Home Remedies for dark skin:

Some of the useful home remedies for dark skin are present in below.

1. Mix together a cup of lime juice and a cup of lemon juice and use in your daily bath. Just get a wash cloth and rub this mixture over your skin when bathing. Leave this on your skin for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse off.
2. Make a face pack by mixing one tea spoon of milk powder, lemon juice, half tea spoon of almond oil, then put the pack on your face and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. This is the best home remedy for removing tan on the skin.
3.   Put the slice of raw potato on the face. It will help to reduce the marks on the skin.
4. Application of ground mint pastes on face also a good home remedy for dark skin.
5.   Mix oatmeal with curd and tomato juice and apply on the face. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. It helps remove the tan and lightens the skin.
6.   Almonds are also very useful when it comes to removing sun induced dark skin. Soak a few raw almonds in water overnight and in the morning, remove the skins and grind these nuts into a paste. Apply on the affected skin.
7. A paste made with turmeric powder and some lime juice will also help remove dark skin caused by sun exposure.
8. Avoid excessive consumption of heavy and oily foods.
    
    
   

KIDNEY STONES: Causes, symtoms and remedies.

Kidney stones is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi. One in every 20 people develops a kidney stone at some point in their life.Kidney stones typically leave the body by passage in the urine stream, and many stones are formed and passed without causing symptoms.The kidney acts as a filter for blood, making urine and removing waste products from the body. It also helps regulate electrolyte levels that are important for body function.

Causes Of Kidney Stones
 
Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone forming substances in the urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical compounds that can form stones in the urinary tract include uric acid and the amino acid cysteine.
The main kidney stones symptoms,

• Pain in genitals;

• Admixture of blood in the urine;

• Frequent urge for urination;

• Stones discharges.
Remedies for Kidney Stones:

* Boil 4 tablespoons of linseed in 1 litre (1 3/4 pints) of water then strain and drink the liquid with lemon and honey. It will soothe all kidney disorders. This will dissolves kidney stone.

* Take 4 figs and boil them in 2 cups of water. If one drinks this decoction for one month in morning with empty stomach then it shows the wonderful results.

* Take 60ml of fresh lime juice and same quantity of olive oil and now mix them a large glass of water. It is helpful in passing the stones in just24 hours and provides you relief.

* Take a pan and add a glass of water with 2 medium sized onions and cook them well. When it reaches to normal temperature, blend them in blender. Strain this and drink the decoction for 3 days. It is very helpful as you feel the passing of stone even on the second day.

* Since the body transforms vitamin C into oxalate, taking high doses (more than 3,000 milligrams daily) of the vitamin poses an issue for people battling kidney stones. Eliminate vitamin C supplements from your routine and opt to receive your daily dose from food.

* To lessen uric acid stone formation, lower the amount of animal protein contained in your daily diet. Meats and certain fish can hasten the formation of uric acid and calcium in urine, which can lead to stone formation.

* Out of all the fruits suggested for kidney stones treatment, watermelon is considered the best and safest because it contains the highest concentration of water and provides an impressive amount of potassium salts.

* To fight calcium stones, lowering your salt intake can help. Pass on sprinkling extra salt on your French fries, avoid pickled foods, and choose low sodium potato chips. You should aim for reducing your salt consumption to only two to three grams per day

Snoring And Remedies To Stop Snoring

Snoring And Remedies

Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases the sound may be soft, but in other cases, it can be rather loud and quite unpleasant. Generally speaking, the structures involved are the uvula and soft palate.

While we are asleep, turbulent airflow can cause the tissues of the nose and throat to vibrate and give rise to snoring. Essentially, snoring is a sound resulting from turbulent airflow that causes tissues to vibrate during sleep.

Snoring Causes:

People who snore often have too much throat and nasal tissue, or “floppy” tissue that is more prone to vibrate. The position of the tongue can also get in the way of smooth breathing. Evaluating how and when you snore will help you pinpoint whether the cause of your snoring is within your control or not.

Home Remedy for Snoring:

* Losing weight is often a very effective cure for mild to moderate snoring. Even a little bit of weight loss can reduce fatty tissue in the back of the throat and decrease snoring.

* Use pillows to keep your neck straight and comfortable. Also, elevate your head, which can sometimes help minimize your snoring.

* Stop smoking, as this aggravates the tissues in the throat that make you snore.

* Try avoiding dairy products in the evening, as for some people dairy increases mucus build up in your throat, which can contribute to the snoring process.

* Get your allergies under control, as this can help reduce your snoring.

* Check your medicines. Some medicines, like antihistamines and sedatives can actually increase your snoring.

* Don’t’ eat a big meal before going to bed.

* Make an effort to establish a regular sleeping schedule. Sometimes, poor sleep habits contribute to your snoring.

