10 Uses for Tea Tree Oil

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1. Acne

     Dilute with water or a carrier oil and apply morning and night to affected area, do not rinse.

2. Nail Fungus

     Paint tea tree oil full strength on the afftected nail 2 times a day for minimmum of 2 months.

3. Insect Repellent

     In a large spray bottle add 2 ounces of tea tree oil and fill the rest with water shake well. Sprat the solution onto a small area of the skin to check for irritation before applying to a large area.

4. Athletes Foot Care

     Apply a coating of tea tree oil to the afftected area 2 to 3 times a day, when symptoms disappear, continue to apply for a couple of weeks to ensure fungus is cured.

5. Lice Prevention

     Add 10 drop to your regular shampoo

6. Skin Tags

     Apply to the skin tag and rub, repeat the process several timmes a day until the tag falls off on its own.

7. All-Purpose cleaner

     Fill a spray bottle with 2 tsp. Tea tree oil and the rest with water.

8. Ticks

     Apply tea tree oil to the skin surrounding the ticks, this will usually make the tick unlatch.

9. Wart Remover

     Apply a couple of drops of oil directly onto wart morning and night until the wart is gone.

10. Mold Killer

     Use approximately 2 tsp. tea tree oil mixed with 2 cups water and apply to mold.

Diwali Gift Ideas - Healthy Gift Ideas

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     It's that time of the year again. A walk down the street and you are inundated with that intriguing aroma of pure desi ghee mithais. Amidst the colorful hanging lanterns and creative diyas, your eyes can’t escape those boxes of tempting traditional sweets in attractive, alluring packs; chocolate and dry fruits, which are back in business yet again! You realize that another year has passed by in a jiffy and the festival season is already here. Diwali, which is one of the most awaited festivals, is truly the harbinger of joy and prosperity.

With the gleam of the diyas and the echo of the chants, you look forward to the royal feast of mouth-watering deep fried traditional snacks and sweets. These greasy, high cal sweets usually land up at your house in the form of best wishes from your family and friends conveying love and appreciation and also for maintaining the festival spirit. But wait and think for a moment. You have worked extremely hard to shed those unwanted pounds throughout the year, would you now over-indulge and undo the benefits of the year long struggle in staying fit? To maintain your guilt free eating and low cal lifestyle, how about going the healthy route this Diwali? It not only shows your friends that you care about them, but also that you respect their diet plans and fitness regimes.

So for all the health fanatics who are trying so hard to fight the battle of the bulge and looking for some healthy gifting ideas this Diwali, here are few ideas and suggestions exclusively for you:

Exotic “all-natural” fruit basket

     This is by far the ‘healthiest’ and ‘fiber-rich’ gift you 0can think for your family and friends. Fill up the basket with different seasonal fruits and may be even some truly exotic fruits such as kiwi and avocado, which one would not buy on a regular basis due to their high cost factor. Mangoes, oranges, strawberries, pineapple are excellent sources of vitamin C which help build up our immune system and also keep our gums and teeth in a healthy condition. To boost the intake of potassium, add in bananas, prunes, dried peaches, apricots, honeydew and melons. Avocadoes and olives are rich in unsaturated fats. 

Nuts and dried fruits

     Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, macadamias, Brazil nuts are excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids whereas dried fruit, such as dates, dried apricots, peaches, pitted prunes or dried apples are high in fiber. You could either gift one kind or make a basket of assorted options. Adding a small information leaflet about the benefits of each dried fruit would be better appreciated by the recipient. Dried fruits are usually enjoyed during the winter season, which typically sets in post-Diwali. Nuts and dried fruits are non-perishables and could be stored for long periods of time.

Home-made desserts

     Home-made desserts are the most ideal and thoughtful gift, provided you have the time to make it. When preparing desserts at home, you have the liberty of choosing healthy and low fat ingredients like slim milk and other dairy products. Honey and dates are excellent alternatives to refined sugar or artificial sweeteners. You could also use wheat flour instead of refined flour such as all-purpose flour or maida. 

Basket of whole grains 

     An assortment of brown rice, whole rice (with choker intact), whole wheat pasta, wheat couscous, multigrain bread etc put together in an attractive basket is a great gift for your near and dear friends. You could also add in some soup sachets, which go well with the above cooked dishes. 

