Natural Home remedies for piles ( hemorrhoids)

Piles  also known as Hemorrhoids  are swollen veins around on the skin and  the anal opening or the anal canal.  They can be painful and linger on for a long time causing distress. The main symptoms include bleeding during the bowel movement and itching. The first thing that people do to cure hemorrhoids is get an OTC medication, without knowing their possible side effects. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that are as effective and provides fast relief. Here are some  remedies which will help you get rid of hemorrhoids fast and naturally.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Pure and natural apple cider vinegar is highly beneficial in treating the condition. For external hemorrhoids, take a cotton ball and soak it with apple cider vinegar. Apply it directly on the hemorrhoids for an instant relief. Please note that applying it directly may cause a stinging sensation for some time but that will decrease itching and pain instantly. For internal hemorrhoids, consuming a teaspoon of vinegar with water, may provide relief from pain and bleeding

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an effective natural ingredient that assists fast relief from hemorrhoids. The anti-inflammatory action of aloe vera helps in resolving the symptoms in a fast and easy way. For internal hemorrhoids, cut stripes of the aloe vera leave discarding all the thorns and freeze it. Apply it on the inflamed area for the double action of a cold compress along with a reduction in inflammation. For external ones, just apply the gel extracted from aloe leaves to soothe and hydrate the swollen veins.

Lemon Juice 
The antioxidants present in lemons help in curing the condition. Apply it directly on the inflamed area or consume lemon juice with ginger with honey to reap the nutrition benefits of the fruit for reducing pain and inflammation.

Olive oil
Olive oil is another great ingredient that helps in curing the symptoms of piles. It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothes the area and reduces discomfort. Moreover, it increases the elasticity of the blood vessels reducing the trauma of passing hard stools. Consuming small amounts of olive oil with food on a regular basis may improve the functionality of the bowel movement due to the presence of mono-saturated fatty acids in olive oil.
Besides, a few lifestyle changes like drinking more water and maintaining proper hygiene will assist you to get rid of hemorrhoids fast. Never hold in stools, as it may worsen the condition and delay the treatment. Always wear comfortable clothes to reduce irritation due to hemorrhoids.

BENEFITS AND USES OF SHEA BUTTER

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree and that is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F. It offers UV protection (it is SPF ~6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. Shea butter has been used in Africa and other countries for years to improve skin and hair.
 Shea butter exhibits several health benefits, particularly for the skin and the hair. It is used in a variety of cosmetics and medicinal formulas in combination with other botanical ingredients. Some of the health benefits of shea butter are given below.

Benefits

Reduces Inflammation: A 2010 study found that due to its cinnamic acid and other natural properties, shea butter was anti-inflammatory. (source) One compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help avoid skin mutations. This also makes it beneficial for some people with acne.

Skin Smoothing: Shea butter aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying. With long term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction.

Moisturizing: The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in Shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin. It is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils. 

Shea Butter For Skin
Shea butter is considered a super food for the skin as it is  rich in precious constituents such as unsaturated fats with a large proportion of non-saponifiable components, essential fatty acids, vitamins E and D, phytosterols, provitamin A and allantoin. It has been used since time immemorial for skin care, baby care, and for consumption. In fact, the legendary Egyptian queen, Nefertiti, owed her beauty secrets to shea butter, which further demonstrates its goodness for the skin. Given below are its various benefits for the skin.

Healing Qualities:

Shea butter is known for its healing properties that can be attributed to the presence of several fatty acids and plant sterols such as oleic, palmitic, stearic and linolenic acids. These oil-soluble components do not undergo saponification or convert into soap on coming in contact with alkali. Shea butter is more non-saponifiable than other nut oils and fats, thus imparting it a great healing potential for the skin. Raw, unrefined shea butter is effective in curing skin rashes, skin peeling after tanning, scars, stretch marks, frost bites, burns, athletes foot, insect bites and stings, arthritis, and muscle fatigue.

