well as after taking care of patients at home.
•     Communities affected by Ebola should inform the population about the nature of the disease and about outbreak containment measures, including burial of the dead. People who have died from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried.

Pig farms in Africa can play a role in the amplification of infection because of the presence of fruit bats on these farms. Appropriate biosecurity measures should be in place to limit transmission. For RESTV, educational public health messages should focus on reducing the risk of pig-to-human transmission as a result of unsafe animal husbandry and slaughtering practices, and unsafe consumption of fresh blood, raw milk or animal tissue. Gloves and other appropriate protective clothing should be worn when handling sick animals or their tissues and when slaughtering animals. In regions where RESTV has been reported in pigs, all animal products (blood, meat and milk) should be thoroughly cooked before eating.
 
Controlling infection in health-care settings
Human-to-human transmission of the Ebola virus is primarily associated with direct or indirect contact with blood and body fluids. Transmission to health-care workers has been reported when appropriate infection control measures have not been observed.

It is not always possible to identify patients with EBV early because initial symptoms may be non-specific. For this reason, it is important that health-care workers apply standard precautions consistently with all patients – regardless of their diagnosis – in all work practices at all times. These include basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (according to the risk of splashes or other contact with infected materials), safe injection practices and safe burial practices.

Health-care workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola virus should apply, in addition to standard precautions, other infection control measures to avoid any exposure to the patient’s blood and body fluids and direct unprotected contact with the possibly contaminated environment. When in close contact (within 1 metre) of patients with EBV, health-care workers should wear face protection (a face shield or a medical mask and goggles), a clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown, and gloves (sterile gloves for some procedures).

Laboratory workers are also at risk. Samples taken from suspected human and animal Ebola cases for diagnosis should be handled by trained staff and processed in suitably equipped laboratories.

WHO response

WHO provides expertise and documentation to support disease investigation and control.

Recommendations for infection control while providing care to patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola haemorrhagic fever are provided in: Interim infection control recommendations for care of patients with suspected or confirmed Filovirus (Ebola, Marburg) haemorrhagic fever, March 2008. This document is currently being updated.

WHO has created an aide–memoire on standard precautions in health care (currently being updated). Standard precautions are meant to reduce the risk of transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens. If universally applied, the precautions would help prevent most transmission through exposure to blood and body fluids.

Standard precautions are recommended in the care and treatment of all patients regardless of their perceived or confirmed infectious status. They include the basic level of infection control—hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment to avoid direct contact with blood and body fluids, prevention of needle stick and injuries from other sharp instruments, and a set of environmental controls.


http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

HOW ANGER CAN AFFECT YOUR HEALTH

It Makes My Blood Boil! Physical Effects of Anger

When a cartoon character gets angry, steams comes out the ears, red creeps over the body from head to toe and there may even be an explosion or two. It's not as entertaining to watch in real life, but the state of anger causes physical effects in us as well. The response varies from person to person, but some symptoms include teeth grinding, fists clenching, flushing, paling, prickly sensations, numbness, sweating, muscle tensions and temperature changes 

The feeling of anger may differ from person to person; women, for example, are more likely to describe anger slowly building through the body rate, while men describe it as a fire or a flood raging within them [source: Thomas]. Of course, it varies by what's acceptable in the culture as well: Some Asian cultures may experience anger in a milder way and for a shorter time than Caucasian Americans . Either way, it's much like the fight-or-flight response; your body is gearing up for a fight to survive a wrong that's been perpetrated against you. Chemicals like adrenaline and noradrenaline surge through the body.

In the brain, the amygdala, the part of the brain that deals with emotion, is going crazy. It wants to do something, and the time between a trigger event and a response from the amygdala can be a quarter of a second . But at the same time, blood flow is increasing to the frontal lobe, specifically the part of the brain that's over the left eye. This area controls reasoning and is likely what's keeping you from hurling a vase across the room. These areas generally balance each other out quickly; according to some research, the neurological response to anger lasts less than two seconds . This is why you get a lot of advice about counting to 10 when angry.

