Sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as skin produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun’s rays.
Repeated sun exposure and suntans cause premature aging of the skin. Repeated sunburns increase the risk of skin cancer in the damaged area. Each blistering sunburn doubles the risk of developing malignant melanoma, which is the most serious type of skin cancer. Sunburn occurs because the body is unable to make enough melanin (protective pigment in the skin) to protect the skin.

Usual mild symptoms in humans and animals are red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV-radiation can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of sunburn
• Scaling
• Pain
• Swelling
• Skin tenderness
• Blisters
• Fever
• Chills
• Shock
• Exfoliation
• Nausea or vomiting or both

Remedies for Sunburn
You can protect your skin by wearing sunscreen, hats and clothes that cover your body. Sunscreens absorb ultraviolet light, thus reducing the amount of UV light that reaches the skin.

1. The sun is most intense between 10am and 3pm so avoid exposure to sun during these hours.
2. Clouds don’t block UV radiation. To avoid getting burned on overcast days, wear sunscreen.
3. Wear UV filtering sunglasses to protect your eyes.
4. Use lip balm with sunscreen to protect lips from burning.
5. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Apply to the skin whenever you go outside or ride in the car, apply it to all exposed areas 30minutes before going outside.
6. Boil lettuce leaves for ten minutes, strain off and chill the water (cool, not cold) and apply it to burned skin. Some dermatologists also recommend this.
7. Eat lots of lean and high quality protein foods. Also include raw fruits to supply the vitamins and minerals needed.
8. To relief a sunburn pain apply over the affected area cool water compresses or fill a bathtub with cold water and dissolve one pound of baking soda or oatmeal in it. Soak in the bath for 30 minutes approximately, until you feel relieve.

Sunburns can be avoided by using sunscreens with the right amount of SPF that goes along with your skin. However before using any products or following any of the remedies one should consult his/her dermatologist.

Bookmark It

 Del.icio.us    digg  
 Facebook    Google Bookmarks    Stumble It    Technorati    Yahoo! My Web  
Hide Sites

Acne is a skin disorder resulting from the actions of hormones on the skins sabaceous glands which leads to plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads)and outbreak of cysts or nodules commonly called pimples. It affects most of the teenagers. It is the most common and chronic skin disease.
Remedies
• Make sure that you are washing your face two or three times each day, with clean water and a pure soap, such as Ivory.

• Oatmeal can be used as soothing scrub. Washing your face with warm salt water helps in getting rid of dirt and oil.

• Try applying essential oils directly to the acne. Oils to try are Tea Tree Oil, Bergamot Oil, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, and Rosewood Oil. If you have sensitive skin, you may need to dilute the oil with Grapeseed oil to avoid irritation. Apply the oil before going to bed, and then wash it away, using pure soap and clean water, in the morning. Give it about a month to see if it is working. This is one of the least expensive acne solutions that have proven to be effective for many people.

• Toothpaste also is effective. It should be applied at night and washed in the morning. This makes pimples less noticeable.

• Applying ground nutmeg blend with milk opens the pores thereby cleaning the dirt.

• Saturate lettuce leaves in water, use this water to rinse acne.

• Honey and cinnamon paste also get rids of acne as honey traps the dirt and paste washes it off. Ground radish seeds with water eliminate the stubborn blackheads.

• Applying garlic juice on the pimple will leave no blemish on your face. Orange peel paste also gives identical results.

• Lime juice, mint juice eliminates pimples, skin infections and eczema.

• Drink a glass of wheat grass juice daily to avoid acne.

• Cook 2-3 tea bags and mix with dried basil for 10-20 minutes. Apply this on the face and acne with a cotton ball.

• Make a paste of turmeric powder in mint juice ,keep it for 30 minutes and then wash it with lukewarm water.

Home remedies list is endless and inexpensive, but pursuing it with patience is awarded as the paradise for cure. However the solutions may vary from one individual to another. Kindly consult your general physician before following any of the remedies.

