GET RID OF UNSIGHTLY ARM FLAB

Arm flab is the extra amount of skin or fat that loosely hangs out of the arm, making the arms look flabby and shapeless. It makes us look unfit, aged and overweight. Due to flabby arms, we tend to feel conscious and a bit diffident, specially when donning sleeveless or tight sleeved clothes. It is an issue that maximum people tend to face.
There are some substantial causes behind flabby arms. The first and major cause behind flabby arm is excess body weight.The excessive fat tends to make the arms heavier which subsequently makes the arms saggy.
Another equally strong cause is the genes. Sometimes it is is in our genes to inherit the flabby arms in the long run. Our genetics do determine to a great extent the structure of our body and we actually preclude it.
However, there are several ways in which we can control flabby arms.
A balanced diet, low on fats and carbs and high on proteins and fibers, goes a long way in delaying and keeping flabby arms in check.
There is a plethora of exercises that help reduce the arm flab and give way to toned arms.A few of them have been listed here:

Bicep Curl: Keeping feet at shoulders' distance, carry weights of around 3 kilos in each hand and alternately fold each hand from the elbow, and bringing the hand up to collar bone level.

Hammer Curl Press:Keeping feet shoulder distance apart, carrying weights in both the hands, do the Bicep curl simultaneously with both the hands and then lift up both the hands above the head level, again bring them down to the shoulder level and finally bring down both the hands.

Push Ups: Push ups are a great way to add strength and firmness to the hands.

Doing 3 sets of 5 times repetition will do great benefit to the arms.

Cross training: Starting with 0 resistance and then slowly increasing the resistance on a cross trainer and working on the handles for moving the paddles, in short high intensity work outs greatly tones the arms and makes them strong.

Yoga: Certain yoga poses like Bhujangasan, surya namaskar and tadasan help greatly in maintaining toned and strong arms.

Have a balanced diet and do proper exercises to have well toned arms and forget those flabby arms !

Read More

TOP 10 HOME REMEDIES to GET RID of DANDRUFF

1)   Baking soda- Your kitchen could hold the key to an itch-free, flake-free scalp. Wet your hair and then rub a handful of baking soda vigorously into your scalp. Skip the shampoo and go right to rinsing. Baking soda reduces overactive fungi that can cause dandruff. Your hair may get dried out at first, but after a few weeks your scalp will start producing natural oils, leaving your hair softer and free of flakes.

2)    Yogurt- Shampoo your hair and rinse. Post that, apply the yogurt to your scalp and leave it as it is for about 15 minutes. Rinse your hair, and wash again using a small amount of shampoo. Alternatively, You can add two spoons of freshly ground black pepper to the yogurt. Pepper has antifungal properties

3)    Apple Cider Vinegar- Mix the apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl. Wash your hair as usual, and then pour the vinegar-water mixture onto your hair and scrub it into your scalp. Leave it that way for about 15 minutes, after which you can wash it off with water. Repeat this activity daily for a week to get amazing results.

4)    Garlic-Garlic's antimicrobial properties are perfect for eliminating dandruff-causing bacteria. Crush garlic and rub it into your scalp. To avoid that potent smell,  mix crushed garlic with honey and massage into the scalp before washing as usual.

5)    Coconut Oil- Coconut oil helps eliminate dandruff due to its antifungal properties. It also moisturizes dry scalp and provides relief from itching. Simply wash your hair with shampoo and let your hair dry completely. Do not use a conditioner. Apply the coconut oil directly to your scalp and leave it undisturbed for a few minutes. Wash your hair thoroughly with water.

6)    Egg Yolks- Mix the yolks of the eggs in a bowl. Ensure your hair is dry, then apply the yolks to the scalp. Once done, cover your hair with a plastic bag and leave it undisturbed for about an hour. Wash your hair thoroughly with a good shampoo. You might need to wash your hair twice to remove the odor.

