How To Build A Stronger Immune System Without Drugs
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However, looking after yourself and living a healthy lifestyle is without doubt the best way to ensure that your body is in optimum working order; immune system included. There are some things you should definitely be doing (and avoiding doing) in order to prevent the development of certain diseases, stave off illness and lead the healthiest life you can. By following these healthy guidelines you may find yourself becoming ill less often and bouncing back faster when you do!
Maintain A Healthy Weight:Â It is well documented that being either under or overweight can lead to health problems.
Having too little body fat can puts strain on your heart, can cause osteoporosis and may mean that you’re deficient in certain nutrients you need to grow and be healthy. Having too much body fat can lead to diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Both under and overweight people are more likely to catch colds and other infections, and it will take longer to shake them off. Studies have shown that immune system response is reduced in obese and overweight mice; who produced fewer antibodies after being vaccinated than those of a healthy weight.
Regular Exercise:Â You should be aiming to be as active as you can be, not just by jogging once a week, but by minimizing the amount of time you spend sedentary and by regularly engaging in both leisurely exercise and more intense exercise. Regularly elevating your heart rate and getting a bit of a sweat on can help to combat depression, improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure and ensure that you maintain a weight which is healthy for you. It has also been argued that the good circulation which exercise promotes, helps cells, including immune system cells, to move through the body more efficiently. Exercise contributes to overall well-being and health and therefore lowers the risk of disease and illness.
A Healthy Diet: It is a well-known fact that diet plays a major role in how the body fights infection. A diet which consists of too many processed foods, unhealthy fats and sugars leads to poor health, simple as that. Being deficient in the minerals and vitamins found in fruits and vegetables, will reduce your body’s ability to repair, grow and defend itself which can lead to feelings of lethargy and mood swings. High intake of green vegetables is of crucial importance, and there are few of us who get enough. To improve your health, eat more kale, spinach and broccoli and increase your intake of antioxidant rich “super foods” such as; blueberries, chia seeds and goji berries.
Consider Supplements: If you’re not sure that you are getting all of the vitamins and minerals you need from your diet, taking a daily multivitamin is a good way to ensure that you are not deficient in anything. Taking vitamin C when you notice a cold coming on can help to stave off the illness or shorten the time you have the cold. Remember, although incorporating vitamins into your daily diet is a great idea, taking more than the recommended amount can be very bad for you, so be sure to read all instructions.
Quit smoking:Â The thousands of toxins present in cigarette smoke are damaging to cells in the body when inhaled and antibodies are depleted in regular smokers. To be able to fight off disease and illness more effectively, ditch the cigarettes.
Get enough sleep: Everybody has different needs when it comes to a good night’s sleep. Some seem to be able to survive perfectly well on five hours, while others need 8-9 to get through the day. Most people should aim to get between 7-9 hours per night, no more, no less. Anything outside of these boundaries, whether you are sleeping for four hours or ten, can really damage your health. One study found that antibody production after being vaccinated was reduced by half when participants were limited to four hours sleep per night for six nights meaning, you are more susceptible to illness when you are sleep deprived.
Limit stress:Â There is a close connection between the mind and body. Emotional feelings of stress, upset and anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms. Some studies have suggested that prolonged feeling of stress, which increases levels of cortisol in the body, can lower immune system response. Be aware of the importance of your emotional state and de-stress however you can, be it through exercise, meditation or music.
Out of the numerous skin types that we have, dry skin is easily the most problematic. It needs constant and regular moisturizing, and the moisturizers need to be oily enough or the skin will dry up really soon. The use of soaps on such skin also has to be monitored as soap dries the skin and hydrating face washes are the only option. Dry skin is especially problematic in winter when it is prone to flaking. The skin dries up and the dead layers flake off from the surface.
Most skin products that are suited for dry skin are extremely expensive because they come with fortifying oils and added beauty benefits. Thus, homemade beauty tips and home remedies are the way to go. Not only are they cost effective, but they are also readily available, extremely efficient and reusable.