Bookmark It

 Del.icio.us    digg  
 Facebook    Google Bookmarks    Stumble It    Technorati    Yahoo! My Web  
Hide Sites

Sore Throat is an inflammation of throat caused by a viral infection, and often develops with a cold or the flu. It occurs frequently when a person has a cold or an attack of influenza. It can also be said that sore throat is discomfort, pain or scratchiness in the throat. A sore throat often makes it painful to swallow. It is a common disorder of the throat and can occur at any time during any season, time and place

Why home remedies?
They are less expensive than other alternative forms of medicine. They do not cause any reactions or side effects. However, the solutions may vary from individual to individual.

HOME REMIDIES FOR SORE THROAT
• Gargling is the best remedy for sore throat. Put four teaspoons of salt in a liter of water. Warm the water, but not too much. Gargle with this water for fifteen minutes.

• The juice extracted from the bark of mango tree is very useful in treating any kind of throat problem. Gargle with lukewarm water containing juice extracted from the bark of mango tree. Add a teaspoon of its extract in a glass of lukewarm water.

• Take 1 gm of cinnamon and boil it in a cup of water. Now you may take this mixture 3-4 times daily, after adding some honey to it.

• Chamoline is good remedy and will help the patient to ease pain and reduce inflammation. Chamomile tea is particularly effective in treating pain because of its soothing nature, and can be taken by all age groups.

• Lemon juice, honey and water-Add lemon juice (from one lemon) some honey, to a glass of hot water. Now you may drink this drink, it will help to sooth your throat and make your feel better.

• Heat glass milk; add less than 1tsp of turmeric and sugar. Drink while warm.

• Avoid oily and fried foods as they are extremely aggravating for this condition.

• Avoid foods with a cold propensity such as cucumbers, bananas, watermelons, papayas, etc.

• Flavor your food with spices such as ginger, black pepper, salt and garlic.

• Give your throat lots of rest, and try not to speak

Individuals can go in for the above mentioned remedies but it is advisable to consult your general physician before following any.

Bookmark It

 Del.icio.us    digg  
 Facebook    Google Bookmarks    Stumble It    Technorati    Yahoo! My Web  
Hide Sites

Turmeric is a perennial shrub that is grown in India and other tropical areas of Asia.It is the spice from India that is used in curry dishes. Curcumin is the part of turmeric that gives curry food its golden color. This natural food is believed to support liver health, help prevent bad cholesterol, and it is being studied for its ability to block tumors.

In both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is considered a digestive bitter. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory to the mucous membranes, which coat the throat, lungs, stomach and intestines. Turmeric decreases congestion and inflammation from stagnant mucous membranes.

Turmeric reduces menstrual cramping. For women who experience monthly menstrual cramps, try consuming turmeric extract or bitters twice daily for two weeks prior to expected menstruation. It should reduce the severity of cramps, if not alleviating them completely.

The benefits of turmeric to human health may include arthritis prevention and treatment, treatment of diseases of the immune system, support of a healthy immune system and the prevention (and possibly the treatment of) many forms of cancer, according to the most recent studies. A good dietary supplement should contain turmeric, ginger, green tea, vitamins, minerals, co-factors and many other nutrients.

Another use of turmeric is for the treatment of skin cancer or pre cancerous skin conditions. Both topical and internal use is encouraged. Of course it will stain the skin a lovely yellow color .It can also be used as a dye. One can dye wool, yarn and clothing.

Turmeric as a beauty agent
Turmeric is currently used in the formulation of some sunscreens. Turmeric paste is used by some Indian women to keep them free of superfluous hair. It also acts as an excellent anti-scarring agent when mixed with milk and applied on skin. It is an essential ingredient of the traditional bathing ritual of Indian marriages where it is applied along with sandal wood paste before the bath. It is also used for spots caused due to pigmentation or blotches and also for diseases like eczema. Regular application of turmeric from a very young age is considered to reduce hair growth in women, so that they have smooth skin. It also serves as a disinfectant.

It can be concluded that turmeric is an inexpensive and indigenous spice with numerous benefits. It serves as both a medicine and a beauty aid. It is considered a safe herb but prolong use of higher than recommended does can cause stomach upset and other gastrointestinal disturbances.

Bookmark It

 Del.icio.us    digg  
 Facebook    Google Bookmarks    Stumble It    Technorati    Yahoo! My Web  
Hide Sites