1. Dong Quai

One of the major reasons for thinning or lack-luster hair is hormonal imbalance leading to an excess level of DHT (a form of testosterone) that causes hair follicles on the scalp to become weak and break off. Dong Quai, an ancient Chinese herb used for thousands of years for fertility and menopause, has anti-DHT effects that can help rebalance hormone levels and potentially improve hair follicle health.

Dong Quai must be taken orally and at dosages that should be discussed with a trained and certified Herbalist. One must make sure that DHT imbalance is in fact an issue before proceeding with taking Dong Quai as a herb for hair growth.

2. Saw Palmetto

This herb has a similar method of action as Dong Quai in that it addresses the imbalance in male hormones in the body. Traditionally used to help Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), this herb has the potential to combat excess DHT in the bloodstream and ameliorate hair follicle response to nutrients and blood flow.

3. Peppermint

Peppermint oil contains volatile oils that stimulate blood flow to an area by causing blood vessels to dilate. If rubbed directly onto the scalp, the vessels are dilated which encourages nutrient-rich blood to feed the hair roots and follicles.

Peppermint oil must be diluted in a carrier oil (jojoba oil or almond oil for example) before being rubbed into the scalp as at high concentrations it can cause skin irritation.

4. Rosemary

This delicious and peppery herb is also known for its vaso-dilating abilities, much in the same way that peppermint is. When diluted in a carrier oil and rubbed into the scalp, it encourages blood flow to the hair follicles. Try mixing it with peppermint for an added effect.

5. Horsetail

One of the main ingredients in the hair shaft is Silica, a mineral found in various foods. Horsetail is a plant that is extremely high in its silica content which, when consumed, will increase the body’s own silica content. This will potentially encourage healthier hair growth by providing the body with one of the major ingredients of hair development.

There are no panaceas for healthy hair growth, but if you nourish yourself properly with the essential nutrients needed for healthy hair and connective tissue (Silica, B-vitamins, Collagen) and address any imbalances internally (blood flow, hormones) that could be affecting the health of your hair, you are well on your way to healing yourself naturally.

Your hair is a sign of vitality and proper nourishment both internally and externally. A proper diet, hydration, exercise and addressing any imbalances with these herbs for hair growth can help provide you with a healthy mane of gorgeous hair.

Though, the use of mint tea to relieve a multitude of diseases goes back to centuries, there is no strong evidence to support the health benefits of mint tea; the reason being that very little clinical trials have been carried out regarding this.

Relieves digestive symptoms

From all the studies made on it so far, it is gathered that the health benefits of mint tea are mainly centered on the digestive system. It relaxes the gastrointestinal muscles, thereby preventing muscle spasms from developing there. Spasm in the gastrointestinal wall is a common symptom of digestive ailments; hence, mint tea is helpful in relieving a lot of ailments affecting the digestive system such as heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and vomiting. You can brew mint tea from either fresh or dried peppermint leaves and drink it to soothe an upset stomach.

Improves mental focus and performance

The invigorating aromatic fragrance of mint tea and its cool flavor helps in improving the mental alertness and focus. This quality of mint tea makes it a useful concoction for students and employees to stay alert and focused.

Improves cough and congestion

One of the health benefits of mint tea is that it helps in relieving cough and congestion associated with common cold. Mint tea helps in the thinning of mucus, thereby acting as an expectorant. Moreover, it also helps in relieving the symptoms of sore throat. If you are suffering from the symptoms of cold and congestion, drink at least four to five cups of mint tea daily to get the benefit.

Improves bad breath

At least, one credible benefit of the mint tea that can be said with certainty is that it is effective against bad breath, thanks to the mint flavor of the peppermint oil. It is helpful in improving the bad breath that results from smoking, drinking, and eating onion and garlic.

Relieves nausea and motion sickness

Peppermint has antispasmodic qualities that help in relieving the nausea and queasy feeling that develops in people suffering from motion sickness-an ailment characterized by development of nausea while traveling in a car, boat or airplane.

Other less documented health benefits of mint tea includes its ability to control mild asthma, and relieve stress.

Taking aside the fact that the medicinal effects of mint tea are scientifically proved, it doesn’t hurt to have a drink or two. It has been said that believing in a cure is far more effective than the cure itself. Mint tea will continue to be used as long as people believe in its medicinal properties. Maybe in the future, further studies may uncover some secrets of the mint tea that justifies the interest people has in consuming it.

