With a little patience and effort natural acne treatments just might help reduce or even get rid of unsightly pimples. Here are a few natural methods to try:

• Aloe vera – This versatile plant has been used for centuries in a variety of treatments. You can either purchase aloe vera gel or break open a serrated leaf from an aloe vera plant and spread a fine layer of it over your acne prone areas. Leave the aloe vera on for about 30 minutes before rinsing with cool water and patting your face dry. Top off the treatment with an oil-free moisturizer as aloe vera has some drying properties which conquer oils.
• Oatmeal – Oats have many beneficial properties, namely as a soother for inflammatory areas of the body – both in and out. Cook some oatmeal (not the instant variety) and allow it to cool until it reaches a comfortable temperature to apply to acne prone areas of the face. Allow the oatmeal mask to soak in for about 20 minutes before rinsing away with cool water. Do this twice a day for a few weeks and you should see a noticeable difference.
• Green tea – As an antioxidant, it is quite powerful in aiding your body’s immune system. Brew a green tea bag and once the tea has steeped, remove the tea bag and allow it to cool. Break open the bag and apply the wet tea leaves directly onto your acne breakouts. Allow this tea mask to dry before rinsing with warm water. Oh, you can drink the tea while the mask dries!
• Garlic – As a natural acne treatment, garlic is a bit unusual but it does have antimicrobial properties. Peel a fresh pod of garlic and rub it directly onto your acne areas at nighttime. In the morning wash your face with a mild cleanser to remove the residue and smell of garlic.

• Lime or lemon juice – Either of these citrus juices should be gently patted onto your acne areas. The acidic nature helps get rid of bacteria and balances the pH levels in your skin.
• Lavender – Oil of lavender is a good natural acne treatment and the “oil” does not exacerbate breakouts. The properties of lavender are quite healing and can tackle the reddest of pimples and even prompt acne scar healing.
• Supplements – Vitamin B5 and zinc both work together to reduce the bacteria that causes the red inflammation of pimples. Taking these supplements every day is best for this natural acne treatment to work.

Not every natural remedy will work for your acne breakouts. Sometimes, your body chemistry reacts differently to them than others, even resulting in allergic reactions. If you do not show adverse reactions though, it is important that you give each natural acne treatment some time, over the course of a few weeks. It takes time for those breakouts to clear up.

Inflammation and Pain

Pain relieving herbs can be very effective in treating discomfort that stems from inflammation. Chronic inflammation is the core of the pain associated with a number of conditions. The good news is that the discomfort can be alleviated using natural methods including:

• Dietary interventions
• Avoiding toxins
• Stop smoking
• Increase exercise
• Reduce stress

Herbal supplements can also play a natural role in pain management as long as the strategy is used in conjunction with treatments specified by a physician. In addition, each supplement should be approved by a doctor, including its dosage.

Inflammation-Related Conditions

Conditions that have pain associated with inflammation include:

• Arthritis
• Tendonitis
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• TMJ
• Traumatic injury
• Tendonitis
• Autoimmune disorders

Herbs for Pain Relief

Seven excellent choices in herbal remedies for pain relief top the list. Each has anti-inflammatory characteristics that can alleviate pain.

• Boswellia is a natural inflammatory that comes from a resin collected from frankincense tree bark.
• Bromelain is a digestive enzyme that is found in the stems of pineapples. The enzyme is effective in reducing inflammation-causing hormones known as prostaglandins. The enzyme can help to heal connective tissues and muscles.
• Curcumin is a naturally occurring element found in turmeric. This anti-inflammatory can reduce levels of cytokines, inflammatory proteins.
• Devil’s Claw has an ominous name but it can alleviate pain. The plant is native to the southern region of Africa. It contains iridoid glycosides that are believed to help reduce pain associated with digestive problems and arthritis.
• Ginger is a very popular herb, well known for its pungent aroma and distinctive taste. This anti-inflammatory is as effective, if not more effective, in treating pain than many manufactured pain relievers.
• White Willow Bark contains elements that are similar to aspirin. This natural painkiller has proved to be effective in treating joint and hip pain.
• Yucca was used by Native Americans for a number of conditions. The plant contains saponins that are anti-inflammatory in nature.

