14 Reasons You’re Always Tired

Lack of sleep isn’t the only thing sapping your energy. Little things you do (and don’t do) can exhaust you both mentally and physically, which can make getting through your day a chore. Here, experts reveal common bad habits that can make you feel tired, plus simple lifestyle tweaks that will put the pep back in your step.

You skip exercise when you’re tired

Skipping your workout to save energy actually works against you. In a University of Georgia study, sedentary but otherwise healthy adults who began exercising lightly three days a week for as little as 20 minutes at a time reported feeling less fatigued and more energized after six weeks. Regular exercise boosts strength and endurance, helps make your cardiovascular system run more efficiently, and delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. So next time you’re tempted to crash on the couch, at least go for a brisk walk—you won’t regret it.

You don’t drink enough water

Being even slightly dehydrated—as little as 2% of normal fluid loss—takes a toll on energy levels, says Amy Goodson, RD, a dietitian for Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine. Dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume, explains Goodson, which makes the blood thicker. This requires your heart to pump less efficiently, reducing the speed at which oxygen and nutrients reach your muscles and organs. To calculate your normal fluid needs, take your weight in pounds, divide in half and drink that number of ounces of fluid a day, Goodson recommends

You’re not consuming enough iron

An iron deficiency can leave you feeling sluggish, irritable, weak, and unable to focus. “It makes you tired because less oxygen travels to the muscles and cells,” says Goodson. Boost your iron intake to reduce your risk of anemia: load up on lean beef, kidney beans, tofu, eggs (including the yolk), dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, and peanut butter, and pair them with foods high in vitamin C (vitamin C improves iron absorption when eaten together), suggests Goodson. Note: an iron deficiency may be due to an underlying health problem, so if you’re experiencing these symptoms of iron deficiency, you should visit your doc.

You’re a perfectionist

Striving to be perfect—which, let’s face it, is impossible—makes you work much harder and longer than necessary, says Irene S. Levine, PhD, professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine. “You set goals that are so unrealistic that they are difficult or impossible to achieve, and in the end, there is no sense of self-satisfaction.” Levine recommends setting a time limit for yourself on your projects, and taking care to obey it. In time, you’ll realize that the extra time you were taking wasn’t actually improving your work.

You make mountains out of molehills

If you assume that you’re about to get fired when your boss calls you into an unexpected meeting, or you’re too afraid to ride your bike because you worry you’ll get into an accident, then you’re guilty of “catastrophizing,” or expecting that the worst-case scenario will always occur. This anxiety can paralyze you and make you mentally exhausted, says Levine. When you catch yourself having these thoughts, take a deep breath and ask yourself how likely it is that the worst really will happen. Getting outdoors, meditating, exercising, or sharing your concerns with a friend may help you better cope and become more realistic.

You skip breakfast

The food you eat fuels your body, and when you sleep, your body continues using what you consumed at dinner the night before to keep your blood pumping and oxygen flowing. So, when you wake up in the morning, you need to refuel with breakfast. Skip it, and you’ll feel sluggish. “Eating breakfast is like starting a fire in your body by kickstarting your metabolism,” Goodson says. Goodson recommends a breakfast that includes whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fat. Good examples include oatmeal with protein powder and a dab of peanut butter; a smoothie made with fruit, protein powder, low-fat milk, and almond butter; or eggs with two slices of whole-wheat toast and low-fat Greek yogurt.

You live on junk food

Foods loaded with sugar and simple carbs (like the ones you’ll find in a box or at the drive-thru window) rank high on the glycemic index (GI), an indicator of how rapidly carbohydrates increase blood sugar. Constant blood sugar spikes followed by sharp drops cause fatigue over the course of the day, says Goodson. Keep blood sugar steady by having a lean protein along with a whole grain at every meal, says Goodson. Good choices include chicken (baked, not fried) and brown rice, salmon and sweet potato, or salad with chicken and fruit.

You have trouble saying ‘no’

People-pleasing often comes at the expense of your own energy and happiness. To make matters worse, it can make you resentful and angry over time. So whether it’s your kid’s coach asking you to bake cookies for her soccer team or your boss seeing if you can work on a Saturday, you don’thave to say yes. Train yourself to say ‘no’ out loud, suggests Susan Albers, a licensed clinical psychologist with Cleveland Clinic and author of Eat.Q.: Unlock the Weight-Loss Power of Emotional Intelligence. “Try it alone in your car,” she says. “Hearing yourself say the word aloud makes it easier to say it when the next opportunity calls for it.”