7)    Lemon- Dandruff relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator. Just massage 2 tablespoons lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice into 1 cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat this daily until your dandruff disappears. Lemon's acidity helps balance the pH of your scalp, which helps keeps dandruff at bay.

8)    Aloe vera- Collect the aloe vera gel that is directly obtained from the plant and apply it on your scalp. Leave it on for about 15 minutes, and then rinse using a mild shampoo.

9)    Aspirin-Crush the aspirin tablets (you can place them beneath a clean napkin and gently hammer on it) and add the powder to a bowl. Take a little amount of your regular shampoo and add it to the powder. Mix well. Leave the shampoo on your hair for two minutes, after which you can rinse with water. Alternatively, crush three aspirins and dissolve the powder in one tablespoon of vinegar. Massage the mixture into your scalp. Leave it in for half an hour and then wash your hair thoroughly.

10)           Fenugreek Seeds- The herb fenugreek has antifungal and soothing properties that can help control dandruff to a great extent. Soak two to three tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. In the morning, grind them into a fine paste. You can also add a few teaspoons of plain yogurt to it. Apply the paste all over your scalp and leave it in for a few hours. Rinse it out and shampoo your hair. Do this once or twice a week.

Read More

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HAIR GROWTH AND HEALTH OF HAIR

Thick, lustrous and healthy hair is wanted by all. But gradually, due to genetics and many other factors like stress, unhealthy lifestyle, excessive chemical treatments, hair follicles become loose and start to fall off.
If the condition of the hair fall is too severe, then the best solution is to seek medical advice.However, if the condition is mild , then with some extra care, at the comfort of the home, the problem of hair fall can be redressed.
Essential oils are highly potent and concentrated oils extracted from various parts of a plant, by methods of steam distillation and the purest ones are obtained by the usage of no chemicals. There is a plethora of essential oils with tremendous medicinal values.
Among the several essential oils, some are known to have immense beneficial properties towards hair growth and health of the hair.A few of the most effective essential oils for the health of hair and scalp are as follows:
Lavender Oil: Its massage on the scalp increases blood circulation, invigorates the scalp and relieves stress, a major cause of hair fall. It soothes the scalp and subsides itchiness,dryness and dandruff.
Rosemary Oil: It reduces dryness and prevents premature graying. A few drops of this oil can be added to shampoo and conditioner for reaping added benefits of hair care product.It increases hair growth by enhancing cellular metabolism
Peppermint Oil: It has antimicrobial properties which curb any kind of scalp infection, promote scalp health and invigorate the hair follicles.
Ylang Ylang Oil: It is very beneficial in increasing the thickness of the hair shaft and bringing shine and luster to hair.

Since, these oils are highly concentrated , they should always be used in combination with some nutritious carrier oils like Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil or Coconut oil. 30 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.

Doing an everyday gentle massage with oil , adding to shampoo/ conditioner or weekly once in a hot oil therapy, does wonders to the growth and texture of the hair.
Grab a pure essential oil or a combination of pure essential oils , as per your need and soon you will be overwhelmed with your beautiful hair!

Read More

REASONS YOU SHOULD EAT AMLA EVERYDAY

Here’s an extensive list of all the benefits of Amla for one’s skin, hair and health.

·         Regular intake of a glass of Amla juice will help control breakouts.

·         It helps the body produce more collagen, thus keeping the skin young and supple.

·         Applying Amla juice on the face helps in reducing skin pigmentation, giving you an even skin tone.

·         It is full of vitamin C and antioxidants that speed up the healing process. Applying Amla on damaged skin will heal it really fast.

·         It can be used to exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin cells and leaving the skin refreshed.

·         It has anti aging properties that help fight wrinkles, age spots and other signs of aging.

·         It has astringent properties that cleanse and tone the skin.

·         It helps keep your skin smooth and free from blemishes.

·         Applying Amla juice on your skin will help lighten your skin tone.

·         Applying Amla juice on your scalp strengthens the hair follicles, thereby preventing breakage and hair fall.

·         The antioxidants in it help prevent premature greying.