Yoghurt

It is a great source of calcium with almost equivalent amount present as in milk. It is one of the best foods for healthy bones as it is easily available and that too at a very affordable price. The best yoghurt is the one that contains all the milk content. Therefore, if possible, stay away from low-fat yoghurt as it may contain additional sugar.

Cheese

One of the good things about cheese is that it can be eaten with almost everything. You can use it on a salad; incorporate it in your cooking, or use it as a dip with crackers. Cheese is a really good source of calcium, making it one of the best foods for healthy bones. Different varieties of cheese have different amounts of calcium; it is therefore a good practice to read the nutritional information before buying any cheese.

Oatmeal

Instant oatmeal is a great meal for children as it has about 150 mg of calcium per serving. This is close to the recommended amount needed by kids per day to help them develop strong and healthy bones.

Broccoli

This is an excellent source of calcium for vegetarians as each cup of chopped broccoli contains over 200mg of calcium. You do not have to eat animal products to have healthy bones!

Tofu

If you are lactose intolerant or do not eat animal products, tofu is a great way to improve the health of your bones. Half a cup of tofu contains 250 mg of calcium that is enough to keep your bones strong.

Milk

Milk is the best known food for healthy bones. It not only contains high levels of calcium, it is also a rich source of protein. In addition, it contains vitamins A and D making it the ultimate choice for strong and healthy bones.

Olive oil

Apart from protection against breast cancer, improved brain health and heart benefits, olive oil has also been accredited with the qualities of strengthening our bones. You can use it on salads or incorporate it in your cooking.

Almonds

These nuts are a great source of Magnesium which aides in the development and maintenance of strong and healthy bones.

Salmon

For sea food lovers, salmon is a really good source of Vitamin D that is essential in the development of strong bones.

Soy beans

Soy beans are a major source of magnesium as well as protein, exactly what our bones require for healthy development.
Strong bones are very important especially bearing in mind that as we continue to grow, our bone mass continue to degenerate, unless we constantly partake in foods for healthy bones.

We have a growing tendency to fight fat like the plague and many have found themselves so desperate to reach a certain weight, that they’re willing to do absolutely anything it take to see results. Unfortunately, many men and women alike are willing to sacrifice their health in the name of a leaner waistline. Media bombardment of unrealistic physical expectations may be partly to blame; however, the internet is where the real danger lies.

Unsettling nutrition trends

Now, more than ever, online portals provide dieters with access to diet pills, cleansers and weight loss techniques that may not necessarily be approved by a certified governing body or recommended by physicians. Turning to pills, shakes and cleansers may be temporarily effective when it comes to shedding pounds, however, the long-term affects these methods may have on your health has proven to be less-than-desirable. Several of these methods have not been studied over long-periods of time and are still deemed experimental in nature.

Make healthy choices a priority

If you’re looking to lose weight fast, and still maintain a healthy standard of living, there are natural and proven methods to fighting fat and keeping your health in top-notch condition. An easy to access, simple and organic method of nutritious weight loss is available in the form of green tea. Green tea is an effective fat burning agent that provides necessary antioxidants to the body and can help keep you energized, strong and on your way to a fitter figure.

Incorporating tradition into a modern diet

While the Chinese population has been utilizing green tea for centuries, it is a relatively new weight loss product to be recognized in markets across North America. The beauty of green tea lies not only in the immediate effects it can provide, but the long-term health advantages it may also account for.

In Asian culture, green tea is often used to cure headaches on a daily basis. Additionally, studies have shown that drinking green tea can reduce your chances of developing certain cancers and can help lower damaging cholesterol levels. Highly saturated in health-promoting antioxidants, green tea helps fight cellular breakdown throughout the body. This quality can assist green tea drinkers in avoiding painful symptoms associated with arthritis, blood clots, heart attacks as well as strokes.

Drinking the pounds away

It is believed that green tea helps boost metabolism and therefore, can work to burn fat more quickly. When used in combination with a healthy amount of additional daily caffeine, green tea can provide significant weight-loss results. Green tea consumers can rest assured that the only proven side effect to drinking this organic beverage is difficulty sleeping, as tea is naturally infused with caffeine. Luckily, green tea contains far less caffeine than coffee and may be a good option for those who want to cut back caffeine counts during the day while continuing to lose weight.

Blueberry/green tea combinations

If simple green tea doesn’t seem appealing enough on its own, those looking to lose weight while incorporating a variety of flavors into their plan should consider a blueberry/green tea mix. Blueberry leaves are available at your local health store and can be seeped in green tea for 20 minutes to create a delicious and nutritious anti-oxidant saturated super- beverage.
Blueberries are believed to not only provided for a great number of cell- protecting antioxidants, but also contain natural properties that help to avoid liver damage and promote brain function. The combination of blueberry and green tea results in a fat burning and healthy option in weight loss technique.

