Herbal Remedies for Acne

The following are some herbal remedies for acne:

Tea Tree Oil - Tea tree oil comes from this Australian tree. Used as a topical treatment, in studies it was found to be as effective as benzoil peroxide but with fewer side effects. To use, first gently cleanse the skin and pat dry. Apply diluted tea tree oil to the problem areas and let dry. You can purchase tea tree oil already diluted or you can dilute yourself using jojoba oil with 5 to 15% tea tree oil. Use the mixture twice a day. Test a small spot first to ensure that you do not get a rash. Some people with sensitive skin can have a small reaction to tea tree oil. Do not take internally.

Lavender - Lavender essential oil is often used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. It is also astringent. It is good on minor skin irritations and burns. To use, dot lavender essential oil onto blemishes individually using a cotton swab. Used once or twice per day on mild acne, this will help dry up the blemishes.

Burdock - Burdock is often taken internally as a tea. The leaves, roots and stems of the burdock plant are rich in minerals that promote sweating and urination (a natural diuretic). For the treatment of acne, use burdock topically, as a face wash. Apply cooled tea to the skin with a washcloth and rinse with cool water.

Calendula - Used as a remedy for many skin ailments, calendula has antibacterial and calming properties. Calendula is often found as a tea. To use, make the tea and allow cooling. Then apply to the face with a cotton ball or cloth. There are also calendula creams available that can be found at your local natural food store. These creams are usually too thick in consistency to help with acne, however, they can be used lightly.

Chamomile - This flowering herb is often found in teas. It contains a natural anti-inflammatory called azulene. Chamomile is used as a skin wash in the treatment of acne. To use, steep chamomile tea and allow cooling. Apply to the skin with a cotton ball or washcloth. You can also dab the mixture onto blemishes. There are also skin care products available with chamomile.

Rose - Rose essential oil has soothing antiseptic properties. It also smells wonderfully. Find rosewater that is made from essential oil. Put some into a spray bottle and spritz onto the face whenever you want.

Grapefruit Seed Extract - The seeds of grapefruit have been found to have potent micro bacterial properties. Mix 5 drops of extract with ½ cup water to dilute and use as a face wash.

Aloe - Aloe has long been known to be a soothing anti-inflammatory with anti-bacterial properties. Use in the gel form for best affects. Use topically by applying directly to the blemish spots.

Understanding Herbal Remedies

Herbs are plants used in medicine. Natural healing has come to denote any type of natural means used to aid in healing. Although most herbal remedies are from plants, there are some that are mineral or animal products as well. Herbal medicine is also called phytotherapy, the science of using herbal remedies to treat illnesses.

People have been using herbs for hundreds of years to treat all types of illnesses and symptoms. Throughout history we can find examples from many cultures of their use of herbal remedies. The ancient Egyptians used herbs in healing and in ceremonies as well. There are hieroglyphics that depict the use of herbs on some ancient walls. In ancient China, herbs were an important part of healing and still are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Today, more and more people are turning to herbal remedies to cure anything from headaches to skin conditions to colds. You can find an herbal cure for just about anything that ails you. There are also herbal remedies that are used as preventions for many types of illnesses as well.

Medical doctors are also getting involved in more natural cures. There are specific additional medical courses available that instruct on herbal cures and their uses. A holistic M.D. is a licensed physician who has completed not only the traditional medical studies, but has additional education in the philosophy and methods of natural healing. A N.D is a doctor of naturopathic medicine, and they are recognized and licensed in a number of states.

Herbalists understand how herbs act to treat certain ailments in the body. The body is like a small ecosystem unto itself, and everything is balanced just right. When some part of the body becomes unbalanced, herbs can be used to help restore balance again.

Usually, herbal remedies are milder than traditional medicines and have fewer side effects, and most are very safe if used as directed. The body can build up a resistance to some medications, such as antibiotics, when they are used too much. Herbal cures are helpful when treating illnesses that are not too serious. There are many ways to use herbs as effective treatments.

Healthy Living Information At Your Fingertips

It is a gross misunderstanding that to live a healthy life; one must give up many pleasures and lovely things in life and live a dull boring life. You can and with a little effort and sticking to guidelines live a healthy life. It is within your reach! All you have to do is decide deep down whether you wish to be healthy or not healthy. That freedom you have.

Sad to say, that many people with the sole intention of making a fast buck have been able to convince you that it’s a huge and difficult task. The facts say that living healthy is not difficult. As they say the path of success begins with the initial step. In addition, after many days and many steps you will begin to feel better. You cannot solve the world’s health programs but you can find a solution for just one person and that person is you.

Here is some information:

Start to eat healthy: Eat more raw fruit and vegetables freshly grown locally. All the talk these days is eat extra fruits and vegetables and I do not mean that. I mean fresh and raw! You do not get your portion of fruit for each day by consuming apples from a can!

Manage your weight well: Being over-weight is not being healthy we all know that. On the other hand you need not be matchstick model, that is harmful, but you can be a size plus and be healthy too. Just keep your body in good condition. Imagine a car in bad shape trying to climb a hill huffing and puffing as better-kept vehicles ease by. Keep you body in good condition and you will pass by the ones easily who did not. You will add many years to your life and do your daily jobs at home and office better.

Exercise: Only few things that make a person uneasy, one is a creaking door and the next is the word exercise. At the word exercise, you either get excited or you dodge. Do not consider ‘working out ‘to be work or a duty. Movement is making your heart rate go from normal to above. Being still will not do it for you. The joy of exercising is to choose any program that is such enjoyment to you that you forget that you are exercising! Waltz, run, walk, go biking, hiking, tend the garden, tend the house, paint, chop, cut, repair and any other but move often and more every day.

