The Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera gel is often thought as having one specific function: cooling and helping to heal sunburns. In fact, Aloe is an amazing plant with a wide ability to aid in the healing process, to protect, moisturize, and even extend life. It was used in ancient times for medicinal purposes, and its relevancy has not diminished today. Aloe's usefulness continues to grow as scientists study its properties and possible applications.

Aloe Vera is a cellular regenerator and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects. These properties alone contribute to Aloe's place as one of nature's healthiest products. WorldwideHealth.com's Health Library lists magnesium lactate, an itch inhibitor, in the minerals contained in the plant. Therefore, in bringing relief to insect bites, acne, sunburns, rashes, and other topical conditions, Aloe makes sense.

But what about the less frequent uses of Aloe? Should Aloe be considered as an addition to diet and lifestyle? Aloe can purportedly do so much more than soothe irritated skin. Taken internally, it can be used as a laxative and to destroy certain bacteria or parasites in the intestines. Unsubstantiated claims include that it can help heal ulcers and settle a queasy stomach. There are a dozen uses for Aloe that have been integrated into modern alternative medicine, and scientists have been able to study some of these claims.

Dr. Timothy E. Moore's research on Aloe and dental health at the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) describes gel from the plant as having the ability to heal, control the accumulation of fluids, and reduce pain. He has also found that in denture patients, aloe can reduce inflammation and discomfort caused by fungi and bacteria. Other uses include post periodontal surgery and on cracks and lesions found inside and outside the mouth.
In a study performed by the Department of Physiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center, lab rats were given a 10% greater life span by ingesting Aloe. The animals showed lowered occurrences of various diseases including arterial thrombosis and leukemia. In addition, no adverse side effects were found in the rats on a diet that included Aloe.

While anyone considering alternative medicine to treat conditions should consult their physician first, Aloe may be a viable remedy for various ailments. Through observation and further tests, scientists have proven that the healing effects of Aloe extend beyond merely soothing sunburn. Future studies should bring credibility to other claims of Aloe's diverse medical benefits.

Aging? Ten Steps You Can Take to Slow Down Aging

Aging is a complex process that involves many areas of your body. It's unlikely that any one product or pill could cure all of the ailments of aging. However, there are things you can do that not only will help you age more slowly but will improve your quality of life. Your best bet for a long and healthy life is to:

1. Eat a varied and healthy diet. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods. Fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins all play a part in keeping your body functioning at its best. Drink lots of fluids to maintain healthy skin and flush out waste. Eating right will help you maintain a healthy weight.

2. Exercise every day. Exercise improves appetite, makes healthy bones, gives you a better emotional outlook and improves digestion and circulation. Exercise makes you stronger and helps you lose weight.

3. Seeking prompt medical care when you're ill or injured. Listen to your body and take care of any little problems before they become big problems. Get screened for diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

4. Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Professionals agree that one of the most significant factors contributing to aging is chronic inflammation of the skin.

5. Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke. Smoking has very damaging effects and dramatically increases your risk of getting cancer and heart disease.

6. Manage stress. Stress is a part of everyday life. Develop ways to help you cope and adjust to situations in your life that may cause you stress. The situation isn’t the problem . . . it’s how you react to it.

7. Look for ways to improve overall well-being and enthusiasm for life. Be curious and creative, which will encourage you to learn new things. You can also use humor and laughter to help you age well and live long.

8. Keep strong relationships. Maintaining close ties to your family and friends are crucial to healthy aging.

9. Don’t let fears and worries dominate your life. A worried mind is not at peace and robs you of zest and energy which you need to maintain youthfulness.

10. Keep cells youthful with antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in a full range of fruits and vegetables, as well as in some meat, like fish. Although, our bodies produce its own antioxidants, the level of product declines over time because of environmental factors and through the aging process. You can also take anti-oxidant supplements or even anti-oxidant teas.

Do all you can to be healthy and in doing so you will age slower. If you have any questions about products that claim to slow or reverse aging ask your doctor. He or she can help you sort through the information and get the facts.

Control Your Acne with Effective Acne Treatments:

Acne is not a problem confined to adolescence; in fact, more than sixty percent of the population is troubled with blackheads and pimples well beyond the teen years. If acne is your problem, cheer up. While there are no acne cures, with reliable acne treatments, including internal and external therapies, you can keep outbreaks controlled, reduce the possibility of scarring, and lessen that greasy, shiny look. It’s time to feel good about yourself again.

