Benefits of Red Sandalwood for Skin !!!

On a recent visit to Mysore with my family, I found something interesting – Red Sandal (Raktha chandanam)(Red Sandalwood) wood piece in a shop. As with any shop keeper, on the slightest enquiry, I was subject to a 5 min. talk of marketing stuff. The item was of interest to me and this was obvious to the shop keeper. The negotiations broke down and I had to return without purchasing one because of the high price that he quoted. I walked a few metres and came across the outlet of Karnataka State Tourism Board. The price was much lower than what I encountered earlier and finally I purchased the item of interest, costing me Rs.66/- for 117 g piece. The reason I purchased was not just interest in the piece of wood, but also because of benefits that I had heard and observed.





I had seen few of my friends and my cousins applying Red Sandal ( raktha chandanam) on their faces regularly. In general, the chandanam or the normal sandal paste is supposed to be good for the face as it considered to be one of the natural face packs. Even the raktha chandanam (red sandalwood paste) can be used as face pack. It is much more intensive than the normal sandal paste,and is specifically used to treat the acne and pimples. In Kerala, certain temples offer this to be applied on your forehead.



 Benefits :

  • Heals the scars and removes the marks.
  • Removes the excess oil from the face and facilitate reduction of pimples and acne
  • Used in treatment of insect bites.
  • Aids in removing the tan
  • Tightens the facial skin.
  • Powerful antiseptic, used in treating minor skin abrasions.

 How to Apply? 

Raktha Chandanam can be applied to face directly or mixed with items like rose water, turmeric or honey and then applied on face. When applied on face twice a day, believe me it gives a glowing face! Try it out, let your face glow!

നഖം നോക്കി രോഗം കണ്ടുപിടിക്കാം..!!




















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The Smokey Eyes

Smokey Eyes are in style from long awhile & there are no such signals saying good-bye to this trend. This style will stay alive for long in the dictionary of fashion. To get the perfect smokey eye you will need:
• Eye primer
• 2 Eye Shadows: Light and darker
• Eyeliner
• Makeup brushes
• Mascara
The perfect way to get an absolute smokey eye is by proper blending. The shadows must need to be blended together without any flaws. Pair the light base color with rich darker ones. Give heavy looks to your lids with end-to-end mascara coating. It’s a long lasting fashion trend, follow it boldly.

MakeUp Tips


In today’s world of hustle-bustle, every one jerks others to represent oneself as an ‘ideal’ or ‘commanding’. In that jostle only true legendary ‘beauty’ seems victorious, either in workplace or on the ramp. Nobody has enough time to be a regular visitor of beauty clinic for the complete makeover of his or her manifestation. But festivals and an auspicious occasion of celebration demand to do something extra ordinary for enhancing looks. The sophisticated women of today always carry a makeup kit in their bags.
Some beauty enriching tips to apply while you are getting yourself ready for stealing the show:
  • Exfoliate your skin using a gentle face wash and dead cells would not make you worried.
  • Use tissue napkin for blotting the wetness.
  • Apply moisturizer to prevent your skin from the harm of soaking chemicals and for lethal silken touch to your skin.
  • Consider a branded concealer to make your spots latent on the outer surface of the skin. Blend it evenly on the face and neck.
  • Use a branded compact or foundation for a drastic awesome look.
  • Consider to blush on your cheeks.
  • A funky eye shadow would highlight your eyelids and glittery sparkler will manifest a jazzy look of yours.
  • Choose floral colors for daylight makeup and bright hues at night.
  • Never forget to wear off the makeup when party is over. Take the help of cleanser.
  • Experiment with the various jazzy shades of eye shadow, sparkler and liner.
  • Select kajal for filling the inconsistent gap between inner and outer part of lower eyelid.
  • Switch to natural or pink shade for your lips.
  • Swap lipstick with lip gloss during day but coat lip gloss over lip color at night.
  • If you are using matte lipstick, always apply lip balm over it.
  • Smoky eyes will brighten the impression of catty eyes.
  • Adheres to long lasting and intoxicated makeup kit.
  • For a complete drastic look of your nails give them the treatment of olive oil ointment. It will make them strong and shiny.
  • Apply moisturizing cream to your hands for glimpsing them dehydrated.
  • Cover your nails with translucent base and then apply nail print over them.

How To Remove MakeUp

Never leave makeup overnight on your skin as it can clog your pores, & can lead to acne or other skin problems. Leaving the makeup on eyes can cause eye irritation or infection.
Tips1. Use baby oil or baby shampoo to wash off waterproof mascara and eye liner.
2. Avoid soaps, as they don’t cleanse properly.
3. Olive oil can also be used as a natural cleanser to remove the makeup.
4. Always remove the eye makeup first, as they comes with long lasting stay.
5. Make sure you are completed cleaning on neck and behind your ears.
6. Rinse your face thoroughly multiple times, to ensure you are makeup free.
7. Apply moisturizer after deep cleansing of your face.