You have a messy office

A cluttered desk mentally exhausts you by restricting your ability to focus and limits your brain’s ability to process information, according to a Princeton University study. “At the end of each day, make sure your work and personal items are organized and put away,” suggests Lombardo. “It will help you have a positive start to your day the next morning.” If your office needs major reorganizing, avoid becoming totally overwhelmed by taking it one step at a time: start by tidying what you can see, then move through your desk and cabinets drawer by drawer.

You work through vacation

Checking your email when you should be relaxing by the pool puts you at risk of burnout, says Lombardo. Unplugging and allowing yourself to truly unwind allows your mind and body to rejuvenate and return to the office stronger. “When you truly take breaks, you will be more creative, productive, and effective when you return,” says Lombardo.

You have a glass of wine (or two) before bed

A nightcap sounds like a good way to unwind before falling asleep, but it can easily backfire. Alcoholinitially depresses the central nervous system, producing a sedative effect, says Allen Towfigh, MD, medical director of New York Neurology & Sleep Medicine, P.C., in New York City. “But it ultimately sabotages sleep maintenance.” Alcohol creates a rebound effect as it’s metabolized, which creates an abrupt surge in the adrenaline system, he says. This is why you’re more likely to wake up in the middle of the night after you’ve been drinking. Dr. Towfigh recommends stopping all alcohol three to four hours before bedtime.

You check e-mails at bedtime

The glaring light of a tablet, smartphone, or your computer’s backlit screen can throw off your body’s natural circadian rhythm by suppressing melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles, says Dr. Towfigh. Sensitivity to the digital glow of tech toys can vary from person to person, but in general it’s a good idea to avoid all technology for one to two hours before bedtime, he says. Can’t avoid checking your device before your head hits the pillow? Then hold it at least 14 inches away from your face to reduce the risk of sleep interference.

You rely on caffeine to get through the day

Starting your morning with a java jolt is no big deal—in fact, studies show that up to three daily cups of coffee is good for you—but using caffeine improperly can seriously disrupt your sleep-wake cycle, says Dr. Towfigh. Caffeine blocks adenosine, the byproduct of active cells that drives you to sleep as it accumulates, he explains. A study published in theJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicinerevealed that consuming caffeine even six hours prior to bedtimeaffects sleep, so cut yourself off by mid-afternoon and watch out for these surprising sources of caffeine.

You stay up late on weekends

Burning the midnight oil on Saturday night and then sleeping in Sunday morning leads to difficulty falling asleep Sunday night—and a sleep-deprived Monday morning, says Dr. Towfigh. Since staying in can cramp your social life, try to wake up close to your normal time the following morning, and then take a power nap in the afternoon. “Napping for 20 minutes or so allows the body to recharge without entering the deeper stages of sleep, which can cause you to wake up more tired,” he says.

This Will Make You Never, Ever Want To Clean Your Ears Again

The question: Is it true that I shouldn’t use cotton swabs to clean my ears?

The answer: Whether it was mom or grandma who said it first, she was definitely right: You probably shouldn’t put anything in your ear that’s smaller than your elbow.

But in order to understand why you don’t need to swab out the ol’ ears, we first need to understand why we have earwax to begin with. That gross gunk, known medically as cerumen, is actually there for protection. “The purpose of earwax really is to keep your ear canal clean,” says Douglas Backous, M.D., chair of the hearing committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF) and director of hearing and skull base surgery at Swedish Neuroscience Institute in Seattle.

Not only does earwax help to keep dust and dirt away from the eardrum, it also provides some antibacterial and lubricating perks. And — one of the body’s many wonders! — your ears basically clean themselves. Once earwax dries, every motion of your jaw, whether that’s chowing down on lunch or gabbing away with friends, helps move the old earwax out of the opening of your ear (much like as if it were riding an escalator, says Backous).

The problem, then, is when we think we’re smarter than the systems our bodies have had in place since the beginning of time, and go poking around in those cerumen-laden ears of ours. Sure, that cotton swab looks tiny enough, but it’s actually pushing earwax deeper into the ear (after shoving it off of that escalator), where it gets stuck in the parts that don’t clean themselves, he says.

Earwax trapped there also brings with it fungus, bacteria and viruses accumulated in the outer ear, potentially leading to pain and infection, says Backous.

Pushing earwax deeper inside can also block the ear canal, leading to hearing loss, or, if you push it even farther, a ruptured ear drum — which, if that episode of “Girls” is to be believed, seems more than a little bit painful.

Every year, about 12 million Americans head to their doctors with “impacted or excessive cerumen,” a really gross-sounding way to say they’ve got serious earwax problems. All those checkups lead to about 8 million yearly earwax removal procedures performed by medical professionals (a.k.a. not the ear candle specialist at the salon on the corner), according to the AAO-HNSF.