Assortment of herbs 

     Various assorted herbs such as cilantro, basil, lemon verbena, pineapple sage, thyme, oregano, planted in eye-catching pots are also good gifting alternatives. Your family and friends would love to use it in their regular cooking. This also would be an inspiration for them to inculcate the habit of growing herbs at home. 

Heart-healthy oil and salad dressings

     An exotic basket with a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, some seasonings and a bottle of balsamic vinegar or Dijon mustard is a great gift that your friends will remember for a long time as they would enjoy cooking with it not only during Diwali but for many months that follow. 

Gift certificates/vouchers for spa sessions 

     A spa treatment is non-medical procedure used to rejuvenate your body and in general improve the overall health. Generally aromatherapy, massage, manicure and pedicure are few of the options available in the spa. It is a great way to wean-off the tiredness due to hectic Diwali preparations.

Scented oils 

     Scented oils with natural aroma are great to offer as gifts. You could also add in aroma soaps that are used in aromatherapy for relaxation and rejuvenation of the body. 

Tea powder basket

     For most Indians, a cup of hot chai acts as an instant energizer. Tea comes in a wide variety of flavours like cardamom, masala, ginger and lemon. Green tea with its rich antioxidant property is quite popular these days. Gifting variety of tea powders to your family and friends means giving them the opportunity to stop, relax and enjoy the moment, over and over again. Choose from different types and flavours of tea such as herbal, green tea, organic tea, flavored tea etc.

Creative diyas

     Being the festival of lights, the market is adorned with beautifully painted diyas, which stand as a symbol of fortune and are believed to usher in prosperity to homes. Present your loved ones with a set of diyas or the “gift of light” on Diwali and you are sure to see them happy and smiling!

Corporate gifting: 

     The corporate Diwali gifts are a token of appreciation and gratitude for the hard work put in by the employees through the year. Diwali corporate gifts may include any of the above mentioned gifts as well as stationary and desk-top gifts, assorted sweets, chocolates, gift vouchers/certificates as well as electronic gadgets like iPods, MP3 players, and cameras.

So this Diwali, think outside the sweet box, broaden your horizon and set a new trend by going the healthy way when gifting your loved ones. A healthy gift would be much more valuable than the most expensive gift item which may or may not be used. Remember it would be a blessing to receive gifts that help your diet situation instead of worsening them.

So light a lamp of love, blast the chain of sorrow and fire a flowerpot of health and happiness. Wishing you and your family a sparkling and healthy Diwali!

Herbal Remedies or Prescription Drugs?

Lets start with a brief history of herbal medicine. The first evidence we have of the use of herbal medicine is from Egypt in around 2000 B.C.

From there it spread both East, into spiritual medicines like Ayurveda, and West, where it is still gaining in popularity even now. It is estimated that 80% of world uses some form of herbal medicine today.

Herbal medicine has continuously grown since those times, but benefited particularly from the invention of the printing press in the 1400s. From this point on, recipes and remedies were easily available to more than just doctors. Famous herbalists included the Chinese author Chung Yun (who died in 1933 after supposedly using herbs to live 256 years!).

These days herbal medicine is marketed aggressively across the world, so it’s a good time to take a look at why this is, and what advantages herbal medicine can offer over prescription drugs.

In Favor of Herbal Remedies

The first point to make is that roughly half of today’s prescription and over-the-counter medicines are derived from plants. New drugs don’t just get created in the lab. Scientists trawl through jungles, rivers, wetlands and any other natural habitat they can find, looking for a new compound to test against all the sample viruses and bacteria they keep for this purpose.

In other words, natural medicine really is the basis for modern medical practice, just a few steps back along the line of development. The difference is that you are taking a 100% natural product, rather than one that has been processed in a lab and lost much of its goodness along the way.

Secondly, herbal medicine has gone through the most rigorous clinical trial imaginable! After thousands of years of regular use by a cross-section of the population, it’s safe to say that any side effects or interactions have been well documented and explored.

Compare this to a typical 10 week clinical trial, commissioned by a pharmaceutical company desperate to bring its new drug to market, that will often take no heed of longer term effects.

Lastly, remember that natural supplements often bring other benefits beyond what you strictly expect. For example, you might take feverfew to give relief from a migraine, then find that your stomach upset has also disappeared. These dual effects are what makes herbology so interesting.