Party MakeUp Tips



Fresh Skin
• Wash face with warm water & your face wash.
• Rub ice for 5-10 minutes.
• Wipe your face with cleansing milk.
• Apply some moisturizer, but don’t end up with an oily face.
Base
• Apply foundation on your face according to your complexion.
• Apply shimmer powder over the foundation.
• Now Blush your cheeks, also apply some blusher on chin & forehead.

Eyes
• Apply eye-shadow on your eyelids
• Using eyeliner, define your eyes by making short strokes.
• Apply mascara, on your lashes.
• Lastly, define your eyebrows.

Lips
• Give shape to your lips with a lip liner.
• Apply the lip color, with a brush.
• Using Tissue blot the lipstick & then apply again.
• Add a single coat of lip gloss.
Nails
• Clean & file your nails to give them a nice shape.
• Apply colorless base coat, then add 2 coats of nail polish.
• Afterwards apply another coat of the colorless base.

Make Up


The term makeup is related with fashion and beauty. Without fashion and beauty makeup do not have any sense, has no any value. Makeup can not only judge with face and other body parts it is consider under whole body. Generally whole human beings do makeup. Makeup is divided into two parts natural look and artificial look. Previously only females do make up but now a days males are also engaged in this activity.
Here are few make up tips to groom your personality with glittering Makeup to make yourself more confident and appealing:
1.  KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE AND TONEMakeup transforms one’s visual semblance but it must be applied only after knowing your particular skin type that can be Oily, dry, combination or normal. Your Tone can be classified as dark, olive, tan, medium, light and fair.
2. LET YOUR SKIN BREATHEFresh skin always reflects glorious look. So, skin needs to be properly cleansed with suitable soap or cleanser according to the skin type. Don’t forget to close the pores of your face skin using an astringent. The use of an ice cube works wonder after cleansing.
3. STEAL THE SHOW WITH YOUR PARTY-MAKEUP Choose the base of foundation that would suit your skin and tone. Now, coat it with shimmering powder moving blusher on your cheeks and forehead.
4. CAREFUL SELECTION OF EYE-MAKEUPAttractive eyes appeal many hearts. So, highlight your eyes with smoky makeup having quality branded mascara, kajal and eye-shadow.  Be watchful about their expiry. Smokey eye is an everlasting trend recorded in the annals of fashion books. So don’t forget to be in vogue with dazzling smoky eyes.
5. TIPS FOR LOVELY ROSY LIPSSelection of lipstick, lipliner, lip colour and lip gloss should go with your skin color and dress. Pink cheeks and rosy lips semble natural , trendy , stylish which would ravish your beauty .Keep checking their expiry date.
6. BEAUTIFUL HANDS AND FEETCare and cure of hands and feet are as important as your face.Keep them neat , tidy and filed. Cover toes and finger nails with colorless base before applying nail print. Grab the opportunity to visit beauty clinic for manicure and pedicure ,if possible.
 7. REBOND YOUR TRESSESLast but not the least, Long, medium or short hair needs to be trendy. Opt rebonding of your hair that consists of cleaning , moisturizing, conditioning and coloring.
There are so many products available in market related with makeup and these products can be classified into : herbal products and chemical used products. We all prefer herbal products more because they does not have side effects.
                                              