Ears really only need to be cleaned — even by a medical professional — if they feel full or you notice changes to your hearing that could be related to waxy buildup. The AAO-HNSF feels so strongly about not sticking cotton swabs in your ears that it released an official position statement about earwax removal, for both physicians and patients. And even the website for Q-Tips, arguably the only most popular brand of cotton swabs, advises to use the product “around the outer ear, without entering the ear canal.”

Yes, we know what you’re thinking, with that grossed-out look on your face: You can’t just stop cleaning your ears. Well, that’s only because you’ve created a vicious “itch and scratch cycle” for yourself, says Backous. The more you rub the skin of your ears, the more histamine you release, which in turn makes the skin irritated and inflamed — just like how that mosquito bite gets itchier the more you scratch it. Plus, because of the lubricating nature of earwax, removing it can simply make your ears drier, motivating you to keep sticking swabs in there in a mistaken attempt at relief.

For those of you who just can’t leave your ears alone, Backous recommends a little at-home irrigation. A few drops in each ear of a mixture of one part white vinegar, one part rubbing alcohol and one part tap water at body temperature should do the trick. (Too cold or too hot and you might feel dizzy, he warns.) But the bottom line? “I can tell you,” says Backous, “there is nothing good about putting anything in your ear.”

The Health Benefits of Apricots

                                 

Apricots are a summery golden colored fruit with amazing aroma and sweet taste. They origin from Asia and were appropriately named as the “golden eggs of the sun” because of their natural yellowish color. Ripened apricots often have a flavor somewhat similar to plums. Very often, it is more recommended to eat dried apricots rather than fresh ones if you want to benefit from all their amazing health advantages. Dried apricots contain more concentrated amounts of these nutrients. The apricot seed is edible and its taste is similar to almonds. Apricot seed oil is also produced from the seed and is very healthy and packed with nutrients.

As almost every other fresh fruit, apricots are low in calories, but high in nutritive components. 100 grams of fresh apricot contains as low as 50 calories. Regardless, they’re rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins. They also contain essential phyto-chemicals needed to prevent heart diseases, lower the bad cholesterol and protect the human body from cancer.

Apricots contain carotenes and lots of vitamin A. 100 grams of fresh apricot can contain as much as 64% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin A – a vitamin important for the health of the skin and mucus membranes. Carotenes help the body protect from oral cavity and lung cancers. Vitamin C is another important vitamin helping with destroying free radicals and infections. There are plenty of minerals such as manganese, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium etc. Potassium helps the heart by regulating the blood pressure and the heart rate. The ORAC value for 100 grams of apricots is 1115 umol TE. This comes from the range of powerful antioxidants such as beta cryptoxantin, lutein, zea xantin etc. that fight the free radicals in the body. Zea xantin is a carotenoid absorbed in the eyes where it helps with light-filtering functions which is why it helps protect from AMRD (age-related macular disease), especially in elderly people.

Apricots are best eaten fresh with a golden orange color or dried because of the nutrients concentration. Ones with pale yellow color should be avoided as they were picked too early and are not ripe yet. Apricots are best stored in the fridge, but they don’t last long and they should be eaten as soon as possible. Fresh, ripe apricots are very soft and delicate and should be handled with care.

The nutritive value for 100 grams of apricots is as follows:

• 50 kcal
• Dietary fiber: 2 grams
• Protein: 1.4 grams
• Carbohydrates: 11 grams
• Total fat: 0.4 grams
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Serving suggestions:

• Fresh or dried
• In fruit salads and smoothies
• As marmalade, jam and jelly (but be aware that with the process of heating they might lose some important nutrients).

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6 Reasons Turmeric May Be The World`s Most Important Herb

There is a medicinal spice so timelessly interwoven with the origins of human culture and metabolism, so thoroughly supported by modern scientific inquiry, as to be unparalleled in its proven value to human health and well-being.

Indeed, turmeric turns the entire drug-based medical model on its head.  Instead of causing far more side effects than therapeutic ones, as is the case for most patented pharmaceutical medications, turmeric possesses hundreds of potential side benefits, having been empirically demonstrated to positively modulate over 160 different physiological pathways in the mammalian body.

While no food or herb is right for everyone, and everything has the potential for unintended, adverse side effects, turmeric is truly unique in its exceptionally high margin of safety vis-à-vis the drugs it has been compared with, e.g. hydrocortisone, ibuprofen, chemotherapy agents. Furthermore, nothing within the modern-day pharmaceutical armamentarium comes even remotely close to turmeric’s 6,000 year track record of safe use in Ayurvedic medicine.

