Align Life Natural Health Care

12/31/2014

8 natural beauty tips from your kitchen

We are creations of nature. There is nothing ‘ugly’ among nature’s creations. The judgment of grades of beauty lies in the vision of the viewer. You look beautiful and radiant only when your inner beauty surfaces. This inner beauty is gained through yoga, meditation and the use of natural beauty enhancers.

Here are some natural products found in your kitchen that can be used as beauty aids:

To make your skin glow
Grate raw coconut and squeeze milk out of it. Apply this milk over your lips and face. It adds grace and glow to your skin.

Cleansing the skin
Dip a piece of cotton wool in unboiled milk and wipe the face with it. It cleans unseen dirt a.

Skin moisturizer
For normal skin, mix 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a cup of yogurt, to make a paste. Apply it on face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then clean it off with a wet tissue. This mask enhances the complexion and glow of face.

Nourishing the skin
A protein mask help to nourish your skin. Soak a teaspoon of urad dal and 5-6 almonds overnight. Grind this to a fine paste apply this protein mask on face and wash it off after half an hour. This mask nourishes the facial skin and also enhances the complexion.

Preventing wrinkles
Application of pure castor oil prevents wrinkles and softens the skin. This slows down the aging process

Home made conditioner
Mix one tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of cream. Apply this mixture on the face and wash off after a few minutes. It works wonders.

Removing skin pigmentation and marks
Rubbing a raw potato on face removes marks and pigments.

Sunscreen lotion from kitchen
Prepare a homogenous mixture of cucumber juice, glycerin and rose water. Apply this mixture on face. This mixture can be refrigerated.

12/30/2014

Surprising Benefits of Garlic:
Garlic has long been used as a ward against evil. In countries around the world, the history of garlic as protection against evil spirits, vampires, and the magic spells of sorcerers and witches dates as far back as ancient times. Today, garlic is still used as a ward against evil - evil illnesses, that is. Garlic has been scientifically studied due to the many health benefits it is purported to have.

• Garlic can help clear your skin. The antioxidants in garlic can eliminate bacteria thus rubbing garlic (sliced open, of course) on your skin can get rid of unsightly blemishes such as acne.

• Garlic can also eliminate fungal skin infections. This herb has anti-fungal properties so soaking the affected area in a basin filled with crushed garlic and warm water can remove conditions such as athlete’s foot and ringworm.

• Garlic makes great bait for fish because they find the smell of the herb so attractive.

• Garlic is a great, natural pesticide, perfect for protecting your garden from pests.

• Garlic has a natural adhesive quality which enables you to use it as a glue to fix hairline cracks in glass.

• Garlic is a natural mosquito repellant.

• Garlic reduces the risk of osteoarthritis.

• Garlic helps eliminate heavy metals in the body such as lead and mercury.

• Garlic is a great source of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C and B6 as well as selenium.

12/30/2014

Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

1. Nettle-Peppermint Tea

Nettle has such a negative image, but it’s one of the most incredible herbs you will use once you add it to your repertoire. From relieving arthritis (link), lowering blood pressure, and (of course) helping seasonal allergies, it performs a wide variety of functions thanks to its (find property names.) The peppermint contains a type of flavonoid called luteolin-7-O-rutinoside which can help inhibit the activity and secretion of anti-inflammatory enzymes, such as histamines, and greatly reduce the dreadful discomfort that comes along them.

You will need…

-1 teaspoon of dried peppermint OR ¼ cup chopped fresh peppermint
-1 teaspoon of dried nettle leaf OR ¼ cup chopped fresh nettle leaf
-Honey and lemon to taste (optional)
-8 ounces of fresh water

Directions

It doesn’t get much simpler than this recipe! Place the nettle and peppermint in a mug and cover with boiling water. Steep them for 10-15 minutes, strain; add honey to taste, and drink 2 times daily as needed for allergy relief.

2. Refreshing Citrus Drink

Since many allergies peak in the spring and summer, they happen to coincide with warm, sunny days that you want to enjoy by frolicking in the great outdoors. As healing as tea is, sometimes you just need that tart, cool, refreshing drink at your side. This citrus filled drink contains plenty of vitamin C, which can provide relief from seasonal allergies, thanks to its incredible ability to nourish the immune system. Since the immune system is struggling to function right when you experience allergies, the benefits of this are obvious!