As we all are acquaintant with the fact that ‘BEAUTY NEEDS NO ORNAMENT ‘. Yet applying makeup has become a famous vogue for adding the enhancing and embellishing folio to your personality .Renowned celebrities around the world feel the matter of prestige as well as honour to represent themselves as a unique, charming and splendid one among so many familiar faces in the world. Everyone is curious to lead and not to lag behind others. From bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to the famous senator Hillary Clinton of U.S.A, fashion has left its mark all over the world.
Fame is earned by the appropriate utilization of wisdom but revealing your talent and skill needs crushing attraction just like a spell which can bind each and every one among the audience. Limelight will automatically be in your search then. Therefore, it is not enough to just improve your brain but heed is also expected to fall on your dressing sense, tress rebonding and other attracting accessories.
MAKEUP is the best available source in the market as well as at home which can reform even a ragged one to a pretty bomb-shell. An elegant look is a never diminishing demand of the modern epoch. But one thing should be Clear in your mind that “Excess of every thing is dangerous” and “Little knowledge of anything leads to ruin”. So, intelligent selection and utilization of beauty enhancing articles available in the market, especially makeup and its application, must be of good quality.
HOME-REMEDIES FOR YOUR RADIANT LOOKNatural beauty is par of comparison. Herbs and shrubs are the most advantageous and fruitful souvenir blessed by the mighty to us. Modern and trendy brands of beauty enhancement are too expensive to reach by the common man. So, it’s not a bad idea to switch to natural herbs which are hardly harmful when use,  for instance, Lemon and rose are a natural astringent, Fuller earth is a panacea for oily skin, intake of 6 to 8 glasses of water regulates metabolic activities, Sandalwood and Neem are best to treat acne and itching. Nature is a treasure of Natural medicines. So, be healthy and trendy with nature.
At last remove makeup before going to bed. As it also an integral makeup tip to keep your skin clean & healthy.
MAKEUP AS PROFESSIONMany people are taking it as profession and doing professed courses on it for making it as their career. Beauty parlors are hiring qualified professionals for their parlors and providing quality treatment to their clients. Those who are in this field are doing well and making good career in it.
There are so many institutions which are providing courses in it and building good career of their students. Those who are interested in it and want to built a bright career, have to select a good institution that are providing practical knowledge along with theory classes. Future in this field will be bright because this market has fewer chances to fall down. From old aged to teens, all are wearing makeup daily. Makeup is now considered as part of our beautiful & charming life.

BEAUTY CARE TIPS FOR SMILE


Start with a professional cleaning and keep on a regular schedule. Stains from coffee, tea, tobacco, and plaque can dull an otherwise pretty smile.


Floss daily
Not only will daily flossing keep your teeth and gums healthy, flossing will remove minute plaque and stain that sometimes only show up in very bright light. Great tip for models and beach -goers alike.

Watch that shade
some lipstick colors can actually make your teeth appear more “yellow”. Some shades of orange and blue are the culprits. Be sure to try them on in all types of lighting.

Use toothpaste with baking soda and/or peroxide
These ADA accepted products can help teeth looking “bright”.

Have your teeth bleached
for their whitest shine. A dental professional can recommend a method that is right for you.

Don’t wear white
if your teeth are a yellowish shade. Wearing white earrings or a white turtle neck will show too much contrast.


Self Massage


Increase a Cup Size in 30 Days with Breast Massage


Increase a Cup Size in 30 Days with Breast Massage

Breasts are important to both men and women. Women's self-confidence is often tied to the size of their breasts, but not every woman ends up with the kind of breasts that she is happy with. Though many women resort to expensive and risky surgery to enlarge their breasts, there is a simpler, more natural method which costs nothing. If you massage your breasts for 20-30 minutes a day, they should grow one cup size larger in 30 days.

Massage does two things to stimulate growth. One benefit of massage is increased circulation. Since phytoestrogens travel through the bloodstream, the more blood you have flowing to your breasts, the easier it is for your breast receptors to pick up what they need in order to grow. Another benefit of massage is prolactin production. This important breast-enlarging hormone is triggered by regular stimulation of the breasts and nipples.

To perform the massage, start by rubbing your hands together as fast as you can to generate heat and energy. Once your hands are warm, place them on your breasts. Rub inwards with your hands and continue around your breasts in a circle. Your right hand will circle in a clockwise direction, and your left hand will circle counter-clockwise (as you look down).

Do a minimum of 100-300 circular rubs in the morning and another 100-300 circular rubs before you go to bed. Each circular rub should last about 2 seconds. Pause occasionally and rub your hands together to re-warm them. The full 300 rubs should take about 10-15 minutes. By doing this twice a day, you should be able to increase a cup size within 30 days.

If you want to use a massage oil, the following mixture has been reported to produce great results in increasing the size of the breasts. Mix 9 drops of geranium oil with 16 drops of Ylang Ylang oil in a base of 50 ml of almond oil. Rub this into your breasts twice a day either during your massage or separately.

A good side effect to doing this is that your menstrual flow will be reduced dramatically since the breast massage stimulation will create a state within your body where the blood you normally lose through your period will rush up to enlarge your breasts. Another good side effect is that the surge in hormones will lessen your PMS. You will also experience increased nipple sensitivity, but avoid touching your nipples when doing your breast massage.

This method of breast massage is a part of an ancient Taoist exercise, the female deer exercise. That means it has been used and tested for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. All you need is some time, your hands, and dedication to have larger breasts in just 30 days.

If you've ever felt self conscious about the size of your breasts, you are not alone. To find out about the natural breast enlargement methods that can increase your breast size by two cups, naturally and without surgery, in 4-6 weeks.