1. As a natural baby-care product (alone) or ingredient in baby care recipes
2. By itself on the lips or in homemade lip balms
3. Or homemade shimmer lip balm
4. To improve skin elasticity (some even say it helps with cellulite)
5. On the hair or scalp (in mixture with other natural ingredients)
6. In homemade liquid creme foundation and makeup
7. After sun or beach exposure to replenish skin
8. On the eyelids before applying makeup to make it last longer
9. As a natural cuticle cream
10. On scars to naturally help collagen production
11. On sore/raw noses during a cold or flu
12. By itself for face and body as a natural moisturizer
13. In a shea butter lotion bar stick for easy use
14. Alone or in a pregnancy stretch mark salve to ward off stretch marks
15. As the best under-eye wrinkle remover and bag-reducer
16. For massage butter
17. In velvety soft whipped body butter
18. or basic homemade lotion
19. As a base for homemade deodorant
20. As an SPF 6 skin lotion
21. In magnesium body butter

 

THE WONDERS OF ALOE VERA. Aloe Vera Benefits

Aloe Vera Benefits

Although Aloe is about 99% water, the remaining 1% is extremely powerful and it is thought this is because the close to 100 ingredients work extremely well together (synergistically). Aloe Vera contains many-minerals vital to the growth process and healthy function of all the body's systems. The ingredients in Aloe can be grouped into the following categories: vitamins Minerals, Sugars, Enzymes, Lignins, Amino Acids, Anthraquinones, Saponins, Fatty Acids, Salicylic Acid.

Each of these categories could be discussed at length in their own right regarding individual molecules and ongoing studies into their remarkable effects. Combined together it's easy to see why Aloe Vera is such an effective healing plant.

Healing properties

Aloe is an excellent treatment for skin conditions such as burns and eczema. It is often reported that burns can be healed remarkably quickly and the pain reduced very quickly with topical application of Aloe Vera to the burn area. As well as applying topically, Aloe can also be taken internally so it is just as useful for internal epithelial tissue as it is for the skin. For example, mouth and stomach ulcers, nasal and sinuses, bowels, lungs and genital tracts. Aloe works on membranes and surfaces.\

Note: Raw and unrefined aloe vera must not be consumed.
Raw aloe vera is for external use only.

Is there Vitamin B12 in Aloe Vera?

It is often reported Aloe Vera is one of the only known natural vegetarian sources of Vitamin B12, however it appears there are only trace amounts of B12 at best in Aloe Vera. What does seem to be the case is that taking Aloe vera at the same time as a Vitamin B12 supplement increases the absorption and bio-availability of the B12 to the body. The B vitamins range, along with Vitamin C, are all water soluble, whereas the rest of the vitamins are fat soluble. Aloe Vera seems quite special in that it appears to also enhance the absorption of Vitamin E (fat soluble) as well as Vitamin B12, which suggests it can help absorb the full range of fat and water soluble vitamins. It would therefore be a great addition to your daily regime as it may help adults, children, and even pets receive more value from their foods and supplements.

Aloe Vera Helps Immune System

Aloe also seems to be excellent at regulating the immune system (an immunomodulator). This means it can both stimulate the immune response for those with weakened immune systems either from exisiting conditions or post-illness fatigue. It can also calm the immune response, such as for hayfever where less immune reaction is beneficial. Various research studies are underway to explore the potential of the components to boost immunity and combat the HIV virus, and to treat certain types of cancer (particularly leukemia). It may even have a role to play in managing diabetes. Numerous studies worldwide indicate that it is a general tonic for the immune system, helping it to fight illness of all kinds. Over 200 worldwide scientific research papers have been published on the effects. The three main categories of research include anti-inflammatory, anti- bacterial, and anti-viral actions of the plant. The juice is said to soothe digestive tract irritations such as colitis, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
It's ability to encourage the release of pepsin (a gastric juice enzyme necessary for digestion) when the stomach is full is a possible reason for its ulcer-healing effects (Journal of the American Osteopathic Society, 1963, vol.62). In one study, oral use for six months helped mitigate asthma symptoms in almost half of the participants. Eleven of twenty-seven patients studied who drank Aloe reported feeling better at the end of the study. Researchers think that results might be due to stimulation of the immune system, as well as naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents in the plant.In 1994, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Aloe vera for the treatment of HIV. On-going studies worldwide show that taken in highly concentrated doses can stimulate the production of white blood cells that may help fight viruses and also tumours.