You will need…

-1/2 lemon
-2 oranges
-1 tablespoon of local, raw, organic honey

Directions

Squeeze the juice from the lemon and oranges and chill for several hours. Stir in the honey, add some ice cubes, and drink daily.

12/29/2014

Herbs to Cleanse Your Kidneys

Here are some herbs that help cleanse the kidneys:

1. Ginger – ginger contains antioxidant compounds beneficial for kidney function. It also has cleansing properties and it purifies the blood and kidney of all toxins.

2. Turmeric- turmeric is rich in antiseptic properties and is used to treat many ailments. It has anti-inflammatory properties so it can help prevent and treat kidney inflammation and kidney infections.

3. Dandelion – dandelion leaves are especially one of nature’s best diuretics. They strengthen the kidneys, clearing water retention and promotes urination, and thus soothe irritations in the urinary system. Fresh or dried, all parts of the plant can be brewed into a refreshing tea that has diuretic properties.

4. Nettle – another herb that is used to benefit the blood and treat urinary tract infections. It has diuretic effect and keeps water flowing through the kidneys and bladder, washing bacteria away. Its high iron content makes it a great blood builder as well. Steep fresh or dries nettles in hot water for 10-15 minutes for a detoxifying, diuretic tea.

5. Parsley – this is one of the best foods that helps flush kidneys of all the toxins and is also beneficial for treating kidney stones and urinary tract infection. You can either include this food in your salad or other dishes or prepare parsley tea.

6. Marshmallow root – the root of the marshmallow plant is also a diuretic and is good for the kidneys. It helps to treat urinary problems such as urinary tract infection, kidney stones and bladder infections. Marshmallow root is considered a safe herb although it is recommended to take it several hours after taking prescription medications as it may inhibit their absorption.

7. Juniper – Juniper berries improve kidney function. They are used for urinary tract infections and kidney and bladder stones. Juniper might also increase the need to urinate. Don’t take juniper berry if you have a kidney inflammation. Don’t use it continuously for more than 4 weeks, and don’t take juniper berry during pregnancy.

8. Yarrow – yarrow not only works as a diuretic, encouraging the kidneys to expel waste and water, but it has the added benefit of containing antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. While the diuretic action increases urine flow, the antiseptic action helps fight bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections.

9. Red clover – another diuretic herb that stimulates the removal of waste and water from the kidneys.

12/29/2014

SUNBURN HOME REMEDIES – INSTANT RELIEF FROM SUNBURN

Tomato: Crush a raw tomato and apply it to the burned areas. Using tomato on a sunburn can help give you relief from the burn.

Aloe vera: Apply an aloe vera gel to your skin as soon as possible. This will help your skin to heal faster, limit the dryness and itchiness that result from a bad burn, and limit the damage your sunburn can cause to the skin.

Cucumber: Rub the area gently with sliced cucumber. They contain compounds that cool the burn and help reduce swelling.

Oatmeal: The oldest remedy is to use oatmeal on sunburn. Just cook some oatmeal and let it cool before you apply it on the skin, leave it on for few mins and rinse off with cool water to get rid of redness and inflammation.

Ice cube: Rub an ice cube over the affected area to hasten healing, soothe your pain.

vitamin e oil: Vitamin E contains antioxidant that can help decrease inflammation caused by sunburn. Apply few drops of vitamin e oil to relieve pain, as the vitamin helps to moisturize the skin.

Apple cider vinegar: Dilute apple cider vinegar with cold water in a bowl, soak a few sheets of paper towels or wash cloth and apply them to the sunburned areas for an instant relief.

Green tea: Brew up a pot of green tea and let it cool. Soak a clean cloth in the tea, and use it as a compress for sunburned areas. The tea contains ingredients that help protect the skin from damage and reduce inflammation.

Potato: Wash 2 potatoes, cut them into small chunks, and place blend them to a thick paste or juice and use them on the burned skin.

12/28/2014

12/27/2014

Treatment and Home Remedies for Kidney Infection

Since kidney infection results from a bacterial attack, antibiotics are the primary cure against it. Thereafter, urine and blood samples may also be taken for analysis.

But for a more holistic and home-remedy approach against kidney infection, here are simple ways to deal with the condition:
Drink lots of fluids like cranberry juice.
Acupuncture is also beneficial in treating urinary tract or kidney infections.
Certain studies suggest a link between kidney infection and diet. Poor appetite can be a sign of kidney infection.
To reduce the likelihood of kidney infection, experts also suggest the following holistic methods:

Maintain proper hygiene:
Poor hygiene allow bacteria to thrive in areas like the ge****ls or re**um. Over time, bacteria may travel to the urinary system and trigger infection.