Causes of Acne

Acne has never been completely understood, but hormonal imbalances and heredity are certainly major factors, and breakouts can be aggravated by stress and lifestyle choices. The chief catalyst seems to be overactive sebaceous glands which secrete too much sebum, the lubricant that helps retain moisture and then becomes too much of a good thing. The oil clogs the pores of the skin causing breakouts, mostly on the face if it is adult acne, and on the face and sometimes on the back, chest, and upper arms in the teen years. Oily skin, pimples, blackheads, enlarged pores, and redness are acne symptoms, and these can be exacerbated by diet, pregnancy, birth control pills, cosmetics, and humidity.

Acne is not to be confused with rosacea, another facial skin condition which usually strikes in the middle years and causes blotchy red skin and small bumps, but rarely whiteheads or blackheads.

Your Diet Affects Your Skin

There is no scientific proof that certain foods, like chocolate or colas, can cause breakouts, but if something seems to act as a trigger for you, avoid whatever it is. Choose a healthy, balanced diet high in fiber and high in zinc, which means shellfish, nuts, egg yolks, and whole grains; and natural raw food rich in oxalic acid, such as almonds, cashews, and beets. The whole range of B vitamins will help keep your skin clear, and too little vitamin B2 can actually cause oily skin. B vitamins are found in wheat germ, Brewer’s yeast, organ meats, nuts, and beans. Remember that one of the functions of the skin is to eliminate toxins through perspiration. This means you should drink lots of water to flush out most toxins via the kidneys and the liver and keep your system clear. Water is also necessary to keeps your skin hydrated. A good diet encourages clear, healthy skin, and works as an anti aging treatment as well.

Supplements Can Assist with Acne Control

Food grown in nutrient-depleted soil will be lacking sufficient nutrients to optimize good health and healthy skin, and so it makes sense to add one or more supplements to your diet. Supplements are also useful if you eat a lot of processed food and occasionally feel the urge to gorge yourself on fast food. The best supplement is a multivitamin suitable for your age and sex, and then you can add zinc and possibly a B vitamin complex or Brewer’s yeast to help meet your special requirements. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid which is known to benefit skin cells, and you might find it helpful to add this supplement as well.

Acne Skin Care is Needed Daily
Acne Treatment

Any acne treatment should begin with a common sense procedure such as cleansing the skin with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. Avoid harsh cleansers and astringents, which make the oil glands more productive. An antibacterial astringent is perfect for wiping away excess oil between cleansings. Avoid squeezing and picking which can spread inflammation and cause acne scars, and use hot compresses and then an extractor for blackhead removal if needed. Antibacterial lotions that dry the skin, mild, pure soap, and a medicated cream is useful for treating oily, acne-prone skin. If you wear makeup, choose water-based acne products rather than oil-based products. Avoid anything that makes your skin feel tight and dry. If the upper layer of skin has been treated so harshly that it has become dry and shrunken, the flow of oil will be restricted and even more blockages and breakouts will occur.

Good Medical Options are Available for Acne Sufferers

A dermatologist should be consulted if your acne is severe, and this will give you access to tretinoin (Retin-A cream) or accutane for acute cases, both of which are available on prescription. You can also get prescriptions for a range of antibiotics in pill form, such as tetracycline, as well as antibiotic salves and creams. Effective over-the-counter acne treatments include topical salves and creams that contain benzoyl peroxide, or a five-percent solution of tea tree oil, or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Blemishes can be dried up with a variety of acne products that contain salicylic acid, sulfur, or resorcinol.

More Useful Information and Advice

* Exercise is good for the skin since it increases circulation and blood flow, but when you are exercising, avoid wearing cosmetics or moisturizers, which keep perspiration from flowing freely and cause pores to clog. Sweatbands also hold perspiration and oil against the skin and shouldn’t be used.
* Keep your hair off your face so that you are not adding to your problems with scalp oil. Avoid using hair products that are oily or greasy for the same reason.
* Prolonged exposure to the sun or sunlamps might dry acne but can result in a whole host of new problems, such as damaged, leathery skin and skin cancer. There are better solutions.
* Use caution about taking saunas and steam baths as they may aggravate your acne condition. You can’t do much about heat and humidity — nature’s version of saunas and steam baths — but keeping your skin clean and removing excess oil frequently will assist in the prevention of breakouts.
* Remember that stress makes acne worse. Don’t let emotional upsets get under your skin, so to speak. Try meditation or relaxation techniques to prevent stress-induced breakouts. Your skin isn’t the only organ that will benefit.

