Slim-down Drink

Slim-down Drink 


1 cup grapefruit or orange juice
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
stir really well!

Drink before each meal. It helps break down fat cells faster and aids in weight loss!

Boost your metabolism naturally with this Detox Drink. Try this out for a week. You will drop weight and have
TONS ON ENERGY! Sounds yummy!

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20 Effective Home Remedies For Treating Headache

There are so many things that can make your head ache – a bad day at the office, deadlines, a lousy argument, traffic etc. These are just a few of the reasons for a headache, and we all have our own different reasons too. Whatever may be the reason, once the headache kicks in, you rather have a hole drilled into your skull to make it stop.

What Is A Headache?

A headache is a pain experienced in any region of the head. It is generally your body’s response to physical or emotional stress. It is occasionally followed by aggression and violence towards anyone that crosses your path.

Although there are more than a dozen types of headaches, the two most common types are:-

Tension Headaches

Migraine Headaches

Tension Headaches:

This is one of the most common types of headache experienced. The person experiences a vice squeezing in the head. It is caused by the contraction of muscles that cover the skull, often caused by stress and lack of sleep.

Migraine Headaches:

A migraine is another type of headache that occurs with one or more of the following symptoms which are nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. It is characterized by the throbbing pain felt only on one side of the head.

The cure:

The obvious choice by a person to kill the pain is medication. Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin and many more are the first actions towards relief. But when your headaches are persistent and if medications just aren’t doing their magic, there are many home remedies you can consider which actually do wonders. Here is a list of the top 10 home remedies for headaches. Read away!

The first thing you say to a person who is frustrated and angry is, “Cool down!”; in this case it’s your head. Headaches are caused when the muscles and blood vessels in your head begin to contract. The best way to relax them is to cool them down. Apply the ice pack to the part of your head that hurts. Place it on your forehead or on the back of your head for 15 minutes or until the pain reduces.

2. Take A Nap:

Your mind is frustrated. Your head hurts. You don’t want people beside you. The only thing left to do is to start counting sheep. Let the busy world in front of you pass by while you go to your fantasy land. Taking a nap relaxes your body both physically and mentally which in turn, reduces your headache. As simple as that!

3. The Magic Drink – Cinnamon And Milk:

Cinnamon isn’t only useful in cooking, but also as a cure for headaches. This simple drink can actually do wonders for the pain. Add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder to 1 ½ cup of milk and boil it for two minutes. Add a spoonful of honey; mix and drink it at least twice daily when suffering from a headache.

4. Rosemary and Thyme:

Rosemary and thyme can be very helpful in the treatment of headaches. It has anti-inflammatory properties which instantly alleviate pain. You can drink an herbal tea made from a combination of rosemary and thyme to ease headaches. Alternatively, apply a few drops of thyme or rosemary essential oil on your forehead and on each temple. Gently massage and rub the oil into the skin, then sit quietly for couple of minutes to let this remedy work.

5. Gingerroot Tea:

Ginger helps in reducing migraine headaches. Plus, ginger helps to overcome the nausea that often follows migraines. Make a tea of gingerroot by simmering four small-sized slices of crushed gingerroot in 3 cups of water, covered, for 30 minutes. Drink while hot. This homemade remedy reduces your headache in about the same time as it would take an aspirin to work. Plus its ginger root, hence no risks of an overdose to worry about.

6. Chamomile Tea:

Chamomile tea contains compounds that help reduce the pain and relax your mind. To brew up a cup of chamomile tea, add one chamomile tea bag in a cup of boiled water. Let it steep for ten minutes. Add a tablespoon of honey if required. Drink the hot tea slowly while resting in a less noisy and quiet spot.

7. Menthol Balm:

Made from peppermint or other mint oils, this waxy white balm does the trick. Rub a small amount of this balm on your forehead and your temples, and massage slowly. Some say rubbing menthol balm below your feet also works. No matter where you use it, its cooling effect makes you feel calm, relaxed and makes your headache disappear.

8. Butterbur:

“Butter-what?” you ask. Also called Petasites, this is the most effective natural medicine for headaches. Butterbur root extracts have been shown to be very effective in reducing the severity of migraine headaches. It is available in numerous forms like tincture, powder, or other forms and has both antispasmodic effects and anti-inflammatory properties.

9. Peppermint Oil:

Peppermint oil helps expand and contract the vessels that helps blood flow and quickly reduces the pain from a headache. It generally also has soothing and calming effects. To use, massage peppermint oil onto your forehead, back of the jaws, and temples. For a stronger effect, you could prepare a steam treatment by adding a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil into a small pot of boiling water. Inhale the steam in deep and slow breaths for fifteen minutes.

