Archive for June, 2009

Natural Treatment for Oily Hair



Buy some shikakai powder from the market. Powder some green grams and fenugreek (methi) seeds. Mix two portions of shikakai powder, one portion of green gram flour and half portion of Fenugreek powder and keep it. When required, mix a tablespoon of this mixture in the white of an egg and use it as a shampoo. It does not lather like a soap, or shampoo, but cleanses the hair.

Do not wash your hair everyday. If your hair is clean your glands will secrete more oil. Use a cleaning shampoo to wash your hair and to scrub off the oil build up. Use a mild shampoo and scrub lightly.

A mixture of lettuce and spinach juice is good to drink to induce hair growth. It provides all the vitamins you need for a great skin and a healthy scalp. Another good idea is the juice of alfalfa mixed with that of carrot and lettuce.

Apply a mild astringent directly to the scalp for extra oil-fighting power. To minimize this effect, adopt some techniques to help manage stress, such as meditation, massage, acupuncture, and/or yoga. And, if you’re using birth control pills, talk with your gynecologist or primary care provider about other kinds of pills or contraceptive options that may have less impact on the oilyness of your hair and/or skin.

One teaspoon of apple cider kitchen vinegar added to a pint of water makes an excellent finishing rinse that adds shine and luster to your hair while removing soap residue that can weigh down oily hair. A thorough rinsing with plain water will remove the smell.

You can help slow down oil secretion by applying a homemade astringent directly to your scalp. Kingsley suggests applying a mixture of equal parts witch hazel and mouthwash, with cotton pads, to the scalp only. The witch hazel acts as an astringent and the mouthwash has antiseptic properties, he says. If your scalp is very oily you can do this each time you shampoo.

You’ll need 1/2 teaspoon aloe Vera gel and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Blend this ingredients well and add a little of your regular shampoo. Wash your hair as usual, but let the shampoo on for a few minutes.

Boil two handfuls of mint leaves in one and a half glass of water for 20 minutes. Strain the solution and mix in a 300ml bottle of shampoo.

If you want to treat oily hair, you need a shampoo that deep cleans to remove the excess sebum that’s weighing your hair down. Look for a shampoo designed specifically for oily hair. It might be best to avoid cheap shampoos since they are often high in detergent content which can strip the ends of moisture. Even people with oily hair tend to have dry ends.

Oily hair needs to be washed more often but don’t scrub too hard while washing. And don’t pile hair on the head while shampooing. It causes tangling, leading to further breakage. You can add lemon to the final rinse for a great shine. You need to be careful about washing hair regularly, though you could condition it just twice a month.

Oily hair needs to be washed more often but don’t scrub too hard while washing. And don’t pile hair on the head while shampooing. It causes tangling, leading to further breakage. You can add lemon to the final rinse for a great shine. You need to be careful about washing hair regularly, though you could condition it just twice a month.

Although hair is not essential to life, it is of sufficient cosmetic concern to provoke anxiety in anyone when it starts thinning, falling, or disappearing. To a woman, the sight of a comb or brush covered with lost hair can cause intense mental strain. Hair is formed in minute pockets in the skill called follicles.

Beat Depression with These Good Mood Foods



From time to time, we all suffer from stress and anxiety, even depression. It may be work related, family problems or financial concerns. The stress caused by these worries can lead to health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, stroke and even obesity. Then we start to stress over our health problems. It’s a vicious circle.

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS, BE CAREFUL. All antidepressants work by manipulating the brain’s use of serotonin, the chemical largely responsible for your mood. A study published in the British Medical Journal shows that the use of antidepressants can increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding for people over 65. And the newer types of antidepressants, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors {SSRIs} are the worst offenders. These drugs can also cause nausea, headache, dry mouth, insomnia, sexual dysfunction and tremors.

YOUR OPTIONS.

These prescription drugs are NOT the only option for dealing with stress and depression. Studies have found that people respond just as well to natural therapies without the toxic side effects. According to Dr Michael Rosenbaum, author of “Energy For Life”, a B complex supplement, along with vitamin C can make a big difference. He also recommends St John’s Wort. Beware however of drug interactions with this herb. It can be effective for mild depression, but should NEVER be taken if you are on warfarin therapy or taking SSRIs. As with all changes in diet, you should FIRST discuss it with your family doctor.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER SUGGESTIONS.

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS.

For a long time we’ve known that fish is healthy for you, but American nutritionist Joseph Hibbeln, claims that a fish diet can dramatically improve your state of mind, even cure depression. Mr Hibbeln, from the US National Institutes of Health, says the Omega 3 fats in fish influence our state of mind by altering one of our brain’s key chemical messengers, serotonin. Lack of it is thought to be the cause of depression. His studies are confirmed by research at Harvard Medical School. Deep sea fish such as tuna, swordfish and salmon are 3 sources of Omega 3 fatty acids.