Additionally, many herbs contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that your body desperately needs. Needless to say, it’s far better to get your Recommended Daily Amount from a natural plant or herb than from a manufactured supplement.

Against Herbal Remedies

The arguments against using herbal remedies are also worth looking at. It is true that they offer little statutory protection, because many are not regulated by the FDA like drugs are.

For this reason we would always recommend to check with your doctor before starting any herbal treatment. It is also important to read the label and see what precautions the manufacturer is recommending.

Secondly, one of the reasons that prescription drugs can be so strong and effective is that the pharmaceutical companies have isolated the active ingredients in the herb or plant. In other words you are getting exactly what you need and nothing more.

Herbalists would say that this misses the point, because it is the interaction of all the parts of the herb that results in its power as a remedy. Isolating the active ingredient eliminates vitamins, minerals and other substances that may work in support of the active ingredient. Why change something that has worked for thousands of years?

In conclusion though, there is certainly room in medicine for both traditional herbal remedies and modern drugs. When a severe illness takes hold, the strength of modern medicine cannot be doubted. For milder, long-term complaints however, patients may find that herbal remedies can be a useful supplement to the recommendations of their doctor.

Allergies & Your Immune System

Modern life, with all its stress and toxins, can easily get your system run down. This is especially true for kids, and its sad that more and more of our children are suffering from allergies, respiratory problems and frequent infections.

Herbs may not be a short-term solution to relieve your symptoms, but these remedies can boost your immune system and help your body fight off infections. For more ideas on boosting your immune system check out Just Cleansing

Echinacea

Echinacea – the herb that keeps you from getting ill. That’s the received wisdom, and there’s actually a lot of truth to it. The Echinacea plant has been used for hundreds of years by Native Americans, giving lasting relief from a number of different ailments.

Recent studies though, have focused on its ability to stimulate your immune system and prepare your body to fend off allergies and common infections such as flu.

Garlic

Garlic is perhaps the most ancient remedy there is. An Egyptian papyrus from 1500 BC lists 22 separate recipes and treatments containing Garlic! It has been used by doctors throughout the ages, particularly before the dawn of modern medicine. Its effectiveness is unchanged.

Garlic is not only useful for treating existing complaints; it is also a powerful preventative medicine. By lowering cholesterol levels, regulating blood sugar, lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system, garlic helps to build up your body and restore its defences against both age and disease.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a very popular herb in Asia, where it features not just in the cuisine but also as an all-purpose, life-giving herbal remedy. It has been used for centuries but Western medicine is yet to fully understand its abilities.

Traditionally ginseng has been used to reduce stress on the body, increase the strength of the immune system and delay the effects of aging. However, more recently it has been found to help with Diabetes, low libido and even cancer.

Maitake

Clinical studies on Maitake have shown extraordinary effects on Cancer and HIV sufferers. This herb boosts your immune system and helps the body fight off infections, diseases and allergies.

Herbal Remedies for Energy

Energy boosters are one of the fastest growing segments of the supplement market, and many of the most expensive products are based on existing herbal remedies that you can find in any health food store.

Here are some of the most effective herbs toboost your energy levels. Why spend all that money when you can buy all the ingredients yourself?

Cayenne

Adding a little Cayenne pepper to your food will help improve your blood circulation. These means more oxygen rushing through your bloodstream, and higher energy levels.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo is used primarily as an aid for memory and mental clarity, thanks to its ability to increase bloodflow to the brain. This same property can actually alleviate depression and increase your energy levels.

Ginseng

Traditionally ginseng has been used to reduce stress on the body, increase the strength of the immune system and delay the effects of aging. A stronger immune system means your body can spend more energy where you need it, rather than having to fight infections.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola is a staple of Indian Ayurvedic medicine, where it taken as a tea during meditation practices to increase psychic sensitivity and achieve a higher state of spiritual being. It is also a tremendous natural source of vitamins and minerals, and decreases fatigue by stimulating your nervous system .

Green Tea

Green Tea contains caffeine, but it doesn’t give you the same highs and lows that coffee does. As an added bonus, its high in antioxidants and might just make you live longer too!