Despite its vast potential for alleviating human suffering, turmeric will likely never receive the FDA stamp of approval, due to its lack of exclusivity, patentability and therefore profitability. Truth be told, the FDA’s “gold standard” for proving the value of a prospective medicinal substance betrays the age old aphorism: “he who owns the gold makes the rules,” and unless an investor is willing to risk losing the 800+ million dollars that must be spent upfront, the FDA-required multi-phased double-blind, randomized clinical trials will not occur.

In GreenMedInfo.com, they have reviewed over 5,000 study abstracts from the National Library of Medicine’s bibliographic database known as MEDLINE and have discovered over 600 potential health benefits of turmeric, and/or its primary polyphenol known as curcumin.

Some of the most amazing demonstrated properties include:

• Destroying Multi-Drug Resistant Cancer
• Destroying Cancer Stem Cells (arguably, the root of all cancer)
• Protecting Against Radiation-Induced Damage
• Reducing Unhealthy Levels of Inflammation
• Protecting Against Heavy Metal Toxicity
• Preventing and Reversing Alzheimer’s Disease Associated Pathologies

Again, what is so amazing is not that turmeric may have value in dozens of health conditions simultaneously, or that it may improve conditions that are completely resistant to conventional treatment, but that there are over six hundred additional health conditions it may also be valuable in preventing and/or treating. Consider also the fact that turmeric grows freely on the Earth, and you will understand why its very existence threatens billions of dollars in pharmaceutical industry revenue.

Learn more about this research in the video  (keeping in mind that it is several years old and needing some updating), and please spread the information to others who may benefit from learning more on the topic)

12 Things About Yoga You Probably Don’t Know

Yoga is a beginner friendly exercise that will give you a sharp mind, positive attitude, and calm demeanor. Don’t feel self-conscious about it, because no one was flexible to start with (that takes practice!). If you’re not already taking a class, I bet you’ll want to after you read these 12 things about yoga.

Surprising Benefits

1. Yoga is a break from your stressful day.

We are surrounded by stressful expectations placed on you by your partner, parent, superior, society, or whoever. No matter how upset these things might make you, remember that you can’t do anything about them. Practicing yoga can help you become a less stressed, present-focused person.

2. Yoga is a remedy for anxiety and depression.

We live in an upsetting world. That devastating break-up that left you emotionally drained. A move to a new town where you don’t know anybody. The sadness that follows losing a family member, friend, or pet. No matter how sad you might feel, remember that you deserve to be happy. Practicing yoga can help you improve your mood and mental functioning.

3. Yoga improves your balance and breathing pattern.

We are chained to our desks. That hunched over back from hours of sitting. A closed-off appearance that expresses a lack of esteem. The panic that follows short, rushed breathing. No matter how self-conscious you might feel now, remember that confidence is a skill that you can learn. Practicing yoga can help you develop balance and a calm breathing pattern.

4. Yoga boosts concentration and productivity.

We live in a distracting world. That feeling of dread that comes when a deadline is drawing near. A list of stuff to do that grows and grows. The loud noisy of the phone that never stops ringing. No matter how busy you might feel, remember that a state of overwhelm could be a signal that you are over-committed or impatient. Practicing yoga can help you focus ongetting stuff done.

Common Misconceptions

5. Yoga requires you to stretch yourself into a pretzel.

You don’t have to be an acrobat to go to yoga class. I couldn’t reach my ankles in a forward fold the first time I tried it. My hips were so tight that I needed to tools like blocks for the bent-over poses. I wasn’t very graceful, so I practiced the balance poses at home with my hand placed on a wall. It doesn’t matter where you are starting from. The important thing is where you are going to.

6. Yoga is a religious practice that demands you to say “om.”

Yoga does have spiritual roots, but that doesn’t mean have to chant to spirit gods or anything like that. Most yoga classes in commercial gyms will focus on athletic poses, while yoga studios might offer classes that include meditation. If you want a class that is more (or less) mindful, just ask your gym or yoga studio for details before signing up.

7. Yoga classes are all created equally.

There are more varieties of yoga than I could possibly list here. Hot yoga classes use humid conditions to encourage flexibility. Power yoga classes use a wide variety of athletic poses to keep things interesting. There are yoga classes for special populations like seniors, children, and expecting mothers. If you can’t find something you like, you’re not looking hard enough.

8. Yoga is the only exercise you need to do.

Yoga is a great way to improve your mind and body, but a balanced fitness routine would also include cardio and strength training. You could improve your heart health by walking your dog at the park, running a few blocks in your neighborhood, or going on a hike. Develop your strength by lifting weights, joining a boot-camp class, or doing push-ups during commercial breaks (hands on a wall or counter if needed).