1. Cleansing Oil:
Oil has cleansing properties that are extremely beneficial to dry skin. Applying castor oil to dry skin repairs the damage caused to it in winter. Mixing together 3 parts of olive oil and 1 part of castor oil and applying this mixture over your face helps repair the flaky skin. Warming the oil beforehand makes it more effective. After applying, take a wash cloth or a towel and warm it. Place it over the face and leave it till the oil is soaked in by the skin. This makes the skin smooth and soft. Castor oil penetrates the skin up to three layers more than any other oil.
2. Honey Pack:
Honey is a great product for dry skin. Honey smoothens out the skin’s wrinkles and leaves it silky and soft. Rubbing a mixture of honey and orange juice onto skin and leaving it there for 10 minutes is a great home remedy. The pack then needs to be washed off.
3. Egg Pack:
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and eggs packs are necessary for healthy skin. One of the best homemade beauty tips for dry skin. To make this pack, take one egg and separate the yolk from the white. After that, take the egg yolk and mix it thoroughly with a table spoon of orange juice, a teaspoon of castor oil, a teaspoon of olive oil, some rose water, a spoonful of honey and a few drops of freshly squeezed lime juice. This mixture can be applied every morning before taking a bath and then washed off.
4. Chocolate Pack:
Chocolate is a delicacy but it is more than a confection. Lathering melted chocolate onto skin makes the skin soft and supple and gives it the glow that dry skin lacks. To make a chocolate pack – five tablespoons of cocoa powder, five tablespoons of honey, two spoonfuls of maize flour and two tablespoons of mashed avocado are mixed thoroughly. This pack can be applied to dry skin daily and washed off after half an hour with luke warm water.
5. Besan Pack:
Besan hydrates dry skin and removes fine lines and wrinkles. To make this pack, add two tablespoons of besan to one teaspoon of turmeric, one tablespoon of honey and a little milk. Squeeze in a few drops of lime and apply this pack to the face, let it dry and then rinse it off with warm water.
6. Mango Mask:
Take a ripe mango and separate the pulp from the skin. Put the pulp in the mixer and turn it into mush. Mix a tablespoon of the mush with a tablespoon of honey and add 3 teaspoons of olive oil to the mixture. Apply this to the face and then wash it off after an hour. This will moisturize the skin and make it glow.
7. Egg and Oil Mask:
Take one egg and add a teaspoon of honey to it. Mix well. Then add rose water and a few drops of lime to it. Make sure the mix is not too runny. Apply on face and let it dry. Wash it off with warm water and follow it up with a curd pack.
8. Banana Mask:
Peel two bananas and put the pulp in the mixer to grind it into mush. Spread this on the face and rinse off an hour later with water.
9. Avocado Mask:
Squeeze out the juice from one avocado and add curd to it. Add a teaspoon of honey to it. Apply to dry parts of skin and then wash it off.
10. Curd Pack:
Take two tablespoons of curd and add honey to it. Apply to face and leave it for an hour before washing it off.
These natural beauty tips for dry skin will keep your dry skin woes at bay for the rest of winter!
Glowing skin is a major concern for women in general. They try different cosmetic products available in the market in order to get a beautiful and glowing skin. They do not realize the fact that glowing skin comes with a healthy skin. Your skin should receive nutrients from within the body. Applying lotions and creams externally cannot nourish the skin from inside. These treatments only provide temporary results. However, cosmetics that are chemically synthesized cause certain side effects when they are used on a long term. In this review, we will be discussing about few natural herbs that can work wonders for your skin. These are simple homemade remedies and that are inexpensive and effective.
1.   Milk And Lime Juice:
Mix raw milk with lime juice and add a bit of salt. Apply this mixture on your face. This would open up the pores in your skin and cleanse out all the debris.
2.   Cucumber Juice, Rose Water And Glycerin:
Mix cucumber juice with rose water and glycerin. Apply it on your skin for 15 minutes and then rinse off. This mixture protects your skin from sun damage.
3.   Turmeric, Sandalwood And Milk:
Mix a bit of turmeric with sandalwood powder. Blend this mixture using milk. Apply this paste on your skin and let it remain for 5 minutes. This would make your skin appear bright and fresh.
4.   Honey:
Mix some honey with cream and apply on your face. This would make your skin moist, soft and bright.
