GROW YOUNGER EVERY DAY

101 Revolutionary Ways to Stay Young and Healthy

Birthdays are wonderful - especially if you've been able to sidestep or minimize the health hazards that loom larger as the years have added up.
To help you continue to enjoy birthdays that make you happy to be alive, this article is filled with important steps you can take every day to fight off aging and stay as young in your body as you are in your mind.
16 Good habits for Good Health.
Habits are a funny thing. They can be good or bad for us and our health is affected by them every day. Here are four areas where improving your habits will have extremely good results.

Sleep
Though there's no set amount of sleep people need, 8 hours is usually a minimum, says Clete Kushida, M.D., Ph. D., director of the Stanford University Center for Human Sleep Research. Most women are getting only about 7 hours on weeknights, says a 2002 National Sleep Foundation survey of about 1,000 men and women. Twenty percent of those women reported daytime sleepiness, a sign that they weren't grtting enough shut-eye.
The risks of sleep deprivation go way beyond waking up with that groggy feeling. Women who sleep less than 8 hours a night over a 10-year period are at slightly higher risk of heart disease, reported a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Those 8 hours are also crucial to maintaining a healthy weight. Another study has found that sleep drprivation can lead to an imbalance of various weight-related hormones that can encourage your cells to store excess fat and lower your body's fat-burning ability.
Still other research has linked sleep deprivation to depression and anxiety, as well as insulin resistance - a trigger for high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. And, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Admisnistration, accidents caused by sleepy drivers injure more than 40,000 people a year and kill at least 1,500.
After you acknowledge the futility of trying to fit 26 hours' worth of activities into 24 hours, these eight tips can help you towards a good night's sleep.
1. Cut back on your commitments, says Suzanne Griffin, a sleep specialist and psychiatrist at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington,DC. Divide up family responsibilities with your partner and children.
2. Established a bedtime for yourself, and stick to it every night.
3. Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening.
4. Don't use alcohol as a sleep inducer, it can actually interfere with a full night's rest.
5. Your sleep may improve if you adhere to a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as reading, listening to music, or taking a warm bath.
6. According to Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., an adviser to the National Institutes of Health Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the best herbal remedy for chronic insomnia is valerian. She suggests trying two or three standardized capsules, 30 to 45 minutes before bed. It's safe, effective, and non-habit-forming.
7. Dr. Low Dog also recommends drinking chamomile tea near bedtime. Use three bags per cup and let them steep for five to seven minutes, to medicinal strength.
8. A carbohydrate-rich snack before bedyime will also contribute to a good night's rest, according to Dr. Low Dog.


Floss
Gum disease is a serious bacterial infection that attacks the tissue surrounding one or more teeth and the bone supporting them. It's the number one cause of tooth loss in the United States, but it's far from just a cosmetic issue. When periodontal bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can travel to  major organs and cause chronic inflammation. In recent years, researchers have come to suspect that such simmering infections in the body may be implicated in some cases of heart disease, stroke, cancer and even premature birth.
Chronic inflammation may also explain why some people who have heart attacks have no known risk factors sucu as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Infection triggers inflammation, which, under normal  circumstances, is part of the healing process (it allows infection-fighting white blood cells to reach injured tissue). But when inflammation is chronic, it can damage artery walls and make them more prone to fatty buildup.
Likewise, a choric bacterial infection like gum disease "can predispose people to cancer," says Lisa Coussens, Ph. D., assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco's Cancer Research Institute. Though a direct link hasn't been made between the two, she points out that people with other inflammatory diseases faced increased cancer risk. For example, people with the inflammatory bowel condition known as Crohm's disease have a 60% increased  risk of developing colon cancer.
Women in particular need to pay close attention to gum health. "Flossing is so critical because the hormonal changes that occur in women during puberty, pregnancy, amd menopause cause the oral bacteria that lead to gum disease to grow more readily." says  David Schneider, D.M.D., a Bethesda, M.D., Periodontist. Drugs such as antidepressants, some blood pressure medications, and antihistamines can also raise your risk of gum disease  because they reduce the saliva that helps wash bacteria away in the mouth.
The fix? Floss at least once a day. Here are simple instructions from the American Dental Associations: Take about 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers. Hold a few inches of the floss tightly between thumbs and forefingers. Guide thge floss between your teeth, using a gentle rubbing motion.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth, and gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with an up-and-down motion. Repeat this for every tooth.

Lift Weights 
Don't think of weight lifting as "lifting weights." Think of it as a great way to look more toned and trim without losing an ounce. In fact, once you start, you may even notice that you've put on a few pounds. Don's panic: You're gaining muscle, which weights more than the fat you're losing. But since muscle is more dense than fat, it takes up less space, helping you fit into your clothes better. And if you lift regularly, you'll eventually start dropping pounds.
Here's another bonus: A recent study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that women on a strength-training program for 25 weeks lost significant amount of belly fat - the danferous kind that increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
You don't have to spend a lot of time pumpmg iron to get the benefits. Two or three times a week on nonconsecutive days for about 30 minutes per session should do the trick. The American Council on Exercise syas that light weights and multiple reps tend to help build endurance and muscle tone, while training with heavier weights generally produces stronger muscles.