Acne treatments are of vital importance to acne sufferers and can make a big difference in the lives of people who have to cope with this very real problem. Both internal and external acne remedies can be found on the Internet. Compare prices and brands, and place your order from the comfort of your home. Products are usually shipped the same day that you order. Shop with confidence online, and see an improvement in your appearance within days.

Essential Guides to Antioxidants

Several essential vitamins and minerals act as antioxidants. These are protective substances found throughout the body, which mop up harmful by-products of the metabolism known as free radicals.

The most important dietary antioxidants are:

* vitamin A and betacarotene
* vitamin C
* vitamin E
* selenium
* Lesser antioxidants that are also important include:
* riboflavin
* copper
* manganese
* zinc

What are free radicals?

A free radical is an unstable molecular fragment that carries a minute, negative electrical charge in the form of a spare electron. It tries to lose this charge by passing on its spare electron during collisions with other molecules and cell structures. This process is known as oxidation. Oxidation usually triggers a harmful chain reaction in which electrons are passed from one molecule to another with damaging results.

Body proteins, fats, cell membranes and genetic material (DNA) are constantly under attack from free radicals, with each cell undergoing an estimated 10,000 free radical oxidations per day. These collisions and chain reactions have been linked with:

* hardening and furring up of the arteries
* coronary heart disease
* deteriorating vision due to cataracts and macular degeneration
* premature ageing of the skin
* chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis
* Alzheimer's disease
* Parkinson's disease
* impaired immunity
* poor sperm count and poor sperm quality
* congenital birth defects
* cancer

What causes free radicals?

Free radicals are continuously produced in the body as a result of:

* normal metabolic reactions
* muscle contraction during exercise
* smoking cigarettes
* drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
* exposure to environmental pollutants
* exposure to x-rays
* exposure to UVA sunlight, especially if sunburned
* taking some drugs - especially antibiotics or paracetamol

Antioxidant vitamins and minerals are the body's main defense against free radical attack. They quickly neutralize the negative charge on a free radical before it can trigger a chain reaction. Many antioxidant supplements are now available to help quench free radicals and protect against their harmful effects on health.

Foot Care

Women are almost four times as likely as men to suffer foot problems, mostly through lack of care and ill-fitting shoes. Your feet are as precious as your teeth. Devote the same amount of time to keeping them as clean and fresh and with a little help from natural remedies you can keep most foot problems at bay.

Prevent foot odor

There are more sweat glands on the feet than on any other part of the body, so sweaty/smelly feet are bound to be a common problem, especially in hot weather.

Scrupulous hygiene is essential in preventing foot odor. Wash your feet morning and evening in warm (not hot) water, using a natural antibacterial soap such as tea tree. Rinse your feet in cold water and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. Finally, sprinkle with a talcum powder containing lavender, lemon and/or tea tree oil.

Aim to wear shoes and socks made from natural fibers, where possible and in warm weather wear sandals rather than shoes. Change your socks or tights every day and never wear the same pair of shoes two days running as shoes take longer than 24 hours to dry out.

Scented foot massage

An aromatic massage oil containing peppermint and cypress oils can help to reduce perspiration. Add 8 drops cypress oil and 2 drops peppermint oil to 25ml sweet almond oil and massage into your feet night and morning.

Athlete’s foot

Sweaty feet can cause this painful, itchy, contagious fungal infection that is difficult to clear. Keeping your feet clean and dry is essential. You should also avoid sharing towels or shoes as this can spread the infection. In addition:

bathe your feet at night in a bowl of warm water to which you have added five to six drops tea tree, tagetes, lavender, peppermint or patchouli essential oil. You could also use a ready mixed herbal footbath containing herbs such as rosemary, mustard seed, myrrh, peppermint or ginger
apply calendula ointment, or vitamin E oil on to the clean, dry skin between the toes.

Alternatively, use a natural talc containing lavender and/or peppermint. You can also dab on neat tea tree essential oil every night before you go to bed to clear infection or prevent re-infection
taking high strength garlic capsules according to directions can also help to beat the infection.
Corns, calluses and hard skin

Corns, calluses and hard skin

Walking and standing puts pressure on the heel and the ball of the foot. Pressure in these areas can sometimes become so great that growths such as corns and calluses appear. Corns tend to form over areas, such as a joint, while calluses are patches of thickened skin that can occur in any area of pressure.