Aloe vera nutrients list

Aloe vera contains protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A and E and is naturally rich in:
Vitamin C which helps maintain tone of blood vessels and promotes good circulation and is essential to the health of the adrenal gland which supports our body in times of stress.
Amino acids which are chains of atoms constructing protein in our body.
Enzymes, which are the life-principle in every live, organic atom and molecule of natural raw food, rejuvenate aged tissues and promote healthy skin.
Germanium which is a mineral that some health authorities claim therapeutic benefits for: immunodeficiency, pain, cardiac disorders, circulatory disturbances and eye problems.

Aloe vera body cleansing juice

The juice is said to be one of the finest body cleansers, cleaning morbid matter from the stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, and is considered the finest, known colon cleanser. Studies have shown that it is healing and soothing in the relief of indigestion, stomach distress and ulcers. People claim relief from arthritis, bladder and kidney infections; leg cramps, constipation, hemorrhoids, insomnia, and for vaginitis, it is said to be an excellent vaginal douche. An excellent internal tonic for energy and well being Aloe juice may add greatly to the strength of the food fed, digestive tract, skin, and overall good health and happiness.

Aids digestion

It is also used to ease heartburn, ulcers, diverticular disorders, and other types of digestive upset. It is used as an anti-inflammatory and may be taken internally as a remedy for certain digestive complaints. European folk medicine calls for using the juice to relieve heartburn and ulcers. Preliminary research has shown promising results. Clinical trials in Japan indicate that certain compounds in the herb reduce the secretion of stomach juices and the formation of lesions.

Fights disease

In 1997, University of San Antonio researcher Jeremiah Herlihy, Ph.D., conducted a study to observe any negative effects of drinking it daily. Rather than exhibiting negative effects, however, test animals receiving daily Aloe showed a remarkable reduction in leukemia, heart disease, and kidney disease. Dr. Herlihy concluded, "We found no indication of harm done to the rats even at high levels." In fact, the Aloe-drinking animals actually lived 25 percent longer than those in the control group (IASC Conference, Texas, 1997).
Animal studies and anecdotal reports claim that drinking the juice or taking it as a tablet or capsule can reduce swelling and inflammation in arthritic joints. Drinking the juice may also help those asthmatic patients who are not dependent on cortico-steroids.
There is no single ingredient that makes it very potent and healthful. Researcher Robert Davis, Ph.D., an endocrinologist-biologist, explains that fifteen different compound groups of nutrients work together to make the plant effective. This means that Aloe vera's effects cannot be synthesized easily in a laboratory. On the upside, this makes the plant useful across a wide spectrum of circumstances. And because the various elements that make it effective are nutrients rather than drugs, the juice may complement medical treatments. In fact some cancer patients state that Aloe vera seems to reduce nausea, increase energy, and may help to minimize low blood counts caused by chemotherapy or radiation.

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How to Test for Pure Honey

How can we differentiate 100% pure honey and adulterated honey?
There is a rising number of visitors to Benefits of Honey writing to me and asking this question. Unfortunately, I don't really have a clear answer to this, but would like to share my experience and thoughts about this issue from a honey consumer perspective.
The term "adulterated honey" implies that the honey has been added glucose, dextrose, molasses, corn syrup, sugar syrup, invert sugar, flour, starch, or any other similar product, other than the floral nectar gathered, processed, and stored in the comb by honey bees. Legal standards and requirements for foods, including honey quality, and tests for honey adulteration vary widely amongst countries and some may not meet the wish of every consumer around the world.

 food and nutrition labels. My take is always -- go for the trusted or more known brands. We all know that a "pure honey" label doesn't guarantee at all that it is not diluted with water and further sweetened with corn syrup; it just promises that there is real pure honey inside, with no suggestion of its amount. The law does not require a "pure honey" label to say how much pure honey is in the bottle. Also, prices are not always a good indication of quality honey. In food fraud cases, which happen a lot with Chinese honey, manufacturers can mix different honey floral blends and sell it as more expensive varieties such as Manuka honey. And so-called "local honey" may not be locally produced and processed local honey but cheap, low quality honey imported from other countries and then bottled and distributed locally.
Personally, when selecting honey in the shop, I think it's almost impossible to tell the bad from the good by just looking at the honey content through the bottle or studying its
A common misconception is that granulated or crystallized honey is proof of adulteration with sugar water. The truth is honey is a supersaturated sugar solution and can granulate whether or not it has been adulterated, so crystallization is normal, especially in temperate climates. Furthermore, some honey from certain floral sources is especially prone to crystallization. Buying honey in the comb is one way to assure ourselves of a quality product. Comb honey is sealed in the hive by the bees; therefore consumers can be confident that the honey has not been adulterated with sugar water. However, to boost honey production, some beekeepers feed their bees with sugar syrup so that the bees can convert the syrup to "honey". Do such practices have any implications on why some honey appears to be very clear and runny, just like syrup?





