pretty hands

BIGNAI

2010-02-18T00:03:00.000-08:00

BIGNAI (Antidesma bunius (L) Spreng.)

Bignai is a dioecious small tree reaching a height of about 10 m and a diameter of about 40 cm. The bark is dark brown in color. The tree forms a dense crown. The leaves are simple, alternate, dark green, shiny on the upper surface, small, 8-10 cm in length and generally oblong.
Medicinal Value:
- Leaves are acidic and diaphoretic (having the power to increase perspiration). Young leaves are boiled with pot-herbs and used by the natives in syphilitic infections.

CABALLERO

2010-02-17T23:44:00.000-08:00

CABALLERO (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)

It is an erect, small and smooth tree reaching 1.5 to 5 m high. It is armed with scattered spines along the branches. The red and yellow, few flowered clusters are borne on terminal portions.
Medicinal Value:
- Fresh leaves are applied externally to relieve rheumatism; when heated and applied externally, remedy stomach pains.
- A decoction from the crushed seeds is used as an emetic and believed to be a remedy fro dysentery.
- Roots are diuretic and useful in cases of stone formation in the bladder.
- The juice of the stem and roasted fruit are used for eye diseases.
- The finely powdered leaves are given as uterine tonic to women immediately after giving birth.

KALINGAG

2010-02-17T23:43:00.000-08:00

KALINGAG (Cinnamomum mercadoi Vidal Lauraceae)

Kalingag is a small to medium sized tree with relatively thick, aromatic bark. It reaches a diameter of 60 cm or more. The bark is gray, without fissures or cracks and covered irregularly with corky pustules, which give it a slightly rough appearance. The leaves are smooth, opposite, elliptical, 7-14 cm long and 3-6.5 cm wide; apex is acute, tip is rounded; texture is leathery; both faces are glabrous, the upper face is shiny while the lower has a glaucous ochre bloom.
Medicinal Value:
- The bark, when masticated and taken internally, helps digestion.
- It is also used for flatulence (gas accumulation in the alimentary canal) and as an expectorant.
- It is used for tuberculosis and as a remedy for headaches and rheumatism.

HAUILI

2010-02-17T23:42:00.000-08:00

HAUILI (Ficus septic Burm. F.var.septica Moraceae)

This is an erect, small tree, 3-8 m high, smooth, with the young shoot more or less hairy. The leaves are smooth and shiny, oblong-ovate to elliptic-ovate, 10-20 cm long, with the tip tapering to a rather sharp point, and the base pointed.
Medicinal Value:
- A decoction of the roots helps the body dispose of excess water through urination.
- The roots are used as a poultice for boils.
- The fresh leaves are used as a sudorific (induces sweating) and for headaches.
- The leaves, when applied externally, are said to be antirheumatic.
- The latex is used to cure certain varieties of herpes.

BANABA

2010-02-17T23:41:00.000-08:00

BANABA (Legerstroemia speciosa)

Banaba is a deciduous tree growing from 5 to 20 m in height. The bark is smooth gray to cream-colored, and peels off in irregular flakes. The leaves are smooth, oblong to elliptic-ovate and 12 to 25 cm long. The flowers are of six parts, purplish lilac or mauve-pink, rarely pink, 5 to 7.5 cm across and borne in large, terminal pinnules up to 40 cm in length.
Medicinal Value:
- The old leaves and ripe fruit of banaba contain the greatest amount of an “insulin-like principle” (20 grams of old leaves or ripe fruits, dried from 1 to 2 weeks, in the form of 10 cm3 of 20% decoction), were found to have the equivalent to 6 to 7.7 units of insulin in lowering blood sugar.
- The mature and young leaves and flowers have an activity that ranged from 4.4 to 5.4 units of insulin per 100 cm3 of 205 decoctions or equivalent to around 70% of the activity of the leaves or fruits.
- A decoction of the leaves of all ages is used for diabetes mellitus. It is prepared and taken like tea. Some Filipino doctors believe that a decoction of the dried fruit is even better.

