A Magnetic device to zap migraines

I’ve always had this problem of migraines; it used to strike me unawares at odd times; usually once in a month and would almost suck the life out of me.

As I am practising Anulom Vilom, Bhramari and Kapalabhati Pranayam (breathing exercises) regularly these days, the frequency and intensity of the attacks have reduced significantly.

Now this piece of news caught my attention. It seems that a strange-looking magnetic device has been invented to stop a migraine in its tracks. It’s called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - or TMS.

The patient puts a device on the back of the head, and pushes a button, sending a magnetic pulse into the skull. Dr. Richard Lipton of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine said "It actually generates a very small amount of current that flows through the brain and the assumption is that current is what turns off the migraine attack."

About 25 percent of migraine headaches are preceded by what's called an aura, including visual changes like flashing lights, zigzag patterns and blind spots. The idea is to use the device at the first sign of an aura. TMS treatment stopped migraines in 40 percent of patients - twice as effective as placebo.

Though there are medications available that have been extremely effective at stopping migraines, they do have side effects. So if the FDA approves this device, it could be a welcome alternative.

According to a recent WebMD study, how often a woman has a migraine may play a role in determining her risk for strokes and heart attacks.

Researchers grouped migraine frequency into three categories: less than monthly, monthly, or one or more a week and the results were thus:

* Women who had migraines once per week or more were nearly three times more likely to have an ischemic stroke and one and a half times more likely to experience a heart attack as women without migraines.

* Women who had infrequent migraines (less than one month) were one and a half times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

* Women with monthly migraines were not at increased risk.

Similar Reading: Home Remedies for headache

Homemade Body Scrubs

Check out some of these amazing scrubs to whisk off those dead cells from your skin.

COFFEE BODY SCRUB

Ingredients:

2 cups of coarsely ground coffee
1/2 cup raw sugar or sea salt
2-3 Tbsp massage oil

Method:

Mix all ingredients together. Take a hot shower to moisten your skin and open your pores. Using wide, circular motions, rub the coffee exfoliant onto your skin with strong, even pressure. Shower off, pat skin dry, and apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion.

GLYCERIN AND HONEY SUGAR SCRUB

Ingredients:
1 cup fine sugar
3 tsp liquid glycerin
1 tsp pure honey
3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil
Optional: Pinch of lavender blossoms, chamomile, or dried herbs of your choice, (finely chopped)

Method:

Mix ingredients well and store in an airtight container. Add more liquid ingredients if you prefer a thinner end-product. Stir thoroughly before use. This keeps very well, and in fact, the honey acts as preservative. Use small amounts when scrubbing the nose, being careful not to irritate or get it in the eyes. Scrub elbows, hands, knees, and feet. Rinse in warm water, pat dry, and apply a moisturizer afterward.

Source

Gingko herb and vitiligo

Several natural ingredients like black pepper have been found to work wonders on the dreaded and embarrassing skin pigmentation disorder vitiligo (leucoderma), though more research is required in this area to ascertain the efficacy of these ingredients. A recent review reveals that the Gingko biloba ( a Chinese herb) taken orally and the amino acid L-phenylalanine, administered along with light exposure may prove to be quite effective in treating this disease. Drs. Orest Szczurko and Heather S. Boon of the University of Toronto report in the BioMed Central journal Dermatology: "Gingko's apparent efficacy without the need for phototherapy, thus eliminating the adverse events inherent with phototherapy, make it a therapeutic option worth investigating," They further emphasize for more research into the use of this herb as well as L-phenylalanine.

Sandalwood face pack:Review

I just can’t do without this Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) face pack in summer, it’s a must for my extremely oily and acne-prone skin. Another natural ingredient which I can’t live without in summer is sandalwood (chandan). I dust sandalwood powder all over my skin to get relief from prickly heat and rashes. Sometimes I pummel a small piece of sandalwood on a flat stone to extract its paste. Then I add a drop of honey to it and smear it all over my face to rejuvenate my greasy skin. Recently I purchased this sandalwood face pack. It costs less than $3 and besides sandalwood it contains several other natural ingredients like mineral clay and sandalwood oil.

How to acquire a svelte figure

Guest post by RJ

A beautiful body is not just a matter of chance,but a life-long effort of discipling ones body and mind. A svelte body is a sum of total of several factors, most important of them being exercise,diet and posture.
Exercise:
People leading a sedentary life are more prone to amass fat at the wrong place and lose their body shape. Aerobics, asanas, skipping, jogging, swimming--all these are very helpful in burning calories. But a physician must be consulted before starting any of these, especially,if the person is above forty and has health problems like heart diseases slipped disc or spinal injury. A regular half an hour to forty-five minutes brisk walking in the morning is ideal for people of all age groups. Given below are a few simple exercises:
1) To get rid of a double-chin, put out your tongue and try to touch your nose. Repeat this 10-15 times.Sleeping on a low pillow can also prevent one from getting a double-chin
2) Lift your hands above your head, stretch to the full height, then bend and try to touch the toes. Repeat 10-15 times.
3) Lie on your back, keep your hands on the sides, lift your legs in the air and move them in the cycling motion.
4) Lie on your back, lift your legs up and make scissor-like movements.

Do not expect miracles to happen. There is no short-cut way to weight-reduction but do not be discouraged.
Diet:
* Have a balanced diet.Fix a time for your meals and to be regular.Do not over eat.
* Do not go for snacks in between meals.
* Look for low caloric foods.
* Eat slowly.No drinks with meals.
* Avoid fried foods and sweets.
* Do not eat or drink just before going to bed.
Posture:
*A dignified and erect posture is not only very pleasing to the eyes but also necessary for maintaining a beautiful figure.
*Maintain the right posture while sitting or walking. Walk upright,shoulders lifted, stretch yourself to your fullest height.
*If this is a problem, balance a heavy book on the head and practice walking slowly in a straight line. Practice this for a week and you will find your slouched-walk disappearing.
*A constant effort and a strong determination is absolutely necessary for acquiring a svelte figure. It is a tough job but it is worth it.