Some of my web visitors strongly believe and teach that ants don't fancy pure honey and will not hover around it. It's hard to understand or believe this as there seems to be no reason why ants should favour processed sugar over honey and ants may not always be "available" at all places for a honey assessment ("no ants observed" may not necessarily mean pure honey). The reason why a sweet liquid is more attractive than another for the ants could also be due to other factors such as liquid density, flavors which vary depending on the floral types. Another test that is commonly discussed over the internet is the flame test which involves lighting up a cotton bud dipped into the honey with a match-stick flame. It's believed that the honey will burn if it's pure. I have tried this method many times using different types of honey, some of which I was very sure they're pure honey (e.g honeycomb honey), but the result I got was never consistent, and it seemed to depend very much on how much honey was dipped and how long the honey was exposed to the flame.

There's another simple way which I have tried to verify the purity of honey: Observe how liquid honey comes down into a glass of water. Pure honey does not immediately dissolve in water; you will notice that it takes a bit of effort to stir it in the water to dissolve the lumpy bits, whereas sugar tends to dissolve easily in a jiggery as you drop them into the water. However, test result is sometimes not that clear because different honey varieties have different viscosity, some are denser and thicker than others, and obviously honey in cream form, even if it's adulterated with other substance, will not dissolve as easy as liquid honey in water.

It is suggested that people who are used to tasting honey may be easier to detect any added sugar. But frankly, because there are just too many floral varieties and blends, and the amount of adulteration may not be sufficient to affect the taste and aroma of the honey, even though I frequently take honey, I am still not 100% certain about my suspicion

 Hence, it's hard to be really absolutely sure about honey authenticity, unless from home you can perform scientific laboratory test like spectroscopy, a method that uses the principle of interaction of light with mater to differentiate substances or conduct carbon isotope ratios analysis to determine if sugars were added to the honey (don't bother if these jargons sound totally bizarre; as a consumer, I am not familiar with them either). Nevertheless, from all the verification ways that are discussed above (labels, pouring, dissolving honey, etc) if you have reasons to suspect that the honey is diluted and corn syrup has been added, my stance is - stay away from those brands. Better to err on the side of caution than to be sorry...well, you most probably won't fall sick by taking the adulterated honey, but you know adulteration with cheaper sugars brings down the natural value of the honey and this doesn't help in justifying for the amount of money you pay.

And meanwhile, if any of you, honey lovers, honey connoisseurs, beekeepers, or anyone has a reliable method to test pure honey from home (without the use of industrial chemicals), why not just share with us by posting it below!on our comment area.

Health Benefits Of Onion

Onions always stay in news for their whopping price rise. They are like the superstars in the league of vegetables. They might give you tears, but all of us will agree to the fact that they taste mighty good. Onions can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a beautiful aroma and elevate the taste when added to any dish. Did you know that onions protect you best against sun strokes? This is the reason dietitians recommend you to have a lot of raw onions during summer. Onions keep infections at bay, they have huge reserves of antibiotic, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.

Onion also works wonders for your hair, scalp and skin. Onion juice helps in eliminating dandruff, lice and hair fall. Its juice can also be used to treat moles, bee bites, insect bites, etc. Onions can be used to reverse the side effects of fever, as it helps in reducing the temperature of the body. It can also cure a bleeding nose when inhaled properly.

Consuming onions every day can cure sleeping-related disorders. Hence, we are listing down some of the amazing benefits of onions that can help you improve your health. Make sure that you include more of them in your diet despite of the pungent smell, as they have immense benefits to offer.