5.  Grapes:
Grapes are highly beneficial for your skin. You can directly scrub your skin using grapes or you can create a juice out of them and apply it on your skin. This will make your skin soft and bright.
6.   Tomato Juice:
For a glowing and healthy skin apply a mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice.
7.   Turmeric, Sesame Oil And Wheat Flour:
For removing facial hair apply a mixture of turmeric powder, sesame oil and wheat flour.
8.   Honey And Cabbage Juice:
For preventing wrinkles apply a mixture of cabbage juice and honey.
9.   Carrot Juice:
For a glowing skin apply some carrot juice.
10.   Cinnamon Powder And Honey:
Mix a little cinnamon powder with honey and apply it on your skin. Let it remain overnight. This is a great treatment for pimples. It also helps in removing the scars left by pimples.
11.   Lime Juice And Groundnut Oil:
For preventing blackheads and pimples apply a mixture of lime juice and groundnut oil.
12.   Aloe Vera Juice:
For reducing skin pigmentation, apply Aloe Vera juice on your face. This would also make the skin moist.
13.   Glycerin And Ghee:
For a moist skin apply a mixture of glycerin and ghee.
14.   Multanimitti, Neem, Rose Petals And Tulsi:
For a glowing and healthy skin apply a mixture of multanimitti, powdered leaves of neem, rose petals, rose water and powdered leaves of tulsi.
15.   Yogurt And Apricots
Apply a paste of yogurt and apricots to get a fresh-looking skin. If your skin is dry then add a little honey to this mixture.
Are you concerned about your dry and lifeless skin? Are you looking for a natural remedy that can make your skin glow with life? If you are ready to try some home remedies, follow some of the aforementioned remedies. These natural remedies are effective and safe. If you follow these tips on a consistent basis you can get a healthy skin that glows. These natural herbs can also help you to get rid of wrinkles and aging signs.
Detoxifies and removes toxins from the body, thus reducing more fats forming
Helps metabolize sugar in the blood
Helps produce collagen to firm up the skin
Reduces fluid retention which also contributes to formation of cellulite
 Juice Recipe (makes one portion):
1 large grapefruit
2 oranges
1/4 lime
1/2 inch ginger root piece
Decorate with slices of oranges or lime
 This drink works more efficiently when you also eat a healthy low-fat diet by eliminating processed and deep-fried foods, flour and sugar products, gravies and coffee.
Remember to also drink LOTS of water to help flush out toxins and hydrate your cells properly.
NOTE:
If you’re on any medication, DO NOT consume grapefruit or its juice as it may interfere with the metabolism of the drugs.
But before we give out the healthy skin tips, we have to make a mention of what is it that causes so much damage to your skin. Below mentioned are the reasons.
1. Lack of hydration:
Just as you need to hydrated to avoid feeling the sensation of an extremely dry throat, it is essential to hydrate to keep away the dry and stretchy feeling from your skin. The skin cells are also made of water and need to be replenished for the skin to stay hydrated. Drinking a lot of water is the only way to go about this because water is claimed to be the best food for skin.Â
2. Smoking:
Whatever the reasons you started, by now you must have realized that it does nothing to reduce your stress levels. The only thing it does manage to do apart from making you prone to various respiratory and heart troubles is dry your skin out and make you look like a cracked board. So quit!
3. Sun damage:
How amazing those few hours of fun in the sun make you feel! But then when you look at yourself in the mirror, you face falls. Literally. For the damage your skin has suffered due to exposure to the UV rays is apparent. You cant avoid the sun but you can use sun protection. Never forget it.Â
4. Lack of exercise:
It makes you fat of course and that introduces very many more health problems but it also plays a role in the lack of luster in your skin. There isn’t enough flow of blood which is essential for the oxygen to travel across the body to each cell including the skin cells.Â
5. Bad eating habits:
The skin needs different nutrients and those fast food joints you love are not where you will find it! Feed your skin the right food and it will respond with that lovely look you want. Tit for tat!Â
Now that you know what you need to stop doing. Here are the tips for healthy skin.
Ladies, can you please minimize makeup usage? It is really not necessary to always use a blush, concealer, foundation, mousse or whatever it is. It may add a fine coating to your skin making it glowing skin, but what about your real skin? Is it really glowing? No matter how expensive the brand is, it damages your skin to a large extent. We are not asking you to throw them off your shelf; keep those away for special days. The rest of the days, tone and moisturize your skin, use sunscreen. Let your skin breathe.