·         The essential fatty acids in it help tackle split ends and frizzy hair, making your hair healthy.

·         It enhances the natural colour of your hair, making your hair look darker.

·         Regular intake of Amla juice is an effective treatment for dandruff and other scalp issues.

·         Washing your hair with diluted Amla juice will make it soft and shiny.

·         Amla juice can be used to cleanse your hair and rid it of build-ups.

·         It helps flush out the toxins from the body, thus purifying the blood.

·         It helps increase Hemoglobin and red blood cell counts in the body.

·         Relieves constipation and aids digestion.

·         Amla juice taken daily helps cure bad breath and makes teeth stronger.

·         It can be used to treat insomnia.

·         With its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps soothe sore muscles and treats arthritis.

·         It strengthens the heart muscles, thereby making it more efficient at pumping blood.

·         When taken on a daily basis, it boosts the body’s immune system.

·         Drinking Amla juice with a tablespoon of honey will help relieve cough and will bring out the excess mucus accumulated in the lungs.

·         Amla can also be used to keep your eye sight at its best. Washing your eyes with diluted Amla juice will improve vision and keep eye related problems at bay.

·         It also fights brain related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

·         It improves memory and concentration.

·         It is an effective cure for migraine.

·         Amla powder can be consumed with honey to fight acidity.

·         Amla powder can be consumed with radish to break bladder stones and flush them out through urine.

·         It has been proven effective in treating jaundice.

·         It helps contain the free radicals that could cause harm to the body.

·         When taken on a regular basis, Amla has been shown to fight menstrual cramps.

·         Amla helps smokers to fight the adverse effects of smoking.

·         It is a natural cure for diabetes.

·         Amla helps to reduce the level of LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase the level of HDL (good cholesterol).

·         It aids in weight loss by improving the body’s metabolism.

·         It is a rich source of vitamin C.

·         Consuming Amla during summer helps cool your body and protects you from the sun.

·         It helps strengthen bones by lowering the osteoclasts, the cells that are responsible for breaking down the bones.

·         It helps in calcium absorption, thus making our hair and nails healthy and strong.

Read More

SKIN AND BODY CARE FOR SWIMMERS

The most enthralling and exciting thing about summers is taking plunges in swimming  pools and reveling oneself for endless hours in it. Apart from being a fun-filled activity, it is also a great mode of exercise.There are numerous benefits of swimming but however, the negative effects of swimming pool water cannot be snubbed.

Most swimming pools (indoor/outdoor) are treated with Chlorine for disinfecting it. No one can deny the fact that chlorine kills all possible germs in the pool and prevent many contagious skin diseases.

Swimming in Chlorinated water wrecks havoc on skin and hair. Hair, specially colored or chemically treated ones, face serious damage like discoloration, dryness, frizz and brittleness. Chlorine strips off the natural oils of the hair, get into the hair shaft and damage it seriously.

Same goes for the skin. Chlorine disrupts the natural protective acidic oil mantle of the skin. As a result it gets absorbed into the pores and cause skin problems. Red, itchy and irritated skin is common. In many cases, flaky skin, psoriasis and eczema have also been observed. Prolonged exposure can exacerbate the problem and can even cause wrinkles on face.

Serious health issues like asthma, digestive disorder and hormone imbalance can also be triggered by the chlorinated water in swimming pools.

However, taking some precautions and following good health care practice religiously, one can preclude the harms of swimming pool water.

Reduce the frequency of swimming and always prefer an outdoor pool to an indoor pool, since outdoor pools help eliminate the toxic gases from the pool into air. Go for pools that are not treated with Chlorine, for eg. UV treated or salt treated pools are way safer.

Always previous to and post a swim, drink plenty of clean and filtered potable water, to keep your body hydrated to protect from the perils of Chlorine water. Breathe in a lot of fresh air after swim to cleanse the lungs.