10 Tips to Cure Dark Circles Undereyes


Dark circles under eyes occur generally due to lack of sleep, stress, some disease or it may be due to some hereditary disorders. It is common to have dark circles under the eyes.
These are temporary and can be treated effectively using following homemade remedies-
  1. Mix fresh potato juice and cucumber juice in equal amounts. Soak some cotton in the above mixture and put on your eyelids for 20 minutes. Wash off with cold water.
  2. Cut a cucumber in thin slices and apply on top of each eye for 20 minutes. This will drain the stress from the eyes and cool it down.
  3. Tea bags are found to be very effective as far as curing dark circles is concerned. A cold tea bag should be placed on the top of each eye for 20 minutes everyday.
  4. One can use rose water or almond oil for massaging the under eyes dark circle, to get rid of them.
  5. Gently press the mount below the index finger of your palm. This will enhance eye sight and also remove dark circles.
  6. Grind nutmeg with milk and make a paste. Apply this paste on the dark circles. This will work very well and remove the dark circles.
  7. Crush some mint leaves and apply its juice under the eyes.
  8. For people having dark circles an 8 hour sleep is a must. At the same time one should drink plenty of water.
  9. Make a paste blending tomatoes and lemon juice in equal amounts. Add a pinch of gram flour and turmeric powder and apply the paste and leave it for 15 minutes. This will do wonders in curing dark circles.
Harmful rays can also cause eye circles. Hence one can wear sunglasses while going out to protect eyes from harsh sunrays.

7 Ways to Make Your Hair Grow Faster


For some of us growing long beautiful hair is not a problem, but let's face it, not all of us have it that easy. While there is no magical instant cure for longer hair, there are a few things you can do to make sure you're hair will grow, grow, grow!

1. First and foremost, take your vitamins! If you can't swallow the thought of popping a pill, then at least eat your way to healthy hair. A well balanced diet of foods rich in vitamin A, B, C and especially E are all essential for growing healthy hair. Foods that are rich in iron and zinc have been proven to encourage hair growth. If you don't care for beef, try fish, raisins, spinach, beans and yogurt, which are also great sources for protein. Soy is also rich in proteins and has even been found to strengthen hair. Also try prenatal vitamins! They do wonders for not only growing hair, but growing nails as well!
2. Get rid of the dead ends. If you have tons of split ends and you haven't had your hair trimmed lately, your slowing down your hair's growth potential. Getting a regular trim at least every few months will keep damaged ends at bay and will allow hair to grow faster.
3. Stimulate the scalp. Increasing the circulation to your head by messaging the scalp can make the hair grow. You can do this by, simply rubbing your fingertips in circular motions against your scalp for 2-3 minutes a day. For an added treat, mix cup of rosemary and 1 cup of tea together and mix half of this with your normal shampooing to open up scalp pores and increase blood circulation.
4. Get out and move. Everyday stress and no exercise have actually shown slower growth to hair. Getting a good night's sleep (at least 7 hours) and putting your worries to bed, combined with a daily exercise regimen can improve not only your hair's growth, but your health as well.
5. Squeaky cleanliness is a must hair essential, not only for growth, but for sanitary reasons as well. If you're running around with oily roots or a nice big build-up of dirt in your hair, you need to change your routine and shampoo hair at least twice a week to maximize your potential for long hair. While you're at it, don't forget to wash your hairbrushes and combs.
6. Treat your hair with care. If you want your hair to grow, you must take care of your hair. Don't brush wet hair unless you want to damage it. Use a shampoo and conditioner that is specifically formulated for your hair type. Skip the heated styling tools, perms and dyes as often as you can, and avoid any unnecessary rough stuff that can cause your hair to break.
7. Fake it! If you don't have the patience to wait for your hair to grow, you can always try wearing a hair extension like your favorite celebrity, until your own hair grows to the desired length you're aiming for.

Carambola:














Carambola, also known as starfruit, is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola, a species of tree native to the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The fruit is a popular food throughout Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and parts of East Asia. The tree is also cultivated throughout non-indigenous tropical areas, such as in Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Jamaica, Tr
inidad, Ecuador, Guyana, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Brazil, and, in the United States, in south Florida and Hawaii.

The fruit has ridges running down its sides (usually five); in cross-section it resembles a star, hence its name. The number of ridges can vary from three to six.