Complementary Medicine

The herbs used for pain management are effective as complements to a medical treatment plan provided by a physician. It is critical to make sure that these components are not used exclusively. They are not cures for any medical condition and they can interfere with many medications. Always talk to your doctor when considering augmenting your pain management treatments with herbal remedies.

Why Chemotherapy Causes Hair Loss

The hair loss resulting from chemo is the result of the drugs used to destroy cancer cells. These drugs target both healthy as well as unhealthy cells. In the process hair follicles also get destroyed because the drugs kill fast dividing cells. Some chemotherapy drugs cause all body hair to go, while others only affect the hair on your head.

Some chemotherapy drugs known to cause hair loss include:

• Ifosfamide
• Doxorubicin also known as Adriamycin
• Cytoxan
• Taxol

Celebrities and Chemotherapy Hair Loss

A number of celebrities in recent times have had to battle cancer. Quite a few have lost the battle since 2009. One of the most well known has been actress Farrah Fawcett. Famous for her role in The Burning Bed and of course as one of Charlie’s Angels, Fawcett was also equally associated with her hair. Sadly, she reportedly lost her beautiful hair due to chemotherapy as her treatment progressed.

Singers Kylie Minogue and Melissa Etheridge also lost their hair while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Minogue was first photographed with her very short hair as result of her treatment in 2006. Melissa Etheridge was proud to be photographed with her bald head as she worked to draw attention to the issue of breast and other cancers.

The ladies mentioned above showed their bald heads or low cut hair with pride and were still beautiful. Many other famous persons have had breast cancer and may well have lost their hair to chemo but kept it other wraps. Not only female celebrities lose their hair due to cancer treatments. For example, few persons know that actor Evan Handler’s bald look is a result of treatment for leukemia when he was just 24 years old.

Despite being warned and all the reading you do, one can never truly be prepared for the shock of being totally bald. Good support systems are needed to help someone remain upbeat not only when dealing with cancer but also with the associated hair loss.

There is in fact more than one type of thyroid-related problem. The two most commonly known types are:

Hypothyroidism

This condition refers to a condition when the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones to properly regulate metabolism. There are many causes of the condition, namely:

1. Inflammation of the thyroid glands
2. Surgical removal of the entire or parts of the thyroid glands.
3. Iodine deficiency
4. Postpartum thyroiditis

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

The many symptoms of this condition include:

- Goiter
- Brittle finger nails
- Thin, brittle hair
- Muscle cramps
- Poor muscle tone
- Joint pain
- Weight gain
- Inability to tolerate cold
- Dry, itchy skin
- Decreased production of sweat
- Constipation
- Depression
- Slow speech
- Developing a hoarse voice
- Decreased libido in men

Treatment Options for Hypothyroidism

Controlling and treating hypothyroidism involves taking a tablet such as Levothyroxin containing thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone levels begin normalize within one month of taking the medication.

Some affected persons are given desiccated thyroid extract produced from the thyroid of an animal such as a pig.

Hyperthyroidism

This is the condition where there is an overabundance of thyroid hormones in the body.  The chief causes of hyperthyroidism are:

1. Graves Disease, which results when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. When this happens, the gland produces too much thyroid hormone to fight the attack.
2. Thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

There are a multiple of symptoms resulting from the condition, hyperthyroidism. Some of the most common ones include:

- Weight loss
- Hyperactivity
- Hair loss
- Depression
- Excessive sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pains
- Heart palpitations
- Moodiness
- Infertility
- Menstrual problems

Treatment Options for Hyperthyroidism

This thyroid condition is generally treated by surgical removal (partial or full) of the thyroid gland. This is not a commonly used method these days. Surgery is normally used for persons who are allergic to iodine so that medication and radioactive iodine cannot be used.