AGOHO

2010-02-17T23:35:00.000-08:00

AGOHO (Casuarina equisetlifolia L. Cauanrinaceae)

A large evergreen tree, 20 m high, with a 65-cm diameter. The crown is narrowly pyramidal resembling some of the conifers in appearance. The bark is brown to dark brown and rough. The inner bark is light in color and has a bitter taste. The leaves are actually reduced to small sheaths on the needle-like branchlets.
Medicinal Value:
- A decoction of the bark, when taken in large doses, is used as an emmenagogue (an agent that promotes menstrual discharge) and ecbolic (alleviates menstrual pains). It is helpful for hemoptysis (expectoration of blood from some part of the respiratory tract) and also an excellent astringent.
- The bark is used to arrest diarrhoea and dysentery; its lotion used for beriberi; a powder of the bark is prescribed for pimples on the face.
- An infusion of the bark is used as a tonic.
- A decoction of the twigs is used as a lotion for swellings; an infusion of the branches is used as a diuretic (an agent that tends to increase the flow of urine).
- The leaves are used for colic (spasm, obstruction or twisting or abdominal pain).

TIPS TO GOOD HEALTH

2010-02-17T23:34:00.001-08:00

ARE YOU DRINKING ENOUGH WATER?

Do you know that water is the basic element of good health? While water does not directly provide energy by itself, it is essential to all cells and processes that do provide energy to our body.

Water and Body Processes
Each vital process in the body occurs through the help of water fluids. It carries oxygen in the blood stream and aids in the removal of waste products by enabling proper excretion and urine. It also functions as the all-important solvent, helping the body break down and absorb nutrients and minerals. To maintain enough blood and maintain our blood pressure level, water is necessary. Water helps regulate the body’s temperature in both warm and cold weather. Physical movement and sight are also dependent on water, as it lubricates and cushions various joints of the body as well as parts of the eye. Simply put, water is the fluid which makes all life processes possible.

Critical to Life
In importance, water is second only to oxygen. An average person can live for about two to four months without food but only three to five days without water. Approximately two-thirds of a person’s body weight is water. Our blood is 82% water and both our brain and muscles are 75% water. While needs may vary, the typical daily requirement of an adult is 1.5L a day in order to stay healthy.

Water Sources
We can obtain water from a variety of sources aside from the clear liquid, food also contains water. Fruit juices, fruits and vegetables are rich sources of water, as well as dairy products such as milk, cheese, and meat. The best source of fluid is still clear and clean water.

Sports and Heat
The intense heat will cause our body to sweat a lot to get rid of the excess heat and keep the body temperature cool. However, we also lose a lot of precious fluid in the process. Thus sweating can also make us dehydrates.

Drink at least one-and-a-half cups of water every two hours and at least one-and-a-half cups of water 20-30 minutes before playing or exercising in the heat. Water also increases your mental and physical performance by helping you think more clearly and prevent muscle cramps from happening.

How’s your Water Intake?
Adequate water intake is essential for our bodies to work properly. So start the daily habit of drinking water, you are doing yourself a healthy favor and literally drinking for life.

SUMMER CRAZE

2010-02-17T23:32:00.000-08:00

ENJOY THE SUMMER HEAT

With the scorching sun and the humid weather, summer can feel like an unforgiving season. However, there are ways to keep your cool as you take advantage of the clear days that come with the summer months. Here are some ways to keep you refreshed:

Hydrate
Drink plenty of water! When days are warmer than usual, you should not wait until you feel thirsty to drink because you are putting your body in danger of dehydration and heat stroke. So grab a glass of water to replenish the fluid you lose when you sweat.

Feast on Cooling Foods
Vegetables and fruits contain almost 90% water. Plus they are sweeter and tastier during the summer months, too. So why not enjoy a bowl of lettuce greens or munch on slices of melon and watermelon as you while away the time? Juices, such as freshly-squeezed dalandan and yogurt are also yummy choices for summer refreshments.