Choosing the path of healthy living

The next time you’re in the health aisle at the store, stop yourself before you reach for the diet pills and weight loss shakes. Instead, try a box of green tea and burn away fat with methods that are both safe and healthy. A cup of green tea today will not only help you maintain your figure, it may also be the key to avoiding long-term illnesses in the future.

Ideally it is recommended to have your first baby before you turn 30. This is because chances of conceiving a child are very low after 40 years of age. Moreover, even with artificial or assisted techniques, the risk of miscarriage is very high and even if the pregnancy is continued to term, it carries a significant risk to overall health of the mother and baby.

Maternal Complications

Having a baby after 40 years of age increases the risk of various health issues or aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions. This includes:

• Women who are having a baby after 40 years of age are at very high risk of developing gestational diabetes and abnormal glucose testing during pregnancy. If the expecting mother is a known diabetic, the risk is very high that her blood sugar levels may get severely impaired.
• Although, any woman can develop gestational hypertension, the risk is higher if you are above 40 years. The chances are fair that you may also develop complications of gestational hypertension like pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
• With advancing age, the risk of ectopic pregnancy also increases significantly.
• Even with excellent antenatal care, the risk of Cesarean delivery is higher in woman having a baby after 40.
• Other obstetric issues like placental abruption and misalignment are also common.

Fetal Complications

The risk of all genetic issues and problems increases after 40 years of age. This includes Down syndrome, were the risk is approximately 1 in 100. Other issues like mental retardation and congenital anomalies are also seen more frequently in women who conceive after 40. Apart from that, most babies are born pre-maturely or with a low birth weight. Moreover, even after birth, these babies are known to have issues in lactation and are thus more likely to get sick as a result of infections.

How can you minimize the risk of complications if you are having a baby after 40?

It is very important to keep up with all your antenatal checkups and make sure you take all prescribed supplements. Due to high risk of neural tube defects, folate supplementation is very important. You may need more frequent antenatal testing and genetic counseling to avoid genetical or other congenital malformations in your baby. A healthy and nutritious diet is even more essential with an absolute restriction of exposure to cigarette smoking, alcohol and other beverages that may affect fetal growth or development. Moreover, maintain a healthy lifestyle and watch your weight gain during pregnancy to avoid further complications and issues.

Remember to always consult with your doctor!

Reference: http://www.babycenter.com/404_what-are-the-risks-of-having-a-baby-if-im-35-or-older_3127.bc

The chemical changes taking place in living cells for the release of energy that is required for all the vital processes and activities of the body is known as metabolism. Increasing your metabolism ensures that you burn an increased number of calories. If you want to lose weight then you should be on a look out for ways to increase your metabolism.

Some of the useful ways to increase your metabolism

• Increase your muscle mass: Increasing your muscle mass is one of the best ways to increase your metabolism as muscles burn more calories than fat. Hence, indulge in some muscle building exercises on a regular basis to replace some of your body fat with muscles.
• Eat on a regular basis: People who eat at regular intervals tend to have a higher metabolism than those who skip their meals, especially breakfast. Skipping meals signals the body to go into starvation mode and conserve energy, hence, lowering metabolism.
• Indulge in regular exercise: Exercise is another great way to increase your metabolism. The best results are obtained by engaging in moderate and low impact exercises such as walking, cycling, swimming, jogging etc on a regular basis. The results are even increased by including interval training in your workouts. If your busy schedule does not allow you to indulge in regular exercise, then find out simple ways to be physically active as much as possible. Taking stairs, doing household chores, gardening etc are some of the activities that can help boost your metabolism.
• Include sufficient quantity of good proteins in your diet: Building and maintaining muscle mass requires ample amounts of good protein. Moreover, proteins require more calories to digest them, in comparison to carbohydrates. Hence, eat a diet rich in good quality proteins as it is a sure shot way to increase your metabolism. Some examples of good proteins that should be included in your diet are low fat milk and milk products, lean meat such as fish, legumes, beans etc.
• Get a good night’s sleep: Insufficient sleep leads to lowering of metabolism; hence, ensure you are sleeping at least for 7-8 hours every night.
• Stay hydrated: All the chemical activities or metabolic activities happening in the cells of our body require water. Hence, if you are not drinking enough water, your metabolism is slowed down in response. It is essential to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day and before and after a workout.
• Eating spicy foods: Eating a diet rich in spicy foods can raise your metabolism temporarily.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages: Certain research studies suggest that alcoholic beverages such as wine, whisky, beer etc, when taken with a meal can reduce your metabolism.
• Drink green tea regularly: Apart from being rich in anti oxidants, green tea also has the capability to increase your metabolism. Therefore, drinking a cup of green tea is a good idea to start your day.