9. Perform the sunrise salutation every morning.

Sunrise salutations are a feature of vinyasa (flow) yoga. The previous link includes a routine you could do in ten minutes to begin your day feeling relaxed. The video below includes modifications that will make the same routine doable for people of all shapes and sizes.

10. Join a yoga class.

Seek knowledge from a coach or instructor if you have a hard time understanding proper form. An exercise class also offers instruction plus social support, which might encourage you to be consistent with your yogapractice. Just search for “yoga in (insert your city and state)” to find out what’s available.

11. Bring a blanket.

If you can’t sit up straight without rounding your back, plant your butt on a folded blanket for seated poses. You could also use it to ease into exercises that challenge tight muscles. Using a blanket during pigeon pose, for example, will help you ease your hips into that stretch (read: you won’t squirm the entire time you hold it).

12. Notice the difference.

It is easier to stay interested in exercise if you are mindful of the differences it makes in your life. I love yoga class, because it wakes me up better than coffee. I’m mindful of my alignment, posture, and breathing patterns. I’m more confident in how I present myself. I’m less clumsy, self-conscious, and stressed out. Sound nice? Give yoga a try. I bet you’ll like it.

Ebola in India: Are there any natural remedies for the virus?

There are a number of bogus natural cures for  Ebola doing the rounds, but the only thing that these rumours have done is to cause the disease to spread further. A recent news report stated that the Ebola virus would never have spread to Sierra Leone, had it not been for one herbalist claiming that she can cure the disease. Her claims caused large numbers of people, suffering from the disease, to travel to the region in the hopes of getting cured. While she died due to the infection, her claims  led to the spread of the disease. So, to set the record straight, here are 5 reasons herbal or natural remedies will not help cure you of an infection due to the Ebola virus.

It is caused by a virus

Virus are organisms that have the ability to mutate and adapt very quickly, to medications, atmospheric conditions and other changes. This is one of the reasons that researchers find it extremely difficult to find a cure for infections caused due to viruses. This is the reason that there is no cure for the common cold; caused due to a virus, the ailment cannot be cured and only the symptoms can be treated. While there are natural remedies to relieve the symptoms of other viral conditions, the important thing to remember here is that these remedies only help to lessen the intensity of the symptoms (for example, in the case of a cold and cough you may have ginger and honey to help reduce a sore throat) but they, in NO way, can cure you of the disease.

Ebola infection spreads and kills too quickly

Once a person is infected with the virus, its incubation period (the time between the first contact with the virus to the time when it shows symptoms) is anywhere between 2 to 21 days. After which it is known to kill a person within approximately 7 days – making it an extremely fast moving virus. This property makes it highly unlikely that any natural remedy or home remedy would help stop the virus, because most natural remedies take a while to show results and with the speed of the viral spread, no natural remedy can help.

Natural remedies might make the condition worse

There have been studies that show that some natural remedies and medicines exert a certain amount of load on a person’s kidneys and liver. This excessive pressure on the working of these organs can make the condition worse. Another point to consider is the fact that upon infection, the virus debilitates the working of the liver in order to survive. Therefore, if one does use natural remedies to try and recover from the condition they may end up causing further damage to their organs.

Strengthening your immune system won’t help

The Ebola virus is extremely potent and is known to infect even those with a robust immune system. Therefore using common remedies to help improve your immune system will not help. While you can take precautions and stay in good health, trying to cure the condition with natural remedies (like tulsi) will not help. (Read more: Latest Ebola News: Has the Ebola virus really come to India?

No scientific study to prove that natural remedies work

There are a number of myths about things that might work to help keep the infection at bay, or help cure the disease, but there is no scientific data to prove their efficacy.

Finally, the Ebola virus is definitely something to worry about, but as the virus has not yet affected India, there is no need to panic. If you do notice the symptoms please do visit a doctor immediately. Do not fall for false information doing the rounds.

17 Amazing Benefits Of Mustard Seeds For Skin, Hair And Health

Mustard seeds are a very popular ingredient in the American cuisine. These seeds are used for taste generally in hot dogs, where mustard sauce is very much preferred. It also has medicinal applications dating back to the time of Hippocrates. It is available in white, brown and black varieties and is used by people all over the world. Greeks, Romans, Asians and Africans have all explored the taste of mustard seeds and have integrated them into their cuisines. Mustard seeds also find their place in the Bible and their first usage record is found in the Sanskrit scripts that date back to thousands of years.

In this article, we shall talk about the present day uses of mustard seeds!