Radioiodine is also commonly used to control hyperthyroidism. When radioactive iodine is introduced into the body, it kills or severely damages thyroid cells. The advantage is that since only these cells use iodine, no other cell will be affected. The medication also leaves the body within a few days. This treatment does not require hospitalization since the radioactive iodine can be taken orally. Generally only one dose is needed. Unfortunately, sometimes too much is given which kills too many thyroid cells resulting in an underactive thyroid.

Medication is also used to control the condition.

Natural Ways to Treat Thyroid Problems

Like all other health issues there are natural ways to help deal with thyroid problems. Some recommended ways to treat hypothyroidism naturally include:

Diet: This means eating foods that are high in iodine such as beetroot, radish, potatoes, bananas, nuts and seafood. Some foods increase thyroid hormone production and should be used in limited amounts, and eating them raw should be avoided. These types of foods include cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes and lima beans. Apart from iodine, it is good to ensure adequate amount of zinc in the diet.

Herbs: Some herbs have been found to help control hypothyroidism. These include nettle which works well for both types of thyroid problems discussed in the article. Other useful herbs include kelp and bladderwrack.

Exercise: At least 30 minutes of exercise daily is recommended for hyperthyroidism.

Sun: Some amount of vitamin D from the sun is good as it aids in metabolism.

Hyperthyroidism and Natural Treatments

Like hypothyroidism, there are natural ways to help control the condition. The use of herbs such as evening oil of primrose, lemon balm and bugleweed can help to improve the levels of the thyroid hormones produced. Taking the amino acid, L-Carnitine helps by blocking excess thyroid hormones from getting into areas of the body that are affected by excess thyroid hormones.

A vitamin regimen is also recommended to help deal with hyperthyroidism. Supplements containing Vitamin C and B12 are especially recommended.

While thyroid problems can make life difficult for those affected as well as loved ones it can be treated. A combination of medicinal and alternative treatments options has made it easier for affected persons to deal with the conditions and their symptoms.

The Symptoms of OCD

The symptoms of this condition are generally broken down into two categories, thoughts (obsession) and behaviors (compulsion). Obsessive thoughts may include:

• Fear of hurting oneself or others
• Fixation on religious imagery or ideas
• Worries about germs and dirt
• Sexual thoughts, sometimes involving violence
• Worrying about losing things
• Reluctance to throw things out
• The need to keep things in a particular order
• Strong superstitions

Some of the common behaviors associated with the condition are:

• Going over things repeatedly
• Cleaning things excessively
• Constant washing of hands
• Storing things such as old newspapers and magazines
• The need to count things constantly
• Calling family members constantly to see if they are OK

Treating the Condition

Much more is known about the condition these days, as well as methods of treatment. Many people who have lived with this debilitating condition have been able to achieve a sense of normalcy and move on to live fulfilling lives. Treatment options are:

• Behavioral therapy: this is a long and sometimes arduous process during which the sufferer learns to overcome their anxieties. Tasks may involve touching objects they consider contaminated, and refraining from obsessive behaviour.
• Medication: there are drugs that have been approved for treatment of this condition. Some of these are fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine as well as some types of antidepressants. This course of treatment has had varying degrees of success.
• Natural remedies: some herbs offer relief from OCD symptoms. St. John’s Wort has been found to be effective in some cases. Similarly, calming herbs such as chamomile, black cohosh and valerian help to limit the anxiety caused by the condition.

Living with OCD

For those who have this condition a support structure is very important. Likewise, for anyone with a loved one struggling with the condition, patience and understanding are needed. Learn all you can about this illness, and take it day by day. Speak with your doctor about a course of treatment and mention natural and alternative remedies as well. Other useful methods of coping include:

• Exercise
• Adequate sleep
• Avoiding stressful situations
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs
• Meditation
• Adhering to treatments

It is certainly not an easy condition to live with, and symptoms may come and go over time. Given the success of treating many patients over the years, it is reasonable to assume that the majority of sufferers can overcome this illness.