Quit Smoking
Even scientists were surprised  when lung cancer became the leading cause of cancer death in women. It turns out that the 4,000 chemicals in tobacco appear to be even more lethal when ingested by women than by men.
But the news is not all bad - if you quit now. Ex-smokers can be reassured that after passing a decade puff-free, their risk of kung cancer is about the same as thar of someone who never smoked. Unfortunately, lung damage from emphysema or bronchitis can't be reversed, but your cardiovascular system can bounce back. "Within 24 hours of stopping smoking, there is improvement in the function of the blood vessels. After 1 year, there's a 50% reduction in the risk of having a heart attack," says Sharonne Hayes, M.D., director of the Women's Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. And within 15 years, your risk of heart disease is similar to that of a lifelong nonsmoker. Thirty minutes of exercise a day will speed the return to normal heart functions.
Preventing the long-term risk of cancer is a murkier proposition, but you can take these three steps to protect your health.
1. Eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day ( as everyone should), and make one or two of those servings strawberries or black or red raspberries, which may prevent the onset of esophageal cancewr, according to research atr Ohio State University in Columbus.
2. Getting one to two times the daily value of folate ( found in whole grains and greens) and B12 (in meat and dairy products) can reduce cell damage that may lead to cancer.
3. If you hve smoked the equivalent of a pack a day for 10 years or longer, get a low-dose, 25 - second CT-scan screening test for lung cancer, which allows doctor to detect tumors earlier than before. The test is boosting patients' odds of recovery, says Claudia Henschke, M.D., Ph. D., a professor of radiology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Magnesium Helps You Sleep

Researchers at the USDA found that getting insufficient magnesium changes electrical activity in the brain, and those anomalies may interfere with rest. Other studies show that lack of magnesium may disrupt normal sleep stages or contribute to such sleep disorders as restless legs syndrome. So aim for the DV, which is 400 mg. Eat foods such as spinach, broccoli, legumes, and whole wheat bread, and take a multivitamin. Note: Supplements can cause diarrhea: the upper limit (UL) for them is 350mg. If your laxative contains magnesium, count that toward your supplement intake.
In the next part of this series, I will discuss 11 Strategies to Lower Blood Pressure 

    

Natural Relief With These Oil

I went on a short holiday in Egypt recently and picked up these tips on natural oil which can relief many ailments. These oils can be applied directly to the body or used as an essence. Some of the descriptions are direct translations of the local language so I take no responsibilities for it's meaning. I also take no responsibilities for any cures or other wise from it's use. Please post your comments if you have any.

PepperMint Oil
Relaxing and is used for cough,diarrhea, and liver problems

Fenugreek (Helba) Oil
It's a nutrient. Good for the nervous system.

Cress Oil
Improves sexual activity. It is good for indigestion and is effective in reducing nicotine level in smokers.

Fennel Oil
Calming for the pains of the circulation, stimulating for the sexual glands and it is used in the infections of the kidney and spleen.

Parsley Oil
It is used for lithotripsy of calculus. It's a stimilus for urination. It increases the productivity of males and females. It is an analgesic for pains of the kidney. It clears the skin of acne.

Caraway Oil
Used for stomach and intestines. Helps in digestion and stimulating for appetite, also used for fighting microbes.

Cumin Oil
Used for colic and pains of the colon. It helps in healing injuries and reduces swelling. It calms pains of the circulation and can help reduce weight.

Castor Oil
This is a natural laxative. It can be used for cosmetic purpose for softening the skin and facial hair, such as eye lashes and beard.

Lettuce Oil
It strengthens the heart muscles, the nerves and the wall of the blood vessels.

Onion Oil
An antibiotic and nutrient. It clears the blood, it decreases diabetes, as it has glucotine which is like insulin.

Garlic Oil
It opens the arteries and controls the blood pressure and cholesterol. It is an antibiotic.

Olpanum Oil
(gomma Arabique)
Strengths brochus, eliminates phlegm, and good for gingivitis and teeth infection. It is calming for cough and the infection of vocal chords.

Camomile Oil
It is an antiseptic for the skin and it's a stimulate for appetite, a sterilizer for stomach and good for kidney stones.

Natural Habet El Baraka Oil
(Black Seed Oil)
The black Habet oil (is the remedy of all diseases it strengthens the immunity and increases the vitality of the body. It is a general strenfthener and it benefits cough and chest diseases.

Sesame Oil
It is a nutrient whch increases the weight and increases the size of the breast, good for the circulation. It is used also for skin infections.

Devil's Claw

Devil's Claw
Harpagophytum procumbens
Part used: Tubers

Devil's claw grows in the grasslands of southern Africa and has been used there as a topical treatment for ulcers and wounds,and taken internally for fevers,allergies,digestive problems and as a pain reliever. Numerous scientific studies confirm its benefits, most notably as an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory for arthritis pain and backache.Some studies have shown devil's claw to be as effective as pharmaceutical pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Having digestive, respiratory problems.....?