Spritz Around
Carry a small water spritzer filled with cold water wherever you go. Sprinkle a little mist on yur wrist, face, or neck when it gets too hot. It will instantly cool you off!

Wear Loose-fitting Clothes
Tight-fitting clothes trap heat close to your body so opt for summer dresses, flowing blouses, knee-length skirts or drawstring pants in natural fabrics, like cotton and linen. Loose-fitting clothes are more appropriate for the sunny weather since they allow air to circulate, keeping you fresher and definitely less sweaty.

Slather on Sunscreen
Use a sunblock with an SPF factor of 15 or higher and prevent the harmful UVA and UVB rays from damaging your skin and causing dryness and premature wrinkles.

Wear Sunglasses
Ultraviolet rays can also harm our eyes and affect vision, so the eyes need equal protection. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses to keep your eyes protected from the sun’s glare.

Summer always brings lots of exciting possibilities. Whether you choose a picnic at a nearby park, a trip to the local mall, or an out of town adventure, make sure that as you have fun, you are also protected from the intense heat. Have an enjoyable summer!

Coconut Milk: Answer to Youthful Beauty

2009-05-04T01:29:00.000-07:00

Do you know that freshly squeezed coconut milk can give you youthful skin, healthy scalp, and shiny hair?

No more moisturizers, conditioners, lotions and other creams that can cost you thousands of money!

All you need is coconut milk!

Everyday, in whatever time you're comfortable with or is convenient to you, do the following:

1. Get or buy freshly grated coconut and squeezed out its juice or milk. You may use cotton cloth to squeezed out the coconut milk by placing the grated coconut meat in the cloth. Place the coconut milk in a container or bottle or bowl.

2. Get enough coconut milk to be used for your hair, and body.

3. Scoop the coconut milk with your hand and put it in your face. Don't worry, coconut milk is good in healing skin diseases, especially those caused by yeast or fungi.

4. Then scoop the coconut milk with your hand and dab it in your body, from neck, to arms and armpits down to groins, thighs, legs and feet.

5. Then pour some coconut milk to your hair, and massage your hair and scalp with it.

6. Let the coconut milk stay to your hair and body for at least 15 minutes.

7. Rinse your hair with water, and wash it with your favorite shampoo, to lessen the coconut milk's oil, and natural smell. Let the shampoo stay in your hair for not more than 5 minutes.

8. Wash your face and body with mild soap. Let the soap stay for not more than 2 minutes.

9. Rinse your hair, face and body with water.

10. Pat your skin with towel. Squeeze the excess water from your hair, and towel dry it.

In the first few days of application, you will feel a little greasy or oily with your skin, that's just the natural after-effect of the coconut milk. You'll get used to it when you continue doing this regimen daily.

Lotions and moisturizers need not be used anymore because the natural oil of the coconut milk serves as your moisturizer and lotion.

What are you waiting for? Go on! Try it! Enjoy the gift of nature!

Nature's Powerful Skin-Antioxidants

2009-03-06T19:39:00.000-08:00

What's with the antioxidants? Why is it that a lot of people go gaga over it? What's the benefit that we can get from it?

Well, antioxidants prevent wrinkles, slow down aging, boost immune system, and a lot more. That's why people like to have them!

Antioxidants, as defined in Wikipedia, are molecules having the capability to slow down or prevent the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells.

Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols.

Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging; hence, plants and animals maintain complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and various peroxidases. Low levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes, causes oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells.

Nature's powerful antioxidants can be found in calamansi and lemon. These two fruits are very common and economical. So instead of buying moisturizer that contain their extracts, why not use the pure and natural juices of these fruits?

All you have to do is slice a calamansi or lemon fruit, then get rid of its seeds and squeezed out its juices then apply it in your face. You may feel a bit of tingling effect especially when there is wound or cut in your skin. But it will soon fade away, just be patient. You can do this every morning or night or both. If you can tolerate the sticky after-feel then leave it on to your skin all throughout the day, just rinse it off at night. After a month of continuously using such regimen, you will have the rosy and healthy skin that you long for.