Making smart food choices is important because consuming empty calories is the same as consuming a high number of calories with no type of nutritional value to back them up. Most empty calories are derived from carbohydrates and fats, two different types of macro-nutrients. The calories in fiber, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, also called micro-nutrients, are essential and provide the necessary components your body needs to build muscle, provide energy and heal.

Consuming empty calories are deemed unessential by the body and end up being stored and eventually converted into fat deposits. Basically anything that is refined or processed in a factory has some amount of empty calories. Candy, butter, alcohol, sodas, lard, a variety of junk food and other consumables with saturated fats are the biggest contributors of empty calories. If your diet contains a large amount of them, you will gain weight quickly.

Calories are a main focus of any diet. The basic principle is that the fewer calories you take in, the less your body will translate into fat. If you limit your diet to a certain number of calories and most of them are empty ones, you will not get the micro-nutrients you need to have a healthy body. You would not only gain weight but also be malnourished because you are not absorbing the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

Examples of Empty Calories

You can count on most fast foods to be on the empty calorie list. Deep fried foods are high in cholesterol and saturated fats and the oils pretty much cancel out any minerals and vitamins in the food. Anything you have to dredge in flour and then fry in hot oil are empty calories. Fried chicken and French fries are two favorites that are major culprits as are potato chips.

There are many drinks and foods with artificial sugars, sweeteners and colors that contain empty calories. Soda pop, kool-aid, lollipops and pre-packaged snack cakes are just a few examples. Many alcoholic drinks make the empty calorie list as well such as wine, beer and hard liquors, mainly because they contain sugar and present no significant vitamin and mineral content. Basically, anything processed in a factory is a problem as is anything with white flour like cakes, bread and pasta.

Passing Up the Empty Calories

Will power and making some allowances for you is important when weaning yourself off the many tempting choices of empty calories in food and drink. Look for substitutions which can stave off cravings and fill your stomach. For example, if you must have fried chicken, peel the tasty skin off first before consuming the meat. Eat a baked potato instead of indulging in French fries. Drinking water is the best beverage you can consume but if you need variety, choose all-fruit juices with no sugar added or brew some tea.

You can still eat bread and pasta, just bypass the white flour versions and indulge in whole grains. Whole wheat, oatmeal, buckwheat and bulgur are just a few healthy examples. Fresh vegetables and fruit are also important to eat and should be substituted every time you have a craving for candy bars or chips. It can be tough to stick to wholesome choices but eventually you will crave only healthy foods. And any time you consume something with empty calories, your body will likely react in a negative way.

This depressed state is called post partum depression and has actually been documented for thousands of years, although not by that name. Philosophers, physicians and other academics recognized the changes a new mother went through after childbirth but never were able to start quantifying them until the 19th century as medicine started to become more advanced.

These days, post partum depression is a clear mental health condition that can be treated with medications as well as diet and lifestyle changes. It is important to note that there are three primary forms:

Baby blues – Starting from a few days after birth and lasting several weeks, you might experience crying, irrational thinking, anxiety, insomnia and tiredness. Luckily, this passes quickly.
Post partum depression – This condition happens to about 10% of new moms and can last months. Typical baby blues symptoms may occur in addition to suicidal thoughts and physically manifested symptoms such as skin sensitivity, poor concentration, fluid retention and more.
Post partum psychosis – This condition can resemble manic depression due to the wild mood swings from manic happiness to deep sadness. Hallucinations and hearing voices are not uncommon. Medical help is necessary to combat this type of post partum depression because you could actually put your child in danger.