* Singing can help as it will exercise and strengthen your throat. Try joining a choir or a musical society and see if you reap these benefits.

* Drinking alcohol exacerbates snoring in most people so you should try and avoid it before going to bed.

Use Salt In 60 different Ways

60 Uses Of Salt

Although you may not realize it, simple table salt has a great number of uses other than simply seasoning your food. The following list will give you sixty uses of salt, many of which you probably didn't realize:


1. Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
2. Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
3. Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off easier.
4. Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
5. Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting..
6. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
7. Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
8. A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
9. Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
10. Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
11. Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.
12. Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
13. Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl.
14. Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
15. Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
16. Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
17. Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.
18. Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
19. Clean your iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
20. Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
21. Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
22. To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
23. Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.
24. Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
25. Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
26. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
27. Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
28. A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
29. Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for awhile.
30. A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea. ?
31. Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
32. Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
33. Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
34. Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
35. Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
36. Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.
37. Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
38. Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
39. Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
40. Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash..
41. Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
42. Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.
43. Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
44. Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains..
45. Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
46. Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
47. Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
48. Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odor.
49. A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee..
50. Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.
51. Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.
52. Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later.
53. Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.
54. A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
55. To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.
56. Salt and lemon juice? Removes mildew.
57. Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass growing.
58. Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a better look.
59. Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt water.
60. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled

Calcium Uses and Benefits

Most people probably know that calcium is important for maintaining healthy teeth and bones. But the importance of calcium doesn't stop there. It is also important for the proper functioning of muscles and nerves and overall body health. It even helps your blood clot faster should you get cut. It make up about 70 percent of bone by weight and give your bone its strength and rigidity. The average person loses between 400 and 500 mg of calcium per day. This is the reason why bones turn brittle.

Calcium is found in abundance in sunlight and that's the reason that people who exercise regularly look more fit and healthy that the rest. Calcium helps keep the weight off. Research suggests that if you don't get enough calcium in your diet, you're likely to be overweight. A person who has calcium deficiency is likely to suffer from heart aliments or high BP.A person should eat about 700 mg of calcium daily.  Children who are still growing need more calcium than adults and so do people in their dot age. Post menopausal women are especially at risk of calcium deficiency and should increase their calcium intake to about 1200 mg per day.

Calcium is found naturally in milk and milk products, cheese and yogurt.Orange juice and cereals are also good ways to get enough calcium in your diet. Other good sources include sardines, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, soy beans, and figs.

Smoking, caffeine consumption, drinking alcohol, heavy protein consumption, exposure to toxic metals, and eating processed junk foods will all increase our need for calcium.

Not getting enough calcium can contribute to the development of osteoporosis (porous bones).
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by bones that are thin and fragile and can break (fracture) easily. People with osteoporosis have low bone mass, and low bone mass can result in bone fractures.
Having enough calcium in the diet is essential in helping to prevent osteoporosis and helping to prevent the loss of bone mass.

Phosphorous Uses and benefits

We usually see in many articles that this food is high in calcium or iron, but seldom do we know how these minerals help us. This article is written with the purpose of giving you information on what the subject is and how one can use it and how it would affect them.

Phosphorous is a mineral found in the body and is present in bones and teeth and combines with calcium to form calcium phosphate which is the substance which gives the skeleton rigidity.Calcium alone can't build strong bones and tissues.More than half of all bone is made from phosphate, and small amounts are also used in the body to maintain tissues and fluids. It helps your kidneys effectively excreting wastes, gives you stable and plentiful energy, forms the proteins that aid in reproduction, and may help block cancer. Phosphorus also helps to keep your mind alert and active, helps stimulate your glands to secrete hormones, and keeps your muscles and heart contracting regularly and smoothly.

It is found naturally in ,whole grain cereals, milk, and fish. Vegetables such as carrots, and leafy vegetables; fruits like black currants, raspberries, raisins, and apricots are fairly good sources. Other sources of this mineral are soya beans, lentils, and other pulses and legumes.

Not getting enough phosphorus can  cause loss of weight, retarded growth, reduced sexual powers, and general weakness. It may result in poor mineralization of the bones, and a deficient nerve and brain function.  Anxiety, bone problems, fatigue, irregular breathing, irritability, numbness, skin sensitivity, stress, teeth weakness, tremors, weakness, and worry, are few other problems. You can also get malaise, stiff joints, and bone pain. It may also cause glucose intolerance, irregular heartbeat and difficulty breathing  as said by Dr George Obikoya

Deficiencies of phosphorus are however rare, as it is one of the elements available in large quantities in most diets. 

Tender Coconut Water Uses And Benefits

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Tender Coconut Water Uses and Benefits.

The water of tender coconut, technically the liquid endosperm, is the most nutritious wholesome beverage that the nature has provided  to fight the sultry heat. It has caloric value of 17.4 per 100gm. It keeps the body cool and fights intestinal worms. It is an excellent tonic for the old and sick and in the treatment of kidney and urethral stones. The major chemical constituents of coconut water are sugars and minerals and minor ones are fat and nitrogenous substances. It contains Glucose and Fructose  and many important minerals such as phosphorous, calcium, potassium, iron, sodium and Vitamin B and C.