Onions Are A Store House Of Vitamins And Minerals Onions are full of vitamins B, C and B complex, potassium, sulphur, starch, iron and fibres. They are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium. They are also rich in antibiotic, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties

Onions Can Boost Your Immunity They boost our immunity. The phytochemicals present in onions improve the absorption of vitamin C in the body. Onions also help in healing major types of infections and illnesses

Help Prevent Cancer Onions are packed with quercetin that helps in preventing cancer and has significant effects on the head, neck and colon cancers.

Reduces Inflammation Regular consumption of onions helps in reducing inflammation such as inflammation caused by arthritis in the joints. Onions can also be used to relieve oneself from other body pains

Aid In A Better Digestion Process Onions help you release a generous amount of digestive juices that fuel up the digestion process. They help in the easy breakdown of the food particles in the GI
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DISEASES OLIVE OIL CAN PREVENT AND CURE.

The health benefits of olive oil are unrivaled, and research reveals more benefits nearly every day. In fact, we are only just beginning to understand the countless ways olive oil can improve our health, and our lives. Olive oil is the cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet — an essential nutritional mainstay for the world’s longest-living cultures.

Olive Oil Keeps the Heart Young

A diet rich in olive oil may actually be able to slow down the aging of the heart.
It is a known fact that as we grow older the heart also goes through a normal aging process. The arteries may not function as well as they did and this can lead to a number of health problems. However, in a recent study, Spanish researchers discovered that a diet rich in olive oil or other monounsaturated fats could improve the arterial function of elderly individuals.

Cancer

The phytonutrient in olive oil, oleocanthal, mimics the effect of ibuprofen in reducing inflammation, which can decrease the risk of breast cancer and its recurrence. Squalene and lignans are among the other olive oil components being studied for their possible effects on cancer.

Olive Oil Diet Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Traditionally a low-fat diet has been prescribed to prevent various diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. While studies have shown that high fat diets may increase the risk of certain diseases such as cancer and diabetes, it appears that it is the type of fat that counts rather than the amount of fat. We now know that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats such as the ones found in olive oil, nuts and seeds actually protects from many of these chronic diseases.
A study published in the scientific journal Diabetes Care showed that a Mediterranean style diet rich in olive oil reduced the risk of type II diabetes by almost 50 percent compared to a low fat diet. Type II diabetes is the most common and preventable form of diabetes.

Olive Oil Might Help Prevent Strokes

Older individuals who consume olive oil daily may be able to protect themselves from a stroke, according to a new study from France published in the online issue of Neurology.
Researchers gathered information from the medical records of 7,625 individuals over the age of 65 from three cities in France: Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier. None of the participants had a history of stroke. They then categorized the individuals into three groups based on their olive oil consumption. The researchers noted that the participants used mostly extra virgin olive oil, as that is what is usually available in France.
After 5 years there were 148 strokes. The results showed that the “intensive” users of olive oil, those that used for both cooking and dressings had a 41 percent lower risk of stroke compared to those that did not use olive oil at all. These results were noted even after considering weight, diet, physical activity and other risk factors.

Olive Oil Fights Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass, which in turn causes the architecture of bone tissue to become fragile. This can then increase the possibly of fractures, making even the slightest of knocks potentially fatal for sufferers.
Olive oil supplementation was found to positively affect the thickness of bones. Olive oil will not be the only solution in the continuing fight against postmenopausal osteoporosis, hoever scientists have concluded that it is a very promising candidate for future treatments of the disease.

Explaining Why Virgin Olive Oil Protects Against Breast Cancer

 

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Western countries. While a diet rich in fats is directly related to a higher incidence of cancer, some types of fats can actually play a protective role against the development of these tumors. Such is the case of virgin olive oil which is rich in oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fatty acid, and contains several bioactive compounds such as antioxidants.
A moderate and regular intake of virgin olive oil, characteristic of the Mediterranean diet, is associated with a low incidences of specific types of cancer, including breast cancer, as well as with having a protective role against coronary diseases and other health problems.

Olive Oil Can Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

Numerous studies, including one recently published in the journal Chemical Neuroscience, showed that the oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil has the potential to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and the cognitive decline that comes with aging.
Olive oil polyphenols are known to be powerful antioxidants which may help to reverse oxidative damage that occurs in the aging process.