Causes of Post Partum Depression

Hormonal changes are the primary cause of post partum depression in new moms. While pregnant, your hormone levels of progesterone and estrogen rise, sometimes exponentially. Can you imagine the crash after giving birth as your hormonal levels return to normal? This abrupt change can trigger post partum depression. Often, women with this condition are already unusually sensitive to hormonal imbalances.

Treatment of Post Partum Depression

A good support system is necessary to get through post partum depression. While this condition may not necessarily require prescribed medication, it can certainly help. However, doctors take into account whether you are breastfeeding or not before prescribing drugs such as mood elevating anti-depressants. Sometimes, medications can pass through breast milk.

Counseling and psychotherapy are options as are support groups with other new moms. Sometimes just talking with other moms in the same situation can help. Some nutritionists believe that tweaking your diet and adding more omega 3 fatty acids can help too. There are also natural herbal remedies such as soothing teas that can calm nerves and help you deal with hormonal changes.

Each woman may react differently with post partum depression but it is important to seek help if possible so that you have the best mommy experience possible with your new baby.

Lethargy

Every pet has an off day or two but for the most part, as long as they are healthy, they are always happy to see you and tend not to mope around. However, if your dog or cat is normally exuberant and active but suddenly would rather sleep than play or interact with you, do not downplay it or attribute it to exhaustion. Lethargy and listlessness are often initial, understated signs that something could be wrong. Cancer, kidney disease, urinary obstructions, pancreatitis, hypothyroidism, pregnancy problems, parasites, immune system disorders and even tumors all can cause lethargy in your pet.

Repeated Attempts at Urination

If you notice your cat straining to urinate or squatting to urinate often, an obstruction of the urethra may be the culprit. Male cats develop feline urethral obstruction more often than females because their urethra is narrower and longer. The tip of the urethra may become clogged by mucus or even dirt. A blockage of even a few days could cause kidney failure and even death if left unchecked.

Dogs can also develop obstructions in the urethra which would explain the frequent urination efforts. Bladder stones, tumors and other obstructions can also be the culprit. Urinary tract infections and bladder inflammation are other possibilities that can occur in both cats and dogs.

Coughing and Vomiting

Occasional coughing or vomiting is no big deal, especially if your pet eats a little grass or is hocking up a hair ball. However, if the vomiting and coughing occurs more than once a month, these are signs of something more serious. Dogs that vomit often may have an unknown object stuck in their stomach or intestines. Food poisoning or poisoning of some other kind can also cause vomiting. Coughing in dogs is not common so you should take it seriously. Coughing can be a sign of a throat obstruction, pneumonia, weak tracheal cartilage, a heart condition or even bronchitis.

Cats that vomit often (more than once or twice a month) may have eaten a foreign object that is causing problems in the intestines or stomach. Poisoning, inflammatory bowel disease and kidney problems are additional vomiting causes. Coughing in cats could signal asthma, lung disease or even throat obstructions. In both dogs and cats, food allergies can cause both vomiting and coughing.

At the first sigs of vomiting and coughing, lethargy or attempts at frequent urination, bring your pet into your veterinarian. Do not attempt to treat them on your own with herbal or over the counter remedies as these could exacerbate the problem. Receiving prompt medical care means that your pet can likely be successfully treated with no ill effects. Delaying treatment could literally be a matter of life and death.

Your body will be in tip top shape with the addition of fruits and vegetables, preferably the dark, rich colored ones as they hold the key to the most powerful nutrients available in food. Add plenty of water – eight to ten glasses per day – and you will create a well-oiled machine, known as your body. Of course, there are a few immunity boosting foods besides vegetables and fruits that can really help fight off illness.

Yogurt – Probiotics

There are live active cultures found in yogurt which are beneficial bacteria that keep your intestinal tract free of illness-causing microorganisms. Probiotics is the proper term for these active live cultures and while you can find them in supplement form, they are more potent when consumed in yogurt, yogurt-based drinks, and other enhanced products. These beneficial bacteria help regulate your digestive system as well as boost white blood cells which aid in overall immunity.