Carambola is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C and low in sugar, sodium, and acid. It is also a potent source of both primary and secondary polyphenolic antioxidants. A. carambola has both antioxidant and antimicrobial activities: Scavenging of NO by the fruit extract is dependent on concentration and stage of ripening. Extracts showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
 

Conditions of The Thyroid – Hyper Thyroid condition



Just as the name suggests, hyper thyroid condition refers to a situation where the thyroid glands are overactive. The result is the production of excessive thyroid hormones. An excessive supply of thyroid hormones in turn causes another condition known as thyrotoxicosis. The name is interchangeably used by physicians with another term, hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones are responsible for triggering cell metabolism. They are therefore vital for the body but can be toxic when produced in excessive quantities. The hormones are produced by the thyroid glands with iodine from the blood.
Causes of the condition
Thyrotoxicosis is caused by excessive supply of thyroid hormones to the blood. The following are the causes of the condition.
  • Excessive thyroid hormone supplements
  • Abnormally high secretion of thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) by the pituitary
  • Grave’s disease
  • Thyroiditis
  • Excessive iodine in the diet
Symptoms of the disease














Patients with a mild form of the disease don’t usually show any symptoms. The symptoms become more pronounced as the disease gets to its later stages. Symptoms are usually absent if the patient is above the age of 70. The symptoms are mostly caused by excessive metabolic activity in the body.
  • Intolerance to high temperature
  • Excessive sweating
  • An increase in bowel movements
  • Nervousness and agitation (irritability)
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of concentration
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular menstrual flow
Acute thyrotoxicosis in older patients can cause irregular heartbeats and heart failure. When the severe condition goes untreated, it could cause lead to fever, hypertension, and heart failure – a condition referred to as “thyroid storm.” It may also cause mental conditions such as delirium and confusion.
Diagnosis
The most common symptoms that doctors rely on to identify hyper thyroid condition are: excessive sweating, trembling, smooth velvety skin, rapid heart rate, and enlarged thyroid gland.
The condition also causes puffiness around the eyes and the impression that the patient is staring due to an elevation of the upper eyelid. The symptoms are very visible if the condition is severe but there is usually little to no symptoms for older people. A blood test is the only way to know for sure if a patient is suffering from the disease. Thyroid hormones can be measured directly from the blood. This is a reliable way to test for the condition but the best way is to test for the levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
In a situation where excessive amount of thyroid hormone is being produced, the pituitary gland responds by producing less TSH. There is therefore a reduced amount of the hormone in patients suffering from hyperthyroidism.
Treatment
There are several ways to treat the hyper thyroid condition. Doctors can treat the symptoms of the disease, use radioactive iodine, or prescribe anti-thyroid drugs.
When a decision to treat the symptoms is made, doctors prescribe medication to deal with the individual symptoms. These medications counteract thyroid hormones in the body without affecting the rate of production of the hormone.
Anti-thyroid drugs act on the thyroid glands blocking production of thyroid hormones. These drugs may occasionally affect white blood cell production.
Radioactive iodine destroys overactive thyroid cells. It is safe to take since only the thyroid glands absorb iodine.

Usefull Information :


Be careful with dust!

While he was walking, he suddenly felt an eye irritation. Thinking that it was just a regular dust, he started to rub his eye, in an effort to remove the dust. Then his eyes got really red, few days passed and his eyes were still red and seem a little swollen. The swelling of his eyes got worse, redder ang bigger. Until he decided to go see a doctor for a check up. The doctor immediately wanted an operation. The doctor thought it was a cyst. Actually, it turned about to be a live worm.

Credits to whoever took this photo. So brothers & sisters, be careful with dust !


TOP 14 ANTI-CANCER SUPER FRUITS







Many types of cancer are induced by the food we eat. Cancer can also be prevented or helped by adding super fruits to our diet. Here are the Top 14 best anti-cancer super fruits and why they are so good for you: >BLUEBERRIES Researchers have shown blueberries contain pterostilbene, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, flavonols, and tannins, which inhibit mechanisms of cancer cell development. Besides this, blueberry can also alleviate the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, prevent urinary tract infections, and reduce blood sugar.

GRAPES
A grape is a perennial and deciduous woody vine. Its berries can be eaten raw or be made into juice, jam, jelly, wine, raisins, and others. Grapes are found in almost all parts of the world. Grapes contain phytochemicals such as resveratrol which has been positively implicated to inhibit any type of cancer.

DRAGON FRUIT
Dragonfruit is rich in phytoalbumin antioxidants which help carcinogenic free-radical formation in the body. It is also rich in fiber, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins C and B2, as well as its helps excrete metal toxins from the body.

CITRUS FRUITS
Citrus fruits include orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc. This kind of fruits contains a large number of bioflavonoids, which can enhance the activity of certain enzymes in human skin, lung, stomach and liver, and change the fat-soluble carcinogenic substance into water-soluble, so as to make them not easy to be absorbed and can be expelled out of the body. At the same time, they can enhance the absorptive capacity of vitamin C by the human body. Vitamin C is an important cancer substance, which can enhance human immunity, prevent the formation of nitrosamines--a strong carcinogen. What's more, it also has certain effect in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.