Tip 2: Face cleansing
This has been told by all beauty experts umpteen times when asked how to maintain healthy skin. Even if you are too tired after a long party, cleanse all dirt and makeup from your skin. Your face needs to be cleared of all the chemicals in makeup. The makeup acts as a tight mask on your face keeping your facial pores clogged. If you go to bed with all these makeup on, you’ll wake up the next morning with a huge embarrassing pimple.
Tip 3: Slather on sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must for your skin. The rays of the sun are harmful beyond thoughts. Skin cancer, premature aging, skin rashes all of these are caused when your skin gets too much exposure to the sun without any protection.
Use a big dollop of sunscreen with SPF on your face whenever you are going out to protect your skin of all the anomalies caused to your skin by the harmful sun rays. Do not care for the season or whether the sun is out today or it’s cloudy. Use sunscreen always. Beauty experts also advise using sunscreens even if you are at home or inside a car or even if you on a flight. Celebs swear by SPF measured sunscreen to keep skin healthy and free from any diseases or ugly tanning.
Tip 4: Exfoliating face
All the healthy skin tips for women say that you should exfoliate your face at least twice a week. Scrubbing your face will rid your facial skin of all the dead cells that might have clogged your pored leading to acne breakouts, blackheads and whiteheads. Scrubbing your face will also improve your complexion, adds a glow to your skin and also clears your skin of all toxins. Don’t keep your skin scrubbing daily, it will make your skin look even drier.
Tip 5: Moisturize
Yes, other than keeping yourself internally hydrated, also use a good moisturizer to feed your skin. Moisturizers do not add a great deal of moisture by themselves but they lock in the present moisture and are hence essential to keep your skin hydrated. After a bath, make it a routine to moisturize your face daily to keep it hydrated. Before bedtime, place a towel soaked in warm water on your face and keep for some time. This way the pores of your face will open allowing the moisturizer to soak into your skin.
Tip 6: Eat proper food to get healthy skin
Food provides life to your skin. Everything you eat in your everyday life contributes to a healthy skin. Only that you have to cut out on some and add some more.
a. Vitamin C rich foods:
Have fruits and veggies rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C manufactures collagen that is responsible for the firmness of your skin. So you quite well understand that lack of vitamin C in your diet will lead to the formation of wrinkles at an early age. Vitamin C is also an anti-oxidant that prevents collagen damage. With Vitamin C rich foods in your diet, your skin will not suffer from dryness, wrinkles and fine lines around eyes or lips. Have all citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli and red peppers to tone up the younger look skin.
b. Vitamin A:
Who doesn’t want a smooth complexion? We all do, but for that we don’t need to spend thousands of bucks when we have the solution in our refrigerator. All red, orange and green leafy veggies are rich sources of beta-carotene (a form of Vitamin A). It is necessary for cell formation and therefore your skin surface stays smooth and touchable. Carotenoids alsoprotect skin from sun. Turnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, squash all of these are rich sources of Vit A.
c. Healthy fats:
Nuts are fatty and are not good for health; that is a misconception. Of course nuts are fatty, but they are filled with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. This falls under that healthy category of fats that is essential for us. Have a handful of almonds and walnuts daily for a supple looking clear skin. Flax seeds are another good option to consume omega-3 fats. If you are a non-vegetarian, have salmon atleast twice a week. This fish is also rich in omega-3 fats.
The oil you cook your food in should also be taken care of. Switch over to olive oil which is a rich source of mono-unsaturated fats. It will bring a radiant glow to your skin.
d. Tomatoes:
Tomatoes doesn’t need a very special mention when it comes to healthy facial skin. They contain a magical ingredient called lypocene which is an anti-oxidant that helps fight old age. It can keep your skin at bay from all old age signs like wrinkles, dark spots and patches or saggy skin.
e. Zinc and iron:
Eggs, lean meat, oysters and cereals supply a good mount of zinc and iron to your body that imparts that much wanted celeb like glow. Zinc helps in cell production and natural weariness of dead cells giving your face a fresh look. Iron is needed to carry oxygen through the body that gives a blushy glow to your face.