Drench your  hair and body thoroughly with clean water and slather on lots of waterproof moisturizer or any heavy natural oil (coconut oil) to prevent chlorine water from entering the skin pores. A good swimming cap is a must to protect the hair.

Post swim, one must again thoroughly drench hair and body. It must be followed with an effective Vitamin E and Vitamin C based moisturizer, to neutralize the drying effects of Chlorine.

Have food rich in anti oxidants and nutrients, along with plenty of water.

Now you are all set to beam and glow and celebrate in the swimming pools, without any worry!

Read More

NATURAL REMEDIES TO GET RID OF BLACKHEADS!

1.) Use Aloe Vera for the Removal of Blackheads

Aloe Vera has anti-bacterial and anti- inflammatory properties. It helps in smoothening your skin. It can easily available near your house. First clean your face, then apply aloe Vera gel on your face. After some time wash off your face with water. This aloe Vera gel is really helpful home remedy of blackhead removal.

2.) Use Cinnamon Powder for the Removal of Blackheads

Due to the antibacterial quality of cinnamon, make a fragrant face mask to get rid of blackheads. Take one part of cinnamon and two parts of honey and mix them well to make a paste. Apply this paste on your face and leave it for at least fifteen minutes. Rinse it off with your cleanser and then apply moisturizer. This remedy gives best results.

3.) Oatmeal to Treat Blackheads

For keeping your skin dirt and oil free use the mixture of oatmeal and yogurt. Take one tablespoon honey and the juice of four tomatoes  to make a sufficient amount of paste. Scrub it on your face. Wash it off after 10 minutes. Repeat this phenomenon regularly. This is the slow remedy of blackhead removal, but it still works well.

4.) Green Tea For The Removal of Blackheads

Green tea is helpful for removing blackheads because it has antioxidant properties. Take one teaspoon of dry tea leaves, mix it with a little water and make a paste. Scrub this paste on the face for at least two to three minutes. This scrub helps to remove clogged pores and makes the skin oil free. Wash it off with lukewarm water. This is one of the best home remedy of blackhead removal.

5.) Honey to Cure Blackheads

Honey is one of the best home remedy of blackhead removal. Honey is a good way to for cleaning our skin because of the antibacterial property present in honey, which makes our skin oil free and removes the blackheads as well. It also gives you a fair complexion. Honey is also a  good remedy of blackheads. Take some pure honey and apply it on your face. Let it dry for ten minutes. Then wash your face with lukewarm water.

6.) Use Turmeric as a Home Remedy of Blackhead Removal

Turmeric has anti-oxidant and  anti-inflammatory properties. So its results to make our skin, blackheads free. Take a small amount of turmeric with some water or can use coconut oil to  make a paste. Then dab it on your face and leave it to dry for ten to fifteen minutes. Wash your face with lukewarm water. Use this remedy two to three times in a week and then you will see the best results.

7.) Use Lemon Juice to Treat Blackheads

Lemon juice helps in to remove your dead skin and it lightens your scars because it contains alpha hydroxy acid  and vitamin c which is an antioxidant. First of all, wash your face with water and use a moisturizer. Take one organic lemon and extract, lemon juice in a glass. Dab a cotton ball in juice and apply it on your blackheads. Let it dry and then wash your face with cold water.

8.) Use Baking Soda as a Home Remedy of Blackheads Removal

Using of baking soda is an excellent way to get rid of blackheads because it has antiseptic property. Take one tablespoon of baking soda and mix it with some water to form a paste. Apply this paste on the affected area of your skin and let it dry for at least ten minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Read More

Cool down heat rashes

Come summers and along with it comes scorching heat,  profuse sweating and heat rashes!
Heat rashes give an unsightly look and it can occur to babies and adults as well. The main cause of heat rashes is clogged sweat pores. During the heated summer days, when the body tries to cool itself down, it happens through sweating. But when the sweat pores are blocked, sweat along with bacteria combine to form itchy red bumps on the skin.It causes a lot of discomfort and worry to the person affected.
Heat rashes can range from mild skin colors bumps that subside on their own in a couple of days to severe ones which needs medical attention.
There are certain factors that aggravate the severity of heat rashes. They are listed below:
High temperature with humidity
Tight , non breathable garments
Sunburn with excessive sweating
Use of body oils/ cream that cause irritation and sweating
keeping yourself hydrated is the key to regulate your body temperature