Tender coconut water meaning "Monkey Face" is a complete food, and more nutritious than milk (less fat and no cholesterol).Tender coconut water has aphrodisiac which helps in stimulating sexual desire.It improves concentration and drinking it during pregnancy can help ease constipation.If food -poising occurs, the first food given to the patient is tender coconut water.

Another advantage is that you can make delicious and tasty recipes out and it. For instance Coconut water mixed with few drops of lemon juice not only tastes nice but also is very good for babies and prevents hyper tension. 

Coconut Pudding is made by taking water of 2 coconuts, add sugar if needed (as water is already sweet), add one cardamom (power) and china grass 50gms.Bring it to a boil, strain and keep in fridge, an amazing recipe is prepared within minutes.

Quick and Nutritional Recepies

I have a son who is 2 years old and will start play home in a couple of days. I have thought of some tasty and nutritious food to give him. Thought of sharing it here as well. Do tell me how they were and send in your own to farida_mohammed@rediffmail.com

1)Fruit And Cheese Salad

• 1 spoon mayonnaise
• 1/2 spoon sour cream
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cups shredded  cheese, 
•  shredded lettuce
• 1 cup fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and sliced
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 cup seedless grapes

Cooking Instructions

In a small bowl whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream and honey together.
In a large bowl toss 1 cup of the cheese with the lettuce.
In a 2-1/2 quart glass bowl, layer half of the lettuce mixture, peaches, remaining lettuce mixture, strawberries, grapes and remaining cheese. Spread mayonnaise mixture over the top or serve on the side. Chill well before serving.

2) Bread Pizza

•  Any vegetables as desired
• Cheese
• Bread Slices (crust removed)

Butter the bread and arrange the toppings as desired. Sprinkle with cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 375O for 5 min. You can use a wide variety of veges here as this recipe is both fun and nutrition added



3)  Egg Toast

• 2 eggs
• 2-3 slices of Bread
• 1/2 onion (finely chopped)
• 1/2 tomato (finely chopped)
• 1-2 green chilies (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
• Salt To Taste
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder or to taste
• Oil to fry

Beat the eggs and add milk, chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, coriander, salt & chili powder untill it foams.Heat oil in a frying-pan . Dip bread slice in the mixture and coat it evenly and fry over low flame. Fry on both sides until done. Repeat the same for other slices. Serve egg toast hot with ketchup.

(I will keep updating it regularly, Do come back and even mail your own recipes. )

Relaxation Techniques

Stress is a common problem these days but the problems it brings are not ones that can be ignored, for instance it causes high BP, heart attacks, anger, indigestion, stomach ulcers,Fatigue, weakness, body pains, irritability, Sexual- Impotence or Frigidity, depression, suicidal tendencies etc. the list is long but I have no intentions of scaring you. (If I haven't already). It is a silent killer and better to be aware of it than not.

How to Get rid of Stress

1)It is essential that you take necessary steps in order to get rid of this feeling of stress. The most accurate way would be to get yourself completely relaxed, sit in a comfortable position and allow your thoughts to wander. Take in deep breaths and Imagine that with each breath in, you’re breathing in comfort and relaxation, and with each breath out, you’re breathing out any discomfort or worry. Start with your ankles, your ankle joints, your calf and calf muscles, and gradually focus on each part of the body asking it to relax itself completely. Tell it that there is no pain or stress in any part of your body. Once you have finished it, see in your mind's eye that all your problems have disappeared and you are relaxed and smiling. See yourself feeling completely light and free from all problems.Relax and open your eyes. Enjoy the change in your self!!

2) The main problem in anyone's life is a gap in the communication, be it in your home or at the house, if you are frustrated, find out the reason for the frustration and then address the issue, instead of bottling it up, it will serve two purposes, i) make you feel better and ii) the other person might not know about your discomfort and will make efforts to get things right in future.

3)Write down whatever is troubling you,writing it down will solve half your problems. 

4)Prioritize, don't try to get everything done at the same time. Attack the most important items first.

5) Exercise!! Exercise can cause release of chemicals called endorphins into your blood stream. These give you a feeling of happiness and positively affect your overall sense of well-being.It improves blood flow to your brain, bringing additional sugars and oxygen that may be needed when you are thinking intensely.

 6) Another effective method would be to have a massage, it will relax you completely and make you feel loads better.

7) Have a steam bath, it improves blood circulation, relieves stress and gets rid of pain in the bosy. It will also give you a healthy glowing skin.

8) learn to say "NO", don't do what you don't feel comfortable doing. Don't do it just because you have to, Do it because you Want to.