f. Fibers:
If you are the one suffering from acne often, its time you think of including fiber-rich foods in your diet. One of the reasons for acne breakouts is indigestion. And the best solution discovered so far to improve your digestive system is having foods rich in fiber. Having whole-grain breads, brown rice, apples, bananas, oatmeal are proved solution to minimize acne.
g. Water:
Drink enough water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated. Do not allow your skin to feel thirsty. For a soft, supple and dewy look, water is a must. Follow this diet regime for a healthy skin and cut down on all fried and unhealthy fatty foods.
I like to mix fruits and vegetables when making juices. Some people disagree that they can mix, but it’s really your personal preference. I love this one, good as an anti-inflammatory drink.
This combo is high in antioxidants and vitamin C which are natural pain killers. Pineapple juice contains Bromelain, a good anti-inflammatory food, but drink only freshly extracted juice. Canned or frozen pineapple juices have lost this pain-reducing enzymes.
Romaine lettuce, cilantro and ginger all have their individual anti-inflammatory properties, making this juice combo very effective to greatly reduce inflammation and pain.
Fresh fruits and vegetables nourish every cell in the body, help prevent disease, flush the system of waste and contain more vitamins and minerals than you can imagine!
Gout is a disorder that can occur throughout the body. It results from deposits of sodium urate crystals, which accumulate in joints because of high blood levels of uric acid.
The excess uric acid crystallizes over time and often form in cooler parts of the body, such as in joints like the ankle, knee, wrist and elbow. But it most often affects the joints in the feet, especially at the base of the big toe.
Fresh fruit and vegetable juices are best to relieve gout over a period of time, but be careful to avoid asparagus, cauliflower, strawberry, spinach and tomato juices. Also drink PLENTY of water.
Juice Recipe:
1 carrot
2 green apples
2 celery sticks
½ cucumber
ÂĽ lemon
½ inch ginger root (optional)
Another Very useful juice recipe for relieving gout attack:
2 green apples
2 ribs celery
1 small or 1/2 a large cucumber
1/4 small bittergourd (optional as it is bitter)
1/4 lemon
thumb-sized ginger
Foods to Avoid:
Meat, especially organ meats, fish, peanuts, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, fried foods, peas, lentils, processed foods, flour and sugar products.
Bentonite clay is a “superfood” I often use in my home. It has cleansing and detoxifying effects that are beneficial to our bodies internally and externally. When used on the skin, bentonite clay will help draw out and absorb impurities.
My four-year old daughter Naomi loves to make homemade beauty products with me and asked to test out this mask when I made it recently.
Detox Clay Mask
2 Tablespoons Bentonite Clay
1 Teaspoon Virgin Coconut Oil
1/2 Tablespoon Raw Honey
Juice of half a lemon
Mix the ingredients together and apply to your freshly washed face. Let the mask sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.
Use as desired. I make this mask once a month, but if you are prone to oily skin you may want to use it more often.
17 Best Benefits Of Pomegranate Juice For Skin, Hair And Health
Pomegranate is a thick skinned super seedy fruit, with a brilliant red hue which is now touted as a wonder fruit by scientific researchers. The name pomegranate derives from the French word “pomegranate” or seeded apple. They are believed to have originated in Iran and brought to Egypt in 1600 BC, where it was not only revered as an important food source but was also widely used for its medicinal value. It was held in high esteem even during those times, as is evident by their depiction in Egyptian paintings and tombs. Inspired by the abundance of jewel toned seeds within the bright red rind, pomegranate is considered to be a symbol of fertility and prosperity in some cultures.
Some people might find it a bit cumbersome to deal with the little seeds, which is why, extracting its juice is the best way to utilize the benefits of pomegranate juice. Drinking it,allows for a quick and easy assimilation of all the nutrients found in the bloodstream by the body. In comparison to other fruits, pomegranates contain the maximum amount of anti-oxidants. It contains approximately 3 times more antioxidants than green tea and oranges.