Licorice

The Chinese add licorice in many herb combinations to enhance physical and mental vigor. It is said to stimulate the adrenal gland, therefore producing adrenaline to increase energy levels, ease stress and promote a feeling of well being. It is also sometimes used to treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Herbal Remedies for Weight Loss

Sometimes diet and exercise can only take you so far and you need an extra weight loss boost. Your next step might be diet pills but many of those are untested and unregulated, so why not try herbal remedies?

These herbs have been used for hundreds of years and have passed the test of time.

Here is a selection of remedies that can help you to diet and lose weight. Each one comes with a brief description – click on ‘More..’ for more information about the medical uses, other uses and dosage.

Aloe Vera

In Korea, Aloe is widely used in a popular set of energy drinks and tea, marketed for its benefit as an antioxidant and for relief of constipation. Drinkers also report higher energy levels and greater stamina in workouts.

Chinese Ephedra

Ephedra is a controversial herb in the US, where it was marketed in many diet pills until recently. Suspicions that it may have caused high blood pressure and heart problems in certain patients saw it taken off the market in 2005. In small doses however, Ephedra is a useful ingredient in many herbal remedies.

Ephedra is only available in the US in other forms now – as an asthma, cold or allergy remedy. It is also available in traditional Chinese remedies, mainly focusing on lung problems and flu. Despite this, it remains hugely popular around the world and is cultivated on a large scale in China for both domestic use and export markets.

Green Tea

High in antioxidants and a great weight loss tool, Green Tea is a must-have for any health-conscious dieter. Just drink two or three cups between meals during the day, and watch the weight fall off!

Herbal Remedies for Skin & Complexion

Why spend all that money on expensive skincare products, when some of the best remedies are sitting there in your herbal store?

Here is a selection of herbs to help with your skin. Each one comes with a brief description – click on ‘More..’ for more information about the medical uses, other uses and dosage!

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera’s soothing effects extend to countless skin creams, hair conditioners and shampoos that have flooded the market since its properties became known.

Ashwagandha

One interesting use for Ashwagandha, from Asia skincare experts, is as a facial toner. To make this remedy it is mixed together with rose water and almond oil.

Comfrey

As a herbal remedy, Comfrey has been used for more than 200 years. It is primarily a healer, being used externally for bruises, sprains and arthritis, but has also found applications in bronchial complaints and as an anti-inflammatory.

Dandelion

Dandelion is a very mild herb that can be used regularly without worry. As an antioxidant and a first class source of Vitamin C, it will attack those pesky free radicals floating around in your bloodstream. 

This is great news for your skin and it will keep you looking younger for longer.

Fo Ti

Fo Ti is a remedy that is vitally important to Chinese herbology. In China, it is named ‘He Shou Wu’ (or ‘Black Haired Mr. He’), after a village elder who took it and was miraculously restored to youthful vitality. In Asian medicine it plays an important role in balancing all the systems in your body, with particular focus on the immune system.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola can reduce cellulite by improving the function of the lymphatic system and strengthening connective tissues. It is also great to prevent or reduce further varicose veins.

Why Herbal Remedies?

Why should you use a herbal remedy for your ailment? There are huge numbers of over-the-counter drugs and prescriptions that will do just the same thing, so why not use those?

The answer of course is that those drugs are manufactured chemicals. That means side effects – headaches, drowsiness, stomach cramps – all the unwanted results of putting something alien into your body.

One of the features of modern life is the increasing toxicity that we are subjected too. From the fast food we eat, to the pollution that clogs up our lungs, to the drugs that we put into our bodies. The popularity of herbs is a reaction, and a balance, to this toxicity.

Herbal remedies are one way to reverse the tide of chemicals and pollutants that sometimes threatens to wash over us. A herbal remdy is 100% natural, often found in nature but sometimes organically cultivated too.

These herbal remedies have, in many cases, been tried and tested for thousands of years. In fact, you could say they’ve been tested more than any FDA-certified drug on the market!

Cheap | Affordable Health Insurance Tips

Finding the best health insurance quotes has been made easier at once today. The common goal of purchasing a health policy that covers all health needs at a consumer-friendly rate can both be pulled off by making a good and sound decision. In order to pick the best item and get rid of common ensnares, it is advised that the seeker bears in mind the basics of health insurance. Take time to comprehend the key health insurance terms to fully gain a good stance about how this insurance works. Primarily, understand the meaning of important terms such as premium, deductible, co-pay, and coinsurance. You will then develop a background as you go through the tips presented here with the likely health needs and corresponding rates. Getting the correct insurance would mean saving a couple of bucks or even hundreds in the event somebody from the family gets sick.