So what are you waiting for? Give it a try!

Sugaring Drinks

2009-03-06T19:19:00.000-08:00

The left over sugaring mixture can be made as cocktail drinks! Isn't that great?

Here's how to prepare your coolers:

First, make sure that the mixture to be used as drinks is not contaminated with dirt, sweat or other bodily fluids, right after you use a portion of it as sugaring to remove hairs.

If you are not sure about the cleanliness of the mixture, try to make another mixture. Here's the ingredients and how to do it:

1 cup sugar (white, brown or washed)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup lemon or lime or calamansi juice

Combine the ingredients in a bowl, then place it a hot saucepan, melt it in a low fire, stirring constantly until it completely turned into a syrup. Place it in a pitcher with water then stir. Drink a little amount of the combined mixture to know if it suits your taste. Amounts of water and sugaring mixture are dependent to your taste. You may add a lemon, cut in round forms, in the mixture to make it look classy.

You may experiment on the drinks to add a distinct taste like mixing it with a green tea powder that has no sugar or boiled green tea leaves (as much as possible do not include the leaves in the drinks). To add more zest to your drinks, just add strawberry fruits cut into various sizes. Serve it cool. Enjoy!

Sugaring

2009-03-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Do you want to have hairless armpits and legs, but you don't want to spend so much money with laser treatments? Well, sugaring is one of the cheapest but effective solutions.

Actually, there are many ways to remove unwanted hair. One of these is plucking with the use of tweezers. But plucking can be painful in the process, and can make your skin looks like that of a chicken.

Shaving is another easy method to remove unwanted hair. But the catch is, hairs are coarser when they grow back. Shaving does not promise you a smooth skin, and hairs grow back faster. Like plucking, shaving can cause ingrown hairs, which can be haven for bacteria causing malodorous smell, or skin infection. Not only that, after shaving or plucking, skin pores look larger than before.

Waxing is another method and is being practiced in salons or beauty clinics. Waxing is advised to be done by the specialists or experts because of the temperature of the wax being used to remove hair. There is also temperature requirement for the preservation of the wax, so the wax will be safe to use on the skin and effective to remove unwanted hairs.

Another unique method is by the use of cotton or nylon thread to remove the eyebrow hair. Nevertheless, be sure to ask for assistance on this or else you will lose all of your eyebrow hair.

In sugaring method, hairs are remove from their roots giving you smooth skin and hairs regrow slower and thinner.

As the hairs regrow, refrain from scrubbing the itchy skin to avoid further irritation or skin infection.

Sugaring is only one of the many ways to remove the hairs of underarms, arms, legs and even bikini lines. Sugaring is a method being practiced since the time of Pharaohs in Egypt and has gone as far as today. It is an effective way of taking the hairs from their roots. The hairs will grow back in its old form in more or less four weeks time. The more you stick to this method in removing hairs, the more it will make the hairs finer as they grow.

Sugaring mixture can be bought in markets or can be made at home. The ingredients include sugar, honey, and lemon or lime or calamansi juice. The proportions of the ingredients are the following:

1 cup of Sugar (white or washed or brown)
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of lemon or lime or calamansi juice.

Just mix the ingredients in a bowl, then place it in a hot saucepan. Melt the mixture in low fire, stirring it constantly. After it has completely turned syrupy, transfer the mixture to a microwaveable container and let it stand to cool. When it is in lukewarm temperature, take a small portion of the mixture, just enough to cover the underarms hair or other body hairs that you want to remove. Try not to contaminate the mixture with bodily fluids or dirt so you can use the mixture as drinks.

Before you put some sugaring mixture to your armpits, be sure to dust off your underarms with baby powder or talcum or cornstarch to remove the excess oil. You place the small amount of mixture on hairs and cover it with small cloth, preferably cotton-made, and wait for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture has seeped in. Then you pull the cloth on the opposite direction of hairs. Cleanse with water the remaining mixture in your skin. Enjoy your free hair skin!