A single glass of pomegranate juice can provide you with 40 % of the daily requirement of folic acid and vitamins A, C, and E. Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, being completely unprocessed, triumphs over packaged juice any day, as it retains the maximum number of vitamins.. Make sure that the juice is unsweetened as sugar being inflammatory can counteract some of the health benefits of this fruit.
Nutritional value of pomegranate:
Pomegranate is a great source of ellagic acid, and antioxidant and punicic acid, an omega 5 polyunsaturated fatty acid which is highly beneficial for cell regeneration and proliferation. The juice of this fruit is an exceptional source of vitamin A, C and E and minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, potassium, iron, folic acid, niacin, thiamin, folates and riboflavin.
Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice:
Pomegranate has been used for medicinal purposes in the middle and Far East regions for over thousands of years. It was used as a tonic to heal ailments like ulcers and diarrhea. The juice of pomegranate contains antioxidants like anthocyanin and ellagic acid, compounds like gallic acids, and flavonoids like quercetin which offer protection from diabetes, heart diseases, osteoarthritis and several kinds of cancer.
1. Heart benefits:Â
Pomegranate juice can have a great impact on health, particularly on the health of the heart, by keeping the arteries flexible and decreasing the inflammation in the lining of the blood vessels. It is known to reduce atherosclerosis, which is one of the leading causes of heart disease. It lowers the risk of blockage in the arteries which can cause a restriction in the flow of blood to the heart and brain. In other words it has an anti-atherogenic effect on the heart. It lowers the amount of LDL or bad cholesterol that is retained in the body and increases the amount of good cholesterol or HDL.
2. Maintains blood sugar levels:
Although pomegranate juice contains fructose, it does not elevate the blood sugar level as other fruit juices do. Studies have shown that there was no significant increase in the blood sugar level of diabetic patients who drank this juice daily for a period of 2 weeks.
3. Maintains blood pressure:
Pomegranates are also known to reduce high blood pressure. The juice of this fruit reduces lesions and the inflammation of blood vessels in heart patients. It is a natural aspirin, which keeps the blood from coagulating and forming blood clots. It even acts as a blood thinner allowing for an unrestricted flow of blood through the body.
4. Protection from cancer:
Pomegranate juice eliminates free radicals from the body and inhibits the growth and development of cancer and other diseases. Its high contents of anti- oxidants stimulate the white blood cells to neutralize toxins in the body thereby promoting a strong and healthy immune system. Pomegranate is believed to induce apoptosis, a process where the cells destroy themselves. Daily intake of a glass of pomegranate juice can slow down the growth of cancerous cells in prostate cancer. Moreover it appears to block aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen, a hormone which plays a crucial role in the development of breast cancer.
5. Soothes the stomach:
Pomegranate juice is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery as it plays a vital role in the secretion of enzymes which aids proper digestion. Mixing 1 teaspoon of honey in a glass of pomegranate juice is sure to cure indigestion problems.
6. Boosts immunity:
Pomegranate juice has strong anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties which help fight viruses and bacteria and boost our immunity system. It significantly reduces microbes that are found in the mouth commonly responsible for cavities and staph infections.. Its anti-microbial properties make it an inhibitor of HIV transmission. Out of all the fruits, pomegranate has the highest potential to inhibit the transmission of HIV.
7. Prevents anaemia:
Anaemia is a condition caused by the deficiency of red blood cells in the body. Since pomegranate juice contains ample amount of iron it helps in surmounting a deficit of red blood cells in the body if any. Mixing some candied sugar in pomegranate juice and introducing a couple of drops in the nostrils is a quick fix to control nose bleeds. It is an excellent remedy for red or sore eyes and falling eye lashes.
8. Improves digestion:
Pomegranate juice aids in the smooth functioning of the stomach, heart and liver. This juice induces hunger and can even control thirst. Therefore it is a great choice of drink during summers. It also soothes urinary tract infection and eases the flow of urine. The high amount of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble in pomegranate juice helps to improve digestion and regulate bowel movement. Since it has no saturated fats or cholesterol, it is highly recommended for those aiming to lose weight.