Mustard Seeds Benefits

Health Benefits Of Mustard Seeds:

Apart from the taste benefits of mustard seeds and the easy availability that made them popular, one can find a number of mustard seed benefits for our health too. Some of the mustard seeds health benefits are mentioned below.

1. Cancer treatment:

The presence of compounds like glucosinolates and mirosinase in mustard seeds are known to use phytochemicals to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This is definitely a major mustard seeds health benefit.

2. Rheumatic arthritis:

Mustard seeds are a source of relief for people having rheumatic arthritis. The selenium and magnesium content in it helps in providing relief from this problem.

3. Migraine:

Migraine occurrence also reduces owing to the magnesium content present in the mustard seed. A little touch of mustard to your fish can boost the constituting omega-3 content.

4. Respiration congestion:

Mustard seeds or mustard in general is known to relieve any congestion problems in respiration.

5. Nightshades:

Mustard seeds should find an inclusion in your list of daily spices if you want to avoid nightshades.

6. Disease prevention:

There are certain nutrients in mustard seeds that prevent diseases from occurring. They are all a part of the basic structure of the Brassica family to which mustard belongs.

7. Dietary fibre:

Mustard seeds are a good source of dietary fibres that improve digestion in the body. They make the bowel movements better, thus improving the overall metabolism of the body. The fibre content here is mostly very readily soluble making it effective for use.

8. Cancer risk prevention:

Selenium content in mustard seeds provides good resistance to the body against cancer cell formation. It is known to slow down the rate of development of cancer cells and also acts as an anti-oxidant.

9. Blood pressure and Menopausal relief:

A number of nutrients present in mustard seeds like copper, iron, magnesium and selenium also assist in the treatment of blood pressure and menopause relief.

10. Asthma:

Mustard seeds are also known to be beneficial for Asthma patients. The presence of minerals like copper, magnesium, iron and selenium in it are responsible for the prevention of Asthma Attacks.

Skin Benefits Of Mustard Seeds 

11. Natural scrub: Mustard seeds are a natural scrub. You can add it to either lavender or rose essential oil. Use this mix to scrub your face and exfoliate dead skin.

12. Hydrates skin: Mustard seeds, used with aloe vera gel, can act as a great combination to hydrate your skin. It removes all impurities from your face and nourishes it from within.

13. Slows ageing: Mustard seeds make for a great source of carotene and lutein. It is also a great power house of vitamin A, C and K. Together these nutrients make for an excellent antioxidant.

14. Fights infections: These seeds contain a good amount of sulphur which is known for its anti-fungal properties. They help ward off skin infections.

Hair Benefits Of Mustard Seeds

15. Hair growth: Mustard oil, extracted from mustard seeds, is a good source of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a great nutrient for hair growth. It is also a great stimulant which leads to faster hair growth.

16. Strengthens hair: Mustard seeds contain protein, calcium, vitamin A and E, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. All of these together strengthen your hair from within. Strengthened hair means lesser hair fall too.

17. Conditions: Mustard seeds contain fatty acids. These are known to condition your hair from deep within. It also gives hair a good shine and bounce.

Other uses

1. Removes Odour: If your jars start to smell like the spices or ingredients you store in them, using mustard seeds can help. Warm a little water and add it to the jar. Also add a little mustard seed paste to the jar and shake it well. Pour it out. You would be surprised how the smell goes away.
2. Relieves Muscle Pains: Stiff muscles or sore and aching muscles can be treated with mustard seeds too. Just soak yourself in a tub of warm water. Now add some mustard seeds powder to the same to relieve pain.
3. Treats Cold: Mustard is often used to relieve congestion caused by bad cough or cold.
4. Treats Back Pain: The extract of mustard seeds is useful in relieving spasms and back pain.
5. Treats Fever: Mustard seeds induce heavy sweating, which is used to lower fever. It helps release the toxins from the body and has been useful in flu and cold too.

How to select mustards seeds

1. Always try and buy organically-grown mustard seeds.
2. Check for manufacturing dates.
3. Check the expiry date.

How to store

1. Always store mustard seeds in a cool place.
2. Store it in an air-tight container so that it is sealed properly.
3. The container must be completely dry.
4. The shelf where you place the container should not be moist.
5. Whole mustard seeds can last up to one year (at least) and powdered or ground ones last as long as six months.

How to use

1. Mustard seeds are largely used for tempering dishes.
2. It is also used in non-vegetarian dishes to enhance the taste of meats and fishes.
3. It can also be used for pickling and in chutneys.
4. Another great way of putting mustard seeds to use is in salad dressings.
5. Brown mustard seeds are used for garnishing, once sautéed in oil a little.
6. Make sure you don’t overcook mustard seeds or their taste may turn bitter.