A study published a few years ago in the journal Nutrition and Cancer, for instance, found that people who consume the highest amounts of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, a subgroup of flavonoids, were 44 percent less likely to develop oral cancer, 40 percent less likely to develop laryngeal cancer, and 30 percent less likely to develop colon cancer compared to others.

AVOCADO
Avocados contain lutein, an anti-cancer carotenoid. Lutein lowers the risk of prostate cancer in men and protects eyes against fatal diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts. Another cancer-fighting component of avocado is glutathione that can significantly cuts the incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancer. Avocados are also rich in potassium, vitamins, and heart-healthy fats.

STRAWBERRIES
Anti cancer action is actually related to the polyphenols contained in the berries, rather than in their antioxidant potential, as is commonly assumed. A diet containing a high proportion of strawberries or raspberries (5% or more of total diet) in animals, has been found to significantly decrease the number of esophageal tumors triggered by NMBA, a known powerful carcinogen. Ellagic acid appears to prevent the activation of carcinogenic substances into cellular toxins, causing them to lose their ability to react with DNA and induce mutations capable of triggering the onset of cancer. In addition, strawberry also contains a kind of amine substance, which has good effect in the prevention of leukemia and other diseases related with blood.

ACAI BERRIES
Laboratory studies have shown that acai berries can kill off cancer cells. Extracts from the berries can induced the death of leukemia cells. Other beneficial contents of acai are its antioxidants (found to be twice than in blueberries), omega fatty acids, protein, vitamins A and C, iron, and fiber.

NONI
According to recent studies, noni has properties that may be beneficial in preventing cancer. The extract from the tropical plant indicates some anti-cancer properties useful for the immune system. Moreover, noni contains carbohydrates, dietary fibers, niacin, calcium, iron and potassium.

GOJI BERRIES
It has been found out that goji berries contain selenium, a trace mineral that acts an antioxidant which can neutralize free radicals that damage cells and cause cancer. Goji berries are also rich in other nutrients and phytochemicals like amino acids, carotenoids like beta-carotene and zeaxanthin, polysaccharides, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, iron, zinx, and riboflavin.

MANGOSTEEN
Mangosteen is anti-cancer and helps cancer prevention.
Various studies have shown that phytoceuticals in Mangosteen (in some cases known to be its xanthones) have properties such as: anti-tumor (shrinks tumors), anti-leukemia, antifungal (critical for all cancer patients), antibacterial (to protect DNA), antioxidants (at least two dozen different kinds of xanthones are in the mangosteen fruit), antiproliferation, kills cancer cells and causes apoptosis (programmed cell death) for some types of cancer. This is a pretty impressive list of cancer credentials!

This fruit has countless health benefits like ant-ulcer, anti-aging, antiviral, antibiotic, antifungal, anti-depressant, anti-obesity, anti-allergenic, anti-cataract, and many more.

Mangosteen also contains: catechins, polyphenols, minerals and vitamins.

SOURSOP
Soursop has anti-cancer characteristics and is best for all types of cancer. The fruit is also anti-stress, anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-depressant, and anti-worms.

POMEGRANATE
Studies have reported that the fruits contain phytochemicals that can suppress aromatase, an enzyme which converts androgen into estrogen and which is associated with breast cancer. Furthermore, clinical trials have shown the pomegranate extracts can prevent prostate cancer in men.

KIWI
Kiwi contains plenty of vitamins, especially vitamin C, the content of which is 4 to 12 times as that of orange. Through the researches in recent years, it is confirmed that kiwi contains a kind of active ingredient, which can block the formation of carcinogenic "nitrosamines" in the human body. As a result, it has a good effect in preventing cancer.

APPLE
Apple peels contain as many as a dozen cancer-fighting chemical compounds, according to a study conducted by researchers at Cornell University and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

"We found that several compounds have potent anti-proliferative activities against human liver, colon and breast cancer cells, and may be partially responsible for the anti-cancer activities of whole apples," said Rui Hai Liu, an associate professor of food science.

The researchers extracted each individual chemical compound found in the peels of 230 pounds of Red Delicious apples. They then tested these compounds individually against cultures of cancer cells in the laboratory. They identified 12 compounds, called triterpenoids, which inhibited the growth of cancer cells or even killed them.