10. Apples:

It is true what they say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Both apples and apple cider vinegar have properties that can normalize the alkaline and acidic levels in the body, giving you comfort from headaches. Simply eat an apple with some salt or add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a full glass of water and drink it to get relief from the headache.

11. Cayenne:

Crush that nagging headache with the simple cayenne. While you may think that consuming something spicy hot will only worsen the pain, cayenne in fact can help treat both inflammation and pain. Capsaicin, an ingredient in cayenne is said to inhibit pain perception. Dilute half a teaspoon of cayenne finely ground in about 4 oz of warm water. Soak a cotton swab in it and gently apply to the insides of the nostril. Yes, it will burn! But when the burning sensation subsides, your headache will be all gone!

12. Feverfew:

Go find some feverfew flowers, for this can help relieve a nagging headache. Several theories suggest that your head begins to pound as the blood vessels begin to expand and put pressure on the nerves. This potent herb is said to relax the tension in your blood vessels while also constricting them, and thus eases the pain and reduces inflammation. So ditch the aspirin and go natural with feverfew. Add an ounce of the dried flower to a pint of water and boil. Let it steep for 15 minutes, strain and drink a few times in the day, for relief from bothersome headaches.

13. Drink Up:

Now now, don’t go for that bottle of beer. We are talking of water. Not drinking enough water in itself can be a cause for headaches. Add to it stress and coffee consumption, and you need to combat with pounding headaches that refuse to abate. As soon as you sense the signs of an oncoming headache, drink a large glass of water and keep sipping water throughout the day. Trust me, your headache will gradually decrease and finally be gone!

14. Say No to Chocolate:

If you are susceptible to headaches, it is time to resist the temptation to chomp chocolates. Yes, chocolates are irresistible but they also trigger headaches as they are rich in caffeine. Drinking fewer cups of coffee too, will do the trick!

15. Pick up a Pencil:

Don’t think of me as a whacko. This does help! Hold a pencil between your teeth. Do not clench too hard or bite, but simply hold it firmly between your teeth; exerting a little pressure on your jaws will activate your smile muscles and relax your jaws. Often stress is the reason for headaches, and this simple and funny exercise will help you relieve your nerves and free you from a nagging tension headache.

16. Basil:

Tension headaches can be treated effectively by consuming basil. This herb will relax and soothe your nerves and help you combat with a stubborn headache. Massage some basil oil gently on your forehead for relief. Combine this treatment with the consumption of a concoction of these leaves. Just drop a few basil leaves into a boiling cup of water. Add some lemon and honey, and sip away on this herbal tea.

17. Lavender oil:

A fragrant home remedy with absolutely no side effects, lavender oil is perhaps your best bet to beat a nagging headache. Just put some lavender leaves into a bath and soak in its goodness, or drop them in a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapors. You can also apply some lavender oil externally to calm your senses. Do not consume the oil!

18. Cloves:

Clove is an active ingredient in most over-the-counter pain balms. In fact it is also the most commonly used home remedy in case of toothaches. The very same clove can also help you get relief when a headache looms. In order to ease a tension headache, apply clove oil on your forehead. The cooling effect will give you instant relief. Alternatively, crush a few cloves, wrap them in a napkin and inhale throughout the day. You could also make a paste at home and apply it generously on your forehead for relief from pain.

19. Rosemary:

Yet another herb extensively used in home remedies to treat several ailments, the rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties that will shoo away your headache in a jiffy. Simply apply the oil of rosemary to bid adieu to bothersome headaches. A gentle massage will also induce better sleep. Alternatively, make yourself a cup of rosemary tea! Drop some rosemary and sage leaves into boiling water. Cover the vessel and let it boil together. Let the tea cool down and sip a few cups of this fragrant tea. Not only will you feel refreshed and hydrated, you will also find the headache either gone or reduced.

20. Stretching Exercises:

How could we possibly round up home remedies without exercises? Try some headache relieving stretches at home. Chin forward, upward and downwards towards each shoulder is perhaps the easiest exercise that you can add to your daily workout. Also try neck isometrics – press your palm onto your forehead and hold for a few seconds. Next press your hand on both sides of your head and release. Stretch twice a day for a few minutes to keep muscle tension at bay.

A few more tips that are sure to help:

1. Did you know that a headache can be triggered by the food you eat? Yes, that plate of burger and fries might quite be the reason for a next day headache. To pinpoint what food set your headache off, maintain a food diary. This will help you track headache patterns and spot a link. Say no to food that you know will cause trouble. A big plate of cookies is certainly tempting. But ask yourself if it is worth the aftermath!

2. Indulge in occasional treats, but bring down your coffee consumption to reduce frequent headache attacks. While some claim that it is a cup of hot coffee that helps their headache, most often than not it is the caffeine in the coffee that is the culprit behind migraines.