Interesting facts about mustard seeds

1. Mustard seeds belong to the mustard plant. Mustard plant is a part of cruciferous plant family. This same family of plant includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and even cauliflower.
2. Mustard seed is the second most popular spice that is traded around the world.
3. Mustard has been mentioned around 5 times in the Bible. It has once been mentioned as the greatest herb ever.

Recipes using mustard seeds

1. Mustard seeds rice:

• Boil some rice.
• Right before serving, temper a little ghee in a pan, add yellow, white and brown mustard seeds.
• Add some cumin seeds.
• Once they start to splutter, add rice and serve immediately.
• Mustard seeds will add a new flavour to the rice.
• Serve it hot with other vegetables, curry or dal.

2. Mustard seeds dip sauce:

• Add mustard seeds, honey and few other seasonings of your choice together.
• This would make for a pungent yet sweet tasting dip.

3. Cabbage with mustard seeds:

• Chop some cabbage and onions.
• Heat some oil. Sprinkle mustard seeds all over and cover the lid immediately.
• Wait till the seeds settle down and stop spluttering or popping.
• Now add cabbage and onions.
• Heat it on a medium flame.
• Now cook it till the cabbage turns a little tender and add salt to taste.
• Serve it as a crunchy side dish.
• It can also be used as a filling in quesadillas.
• Many people add this to pasta by tossing it along and make it a main dish.
• The next time you use mustard seeds, remember you’re having a plateful of benefits. Hope you can put the information shared through this article to use. Please leave us your comments below. Thank you!

Curry Leaves Health Benefits

Curry leaves are extremely popular in various culinary recipes in the Indian subcontinent at acts flavor and aroma to vegetables and curries. Crash curry leaves are shiny and dark green in color and have a distinctive aroma and taste to it. Curry leaves recipe involved the use of fresh curry is as well as powdered curry leaves to enhance the flavor of salads, chutneys and spices. The health benefits of curry leaves include improved functioning of the small intestine and stomach, improved quality of digestive juices during digestion, and increased salivary secretion. Most Indian dishes are devoid without the addition of curry leaves and hence any form of curry substitute in its place does not match to the real thing.

Indians usually require fresh curry leaves in their diet. The curry leaf plant belongs to the Rutaceae family and grows to anything between 2 to 5 meters in height, depending on a number of factors. The leaves of the curry plant are small and pointed and usually grow in clusters. The leaves have a strong aroma, reminding one of anise and citrus.

Kidney Problem: 

Curry leaves health benefits also include relief from kidney pain, treatment of minor superficial skin injuries, and managing diabetes. The bark and root of the curry leaves plant is believed to hold medicinal properties as some herbalists claim that the powdered form of the bark and root can be used for a variety of disorders including treating diabetes; however further research is needed to verify these claims and hence diabetes patients must not rely solely on curry leaves as a form of treatment. Curry leaf health benefits also include reliving related to the kidneys. Bilious vomiting can be controlled with the help of the bark of the curry leaves tree. Take some dry bark and make a decoction with cold water and give this to the patient for quick relief.

Skin Care: 

Curry leaves can be quite beneficial for your hair as well and when boiled in cow’s milk provides relief from skin infection and heat rash. You can also grind it into a fine paste and add a little bit of turmeric on it. Apply this paste on skin that has acne for a couple of days and the result is clear and glowing skin.

The herb also possesses the qualities of the herbal tonic and can be consumed along with honey of buttermilk in strengthening the functions of the digestive system. As a treatment for diarrhea and dysentery, tender green curry leaves to work effectively when with honey. The root and the bark of the curry leaves tree is also used by some herbalists in treating bilious vomiting. As an external application curry leaves can be used as a poultice to treat skin eruptions and minor skin infections.

Eye Disorder:

The fresh juice of curry leaves are also used as an eye treatment for certain eye disorders, especially in arresting the development of cataract. Traditional practitioners suffuse the fresh extract of curry leaves in the eyes of patients who suffer from bad eyesight thus helping them to prevent early development of eye disorders. The fruit of the curry leaves tree are believed to be edible and also possess medicinal properties when used as an external application for insect bites and stings of poisonous creatures. The juice of the fruits is blended with an equal quantity of lemon juice and is used to apply on the bites for instant and immediate relief.