1. Know what you need. While the incidence of sickness or injury is untimely and unpredictable, some medical needs can still be ascertained. Take for example the inclusion of maternal coverage especially for a beginning family. Some policies do not offer this so take time to weigh your options. Also, if a disease exists within the family, it is wise to include the coverage of diagnostic exams and accompanying medications for that certain disease condition. By virtue of the Affordable Care Act, several medical services can be enjoyed as long as it is offered by a specialist in the plan’s network.

2. Avoid excessive buying. Choose an insurance policy that best fit your needs and do not include unnecessary coverage. Some healthy and young insured, opt for a policy with higher deductible in order to benefit from lower premiums.

4. Determine how much you will pay. Policies clearly state at the beginning the amount the insured will need to pay at their own cost (co-pay) for a certain medical service and the share they are obliged to counterpart (coinsurance). In some cases, these small add ups can balloon into huge amounts and a costly procedure will deem you responsible for paying.3. Verify the network. If you have a preferred health care provider, primary physician, or specialist, take time to check if they are in the network of the policy you intend to buy. Some insurance policies take a lower counterpart for “outside” medical care, or in worst cases, none at all.

5. Ensure your medicines are covered. If you are taking maintenance drugs, make sure that these are included in the plan’s formulary in order to save some money.

6. Check the annual limits for coverage and services. Although the health reform has removed the annual dollar limits on plan coverage, it is expected to take effect on 2014. The Affordable Care Act has given the providers the authority to remove unessential plan services and maintain an annual limit.

7. Consider your dependents. The law sanctions that for insured that have children under age of 26, and are not covered with health insurance through an employer can be listed as dependents. Plans are obliged to cover children under age 19 with pre-existing medical conditions.

Group Health Insurance

Are you a responsible employer? If you are, then you should have already equipped yourself, your employees and dependents a comprehensive medical coverage. However, determining the right group health insurance can add up to your dozen of workloads: narrowing down long lists of insurance providers and plans; calculating deductibles and co-pays; comprehending over plan limitations; and simply understanding the worth of insurance. 

Honestly, there are a lot of things that one needs to know before buying a plan but by following simple tips you will surely find high-quality and pocket-friendly insurance. Group health insurance is a good means of keeping your best employees and hiring the best ones too. As we all know, the cost of medical care continues to shoot up and the need for it has become even more apparent. This is one of the reasons why employees opt to remain loyal to a company or employer because of the benefits of group health insurance.

Group health insurance is a health coverage plan that is sponsored by business owners and employers for their employees and dependents. It is important that you assess first the healthcare needs of your employees before plan-shopping. Determine whether they require regular check-ups, put more value on emergency care, or prefer prescription drugs and maternity coverage. Knowing the type of benefits that your employee truly needs is essential. Including benefits that your employees do not require will be a waste of money. As much as possible, only get the exact coverage and avoid too much “extras”. Make sure to discern that all healthcare needs are covered by this plan to make the most out of it. In addition, take some time to compare quotes from different providers to find good insurance deals. If you are capable, you may also contact a licensed agent to help you best compare health plans. In this way, you will know the pros and cons of these plans while considering your choices.

This type of insurance encourages employers and employees to take part in the costs of a care plan. Also, business owners may benefit from the special tax incentives given to businesses that offer group health insurance. The employer is the one who chooses the insurer or insurance company. Upon selecting a group health insurance plan, the employer will then invite his employees to enroll in the plan. Since having a health plan is now considered vital, employees will experience a great advantage on their part because the employer will pay a percentage of the insurance’s cost. Usually, 50% of the monthly premium of each insured employee is shouldered by the employer. The remaining costs will now be paid by the employee by his own financial means.

Providing health insurance benefits is the choice of the employer, especially if the company is capable. Most employees seek and keep jobs that safeguards their health needs more than anything else for we all know how vital health conditions are in a job. Also, the employer can enjoy all full tax benefits while keeping the good business productivity.