In severe case, doctor's help should be sought. But in case of mild form some home remedies come at great rescue. And these also help prevent heat rashes.
taking cool shower, avoiding going out in heat , staying in comfortable temperature and wearing loose breathable fabrics do help in preventing heat rashes.
However, if mild heat rash has already occurred, following home remedies can be followed.

Rubbing ice cubes can be really soothing
Applying pure aloe vera gel frequently on the heat rashes does wonders in alleviating them
Taking the last rinse with cooled pre-boiled neem water , has germicidal effect which precludes any sort of infection .
calamine lotions can bring about relief in itching and irritation.

Take precaution and care and enjoy your summers to the fullest!

Read More

How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath Naturally

Here are the best ways to prevent bad breath:

1. The two major causes of bad breath are bacteria and decaying food particles in your mouth. Taking good oral hygiene care of your mouth is one of the best home remedies for bad breath:

(i) Brush your teeth: Brush your teeth twice a day. Choose a fluoride tooth paste. Regular brushing in the correct way is crucial to prevent bad breath.  There are hundreds of nooks and crevices in your mouth which can be a play-ground for these rotting morsels to get lodged and work on producing stinking smell.

(ii) Clean your tongue: Brushing alone is not enough. Sixty percent of the bad breath is due to plaque and bacteria that gather on your tongue, especially on the back. Your tongue is the prime breeding ground for these two harmful rotting materials. One of the best ways to cure bad breath is to clear away this offending plaque and bacteria with a tongue scraper twice a day.

(iii) Swish the water: Make it a habit to take a sip of water after you have any food and swish the water around your mouth between the teeth to clear the debris.

(iv) Floss your teeth: Flossing removes food particles trapped between your teeth. These food particles would otherwise remain lodged between your teeth and decay with time producing smells emitting form your mouth.

(v) Use mouthwash: Many of the mouthwashes are alcohol-based. Avoid these, as alcohol-based mouthwashes dry out and irritate your mouth. Preferably use that contains zinc chloride, chloehexidine or hydrogen peroxide.

(2) Keep your mouth moisturized: Your saliva is enemy of the bad breath. It contains crucial protective enzymes and has antiseptic properties that kill harmful bacteria. A dry mouth aggravates stinky smell in your mouth. Your mouth produces less saliva as you sleep at night that is why you can notice worst smell emitting from your mouth in the morning. So stay hydrated and keep your mouth properly moisturized to stimulate the salivary glands.

Chew sugar free gums to stimulate saliva production. They also come scented to cover your mouth odor. Do not use sugary brands, as they add to your problems. Bacteria in your mouth tend to ferment sugar, which contributes to production of bad breath. Cut down on consumption of sugar otherwise also.

Certain medications or medical conditions can also cause dry mouth. If such is the case, ask your doctor to switch to other medicines or consult your dentist to recommend such mouthwash or toothpaste that are specially formulated to tackle your dry mouth and help in providing salivary substitutes to lubricate the tissues in your mouth.

Drink water regularly throughout the day and swish it between your teeth from side to side. Water does not help in producing saliva, but it will keep your mouth moisturized.

(3) Some more bad breath remedies:

(i) When you brush, make it a habit to brush your tongue also to clear the decaying food morsels sticking to the surface of your tongue.

(ii) Cider vinegar also helps in preventing bad breath. Take a little of cider vinegar mix with water before brushing and swish between teeth and from one side to the other side of mouth.

(iii) You can also try rinsing your mouth with a little of lemon juice mix with water during the day.

(iv) Make it your habit to floss your teeth in the morning and rinse your mouth with alcohol free mouthwash twice a day. However, remember mouthwash is a temporary fix only.