10 Foods Around The World To Try Before You Die (PHOTOS)


Sampling the local cuisine can help you make friends, understand the history, politics or religion of the place you're visiting and provide a lasting memory of your trip. Food and travel go hand in hand, and there's no better way to delve deep into a destination than to try its most famous dishes.
No matter where you go around the world, every culture puts its own spin on food, whether they're serving a slightly different version of a familiar favorite or a strange (to you) dish sure to challenge even the most adventurous eater.
From China's famous Peking duck to good old US barbecue, here are ten iconic dishes from around the world that every traveler should try at least once!
China: Peking duck

  • China: Peking duck
The imperial dish, Peking duck from China is synonymous with superior Chinese food of the non-takeaway variety. What makes this particular roast duck a standout 'try before you die' candidate is the garlicky sweet crispy skin. Plating up the dish is an event in itself: order the whole duck, and the bird will be carved in front of you.

First you'll be served the famously crispy sweet skin. Next, juicy slivers of meat will be carved and served with steamed pancakes, spring onions and a sweet hoisin sauce so you can create your own Peking duck pancakes. If you're still hungry, the remaining duck will be served as a stir fry or broth.

Try Peking Duck and other specialties on afood tour in China and read more aboutChinese food


    France: Escargots
  • France: Escargots
You've got to try snails at least once in your life, if only to try to distinguish their flavor lurking beneath all that garlic butter. The ancient Romans ate snails, and they're eaten across the globe from Morocco to Cambodia. However, it's the French who are most readily identified with these tasty morsels, ideally sourced from Burgundy.

Escargots are generally eaten as an appetizer, served in the shell and cooked in a delicious melange of garlicky parsley butter. And what do they taste like? As you might expect, the texture is firm, but shouldn't be chewy, and the flavor underneath all that garlic and butter is similar to mussels.

Pair a wine tasting with a food tour for the ultimate French culinary experience.


Greece: Moussaka


  • Greece: Moussaka
The national casserole in Greece is a certain must-try dish, and these days there aren't many of us who haven't succumbed to this melting concoction. The Greek answer to the Italian lasagne, the dish is made by smothering layers of ingredients in a cheese béchamel sauce, and baking until creamily melted and golden.

Along with ground beef or lamb, the major ingredient in a traditional moussaka is eggplant; regional varieties might use other vegetables following this method, such as artichokes and potatoes. The salted and browned slices of eggplant are layered with meat stewed with onions, garlic, tomatoes and spices. Wherever you live, the resulting cheesy casserole is a heart-warming dish to serve in winter.



India: Masala dosa
  • India: Masala dosa
If one subcontinental meal could persuade a committed carnivore to order vegetarian, my vote would go to a masala dosa in South India. The plate-covering, paper-thin pancake is made from rice and lentils, cooked to lacy perfection on a hot griddle. What creates the flavor is a spiced concoction of mashed cooked potatoes and fried onions, served with a liberal dose of garlicky chutney.

Read more about dining in India and have a once-in-a-lifetime Indian food experience:cook and eat with a local family in New Delhi!


Italy: Zucchini flowers
  • Italy: Zucchini flowers
Everyone who's eaten Tuscany's fiore di zucca, or deep-fried zucchini flowers, says they're to die for, so it makes sense to add them to our list. The tender yellow zucchini flowers are stuffed with a delicious filling, maybe herbed ricotta or mozzarella, then dipped into a simple tempura-like batter and sizzled in olive oil. The result is a melt-in-the mouth, sweetly crisp sensation that must be eaten immediately.

A food and wine tour is a must-do for any trip to Tuscany! 

Japan: Teppanyaki
  • Japan: Teppanyaki
If you like a little theater and audience participation with your food, don't miss the experience of dining at a teppanyaki restaurant inJapan. With much flame-fuelled drama, sometimes accompanied by juggling of utensils and flipping of ingredients, the skilled chefs grill your steak right in front of you, via a sizzling-hot gas-powered griddle.

Order grilled Kobe beef, seafood or chicken, or ask for a signature flaming volcano of onion rings, and get ready to be amazed by your teppanyaki chef's superb knife skills.

Take a cooking class in Japan and skim ourCulinary Adventurer's Guide to Japanese Food to learn more.


Malaysia: Seafood curry laksa

  • Malaysia: Seafood curry laksa

Malaysia's king of soups is a spicy, tangy, coconut-creamy soup packed full of noodles, seafood, fish sticks, puffed tofu, vegetables, a hard-boiled egg, coriander and chilli sambal.

The Chinese-Malay dish is a classic of Peranakan cuisine, merging elements from Malaysia andSingapore. There are heaps of regional variances, and some seafood laksas also include chicken. If you come across assam laksa, you'll find it has a fish rather than coconut broth.

The general rule is the simpler the surroundings, the tastier the curry laksa, so pull up a stool at a streetside stall in a Penang backstreet or Singapore food court and tuck in.