You can remove some of the thickened skin of corns and calluses by rubbing gently with a pumice stone while in the bath. Do this regularly, and afterwards apply a soothing moisturizing cream. Choose either a specially prepared foot lotion or balm containing essential oils such as lemon, lavender, tea tree or peppermint. Alternatively, apply vitamin E cream, or a tea tree and lavender massage oil to soften and soothe the skin. For cracks in the heels apply calendula cream or lotion.

Verrucae

Verrucae, also known as plantar warts, grow inwards usually on the soles of the feet. Although they often disappear on their own after about 12 months, they are infectious and can be painful. Certain natural remedies can help them go.

Homeopathic treatment Select the most suitable remedy from the list below. Take one dose in the 6c potency four times a day until the wart disappears.

* Thuja is often the first choice for verrucae, especially in people who have brittle nails or ingrowing toenails
* Silicea is for warty growths that occur in groups, especially in people who have sweaty feet.

Cautions:

* If warts change size or color or become itchy or bleed, see a doctor
* If you are diabetic, on medication, have poor circulation or your foot problems do not respond to home treatment always consult a state registered chiropodist.

Natural Cosmetics

It is equally important to pay attention to what you put ON your body as well as what you put IN your body.

Fortunately for us, nature has provided an abundance of plants, roots, flowers and herbs rich in vitamins, enzymes, proteins, minerals and other biologically active compounds that have been used in the care of the body, skin and hair for centuries. Knowledge of the healing power of herbs and their special effects on the skin is used in the formulation of natural cosmetics. There are many natural cosmetics manufacturers producing only pure, carefully balanced products that contain the highest quality, naturally sourced ingredients, known to be skin compatible and proven effective. The natural cosmetics contain the finest food-grade, natural, organic and nutritional ingredients that deliver topical benefits to the hair and skin.

Natural Cosmetics Glossary:

AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids): A group of acids, often found in fruit, sour milk, sugar and others processed through bio-fermentation which, when applied to the skin, are believed to dissolve the glue-like lipids holding skin cells together in the stratum corneum; when their adhesive is dissolved, surface skin cells fall away, revealing younger-looking, fresher cells.

Amino Acids: The 'building blocks' of protein. A group of biological chemical compounds containing nitrogen form proteins.

Anti-oxidant: A substance which inhibits or prevents damage from free radicals.

BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acids): A group of acids, often found in flowering plants and herbs. Most common is salicylic acid, believed to dissolve dead skin cells to leave a smooth, even surface.

Carboxylic Acid: Simply, a compound present in living organisms or organic, non-living substances that contains one or more carboxyl groups.

Carcinogen: Any substance capable of or contributing to causing cancer.

Chelate: Chelating agents are used in facial and body washes, body scrubs and shampoos to deactivate hard calcium and magnesium minerals which can form dulling, film-forming lime soap deposits when hard water comes in contact with the pure soaps.

Co-enzyme Q-10: Enzyme activator and anti-oxidant.

Collagen: Present in the dermis, gives the skin shape and structure, keeping skin smooth and wrinkle-free when we are young, allowing wrinkles to form as the quality of collagen lessens with age. Structurally, a protein made of amino acids: alanine, orginine, glycine, hydroxyproline, lysine proline. Present in the skin, bone, ligaments and cartilage, makes up about 30% of total body protein. (Animal origin by-product).

Elastin: Highly elastic albumin-like protein fiber found in the dermis, blood vessels, capillaries and other elastic tissue in the body. Allows skin to stretch then 'snap back' when we are young; contributes to sagging skin as the quality of elastin is reduced with age. (Animal origin by-product).

Enzymes: Proteins that effect the speed at which chemical changes occur, usually speeding up an action. Thousands of different enzymes are produced in the body. The skin is the body's largest enzyme-producing organ. (Vegetable and animal origins).

Fatty Acid: A fat soluble acid, found in the epidermis and in cosmetic products. Includes oleic, stearic, palmitic and linoleic acids. (Vegetable).

Flavinoids (aka: Vitamin P): A variety of over 3000 plant chemicals with a characteristic yellow color (flavis is yellow in Latin), they are the most prevalent pigments in the plant kingdom next to chlorophyll and carotenoids. All flavonoids are anti-oxidants; some are also circulatory stimulants, anti-irritants, anti-inflammatory or diuretics. Anthocyanins, anthoxanthins, apigenins, flavones, isoflavones, flavonois and bioflavonols are all flavonoids.