Stop smoking: Remember when you tried your first fag, you coughed, choked, and went green, but did you give up? Even though your body made desperate tries to catch your attention and many others too, smoking is all over. The external warnings and the internal just do not seem to be taken seriously until the natural leveller death has its say.

Take care of toxins: However, they are everywhere in the traffic smog, industrial smog and even the pesticides in the foods you consume. If you cannot control the first ones then you can the last. Avoid toxins like you will a rattlesnake.

Prevention is better than the cure: Prevention from the start is the best-known solution for man, but very often neglected. Do all that is necessary to keep yourself healthy. Stay away from anything that gets you into harm’s way. A man went to see his doctor, and said “Doc, whenever I try rotating my head it hurts.” The doctor gave him the simple solution. “Don’t do it.”

Healthy Eating For People Over Sixty

Generally, people in over sixty have altered food tastes. Foods do not taste the same. They lose appetite and even their favourite foods do not fascinate them anymore. They tend to put on weight even if they barely eat. Metabolism rates decrease with age and people tend to put on fats. Increasing weight in sixties is a bad sign, as it can cause many health related hazards. A person in his/her sixties must follow a proper diet plan. Here are some tips on how you can maintain your weight and diet accordingly.

People usually do not work very hard in their sixties and therefore need less energy, but just enough to perform daily chores. Your diet must contain adequate amount of protein, calcium, carbohydrates and vitamins. Eat different varieties of food everyday, so that it does not get monotonous and you have different taste everyday. As you grow old, your bones tend to become weak and feeble. Your calcium level decreases and you are likely to suffer from osteoporosis. To avoid these sufferings, you should drink enough low-fat milk and eat fat free dairy products like cheese and butter. Make sure you do not gain fat.

Fruits and vegetables are a very important source of nutrition for persons of this age group, as they provide a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. Most fruits contain vitamins B and C. Vitamins and calcium prevent memory loss, and shivering. Protein in your diet must only be about 15-18%, and mostly got from non-vegetarian foods like fish, eggs, and meat.

Always keep your body hydrated with water and juices. Water helps in cleansing the body from its impurities. Eat fibre rich food like vegetables that provide proteins, too. More of fiber in the body means less of toxins. Fibre can be found in pulses and baked beans, prunes and apricots. Do not eat a lot of sweet or sugar based food because the empty calories present in them do not exactly provide energy, but increases weight. Consumption of excess salt may raise high blood pressure, therefore, control intakes of salt and sugar.

Since senior people do not exactly engage themselves in physical activity, regular exercise and a proper diet is a must. One has to increase metabolism rate, in order to remain fit and not put on excess weight. Old people often eat very less and cannot have three big meals. They must have small meals after regular intervals, which helps to increase their metabolism rate. Do not take any protein supplements or fats loss pills because they need vigorous workouts and are basically meant for people below 60.

Avoid canned or packed food items, as they contain preservatives, which are not healthy for persons of that age group. Some packaged food also contains hydrogenated fats that may cause a problem in your cardio-vascular system. Eat controlled amounts of food, but ensure they are nutrient rich, so that you live a long, healthy life.

Healthy Eating For Teenagers

Growing children need plenty of energy to perform their daily activities. An average teenager is involved in high intensity activities compared to an office goer. Activities can be low, medium, and high intensity. Study, play, exams, camps, trips, big games, tours, etc., are some of the many activities that form part of a teenager’s life through the day. He/she needs both, mental and physical strength to keep up with this routine, to remain fit and healthy.

A teenager’s diet should contain carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and all the essentials that their bodies need. A teenager should have more food as compared to a 45 year old. This is because teenagers have high metabolism rates. Five or six medium meals justify an average teenager’s diet pattern. A little bit of fatty food is again not a problem because the fats in the body disappear the moment they start engaging themselves in different games, trips or any other activities. In fact, teenagers should eat heavy meals, as this is their only time to build strong bodies.

The essential and healthy food items for a teenager are:

Milk - provides calcium for healthy teeth and bones. Water content in the milk keeps you hydrated.

Fruit juices - gives the teenager that little boost in stamina required while they play.

Water - an average teenager must consume at least 8-10 liters of water per day.

Meat and eggs - provides proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates. Very essential to increase weight and muscle mass. Fish helps in increasing concentration and alertness.

Fruits and vegetables - are more essential than non-vegetarian food. It is important because the minerals and vitamins are needed for the body and keeps the body hydrated. Fruits also help in learning and remembering. Dieticians recommend plenty of fruits and vegetables for growing teens. Fruits and vegetables are great to gain weight and remain fit.

All the above food items help teens in their studies and physical activities. The food cycle of an average teenager should be heavy breakfast at about seven, a fruit around 10, good lunch at about one, a fruit at about 3, and a small meal at around 5 with a fruit juice and dinner at 8. A growing teen must not eat oily or fattening foods, as this might make him/her lazy, lethargic or even build excess body fats, which are the initial stages of obesity.

If your teenager is not engaged in sports or exercises, absolutely do not follow the abovementioned foods, since with healthy eating; there should always be good exercise. Teens with low metabolism rate often put on more weight, even if they eat less. This is not correct. The idea is to eat healthy and exercise more to increase the metabolism rate and reduce the unwanted fats in the body.

Teens that are always attached to the computer or are at home should reduce the intake of meat, energy drinks, and milk, as it is not necessary for them and they might put on fats in their bodies.

To conclude, teens should stop eating junk food from outside and stick to home cooked food to stay healthy and fit.