(v) Eat cinnamon to reduce bacteria counts in your mouth.

(vi) Drink green tea, as it contains catechinto a powerful antioxidant which can get your mouth rid of bacteria. Bacteria cause stinky smells.

(vii) Cardamom is a natural breath freshener and has antibacterial properties. Cardamom is a rich source of a compound called cineole, a powerful antiseptic that kills bacteria and lessens bad breath.

(viii) Drink water to keep your mouth moisturized as it helps in reducing growth of bacteria which otherwise would cause bad breath.

Bad breath can sometimes be an underlying symptom of some other health problems, such as liver problems, reflux, diabetes and sinus infections. If you notice after following above tips about how to get rid of bad breath that it still persists, it may be due to certain medical problems about which you need to consult your doctor and get proper treatment.

Read More

How To Make Hair Shiny

1. Massage to get healthy hair:  To have shiny and healthy hair, your scalp needs nourishment. Massaging your scalp with your fingertips stimulates the blood circulation. If you like, you can use coconut, olive oil or any other essential oil for massaging before sleeping at night and shampoo your hair in the morning.

2. To add Shine to Hair: Rub lemon juice and apple cider vinegar into your hair roots for shiny and healthy hair. Wash your hair after half an hour. Be careful not to stay in sun with lemon juice on your hair, as this can lighten your hair color.

3. Natural beauty tips about how to get soft shiny hair: Rub real mayonnaise throughout your dry hair from near the hair roots till it ends. In case you have oily scalp, don’t rub it into your scalp or too close to your hair line. Wash your hands and wrap your hair in a towel or cover your head with a shower cap. Keep it like that for half an hour. Rinse your hair and then shampoo it.

4. Avoid Hot Water to wash your Hair to have glossy hair: After shampooing and conditioning wash your hair with cold water, which will close the hair cuticles and make your hair shine. Hot water dries out your hair and makes it look dull.

5. Avoid too much Hair Styling to have shiny hair: Too much of bleaching, styling and using heat products can dry out and damage your hair. They tend to take away shine from your hair in the long run.

6. Be careful while blow-drying your hair to have healthy hair:

(i) Best is to air-dry your hair.

(ii) If you have to use hair dryer, never use it on wet hair. Make sure your hair is at least 70% dry before you use hair dryer and style. You can wrap your hair in a towel for five minutes and then let hair air-dry for another five – ten minutes till it is 70% dry.

(iii) The less heat you use on your hair, the healthier they remain.

7. Avoid Harsh Chemicals to get healthy hair:

(i) Harsh chemicals are enemies of soft shiny hair. If you have to use them, neither leave them on too long and nor use them often.

(ii) Also limit your hair exposure to the chemicals, like chlorine in swimming pools.

(iii) Avoid products that contain alcohol, as they dry out your hair and strip off its shine.

(iv) Choose shampoo and conditioner having natural / organic ingredients.

8. Trim your hair ends once in six weeks: This is because of the fact that split ends make your hair look dull and dry.

9. Diet about how to make your hair healthy: 

(i) Hair is made of protein, so eat sufficient protein to strengthen your hair and add shine to hair. Eggs, chicken, beans and nuts are loaded with protein.

(ii) Include in your diet variety of fruits, vegetables, especially dark green veggies.

(iii) Vitamins A and E are helpful to make hair shiny.

10. Drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated: This helps to keep you healthy, including keeping your hair and skin properly moisturized.

11. Some other tips about how to have soft shiny hair:

(i) When brushing your hair, you just need a few strokes to style hair and spread the natural oils from roots to ends. Don’t brush too much as the friction can break your hair.

(ii) Avoid smoking and too much of alcohol, as both are bad for your health and healthy shiny hair.

(iii) If you wash your hair in the morning, cover your pillow with a towel and rub coconut or olive oil into your hair roots the earlier night (if you wash your hair at night, rub it in about an hour before washing your hair).

Read More