Garlic

Garlic contains an ingredient called allicin which is a potent, natural way to fight bacteria and infection. Garlic helps you fight colds as well as lower your chances of developing certain types of cancer. Garlic supplements are popular these days but don’t deliver adequate protection. Rather, cooking with fresh cloves of garlic several times a week is the best way to boost your immunity.

Chicken Soup

Grandma’s advice of chicken soup was spot on in treating colds and other ailments. There is an amino acid called cysteine that is released in the cooking process which blocks the inflammatory white blood cells that rush to your head and chest to cause congestion. The broth of the soup thins mucus and if you add other ingredients like onions and garlic, you boost your immunity exponentially.

Barley and Natural Oats

You should add at least one serving of barley or oats to your daily requirements of whole grains. These two grains contain a fiber called beta-glucan which has both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Oats and barley will boost your immunity as well as speed the healing of wounds. If you are on antibiotics for any reason, these grains will enhance its germ-fighting powers.

A Cup of Tea

Certain kinds of tea have powerful antioxidant properties which fight free radicals in your body that can cause illness. L-theanine is an amino acid found in green and black tea that is quite powerful in fighting viruses. Drinking tea when you feel a cold or other illness coming on will help you fight it, while boosting your immunity.

Mushrooms

Certain mushrooms pack quite the immunity-boosting punch with certain compounds that work to increase your production of white blood cells, the very cells needed to fight infection. Reishi, shiitake and maitake mushrooms are the most beneficial and you should try to incorporate them in foods such as omelets, pizza, and stir fry.

While sneezing into the crook of your arm, washing your hands and using anti-bacterial gel can help reduce your chances of becoming ill, these activities do not always do the job. However, adding some of the immune boosting foods above can greatly improve your chances of good health so you don’t have to waste any vacation days on the flu or a bad cold.

Before You Color Your Hair

1. Your hair accumulates product build-up in addition to being exposed to factors such as cigarette smoke and air pollution. Washing with a clarifying shampoo is one way you can remove product build-up and other ingredients so that when you do color your hair, the hair dye penetrates deeper into each strand.

2. Choosing such fade resistant shades such as brunette or blond can boost time between coloring sessions. Black and red hair dye fades quickly within a few weeks so it takes more effort to keep the hair color vibrant.

3. Selecting the right hair dye formula also makes a difference in how long your color lasts. Semi permanent hair color lasts for up to ten shampoos whereas demi-permanent hair color lasts up to six weeks before fading back to your original color. Permanent hair dye is the best bet if you want lasting color, although it too fades in time and your natural hair color starts to show at the roots after about eight weeks.

After Coloring your Hair

4. Wait two days after your hair coloring session before washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner. The molecules from the hair dye need time to soak into the strands properly.

5. Wash your hair in warm, not hot water as hot water opens the hair cuticle causing the color to fade more quickly. In addition, use a shampoo specially formulated for color treated hair. While you can find retail brands with ease, there are also some natural shampoos that contain berries, herbs and aloe that can keep hair colorful and healthy.

6. The chemicals in your water may be contributing to fast fading of hair color. Installing a water purifier attachment to your showerhead can help prevent such chemicals like chlorine and copper from bleaching or changing your hair’s color. It is an investment initially but it pays off for years.

Regular Maintenance

7. Dyed hair tends to dry out easily so applying a weekly conditioning hair mask is quite beneficial in prolonging your hair color. The hydration from the mask boosts strand strength, reducing the chance that outside factors damage or fade hair color. Avocado-based hair masks are especially beneficial due to all the natural oils of this green fruit.

8. Invest in a color-boosting shampoo about three weeks after your hair coloring session. There are retail and natural herbal options that keep hair in top color form. Dark brown hair color would benefit from shampoos that contain cocoa beans while red-based colors benefit from shampoos with berry extracts. Sunflower boosts hair color for the blondes and silver-haired.