3. Read food labels while shopping for your groceries. Look out for ingredients that you know will trigger a headache. The FDA now needs to list out all ingredients, so do your research and shopping for food that your body agrees to.

4. This one is sure to appeal to each one of you. As crazy as it may seem, this will help ease a painful headache. Soak your feet in a bath of warm water. Add to it a few drops of essential oil for a relaxing sauna treatment at home just for your feet. You could also add some mustard powder, and the hot foot bath will ease the pressure built up in your blood vessels and also make you feel great!

So the next time you have that pain in your head, try these natural home remedies first rather than popping a pill into your mouth.

11 Simple Home Remedies For Dandruff That Worked Wonders

A few common as well as uncommon causes of dandruff are:

1. Improper and irregular brushing of hair:
When you brush your hair, you are giving it a way to shed dead skin on top of your head. When you do not brush your hair enough or do not air your scalp, there is no way for the dead skin to leave the scalp area. Accumulation of such dead skin on the scalp can cause dandruff.

2. Allergic to yeast:

People who have a yeast allergy or are very sensitive to yeast tend to have a higher risk of developing dandruff. By yeast, I do not mean the yeast that is used for baking breads. This yeast is a type of fungi or spore that flies through the air all around us.

3. Dry skin:

Those of us who have drier skin than the rest have chances of getting dandruff. In fact people with dry skin report aggravated dandruff during winters when the skin gets drier still.

4. Certain illnesses cause dandruff too:

It has been said that certain types of illnesses such as weak immunity, people recuperating from heart attacks and strokes, people affected by Parkinson’s disease and seborrheic dermatitis can cause an increased risk of dandruff.

5. Infrequent shampoo wash:

When we do not regularly shampoo and clean our hair, there is an excess build up of oil and dead skin on our scalp. When this excess is not cleaned away properly, it gives rise to an itchy scalp and dandruff.
6. Malassezia:

Malassezia is said to be a fungus that is naturally present on every person’s body including the scalp. It is usually harmless but grows specifically in areas where more oil glands are located.  When these oil glands over work, the fungi tend to multiply, causing blockages of the sebaceous glands. When the sebaceous glands on the scalp are clogged, it causes inflammation, itching and dandruff.

7. Improper diet:
It is also believed that a diet containing less than the required amount of zinc, vitamins and fats causes an increase in dandruff.

8. Stress:

And last but not the least, what my dermatologist personally told me to beware of is stress. Stress has been directly linked to dandruff and many other skin problems.

Having seen some unheard of causes of dandruff, panic is naturally the next stage and all the “what if” questions arise.

Dandruff is difficult to get rid of but not really impossible. With proper and regular care, dandruff can be eliminated once and for all.

Over-the-counter shampoos are available for treating dandruff. Your anti-dandruff or anti-fungal shampoo should ideally contain one or more of the following ingredients: Zinc pyrithione, Selenium sulphide, Ketoconazole, Coal tar, Tea-tree oil, Salicylic acid. Use your shampoo religiously everyday till you find your dandruff to be under control. Also, while using such a shampoo, you must let it stay on your scalp for 4-5 minutes before rinsing off for its active ingredients to work on your dandruff.

Some of the best dandruff home remedies are found right in the kitchen, so make sure you make the best out of them to control dandruff.
How to Control Dandruff? Simple Home Remedies

A few of the most popular home remedies for dandruff control are:

1. Yogurt and pepper:

You’ll be running into the kitchen for this one. This is one of the simplest dandruff home remedies ever! The ingredients are so simple that you never would have guessed. Yogurt, when applied onto the scalp, acts as a soothing agent. Yogurt prevents the aggravation of scaling on the scalp. Pepper is an anti fungal agent. It is always better to use fresh ingredients. Grind finely about 2 teaspoons of black pepper. Add this powder to one cup of curd. Mix them thoroughly and apply all over the scalp. Apply on the scalp and not the hair. Leave it on your scalp for about an hour and rinse off. Follow it up with a mild shampoo.

2. Olive oil:
Probably man’s greatest discovery is olive oil. Out of the multitude of uses of olive oil, its use in curing dandruff is the most widely popularised. Olive oil is an excellent moisturiser. Olive oil also has natural clarifying properties. As dandruff is caused mostly by a dry scalp, using olive oil is an obvious home remedy for dandruff that you can think of. Massage warm olive oil onto the scalp in gentle circular motions at night before going to sleep. Keep the olive oil overnight and cleanse with a mild shampoo in the morning. Remember to use an old pillowcase to absorb the oil or wrap your head in a cotton cap. Take care that the olive oil is warm but not hot. You can also apply olive oil on your hair before a wash; let it stay for 15-20 minutes before shampooing. Olive oil is truly an excellent home remedy for dandruff.