The causes of slow metabolism could be different for each individual. However, you should try to implement some of the suggestions mentioned if your metabolism is slow.

Anger and aggression are normal emotions that are seen in individuals of all age groups. Mild and infrequent episodes of anger are more reflective of self expression, however, as a rule moderate to severe anger issues are not considered normal in children and if present are more reflective of a serious underlying issue that must be dealt seriously.

What are some possible triggers of anger in children?

Anger can be episodic in children but can also be seen as more of a mood problem in which the child is more vulnerable and easier to get angry for significant periods of time. A few recognized causes or triggers of anger in children are:

Attention seeking behavior; the child throw tantrum, wines and cries to get his parents attention. Seen frequently if both the parents are working a full-time job.
Any change in external environment like after shifting home or changing to a new school environment.
Potential psychological stressor like sexual harassment, verbal abuse or physical violence at school or elsewhere.
Children are very sensitive and they react differently to stressors; one fairly popular expression is anger and aggressive behavior.

Strategies for successful anger management in children

Anger management in children is a pretty tough exercise but the right approach can do wonders. It is very important to take the temper tantrums and aggressive behavior in children seriously. A few successful strategies in this regard are:

Verbal discussion

In most situations, it is healthy to approach the child directly and discuss the odd behavior in a friendly tone. Let your child speak and discuss his issues and problems and take action if there is anything serious going on with your child. Develop a friendly and healthy relationship in which your child can discuss all his problems with you.

Verbal counseling

In some cases, there is no reasonable explanation or reason for the odd behavior and anger displays. In all such cases, best way to deal with your child’s anger is to explain for him nicely that being angry for no reason and throwing temper tantrums is not good for his health and relationships.

Teach relaxing techniques

Breathing exercises are very helpful in calming down the anger. Teach your child good breathing exercises so he can learn to control his anger. Some psychologists also encourage promoting certain habits also called anger dissipation activities like buying a punch doll or running. Avoid dealing with an angry child and always give him time to cool down his anger.

Do not shout/ stop/ or abuse your child

Just as you have your ways of expressing your frustration that may irritate others, your child can also act out at times but instead of punishing him, abusing or being harsh, it is important to let go off things at times (unless your child makes it a habit). Infrequent episodes of anger issues in children should be managed by ignoring the tantrum. However, you can always ask your child if there is anything you can do to make him feel better. Always remember that strategies for anger management in children are different from strategies used by adults.

While there is no doubt that too much of alcohol is never good for anyone, why is there then, such a big hype about the health benefits of red wine? Doctors have the following to say on the matter.

Red wine contains phenols called resveratrol and other polyphenols.

Red wine contains a high volume of resveratrol as they are found in high concentration in grape skin which goes into the wine. Because in grapevine, resveratrol acts as a substance providing protection against infections, it is said that the same benefit can be obtained for humans by drinking red wine. While there has been no conclusive evidence to support this theory it is said that in Spain, people who drank two glasses of red wine caught colds 44% less than people who did not.

In addition, the resveratrol in red wine is said to help minimize or even prevent damage to blood vessels and to prevent bad or LDL cholesterol. It is also said to have the added benefit of being able to stop blood clots from forming.

Some research done on animals has shown that resveratrol has the ability to increase their lifespan. Studies done in 1997, again on animals, have shown that resveratrol might also act to prevent cancer. Giving us cause to believe that there is a repository of health benefits of red wine, certain studies have even gone to show the possibility of using resveratrol in protection against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Enhancing the health benefits of red wine

Polyphenols in red wine act as antioxidants. There is a possibility that these antioxidants help protect the lining of the blood vessels of the heart.

Red wine also contains a substance called Melatonin, which is a neurohormone. While there has been no evidence of plasma melatonin levels in human brains being increased by the consumption of any food item, there is a debate that melatonin has the ability to regulate the internal or body clock. Such regulation of the internal clock, it is argued may help you sleep better. Melatonin is also said to contain antioxidant qualities, helping with anti-aging and cancer prevention.