SEROTONIN RICH FOODS AND SUPPLEMENTS.

Other sources of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps to improve our sense of wellbeing, include: vitamin D { cod liver oil and sunshine}, sunflower seeds, bananas, turkey, avocados, mangoes, broccoli, almonds, vitamin B6 and the mineral magnesium. Camomile is a herb rich in magnesium and chamomile tea can be effective as a bedtime “relaxant”. These “mood foods” are required to convert the amino acid tryptophan to serotonin.

KOREAN {PANAX} GINSENG.

Ginseng is a tonic herb renowned for its benefit in helping the body “adapt” to stress. As a balancer of body energies, it helps to relax and relieve stress as well as promote stamina.

VITAMIN B9 {FOLATE OR FOLIC ACID}

Studies with those suffering mild and major depression have shown low blood concentrations of the B vitamin nutrient folate. Sources of folate include: liver, asparagus, lentils, chick peas, beans, spinach and other leafy green vegetables.

SAMe

One of the most exciting breakthroughs in natural approaches to treating depression is SAMe. Naturally produced in the human body, it has largest concentrations in the liver, followed by the adrenal glands, heart, kidneys, lungs and brain. Healthy people naturally produce sufficient SAMe, but a deficiency in the blood can result in depression.

SAMe helps increase the blood levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, encouraging the brain cells to be more responsive to these “feel good” chemicals. This helps promote focus, concentration, calmness and mood elevation. It is also a liver tonic and may assist with arthritis pain. When taken as a supplement, make sure it includes the key nutrients vitamin B12 and folic acid to optimize natural SAMe production.

Never start a new treatment before consulting your doctor, especially if you are currently taking medication. The information published in this article is not intended as a substitute for personal medical advice from your physician or other qualified health-care practitioner. It is for information purposes only.

Crazy Beauty Secrets of Hollywood Stars



Catherine Zeta-Jones. Teri Hatcher. Christie Brinkley. These beautiful celebrities are adored and admired by many people because of their good looks, beautiful skin, and fabulous body. But little do their fans know that behind these glamorous names are some of the most outrageous beauty secrets. If you don’t believe me, read on and see for yourself.

Wales-born actress Catherine Zeta-Jones’ first big screen role came in 1998 when she appeared with Antonio Banderas in “The Mask of Zorro.” But it was in “Chicago” where she showcased her dancing and singing skills that won for her the 2002 Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting role.

The wife of actor Michael Douglas, however, has a strange beauty secret: she brushes her teeth with crushed strawberries.

“I was told it is a natural teeth whitener and it really works for me. Anyway, strawberries taste better than most toothpastes,” she said.

But dentists are afraid that she might lose her pearly whites in the process. Dr. Irwin Smigel of New York City said strawberries are acidic and can damage teeth.

“The acids can wear away the enamel. People used to suck on lemons. You would get a clean feeling but it would wear away the enamel,” he said.

“Desperate Housewives” star Teri Hatcher knows how expensive good wine can be. That’s why she doesn’t throw leftovers away. Instead, the former love interest of Dean Cain’s character in the hit TV series “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” mixes it into her bath. She claims wine is a natural skin softener and exfoliant.

“Cleopatra occasionally washed her face with red wine. Apparently red wine contains alpha hydroxy acids. It may also contain antioxidants,” said dermatologist Dr. Marsha Gordon.

While wine may be good for the skin, experts say milk does a better job and is cheaper too.

We don’t know if supermodel Christie Brinkley, who has appeared in over 500 magazine covers around the world, is fond of cats. But we can’t understand why she uses kitty litter to keep her face clean.

The former wife of musician Billy Joel, who has modeled for Cover Girl and Sports Illustrated, claims kitty litter is a nice exfoliant. But dermatologist Dr. John Romano is baffled by Brinkley’s odd choice, considering that anything can be used for this purpose.

“An exfoliant helps slough off dead skin cells. A washcloth is an exfoliator. Anything can help,” he said.

To have great skin, you don’t have to resort to these beauty fads. Choose a product that’s right for you and stick to it through thick and thin. One popular brand is the Rejuvinol AM/PM Botox Alternative Age-Defying System. This powerful system combines the nourishing effects of the Rejuvinol morning moisturizer and the muscle-relaxing Rejuvox night cream to diminish the appearance of wrinkles, laugh lines, crow’s feet, and other signs of aging. Go to http://www.rejuvinol.com for details.