Stomach Disorders:

Folk wisdom has long recommended using curry leaves for a variety of stomach disorders, from diarrhea to vomiting. Tender curry leaves (plucked fresh, if possible) are mixed with natural honey and consumed to ease any stomach discomfort or indigestion. They can also be mixed with other mild herbs to create a healthy herbal tea. Some people claim this soothes the intestines and works as a laxative. Other healthy curry leaves recipes start by grinding curry leaves to release all the active ingredients. This paste can be mixed with warm water or mildly spiced buttermilk to ensure smooth digestion. This drink also cools down the body and provides relief from fatigue. Curry leaves paste can also be used as a poultice to cure minor skin infections and insect bites. Medical studies are underway to investigate claims that the bark and roots of the curry plant contain active ingredients useful to diabetics and kidney disease. Fats can be flushed out of your system with the help of curry leaves.

Cholesterol And Weight Reduction:

Eat a few curry leaves for cholesterol reduction every morning on an empty stomach. Bad cholesterol levelsin your body can be brought down by this simple remedy. You can also use curry leaves for weight loss. Those looking forward to reduce weight can do so by liberally consuming curry leaves. Those looking forward to seeing some quick curry leaves health benefits must also make sure they follow a proper diet and exercise regularly.

Pregnancy:

Expectant mothers have also been using curry leaves to reduce the discomfort of morning sickness. This condition is usually seen in the first trimester of pregnancy. The changes in a pregnant woman’s hormones cause nausea that may lead to vomiting. A boiled essence of the bark is used to control nausea and prevent excessive vomiting. Chewing on fresh curry leaves is also beneficial for nausea, though the taste may be slightly bitter. Since there are no curry leaves side effects, this cure for morning sickness is safe for both mother and child. A chemical analysis of the leaves shows that they consist of over 60 percent moisture. The rest is made of a mixture of carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Many of these are directly responsible for the health benefits you experience.

Hair Care: 

Using curry leaves for hair problems such as dandruff, hair fall, and graying hair can be extremely beneficial. Here’s one way you can use curry leaves for hair growth. Boil some curry leaves, hibiscus flowers, gooseberry, and basil leaves in some coconut oil and cool. Apply this oil to your scalp; leave it on for about half an hour, and then shampoo. Here’s another way you can use curry leaves for gray hair.

• Heat some oil and put some curry leaves in it.
• Let the curry leaves turn to dark brown, and then remove it from the heat.
• Let this cool, and once cooled, put it in a glass container.
• You can apply this oil regularly on your scalp and leave it for the night.

This will not only help nourish your hair roots but will also prevent your hair from premature aging. The new hair root that grows is with a normal pigment and is healthier. It is believed that consuming curry leaves regularly can help give you strong, thick and dark hair. Another good remedy involving the use of curry leaves for hair loss requires that you take a fistful of curry leaves and pound them into a pulp. Boil this with some coconut milk till you get oil. This oil is excellent for your hair you can use to nourish your scalp and ensure the longevity, color, and luster of your hair. You can also use curry leaves to treat dandruff in a similar manner. Another way to ensure that your hair grows long is by making a paste with fenugreek leaves, China rose, and curry leaves, and applying it to your hair regularly. This will also make your hair black and shiny.

Curry Leaves Nutrition Facts

The nutritional benefits of curry leaves or the curry leaves nutritional value is something we need to be aware off as well. Curry leaves contain iron, calcium, vitamin C, and phosphorous. It is also high in proteins, carbohydrates and fibers. The health benefits of eating curry leaves as you can see are many. If you do not like consuming it directly, use it in a powdered form to in salads and sauces. Curry powder benefits are similar to those of curry leaves. Curry leaves are best when used fresh. You can also freeze them and keep them for future use. However, make sure you do not take them off the stalk as they will lose their flavor if you do so. From a scientific point of view, curry leaves contain 2.6% oil, beta-gurjenene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-elemene, beta-thujene, beta-phellandrene, alpha-selinene, beta-transocimene, beta-transocimene and beta-cadinene.

Uses In Cooking:

Most curry leaves recipes concentrate on the flavor of this magical herb. However, you can extract the curry leaves health benefits if you follow the right cooking technique. For example, some people cook curry leaves in coconut oil until they are blackened and withered. The active ingredients are now infused into the coconut oil. Fresh curry leaves can be found at specialized food stores, while most supermarkets only carry packaged curry powder. However, this product has little to do with curry leaves health benefits. Commercial curry powders are a mix of different kinds of spices, which add certain flavor to curry-based food dishes. Such powders have helped to spread East Asian flavors across the globe. A famous example is the chicken tikka masala, whose popularity has made it the national dish of Great Britain. However, in most cases, curry leaves are not even an ingredient of a packaged curry powder. It is safe to say that curry powder health benefits are not linked to the wonder plant that gives us curry leaves.