Other than these health benefits of red wine, the following are also being advocated by those who favour a glass of red after their dinners. Apart from lowering the LDL cholesterol levels in blood, red wine is also said to be able to raise the amount of HDL or good cholesterol in your blood.

A recent study has also found that drinking a glass of red wine a day can preserve the muscles in your body that would otherwise be deteriorated due to inactivity. It does this by preserving the fibre in your muscles and not letting it go into decay. Resveratrol comes to save the day again!

All these reasons well studied or otherwise, are why doctors are reluctant to deny the health benefits of red wine. However, it is also maintained by them, that even red wine should be consumed in moderation as bad side effects triggered by excessive consumption could potentially outweigh the good ones.

Same amount of food on different plates!

In a world spilling over with fast food chains, super-sized options at every turn and commercials made to melt in your mind; maintaining a healthy diet is not only difficult, but may leave you feeling hungry before it’s even started. As our bodies have become accustomed to larger portions and greater sugar intake, it has become more difficult than ever to curb our appetites to fit healthy portions and calorie counts.

Instead of spending hours reading nutrition labels and trying every fad diet in the book, it might be worth your time to look into simple tricks that can help you lose weight. When incorporated into your kitchen and on your plate, optical illusion can trick your appetite into suppressing itself. These optical illusions are easy and efficient.

Play with plate size

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to visit a restaurant and have a heaping plate delivered to the table. We’ve become alarmingly accustomed to double or triple the portion size our bodies require. A great optical illusion that can trick your appetite is to serve food on a smaller platter. This gives the impression of more food, while simultaneously maintaining a healthy portion size.

Bring in the blue

Color studies have shown that blue is the most unappetizing of colors when it comes to tricking an out-of-control appetite. This may be because blue is not found as a common or natural color for fruits and vegetable in nature. An optical illusion that can trick your appetite into melting away is by simply serving meals on blue table wear.

Be creative with the cups

As many as 500 calories a day are consumed in liquid form. Beverages are often harder to measure and appear to be less calorie-heavy than they actually are. Short and wide glassware tends to appear smaller and therefore, people often fill these cups to the top. This results in higher than expected caloric intake on a daily basis. Quench your thirst and maintain a healthy calorie count by serving beverages in tall glasses, skinny glasses. This optical illusion will trick your appetite and thirst into thinking the glass is half-full, when in fact, it’s nothing more than a healthy-sized serving.

Cook with color

Colors and apettite? Meals made up of dishes that are uniform in color tend to appear less visually diverse and therefore, less filling. Try cooking recommended portion sizes in a variety of vibrant colors. Reds, greens and yellows placed side by side give the appearance of increased quantity and may trick your mind into believing you are fuller, sooner.

Instead of suffering through diet shakes and sparse meals, give these simple optical illusions that can trick your appetite a try. You’ll feel full and satisfied as you watch the pounds fall away without sacrificing taste. Instead of investing in diet pills that may cause irritating or harmful side effects, simply change up your table wear and incorporate a little color into your kitchen. All it takes it a quick alteration to plate and glass size to see significant changes in your daily eating habits.

• Any type of vision issues such double vision as blurry vision
• Unexplained pain in the upper part of the abdomen
• A headache that feels different from headaches you’ve had in the past that doesn’t subside.
• Hand and face swelling that does not go away

There are some women who will make it through their entire pregnancy with a very small amount of pregnancy swelling and at the same time, there will be some ladies who can’t seem to rid their bodies of all the excess fluid. Facial swelling or not, this is all a part of the natural process of being pregnant. Knowledge of how to reduce swelling can make a difference.

Here are some suggestions on how to reduce swelling:

• Drink at least eight 8ounce glasses of water per day
• Apply cool compresses to your face to help with some of the pregnancy swelling
• Limit your sodium intake so that your body doesn’t retain fluid.
• Avoid extended exposure to the heat
• Limit your caffeine intake as it tends to dehydrate
• Eat food high in potassium
• Get plenty of rest as it is good for both mom and baby.

Some women may only need to try one of these things on how to reduce swelling, while others may need to try them more than one. Nevertheless, if you are concerned with the amount of pregnancy swelling you are experiencing, it may be a good idea to reassure yourself by consulting with your physician. Follow doctor’s recommendations on how to reduce swelling. Don’t be alarmed it you notice that the pregnancy swelling doesn’t go away immediately. It may take a day or so for you to start looking like yourself again. All of this excess swelling will subside within two weeks post delivery.

Try to keep in mind that this will all be worth it once you look into your baby’s eyes for the very first time.