9. Helps in cartilage regeneration:
Pomegranate juice acts as an inhibiter on enzymes that are responsible for damaging the cartilage. It is therefore highly recommended for patients suffering from osteoarthritis, a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. Studies conducted have proved the application of this juice to reduce deterioration of the cartilage. Unsweetened pomegranate juice relieves symptoms of arthritis and bone inflammation. A regular intake of this juice may curb the onset of neurological problems like Alzheimer disease. It is also known to dissolve kidney stones and cure erectile dysfunction in men.
10. Good for prenatal care:
Pomegranate juice is extremely beneficial for pregnant women. It is a great source of a number of vitamins and minerals including folic acid which is a crucial element of a pre natal diet. The anti-inflammatory property of pomegranate juice ensures a healthy blood flow, which is essential for the overall development of the foetus. The potassium content in this juice can also help prevent leg cramps that are generally associated with pregnancy. When consumed regularly by expectant mothers, it is known to lower the risk of premature child birth or birth of babies with low birth weight.
Skin Benefits of Pomegranate Juice:
Pomegranate juice, can be a secret potion to get a healthy, vibrant and youthful skin.
11. Anti-aging benefits:
A diet high in pomegranate juice can help to slow down the process of ageing by reducing wrinkles and fine lines on the face caused by constant exposure to sun. It also helps to sustain the regeneration of the skin cells and prevent hyper pigmentation and occurrence of dark spots.
12. Suited for all skin types:
Pomegranate juice works wonders for dry skin. Its small molecular structure penetrates deeply into the skin to provide ample moisturisation and hydration to the skin. Thus it soothes dry and irritated skin. Its content of punicic acid, an omega 3 fatty acid keeps the skin constantly hydrated by sealing in the moisture. Pomegranate juice is beneficial for oily and pimple prone skin too. Application of pomegranate juice on oily skin prevents the outbreak of pimples and controls the production of sebum.
13. Helps to heal scars:
Pomegranate helps in the regeneration of cells in the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. It has an ability to hasten the process of healing of wounds. Even the oil of pomegranate seeds is loaded with skin friendly nutrients which are beneficial for the strengthening and regeneration of the epidermis. It also protects the skin from sun burns and heals the damage caused to the skin due to constant exposure to the sun.
14. Improves the texture of skin:
Pomegranates are also known to extend the life of fibroblasts which are responsible for the production of collagen and elastin that tighten the skin and prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen and elastin provide strength and support to the skin. When the fibers of collagen and elastin break down, the skin develops laxity which causes wrinkles and jowl. Pomegranate is also very useful for lightening the skin tone. Drinking a glass of pomegranate juice daily gives a fair and glowing skin tone.
15. Pomegranate face mask for glowing skin:
Mix1 teaspoon each of powdered green papaya, grape seed oil, and grape seed extract with2 teaspoons of pomegranate juice and apply it on the face. Leave it on for about an hour and wash it off with lukewarm water.
You can also us a cotton ball to apply pomegranate juice directly on the face after cleansing.
16. Prevents skin cancer:
Pomegranate contains anthocyanins and hydrolysable tannins which possess strong anti-oxidant and anti-tumor promoting properties. When applied directly on the skin, ellagic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant found in pomegranates inhibits the growth of cancer of the skin.
Hair Benefits of Pomegranate Juice:
17. Prevents hair fall:
Drinking pomegranate juice regularly helps strengthen the hair follicles which in turn prevent hair fall, thus giving the hair a healthy and lustrous appearance.
Some precautions to be exercised:
Pomegranate juice is not recommended for people suffering from influenza, cough, and constipation or for those with a phlegmatic condition.
Pomegranate juice has certain antioxidants that lower the blood pressure. Therefore, consumption of this juice in combination with medication prescribed to lower blood pressure can result in a condition with dangerously low blood pressure, known as hypotension.
People with certain plant allergies and asthma are always at a greater risk of developing an allergic reaction to this fruit. General allergic reactions include, vomiting, red itchy eyes, hives and difficulty in breathing.
Just like grapefruits, pomegranate is also known to interfere with some medicines, particularly those to lower cholesterol levels known as statins. It can also interfere with antidepressants, medication for AIDS and narcotic pain relievers.
Drinking one glass of pomegranate juice is all that is needed to experience the advantages of pomegranate juice. It is never too late to add this miracle juice to your daily diet plan as the amount of benefits that you would be reaping, definitely outweighs the drawbacks.