Free Radical: One or more unpaired electrons capable of independent existence. In the skin, stabilizers itself by stealing an electron form the atoms forming lipids, collagen, elastin, enzymes, hormones, hormone receptors (see all), keratin, cell membranes, and other proteins, fats and amino acid substances. Free radicals, whose attacks last less than a millisecond, are believed by many researchers to be the bottom line of aging and many diseases, including Alzheimeris, arthritis, schizophrenia, Parkinsonis, birth defects such as Downis syndrome, cancer, LDL cholesterol, lupus erythematosus, skin sclerosis and fibrosis, keloids, hyper- and hypo-pigmentation, acne, cellulite, overly sensitive skin, dandruff and even hangovers. Types of free radicals include hydroxyl and superoxide radicals.

Glucans: Polysaccharides with immune stimulating abilities; found on the cell walls of yeast, oat, barley and other plants.

Hormone Receptor: Molecules on cell walls that receive specific hormones into a cell.

Hormones: The body's chemical messengers; they stimulate or inhibit activities in the body, especially those involving growth, development, reproduction and other life processes. The skin is the largest hormone-producing organ of the body.

Hydrocortisone: An anti-inflammatory naturally produced by the adrenal glands and synthetically produced for use as a drug. Applied to the skin in cases of itching, redness, blistering and other signs of allergy. Also called cortisol. (Hard to replace naturally).

Hydroxy Group: The chemical group that defines a hydroxy acid. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (see AHA) attach this group to the alpha site of the molecule, while Beta Hydroxy Acids (see BHA) attach it to the beta site. Chemically, one or more hydroxyl groups in addition to the carboxyl group.

Lipids: Found between epidermal cells and in cell membranes, these fatty substances (some of which are also attracted to water) make up a large family of ingredients and biological components that act as moisturizers, reduce moisture loss, restore skin's supple, flexible nature, and reinforce the skin's natural barrier protection. (Animal and vegetable).

Natural: A material in its 100% natural state, with the original, naturally-formed chemical bonds intact. If the material is processed for use in cosmetics, only enough energy is used to change the physical form of the substance (grinding, chopping) leaving its chemical structure unaltered.

pH: A symbol representing the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. The pH scale extends from 0 to 14, with a value of 7 expressing neutral values of 6, 9 or lower expressing increased acidity and values of 7.1 or higher expressing increased alkalinity (base).

Protein: Composed of amino acids, proteins form most of a cell's structure and cell products, which include keratin, collagen, elastin, melanin, enzymes, hormones and antibodies. (Animal and vegetable).

Stratum Corneum (S.C.): The skin's barrier layer is the outermost layer of epidermis, about the thickness of one human hair, and is made up of 25-30 layers of flat, dead cells completely filled with keratin, a waterproof protein.

Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD): Enzyme which scavenges free radicals by using superoxide to form its molecular body. SOD is found throughout the body and is believed by some longevity researchers to be a primary element for long life. In the skin, it is destroyed by sunlight.

Vitamin K: Phytanadione. A component of green leafy vegetables first discovered in 1929. Vitamin K is produced in the intestines and is linked to the production of clotting factors in the body. Reportedly assists in healing broken capillaries and reabsorbing blood.

In The Cut: A Bevy Of Bangs

While the celebrity bob craze has died down—transitioning into lobs and, er, crobs, a neologism we just came up with to describe the cropped bobs, or shorter boy cuts, currently being enjoyed by Victoria Beckham and Rihanna—bangs are experiencing something of a revival. A host of A- (and B- and C-) listers are accessorizing their foreheads as of late, giving us the perfect opportunity to showcase the variety of lengths and styles on offer. To help you determine whether or not you can actually pull off these fringe benefits, we’ve enlisted Clint Wilson, creative director for Sassoon’s uptown New York City salon.

The Look: "This originates from Bettie Page," Wilson says, pointing out that if you have round cheeks like Petra, a pinup-girl style can add length to your face and flatter your bone structure. "It's not a great look for people with smaller foreheads, though," he adds, since it will make everything seem more condensed.

Try It: Blow-dry hair straight, curling the ends under slightly with a narrow-barreled round brush, and follow with Wella Sp Flashlight to add extra shine.