• Ayurvedic and Anti-Aging Herbs

    March 14, 2012 – 3:04 pm

    Ayurveda is the oldest documented body of holistic medical knowledge, with a system of plant oils and herbs, originating in India over 6,000 years ago. While Ayurveda has many herbal formulas to rid the body of disease and keep it healthy, it also has a few special products for beauty. Herbal formulas to preserve beauty are listed in the texts of Ayurveda.

    Ayurvedic recipes consisting of 16 Ayurvedic herbs (Kumkumadi) that act synergistically to cleanse, smoothen the appearance of aged skin, and impart overall radiance and luster. These are a combination of several herbal ingredients including rare saffron, turmeric, vetiver, lotus, extracts of Banyan tree, Manjishta- Rubia cordifolia, Daru haridra- Cocinum fenestratum, Jasadbhasma, sandlewood, Usiri, black cherry, blue lotus, Indian madder, milk, and licorice. The key ingredient, saffron, is considered a royal spice in Ayurveda.

    The ingredients work synergistically to impart their herbal properties to beautify the skin.
    Rare Saffron saturates the skin to give it a natural golden glow. Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), a species of crocus in the Iridaceae.

    Lotus, sandalwood, and vetiver plump the skin, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while extracts of Indian Madder and Banyan tree lighten the appearance of brown spots caused by acne scarring, the sun or aging.

    Turmeric reduces inflammation of skin and prevents many skin ailments. The golden yellow powder acts as natural antibiotic and is good for acne. Texts of ayurveda praise the scar and blemish diminishing properties of turmeric. Consistent use of turmeric reduces stretch marks on the body.

    Licorice, known for its antiseptic and microbial properties helps to protect blemish-prone skin from bacteria and other impurities. Usiri improves the complexion, and Sandlewood is cooling for the skin.

    Jasadbhasma acts as a natural sunscreen, protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

    Home made beauty products can be made from the above ingredients. Two simple ones to try yourself, using ayurvedic principles:

    1. Apply a paste of sandalwood powder, rose water and glycerin on your face and neck regularly. With this you can have a clear skin that looks younger and combats wrinkles.
    2. Make a paste by using equal parts of sandalwood powder and turmeric powder in water and apply it over pimples. Wash off after 30 minutes. This mask can diminish acne and the appearance of blemishes. This mask is best for combination and oily skin.

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    Understanding Yeast Infections – What Are They and How Do They Grow?

    March 5, 2012 – 3:39 pm

    Yeast Infections are a fungal disease that typically affects the mucous membranes or the skin. Candida which is generally known as “thrush” is a similar infection and the most common form of the disease in humans. The disease is caused by Candida Albicans and this particular strain of yeast normally manifests itself as infections in the mouth and vagina. Oral thrush and vaginal thrush are infections that normally affect the elderly or the very young. The infections are not limited to the mouth and vagina alone and can occur in other parts of the body as well. A large number of women also get infected by vaginal thrush and it is often a recurrent problem.

    How is the Infection Contracted?

    The fungus that triggers the infection is present in the human body in the mouth and the vagina. It also exists within the folds of the skin such as the groin, under the breast in women, in the armpits, in the folds of skin in overweight individuals and near the anal orifice. The good bacteria present in these organs controls the spread of the fungus by effectively destroying it. The yeast proliferates when the body’s resistance decreases due to an illness or age related factors.

    The Most Common Conditions that Support Yeast Infections

    It is usually environmental changes which are favorable for the yeast to grow, along with weakened immunity of the host that causes the infection to surface. In the elderly the main cause of yeast infections is usually a metabolic disorder. The most common ground for the microorganisms to sprout in uncontrolled numbers is diabetes mellitus. Immunodeficiency disorders such as leukemia can also give rise to instances of the infection.

    A course of antibiotics or corticosteroid drugs taken for an illness can destroy the bacterium that inhibits the growth of the fungus, thereby resulting in the yeast to flourish and causing the infection. It is common for pregnant women to get easily infected by the yeast because of the changing hormones levels during pregnancy. Women on pills are more vulnerable to the disease because the pill alters the hormone levels in the body. The infection can also be transmitted sexually from a female to a male partner, especially when the male partner is uncircumcised.

    Symptoms of Yeast Infection

    • Thick white vaginal discharge that resembles curdled milk along with itching in the region is a symptom of yeast infection.
    • In other areas the infection shows up as red patches on the skin that are extremely itchy.
    • Some degree of scaling may also be observed on the patches.
    • Steps to Prevent the Infection
    • Personal hygiene is very important and the vaginal region and areas susceptible to yeast infection must be kept clean by washing regularly.
    • The areas prone to yeast infection need to be kept dry, as moisture creates the right environment for the fungus to thrive.

    A doctor must be consulted when symptoms of yeast infection show up. The infection can be treated with antifungal medication, which can either be an ointment or powder for local application. In patients where the infection is not controlled by local application of anti fungal medication, doctors may prescribe oral antifungal tablets.

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    Laser Skin Resurfacing to Make You Look Younger

    February 26, 2012 – 8:28 am

    Ageing is a natural process. Women often get insecure with the signs of ageing. Ageing is a process that also depends on your lifestyle. In today’s demanding world everyone is stressed out, but still they want to look their best. Physical appearance helps to gain confidence. People who start aging fast lose their confidence when it comes to socializing. Thankfully, the emergence of cosmetic surgery has made it possible to look ageless. There are many effective treatments available that can help you to gain smooth youthful skin. With the help of these treatments you can look young and beautiful. It is important to choose the right treatment that suits your skin type. Laser skin resurfacing is one of the most advanced techniques for facelift. It helps to remove wrinkles around the eyes, lips, forehead and cheeks that are visible in aging skin.

    Women are known to get laughter lines as they approach the age of 30. It is one of the initial signs of aging. It is because of aging that the skin produces less collagen which minimizes the elasticity of the skin. Laser skin resurfacing is a method used during a laser surgery in which molecular bonds are dissolved by laser. This method works effectively on wrinkles, sun damaged skin, scars, spider veins, lentigenes and stretch marks. People, who have wrinkles or fine lines around their forehead, mouth, eyes, or marks left after treating acne, are suitable candidates for laser skin resurfacing. However, people, who have very dark skin complexion or active acnes, must not opt for this procedure. This treatment will also include acne scar removal and mole removal. You can opt for any good skin and beauty clinic to undergo this treatment.

    There are many other treatments that help to reverse the signs of aging. Botox and Dysport is a process that can help to fight the signs of aging. These are two effective and popular cosmetic treatments that are used all over the world. They help in the process of age spot reduction. It is again a laser treatment. Wrinkles are not always an indicator of aging. They can be caused by your faulty lifestyle. When a person undergoes stress, skin is the first part that gets affected. Thankfully, scientific advancements have made it possible to overcome such problems. Faulty lifestyle can cause server skin diseases like skin cancer. Initially, it was not easy to get skin cancer treatment. However, advancement in technology has now made it possible to treat this disease as well. But surgical removal of the cancerous tissue in the skin can result in lifelong scars on the body. With the help of these cosmetic surgeries it is possible to treat these scars.

    It is necessary to consult a dermatologist before embarking on laser skin resurfacing process. You should do a preliminary check of your skin conditions and the behavioral pattern of your skin before undergoing such an intense treatment. You can surf the web and to find a reliable specialist for your treatment.

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