Do you have digestive, respiratory and cardiac problems (especially when caused by stress), then Dang shen is what you need.
Dang shen
(Codonopsis pilosula)
Part used: Roots

Chinese herbalists regard dang shen as a gentle version of the more famous stress and energy tonic, Korean ginseng. This distinction means that it can be prescribed for patients who are frail or debilitated, for whom ginseng is considered too stimulating. Dang shen is also traditionally used for treating digestive, respiratory and cardiac problems (especially when caused by stress) and as a nourishing blood tonic for nursing mothers and other anaemic patients.

Medicinal herbs.....continue....

Cat's Claw
Uncaria tomentosa, U. guaianensis
Part used: Vine Bark

Cat's claw grows in tropical South and Central America and takes its name from the shape of the long thorns that help it to climb over other plants in the jungle. It has been used for hundreds of years by Peruvians to treat inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, asthma and skin problems, and is also a traditional remedy for infections, fatigue and cancer. Laboratory studies attribute it with a number of immune-stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties, which may be behind many traditional applications; little research has been conducted in humans.

More On Medicinal Herbs

More on Medicinal Herbs........
Buchu
Agathosma betuling
Part used Leaves

The South African herb buchu is mainly regarded as a remedy for the urinary tract, although traditionally it was also used to treat digestion and joint problems. Its volatile essential oil has antiseptic properties and is considered responsible for the herb's benefits in treating infections of the kidneys, bladder, urethra and prostate, Buchu also has diuretic actions, so it is indicated for fluid retention.

Medicinal herbs

More on Medicinal Herbs........
Astragalus
Astragalus membranaceus
Part used Roots

One of the most important qi tonics in traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus is taken to enhance vitality and increase energy. It has potent immune-boosting properties, so it may be prescribed to build resistance against infections as well as for more serious problems, such as helping the body's defences cope with the trauma of chemo- and radiotherapy. Herbalists also prescribe astragalus for a wide range of other conditions, including liver and kidney dysfunction, heart problems and for aiding recovery from blood loss (especially after childbirth)

Medicinal Herbs

Continuing our discussion on medicinal herbs.........
Andrographis
Andrographis paniculata
Parts used Leaves, aerial parts

Andrographis features in the traditional medicine of China, Thailand, India and Korea.An extremely bitter herb, it is used as a digestive tonic in Ayurvedic medicine, while in traditional Chinese medicine, Its cooling properties mean that it is indicated for dispelling heat and treating infections and toxins. Andrographis also has immune-stimulating properties, and is used to help prevent colds and flu to treat their symptons.

Medicinal herbs

Medicinal herbs.
Modern botanical medicine has become truly international and herbalists now have access to the most effective herbs from all parts of the globe.

Albizia
Albizia iebbeck
Part used Stem bark

The tradidtional Ayurvedic applications for albizia include a range of inflammatory and allergic skin and respiratory conditions, and laboratory research indicates that it does indeed have anti-allergic properties. It appears to have particular benefits for mast cells, which play a major role in allergic reactions, so it may help some people becomes less sensitive to substances to which they are allegic.
In the coming weeks, we will discuss more of such medicinal herbs.

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Herbal

medicine

Treating common ailments and conditions safely and effectively with herbs is an area of growing interest as well as the focus of research around the world. Find out which herbs have healing properties and learn the best ways to use them. Over the next few weeks, we will discuss the healing power of various herbs.

Herbs For High Cholesterol And High Blood Pressure

Do you have high blood pressure and high cholesterol?
Take natures way to control these ailments. These herbs helps to control your high blood pressure and high cholesterol, Lime flowers, Psyllium, Turmeric, Garlic, and Hawthorn.

Lime flowers - Tilia cordata, T. platyphyllos, T. x europaea.
Remedy to calm blood pressure.
Lime flowers are a traditional European medicine for high blood pressure, especially when it is accompanied by heart palpitation or hardening of the arteries. It is also a gently calming remedy for anxiety and restlessness, so are particularly useful when high blood pressure is caused by worry.


Psyllium - Plantago ovata, P. psyllium.
Lowers cholesterol levels.


Psyllium is an important source of water-soluble fibre, which forms an absorbent gel in the bowel, trapping cholesterol and facilitating its excretion from the body. Combining psyllium with a low-fat diet for as little as 8 weeks has been shown to reduce LDL-cholesterol without adversely affecting HDL-cholesterol levels. Under professional supervision, psyllium may be particularly beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes, because it can also help control their blood glucose level and insulin responses after meals.




Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Cholesterol-clearing spice

Turmeric is another culinary spice that supports heart and blood vessel health. It contains a yellow-coloured pigment called curcumin - the compound that is credited with most of the herb's medicinal benefit. Curcumin has been shown to lower levels of total cholesterol, increase levels of HDL-cholesterol ("good" cholesterol), and protect both HDL- and LDL-cholesterol from the damaging effects of free redical activity. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce the ability of cholesterol to form plaque on artery walls.

Herbs And Heaith Benefits

Herbs have been used for thousands of years to flavour and preserve food, treat ailments, ward off pests and diseases, freshen the air, and decorate and enhance our lives. I will discuss and show the healing and health benefits of various herbs.