Many cite the example of Phineas Gage to explain the importance of the frontal lobe in controlling our rage. In 1848, Gage, a nice, dependable railroad worker suffered an accident in which a rod went through his skull, right above the left eye. From then on, Gage was angry, irritable and unstable, and not just because he'd had a rod driven through his skull. Rather, the rod had destroyed the part of his brain that could inhibit an angry response.
If you're constantly being activated by triggers, however, then this state of response can start to cause damage. Chronically angry people may not have the mechanism to turn off these effects. They may not produce acetylcholine, a hormone which tempers the more severe effects of adrenaline. Their nervous system is constantly working and can eventually become overexerted, leading to a weakened heart and stiffer arteries ]. There's potential for liver and kidney damage, as well as high cholesterol. Anger may bring along some accompanying issues, such as depression or anxiety .

Anger's physical side effects explain why you frequently see studies about the damage that this emotion can do to our bodies. In one study of almost 13,000 subjects, individuals with the highest levels of anger had twice the risk of coronary artery disease and three times the risk of heart attack, as compared to the subjects with the lowest levels of anger. Some scientists think that chronic anger may be more dangerous than smoking and obesity as a factor that will contribute to early death .

For some of these effects, the key is tempering the triggers that set you off, so that you're not mad at every little thing. But for some of these diseases, the key is how you're expressing your anger. On the next page, we'll look at whether letting it all hang out is a good idea.

Stop Sweaty Armpits - 5 Ways To Stop Sweaty Armpits Naturally

If you've been looking for a way to stop sweaty armpits, chances are you'd prefer a natural solution. Sweaty underarms can be a fairly normal occurence when you are in your teens, but some people suffer with it all through their life. If you suffer from excessive sweating, it can make you really self-conscious when you're around other people. When you're with your partner, you might worry what they think about your underarm sweating, and if you’re single, sweaty armpits might mean you're too anxious to go on date.

As if your sweaty underarms weren't embarrassing enough, talking about them to someone so you can get some help, can be even worse. If you feel like you're missing out on life, here are some natural solutions to excessive sweating for you to try.








Exercise

Sweating is one of the natural ways your body gets rid of toxins. If you give the body a helping hand, by taking regular exercise, you might reduce the occasions where your body sweats to get rid of toxins during your normal daily activities. Exercise can also be really good for reducing stress, which can help if you're a "nervous" sweater, as well as other positive benefits that could help, such as weight-loss.

There is a connection between being overweight and an increased level of sweating. It follows then, that as you get closer to your ideal weight, you will automatically reduce symptoms of being overweight (one of which may be excessive sweating).

If you’re not sure if your symptoms are linked to you weight - and you are overweight - losing weight will be a healthy experiment which just might deliver the answer to your problem. (Plus you will get to enjoy all the other benefits that come with losing excess weight, such as more confidence, energy, fitness etc…)

Yoga

Your excessive underarm sweating might be because of a greater imbalance in your body. Rebalancing the body's system through exercise like yoga can be very beneficial. The breathing and movement exercises in Yoga harmonise your body and correct any imbalances, as well as helping with relaxation. You'll develop a more efficient metabolism, improved overall fitness and benefit from the release of endorphins. All of these effects combine to make you feel good - physically, mentally and emotionally.

Like all exercise, yoga is also an effective stress-buster. But when it comes to hyperhidrosis, yoga has an additional advantage. Regular yoga practice is great at inducing inner calm and emotional stability. So, if your excessive sweating is related to stress or anxiety, yoga could help immensely in reducing those occasions when you feel stressed. It will also help to reduce the severity of your anxiety when unavoidable stressful situations arise. In short, yoga will improve your overall fitness, detoxify your system, boost your wellbeing and stabilise your anxiety.

Since it addresses many of the health issues that lead to excessive sweating, yoga can be an effective route to not only reducing the symptoms, but also treating the cause.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has had extremely successful results in the treatment of excessive sweating (hyperhydrosis). Many cases report that acupuncture has radically alleviated their symptoms and some claim to be completely cured. And although, it does involve the manipulation of needles on the skin, regular users of the treatment do not regard it as painful. So, how does it work?