Thailand: Som tam (green papaya salad)

  • Thailand: Som tam (green papaya salad)
To savour Thailand's four essential flavours - sour, salt, sweet and chilli - in one dish, load up a bowl of som tam and prepare for sensory overload. The base ingredient of shredded unripened papaya is combined with any or all of the following: palm sugar, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, tamarind juice, dried shrimp and, quite often, seafood, tomatoes, carrot, beans and peanuts. Simply add the ingredients to a mortar and start pounding.

A northern Thai dish from the Isan region, som tam is typically served with grilled chicken and sticky rice. If you're making the dish at home and can't source a green papaya at your local supermarket, you can substitute unripe mangoes, apples or cucumbers for a similar, but not as authentic, result



Australia and New Zealand: Pavlova
  • Australia and New Zealand: Pavlova
Fiercely competitive Australia and New Zealand vie for ownership of this iconic dessert. Currently the odds are on a hotel in Wellington, New Zealand as having invented this heavenly melange of meringue and cream.

The dish is named for the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, and indeed the meltingly soft light-as-air meringue does bring to mind the fluffy tulle of a ballet tutu. A classic pavlova is topped with lashings of whipped cream daubed with passionfruit, strawberries and kiwi fruit

USA: BBQ ribs
  • USA: BBQ ribs
If there's one US cuisine that has aficionados frothing at the mouth, it's the holy grail of smoked pork ribs: the BBQ. Kansas City, Memphis and St. Louis are US BBQ capitals, not forgetting Texas, the Carolinas ... hell, it seems everyone has their favorite local variety.

Memphis ribs get their extra belt of flavor from a dry rub made from garlic and spices, which is slapped on prior to smoking. The ribs are generally served with a tomato and vinegar BBQ sauce on the side.

Kansas City style ribs are prepared with a sweetly spiced rub before being extra slow-smoked, and sugar, honey and molasses add a sweet edge to the BBQ sauce served alongside.

St. Louis pork spare ribs are grilled, and served with lashings of tangy tomato-based BBQ sauce.

Whichever style of BBQ you choose, get ready to tuck in your bib for a messy feast.

Feeling hungry? Read more about food and travel. 






11 Home Remedies for Migraine Headaches


1. Drink water
“Dehydration can be a big cause of headaches,” Grosberg said.

2. Drink caffeine
Caffeine is a double-edged sword – it can help and hinder headaches.
“Caffeine can restrict blood vessels, it can lessen pain, it’s a constituent of some pain over-the-counter pain medicines, but it can also trigger headaches for some people,” Grosberg said. “If someone uses caffeine excessively, it can cause a rebound headache, making existing headaches worse.”

3. Tying a headband around the head
Grosberg said this is a practice that's been done since ancient times, and he’s not sure how it came about, but some people claim it works.

4. Fish oil
Enthusiasts claim that fish oil reduces inflammation and works by restricting the blood vessels in your temples. Grosberg said there's no sound evidence, but he recommends trying it.

5. Peppermint oil
Rub it on the part of your head that hurts.
“There’s been no literature to support this, but again, people say it works,” Grosberg said.

6. Eat ginger or take ginger capsules
“No one really knows how this works either,” Grosberg said. “It clearly reduces nausea, but other than that ..."

7. Magnesium
Grosberg said this has been studied and when taken in doses of 400 to 600 milligrams per day, magnesium is effective for menstrual-associated migraines and migraines associated with auras.
The downside: Magnesium may cause diarrhea, if you take too much, Grosberg said.

8. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
In doses of 400 milligrams a day, vitamin B2 can also act as a preventative for migraines, Grosberg said. It can cause some people to urinate more frequently or have darker urine, so the dosage may have to be adjusted.

9. CoEnzymeQ10
Grosberg said that taking 300 milligrams per day has proven to be effective in reducing head pain. The downside: It can be expensive.

10. Butterbur
The most effective "natural medicine," Grosberg said, is called butterbur, or petasites.
Butterbur is a plant grown in Germany, and extensive studies have proven that in pill form, it is very effective in treating migraine pain and asthma, as well as alleviate upset stomachs. Butterbur is safe, although it can only be ordered online.

11. Cold (or hot) compress
This is another remedy that no one knows why it works, but it some swear by it.
"It's hard to study something like that," Grosberg said. "It can have a placebo effect, or it can have a distracting effect on the patient. But a lot of patients swear by it."
Whether you try one or all of these at-home remedies, Grosberg said you should still keep a headache diary to monitor what works and what doesn't, and what triggers your headache. This will assist your doctor in treating you.
"Overall, the less medicines you take, the better," he added.