Practicing yoga poses regularly, will help you cope with stress and its outcomes, in a very effective and efficient way. The poses, meditation, various breathing techniques, and various yoga mudras will help you train your mind and body to fight stress and manage it.
This write-up offers you a comprehensive view of various yoga poses that you could rely on to manage stress.
Yoga For Stress Relief
Before you start practicing any of the asanas, make sure you warm up with some basic exercises. This is essential to prepare your body for the yoga poses. Inhale deeply and exhale completely.
1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose):
It helps you improve your concentration levels by increasing your focus level.
Stand straight with your feet flat on the mat with the heels slightly spaced out and big toes touching each other. Keep your spine straight while hands straight on either side, with palms facing the thighs.
Slowly stretch your hands and bring your palms together.
Inhale deeply and stretch your spine while taking the folded hands up above your head. Stretch as much as possible.
Slowly lift your ankle and stand on your toes, with eyes facing the ceiling.
Hold the position for a minimum of 30 seconds, while breathing normally.
Slowly relax your body and bring your feet back to the floor.
Repeat this yoga for stress pose to make sure that it is effective.
2. Balasana (Child Pose):
This helps you to relax completely, like a child. In this pose, you curl up like a fetus.
Sit on your knees with your palms facing the floor on either side of the body.
As you inhale, bring your whole body forward in such a way that only the forehead touches the floor.
Stay in the position for a minimum of 30 seconds, while breathing normally. The longer you stay, the more relaxed you will feel.
Slowly lift your forehead and stretch your body back to Vajrasana (Diamond pose).
Repeat thrice.
People suffering from knee injuries are advised not to try this pose.
3. Padmasana (Lotus Pose):
This pose is commonly used during meditation and helps to increase the self-awareness levels. The pose helps you to calm down and soothes your mind.
Sit cross legged. The left feet should be on right thigh and vice versa, while the soles face up.
Keep the spine erect.
Keep the hand in Gyan mudra.
Close your eyes and while inhaling and exhaling deeply, maintain the pose for a minimum of 30 seconds.
People suffering from knee injuries are advised not to try this pose.
4. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose):
This is one of the 12 phases of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation). Along with energizing the body and offering relief from indigestion problems, the pose is known to relax your body. Thus, it is an ideal asana for obtaining relief from stress.
Stand straight with your feet flat on the mat. Keep your spine straight while hands straight on either side, with palms facing the thighs.
While breathing normally, bend forward, and place the palms in front of you on the mat. The head should face down.
Slowly stretch your legs backwards, one at a time, while maintaining the balance, in such a way that the feet and hands are in line with each other.
Make sure that the elbows are straight and fingers are spread out.
Inhale deeply and tuck in your stomach completely.
Hold the position, while breathing normally, with tummy tucked in for about 30 seconds to 60 seconds.
Exhaling slowly, come back to the standing pose.
Repeat three to five times.
5. Savasana (Corpse Pose):
Relax yourself completely with this pose. If you do not have time for any other yoga asanas, you can practice this. It brings your breathing to normal levels, and thus, helps to soothe down stress levels.
Lie down in supine position.
Close your eyes.
Slump your body in such a way that it looks lifeless.
Let go of everything and experience the serenity as your body weight shifts away from you completely.
Maintain the position until you feel light and relaxed.
This pose helps you do away with fatigue and fills your mind with an amazingly intense calmness.
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Moisturize with Coconut Oil. The Huffington Post says thatcoconut oil is better than commercial moisturizers. Most moisturizers contain a lot of water. When the water dries, your skin becomes dry again – requiring you to reapply the moisturizer. That may be good for the company that sells the product, but not for your skin. Coconut oil provides deep and real moisture. It helps strengthen underlying tissues and helps remove the excessive dead cells on the skin’s surface.
Homemade mask. Facial masks provide deep nutrition for the skin. Instead of buying expensive masks, try these homemade recipes from Daily Candy.
Facial massage. The Wall Street Journal says that facial massage may be better for your face than botox. Plus, it’s free! It softens expression-induced lines around your eyes, lips and brows, helps expel acne-causing toxins and removes puffiness and brightens the eye area.
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