Acupuncture is an ancient Oriental medicine that uses fine needles to stimulate ‘acu-points’, special places along your meridians (your body’s energy channels). In the sophisticated manipulation of these points, the treatment aims to correct any mis-aligned energy channels that are causing illness, pain or suffering.

For sufferers of excessive sweating, an acupuncture practitioner can target the sympathetic nervous system (which controls sweat gland function). In addition, they can address points that deal with stress or enhance relaxation. In this way the treatment can reduce anxiety and promote confidence and emotional balance - factors which often influence the onset of sweating episodes. However, since acupuncture is a holistic treatment, it can also be helpful in cases of excessive sweating when the cause is unidentified.

Rather than just targeting a specific area which may or may not be the root cause of the problem, acupuncture treats the body as a whole. It’s possible, then, that the root cause can be rebalanced in the course of the overall treatment. The malfunction (which causes the sweating) can be diffused, even if it was never identified.

Diet

Firstly, there are a number of food and drinks that are notorious for increasing your body temperature and/or making your sweat. These are; spicy foods, processed foods, garlic, red meat, high fructose corn syrup, alcohol and caffeine. Greasy or deep fried foods also put pressure on your digestive system which can increase sweating problems. Luckily, there are also a number of foods that have been shown to reduce excessive sweating.

Fruit is a great source of fibre and vitamins which can be beneficial in improving both your immune and digestive systems as well as your overall health. Similarly, complex B Vitamins (found in whole-grain foods, fruit and vegetables) also help your body to eliminate waste products efficiently.

Eating foods that support your health can greatly reduce imbalances, which can lead to problems such as excessive sweating. Not only that, you will look and feel great too! Chamomile tea has been cited as a good way to reduce sweating. It also helps you to relax, so if your excessive sweating is triggered by stress or anxiety it could be doubly helpful. Also, drinking herbal teas is another way of increasing your water intake. Similarly, as fruit and vegetables have a high water-content, they are another easy way to get more water into your system.

There is a belief that drinking more water will make you sweat more. Whilst it’s possible that drinking tap-water may increase the toxins in your body, (which stress your system) drinking filtered or mineral water can be beneficial. In fact, for health reasons, it’s important that you drink plenty of water. Your body needs water to survive - even more so if you sweat. So, if you suffer from excessive sweating, you should try to replace your body’s lost fluids to maintain your health.

Natural Remedies

A number of natural remedies are becoming increasing popular with sufferers of excessive sweating. Although it seems to be the case that there is no single guaranteed solution - isn’t this also true of chemical treatments? But since these are natural remedies, you can try all or any of them without worrying about side-effects. In this way you can safely keep trying and testing until you find the cure that is right for you. So, here are just a few popular alternatives to those nasty chemical-laden products:

Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey. Mix 2 tsp of (non-acidic) apple cider vinegar with 2 tsp of thick (not runny) raw, organic, honey. Take three times a day on an empty stomach.

Magnesium supplements. These have been known to be helpful in stopping excessive sweating. However, they can have a laxative effect, so you might want to start on a low dose of 400-500 mgm, twice a day. (Magnesium is also helpful for calming the nerves, relieving depression and reducing stress and sleep problems.)

Sage. Boil a few sage leaves for 10 minutes in 1 1/2 cups of water then drink first thing in the morning. If one cup a day doesn’t work, try another one a few hours later. Also try adding sage to food.

Baking soda. Combine about a teaspoon of the baking soda and corn starch and mix with rubbing alcohol to form a paste. Add a couple drops of a nicely scented essential oil and it will smell good too! Apply before going to bed, and rinse off in the morning.

Tea soak. Brew a nice strong pot of black tea, let it cool, pour it into a plate of some sort, and soak hands/feet for 3-5 minutes. (Note: soaking too long could turn your skin brown.) For underarms, just get some tea on your hand and rub, let dry, rub again. You can also try this with sage tea.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is the condition in which a man is unable to maintain an erection of the penis that is sufficient for sexual intercourse. It is also known as impotence.  In some people erectile dysfunction occurs only in certain situations. A person may be able to get an erection while masturbating but fails to get an erection when he is with the sexual partner.  There are many reasons for this condition. It includes narrowing of the blood vessels to the penis, changes in hormones, anxiety, depression, relationship problem or any injury. According to the cause of the erectile dysfunction different remedies are available.