YOGA MUDRAS

Guest post by R. J.
A part of yogic science-Mudras has recently gained importance.Treating ailments,peace of mind,personality development,spiritual growth are all aided by mudras. These may be combined with yoga postures or performed individually. Some mudras must be performed till you are cured of your ailments and your problems cease to exit.There is no particular place or specified time to perform these. The human body is composed of five elements of nature, namely Fire,Air,Sky,Earth and Water. An imbalance amongst any of these leads to physical or mental distress. Each of our fingers represents each element. Contact the fingers in different patterns to bring about balance among the elements is the main aim of Mudras. Mudras yield wonderful results in gaining complete control over the mind or attaining progress during meditation. Regularly performing mudras results in leading a healthy, enthusiastic comfortable and virtuous life. Whenever any finger comes in contact with the thumb the element of that finger get balanced. Mudras help in physical spiritual and mental upliftment; enhances beauty and talent.

Mudras can be performed regardless of the age and gender of the performer. As the mudras performed by the left hand influence the right side of the body and vice versa. It is important to perform with both the hands Fingers should not be pressed against each other,just a light touch yields incredible results. Pranamudra,gnanamudra and Pruthvi mudra may be performed everyday The remaining mudras are performed till their cause is served mudras are in fact inexpensive solutions to many health problems. Mudras performed to heal the body ailments reveal excellent results performed for 45 minutes.

Gyana Mudra
It is the most important among the mudras, It affects the brain specially the pituitary and pineal gland. Gyana mudra can be demonstrated when the tip of the index finger comes in contact with the tip of the thumb. The other fingers should remain upright. Try to concentrate on the tip of the fingers in contact.

Memory, concentration and grasping power improve,It helps to quit unpleasing habits like shaking the limbs Male fertility can be reversed. Peace of mind is attained. It is also recommended for persons suffering from neurological disorders.

Vayu mudra

This can be demonstrated when the tip of the thumb touches the back of the index finger. This mudra decreases the air element there by providing peace of mind. It is an efficient tool to control paralysis,For chronic cervical spondylysis, uncontrolled movements of thumbs, traumatic pain, Parkinson and arthritis this mudra proves helpful. The imbalance of air element is responsible for various unhealthy conditions and also fickle mindedness It is important to balance the air component in the body according to yoga and Ayurveda.

Note-this mudra should be performed in diseased condition only. Discontinue the performance after you are cured.

Himalaya almond cucumber Peel-off face mask

If you have used Everyuth Peel-off Skin Vitaliser and loved the way your facial skin felt afterwards, then you should try Himalaya Herbals’ almond cucumber face pack also. It is packed with the goodness of a number of amazing herbal ingredients to cleanse and nourish your skin. While pineapple removes impurities and dead cells, and firms up the skin, cool cucumber, almond, amla (Indian Gooseberry) all soothe and soften the skin. This is one of the best peel-off face masks not only to exfoliate your skin but also to feel refreshed and rejuvenated in a matter of minutes.

Application:

Apply all over your face and neck, avoiding the under eye area. Leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes. Then gently peel it off starting from the forehead. Then rinse off with cool water. Suits all skin types.

Himalaya almond-cucumber peel-off face mask

Emotional health quotes

There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.
- Mother Teresa

The thousand mysteries around us would not trouble but interest us, if only we had cheerful, healthy hearts.
- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

A sad soul can kill you quicker than a germ.
- John Steinbeck

A bodily disease, which we look upon as whole and entire within itself, may, after all, be but a symptom of some ailment in the spiritual past.
- Mark Twain

Love cures people — both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.
- Dr.Karl Menninger

He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything.
- Arabian Proverb

When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.
- Herophilus

Homemade Skin Toners

Three awesome skin toners which you can prepare at home:

Essential oil toner

1 tsp almond oil
½ tsp castor oil
1 tbsp sunflower oil
2 capsules of vitamin E
1 drop patchouli oil
1 drop sandalwood oil
3 drops geranium oil

Method:

Blend together and lightly pat on the skin.

Lemon Toner
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup distilled water
2/3 cup witch hazel

Method:

Combine all ingredients. Pour into a clean bottle. Shake well before using. Apply with a clean cotton ball.

Pine Toner

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh pine needles
1 cup distilled water
1/2 cup witch hazel

Method:
Place pine needles in small saucepan with distilled water. Bring water to boil. Allow water to cool completely then strain and discard pine needles. Add witch hazel and stir well. Pour into a clean bottle. Apply to skin with a cotton ball. Store in a cool dark place.

Bleaching facial hair: the herbal way

If you are not comfortable using chemical bleaches to bleach your facial skin, then you may want to try this herbal bleach. Lime and honey are known to have a mild bleaching effect on hair. You can repeat this treatment once every week. Though it is a slow gradual process it comes off as an effective, harmless treatment.

Recipe #1

Ingredients:

1 tsp of Honey
1 ½ tsp of cream
1 tsp of lemon juice

Method:

Mix the cream and honey well. Add in lemon juice. Apply on face and wash off with lukewarm water.

Recipe #2
Ingredients:

2 tsp of milk or milk cream (malai)
Juice of 1 lemon

Method:

Combine together and rub on face gently. Leave it on for 20-25 minutes and then rinse off.