Use estriol cream:
Putting estriol cream inside the va**na can help lower the incidents of urinary tract and kidney infection among postmenopausal women.

Drink cranberry juice:
Intake of cranberry products helps prevent urinary tract infections from happening. Make sure you make it a part of your diet to eat the fruit or drink its juice.

12/26/2014

5 Paths To Peace

Mounting medical evidence shows that meditation can boost the immune system, improve circulation, lower cholesterol, ease chronic pain, end insomnia, counter anxiety, relieve gastrointestinal distress, and actually extend your lifespan. Meditation is a wonderful way to reduce stress, says Timothy McCall, M.D., author of Yoga as Medicine. Stress not only makes people miserable in their day-to-day lives, it also undermines their health.

The goal of most meditation practices is simple enough: Bring your attention to one thing in order to deepen your awareness of the present moment. For people accustomed to multitasking, paying attention to just one thing can be a challenge. The trick is to find a practice style thats right for you. If sitting and breathing is not your thing, perform a simple walking meditation. If you're not comfortable focusing on the noise inside your head, listen to the sounds outside it. If silence seems scary, repeat a mantra.

Here, we offer a guide to five beginner-friendly techniques, with advice from some of the worlds leading meditation instructors. Try each style on for size, and when you find one that fits, stick with it. Its like exercising a muscle, says teacher Richard Rosen; with each workout it gets stronger. Soon you'll carry the centered awareness gained from meditation into the rest of your daily activities, making everything more satisfying. As Rosen says, first it's a chore, eventually its a pleasure.

12/25/2014

Honey

you are struggling with a bad cough, you may not need to look further than that honey bear in the back of your pantry. Not only does honey soothe a sore throat, it can also act as a cough suppressant.


This Mayo Clinic article describes a study in which kids 2 and older reportedly slept better and coughed less when they had honey before bedtime. (Always remember, due to the risk of botulism, children under the age of one, should never have honey.)

12/24/2014

4 Foods for A Fit (and Fab) Work Day
Regardless of where you work, chances are it's an easy place to be tempted by foods that don't jibe with your eating goals. Sure, a treat every now and again is welcome, but staying on track sometimes takes tools. Here we offer four foods that make it easy to eat healthily while on the job -- and enjoy it!

Apples. Packed with fiber and polyphenols that act as antioxidants, apples are a great snack to keep around, washed and ready to grab. Coming in at close to 100 calories and with 5 grams of fiber and about 8 percent of your vitamin C, an apple is great to eat when hunger strikes or you're tempted by something at the office. Enjoy with a piece of cheese or peanut butter for some added protein. Freshly ground cinnamon also makes a mundane apple a tasty treat. There are 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States. Consider keeping a small apple bowl on your desk; their bright hues will cheer you up and remind you they're there.

Herbal Tea. Okay, it's not exactly a food, but herbal teas are your best friend when you want to stay healthy and look great. Did someone bring donuts into the office? Make a beeline to the kettle and brew yourself a cup of naturally sweet tea, like one with cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. Add some stevia and a splash of milk, and those donuts aren't so tempting anymore.

Chia Seeds. These teeny nutritional gems pack protein, fiber and healthy omega-3 fats into flavorless seeds. A tablespoon has 4 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. We suggest keeping a jar on hand at work to easily up the nutritional profile of snacks or meals like yogurt, oatmeal or a salad so that you'll stay full longer. In the morning when you get to work, try mixing a tablespoon of chia seeds with 6 ounces of juice and wait three hours. The seeds become gelatinous and create a fun, filling drink (people usually love this or hate it).

Quinoa. Cooking up a big pot of quinoa on Sunday is one of the best ways to set yourself up for successful eating during the workweek. It makes the best base for snacks, lunches and even breakfasts. Toss it with black beans, veggies and salsa for a healthy lunch salad. Warm it with milk, raisins and cinnamon for breakfast or a snack. It's got tons of fiber and protein and will keep you content enough to avoid the break-room temptations

12/23/2014

Get spiritual

A study conducted by the formidably sober and scientific Harvard University found that patients who were prayed for recovered quicker than those who weren’t, even if they weren’t aware of the prayer.