The erectile dysfunction caused by poor blood supply to the penis or due to anxiety and depression can be cured using various home remedies. In some men there will be erection which will last for hours without sexual stimulation. This condition is painful. It is necessary to consult the medical practitioner if the erectile dysfunction lasts for more than 2-3 weeks.  The home remedies for erectile dysfunction are safe to try.

Natural Home Remedies Getting Rid Of Erectile Dysfunction

There are a few tried and tested home remedies that will help in easily getting rid of erectile dysfunction in men without any medication or surgery.

1. Drumstick Flowers In Milk
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to fight erectile dysfunction from home is to use a mixture of milk and drumstick flowers. It is said that drumstick has certain aphrodisiac properties and is quite effective home remedy for erectile dysfunction.

• Add a handful of drumstick flowers in a glass of milk.
• Heat the milk with the drumstick flowers until it boils.
• Allow this mixture to cool down till it is lukewarm and then drink it.
• Try his home remedy for one or two months continuously to see good results.

2. Carrots, Honey And Egg
Another home remedy to treat erectile dysfunction and to develop sexual desire in men is to feed the person with a mixture of honey, egg and carrots.

• Add 2 tablespoons of honey, a half boiled egg and half a cup of finely chopped or grated carrots in a bowl.
• Mix this mixture very well and have it once every day.
• Consume this mixture daily for 30 to 45 days and you will find great improvements in your sexual desire.

3. Ginger And Honey Mixture
Ginger is a well known natural ingredient to treat a lot of health problems and it does wonders for erectile dysfunction also.

• Take cleaned ginger pieces and crush it to make a paste.
• Now, extract the ginger juice from this paste.
• Take 2 teaspoons of ginger paste and mix it well with 2 teaspoons of honey.
• Consume this mixture for three times a day for a month to see visible results.

4. Dried Dates And Nuts
Dried dates offer good strength to the body and have the ability to increase sexual drive in humans.

• Mix a handful of dried date, pistachio nuts, almonds and quince seeds in equal proportions and then pound them into fine powder.
• Mix this powder in a glass of milk and consume it daily to see effective results.

5. Black Raisins
Black raisins are said to be a very good ingredient that helps in improving sexual vigor.

• Wash about 30 grams of good quality black raisins in lukewarm water.
• Now boil these raisins in 200 ml of milk and the raisins will get swollen.
• Now eat these raisins and then drink the glass full of this milk.
• Take this mixture for three times a day to see effective results.

6. Lady Finger With Candy Sugar
Lady’s finger is also known to be a wonderful vegetable that will arouse sexual desire in humans.

• Mix 5 grams of the root powder of lady’s finger with a glass of lukewarm milk.
• Add two teaspoons of candy sugar to the milk and mix well.
• Consume this every day to see the symptoms of erectile dysfunction disappear.

7. Asparagus Roots
The white musli or dried roots of asparagus are known to be an aphrodisiac and will help in getting rid of erectile dysfunction easily.

• Add 15 grams of dried roots of asparagus to a cup of milk.
• Boil this milk and consume it when it is lukewarm.
• Repeat this process twice a day to see satisfactory results.
• Getting Rid Of Erectile Dysfunction

8. Saffron
Saffron is a well known ingredient that arouses sexual desire and also relaxes your nerves.

• Consume saffron in food to increase sexual desire.
• You can also add it to massage oil and apply it all over your body to relax your nerves and to drive sexual desire.

9. Garlic
Garlic is known to be a really effective natural vegetable for sexual impotence. It is an antiseptic as well as an immune booster and can help people to improve their sexual activities.

• Chew three to four raw fresh garlic cloves daily for effective results.
• Eating garlic bread with a whole lot of grains will also help in improving sexual desires.

 10. White Onions
Onions are well known to have aphrodisiac properties and also help in enhancing libidos.

• Peel white onion, crush it and make it a smooth paste.
• Fry this paste in a teaspoon of butter and then add this mixture to a spoonful of honey.
• You need to take this medicine on an empty stomach or you should not eat for at least two hours before taking this medicine.
• With regular use, you will find remarkable changes in your attitude towards sex.