3. Lemon juice and oil: 

Lemon juice is assumed to be natural bleach because of the citric acid content in the juice. Due to this reason, many people assume that using lemon juice on their hair can result in bleaching of hair, thereby causing grey hair. But this very popular belief is just that! A belief. A myth. Lemon juice has extremely beneficial antifungal properties which make it an essential weapon in the kit for dandruff home hair masks remedies. Mix coconut oil and lemon juice such that for one part lemon juice, add five parts coconut oil. Smear this mixture gently onto your scalp and leave this mixture on the scalp for about twenty minutes to half an hour. Wash off the mixture using a mild shampoo. Treat regularly to get rid of dandruff using lemon.

4. Vinegar:

Using vinegar as a cure against dandruff control has been around for the better part of the last century. When using vinegar for dandruff treatment at home, never pick a chemically prepared one. Always choose vinegar made from natural ingredients such as apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar. Vinegar is rich in potassium and active potassium enzymes which help to curb all your cravings for a good itch on your head. Vinegar is effective in curing itchy dandruff the best. Massaging apple cider vinegar onto your scalp gently benefits blood circulation as well as cures dandruff. Apple cider vinegar helps in getting rid of the dead skin which forms the flakes of dandruff and clogs the hair roots. Another easy way of including vinegar in your dandruff treatment routine is to add about a tablespoon of vinegar in your last mug of water as a rinse when you are washing your hair. Take care that this does not get into your eyes. Don’t worry about the smell as it will go away once your hair is dry.

5. Baking Soda:

Surprising isn’t it, the variety of cures present for dandruff? Would you have ever imagined finding baking soda to be listed as a potential among the various home remedies for dandruff? Baking soda clarifies the scalp and helps clear off the flakes on the scalp. But this does not mean you start washing your hair with baking soda instead of shampoo. Just add about one teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo and wash your hair with this newly prepared shampoo. One wash is enough for you to see that the stubborn flakes hiding in the strands of your hair are also removed by the baking soda.
6. Aloe Vera:

We just cannot get enough of this miracle plant. Aloe Vera gets another feather in its hat. Aloe Vera repairs raw broken skin on the scalp caused due to repeated itching of our scalp. Aloe Vera gel also has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties. It acts like a clarifying agent on our scalp and keeps dandruff out. Apply the Aloe Vera gel obtained from the plant directly on your scalp. Leave it on for about a quarter of an hour and wash it off using a mild shampoo. Do this daily till you get satisfactory results. Aloe Vera cleans up the scalp, and also soothes and heals the scalp which makes it the perfect dandruff home remedy.

7. Neem: 

Another age old recipe for countless ailments is the good old neem. Neem leaves are an excellent antibiotic, antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal agent. Neem has been successfully used to treat numerous scalp and hair-related problems like lice, hair fall, scalp allergies and irritations etc. Neem has also proven its worth in treating dandruff. Make a paste of neem leaves after boiling them for half an hour and apply this gently onto your scalp. Leave it on for about half an hour and wash off. Regular usage can help control not only dandruff but also counteract hair fall. This is another amazing ways to control dandruff at home that one can easily follow.

8. Apples:
Another unconventional and unheard of cure among the other dandruff home remedies is an apple. Squeeze out the juice from a fresh apple, add about two tablespoons of this juice to an equal amount of water and apply it on to your scalp. Leave on this juice for about ten minutes on your scalp and wash your hair normally with a mild shampoo. Apples have an enzyme called phenolase which helps fight dead skin accumulation that can clog the hair roots.  Eliminating the dead skin helps gradually cure dandruff.
9. Garlic:

Another dandruff treatment to try at home is garlic. The smell of garlic that is so effective in driving people away is also very effective in keeping dandruff away. Garlic has natural antibiotic properties which help in killing any bacteria present on the scalp. This helps fight dandruff. Mash garlic and make it into a smooth paste. Apply it on the scalp and leave it on for about half an hour. Wash your hair as usual with a mild shampoo.

10.  Reetha:

The good old reetha is a wonderful home remedy for treating dandruff. Apply a paste made of water and reetha powder on your scalp. Keep this on for 2 hours and wash properly with a good shampoo.

11. Fenugreek seeds (Methi):

Soak fenugreek seeds overnight and make a fine paste out of this the next day. Apply this on your scalp and leave for half an hour followed by shampooing. Try this treatment for a month to do away with your dandruff problem.

One thing to keep in mind when gearing up to fight dandruff is that none of these cures are miracle cures, that is, you will have to have patience to see results. The best way to fight dandruff is to keep fighting until it gives up and runs away for good.

Hope you find these remedies on how to control dandruff useful. If you want to add to the list, you are welcome.