11. Relaxing Your Body

• Try to have a relaxed mind when indulging in sex.
• Too much of performance anxiety thoughts can make you a bad player in bed.
• Try relaxation exercises like muscle relaxation and breathing exercises to calm your body and mind. This will help you to be a better performer in bed.

12. Quit Smoking

• Try to use nicotine replacements like gums or electric cigarettes if you cannot quit smoking all of a sudden.
• You will find yourself a better performer in bed once you quit smoking.

13. No Drink Before Sex

• Never drink before sex as alcohol has the ability to weaken your sexual functioning.

14. Vitamin A Rich Foods

• Eat foods that are rich in vitamin A to help in reducing sexual dysfunction. This has to be done on a daily basis.

15. Fiber Rich Foods

• A diet of fruits and vegetables that is rich in water soluble fibers will help in reducing the erectile dysfunction.

Are you not getting the right mood to satisfy your wife in bed? Are you fed up of taking the ineffective pills and syrups in the market? Then, try out the above mentioned home remedies to easily get rid of erectile dysfunction problems.

14 Reasons You Should Start Eating Cucumber

Cucumbers are number four most cultivated vegetable in the world and known to be one of the best foods for your overall health, often referred to as a super food. Pick a handful of firm, dark green cucumbers and drop them into your shopping cart. Congratulations! You have just bought yourself stuff full of good health.


Cucumber rehydrates body

If you are too busy to drink enough water, eat the cool cucumber, which is 90 percent water. It will cheerfully compensate your water lost.

Cucumber fights heat inside and out

Eating cucumber will get your body relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin and you will get relief from sunburn.

Cucumber eliminates toxins

All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your body. With regular eating, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.

Cucumber replenishes daily vitamins

Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. A B and C, which boost your immune system keep you radiant and give you energy. Make it more powerful by juicing cucumber with spinach and carrot. Don’t forget to leave the skin on because it contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 12 percent of the daily recommended allowance.

 Cucumber supplies skin friendly minerals

Cucumber is high in potassium, magnesium and silicon. That is why spas abound cucumber based treatments.

Cucumber aids in digestion and weight loss

Due to its high water and low calorie content, cucumber is an ideal source for people who are looking for weight loss. Use cucumbers in your soups and salads. If it is not your favorite snack you can crunchy cucumber sticks with creamy low fat yogurt dip. Chewing cucumber gives your jaws a good workout and the fiber in it is great for digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as an aid for chronic constipation.

Cucumber revives the eyes

Placing a chilled slice of cucumber over puffy eyes is a clichéd beauty visual but it really can help reduce under-eye bags and puffiness due to its anti inflammatory properties.

Cucumber fights cancers

Cucumber is known to contain secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and pinoresinol. The three lignans have a strong connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including ovarian, breast, prostate and uterine cancer.

Cucumber cures diabetes, reduces cholesterol and controls blood pressure

Cucumber juice contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which is widely spread to be beneficial to diabetic patients. Researchers have found that a compound called sterols in cucumbers can help decrease levels of cholesterol. Cucumbers contain a lot of fiber, potassium and magnesium. These nutrients work effectively for regulating blood pressure. That is why cucumber is good for treating both high blood pressure and low blood pressure.

 Cucumber refreshes the mouth

Cucumber juice heals and refreshes diseased gums. Get a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for a half minute, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing unpleasant breath.

Cucumber smoothes hair and nails

The wonder mineral Silica in cucumber makes your hair and nails shinier and stronger. The sulfur and silica in cucumbers help to stimulate your hair growth.

Cucumber promotes joint health, relieves arthritis and gout pain

As cucumber is an excellent source of silica it promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. When mixed with carrot juice, cucumber can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering levels of the uric acid.

Cucumber cures hangover

To avoid a morning headache or hangover you can eat a few cucumber slices before going to sleep. Cucumbers contain enough B vitamins, sugar and electrolytes to replenish many essential nutrients and reducing the severity of both hangover and headache.

Cucumber keeps kidneys in shape

Cucumber lowers uric acid levels in your body and though keeping the kidneys healthy.