Healthy Living: Boils

23. June 2008 admin

Boils are small infections of the hair follicle characterized by painful red bumps on the skin. They can range from pea-sized to, in extreme cases, the size of a golf ball. A boil is a type of staph infection that starts out as a hard bump that later fills with pus to form a head, similar to that of a pimple.

Getting Rid of Boils
In general, boils are unsightly but do not pose a major threat to your health. Placing a warm, damp cloth over it several times a day draws pus to the surface to expedite drainage. Boils usually go away within a week or so, but in some cases a doctor must lance the boil in order to drain it.

Other forms of treatment include antibiotics (for severe or recurring cases) and topical ointments. Most topical solutions only relieve the discomfort, but some products, such as drawing salves, claim to draw the infection out. It is important to keep the area clean to avoid spreading the infection.

Boils can be caused by a number of factors. When sweat glands become blocked an infection may occur, sometimes resulting in a boil. Ingrown hairs are another possible cause. You can take measures to prevent boils by keeping the skin dry and clean and by using an antibacterial cleanser that helps defend the skin against unwanted bacteria.

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Healthy Living: Progesterone

22. June 2008 admin

Progesterone is a hormone produced by the female body to aid in reproduction and menstruation. Specifically, it prepares the uterus for ovulation and the implantation of a fertilized egg. If there is no fertilized egg present, progesterone levels decrease and prompt menstruation.

Progesterone plays a vital role during pregnancy as well. It is especially important in the first few months of pregnancy, serving to protect the placenta against spontaneous abortion. Additionally, it prepares the mammary glands for lactation.

Progesterone and Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen is the other primary female sex hormone. Many women suffer from a hormonal imbalance referred to as estrogen dominance, meaning progesterone levels are too low and estrogen too high. This condition has been linked with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), mood swings and decreased libido.

Some women use hormone therapy to remedy this imbalance. Progesterone creams are one of the more popular methods. Creams are easily absorbed by the body and are said to help with symptoms from menopause, perimenopause, and PMS.

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Healthy Living: Aloe Vera

21. June 2008 admin

Aloe vera is a plant used in many commercial products for its curative properties. It is just one of the hundreds of varieties of aloe plants, but the only one known for its power to heal. Although it resembles a cactus, it is actually part of the lily family.

Aloe vera contains a number of vitamins and amino acids the body needs. It has been known to aid in many gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcers. It also reduces excess stomach acid, the primary cause of heartburn and acid reflux disease.

Aloe Vera for Your Skin
Probably the most popular use for aloe vera is as an ingredient in skin care products. Since ancient times, people have used its gel to speed up the healing of burns and wounds. In addition, aloe vera has a natural moisturizing effect on the skin.

Although it is included in skin care creams and lotions, it is most effective in its pure form. Breaking open a leaf reveals the gel inside that can be applied directly to the affected area. Many people grow their own aloe plants. They are relatively easy to care for and can be either be potted or grown in a garden.

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Healthy Living: Lavender

20. June 2008 admin

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy refers to the science of healing the body and mind through the use of essential oils extracted from plants and herbs. Lavender is often chosen for its clean, sweet scent and restorative properties.

Benefits and Uses of Lavender
Lavender has a calming effect on the psyche and is known to ease tension and anxiety. For this reason, it is a favorite of people who have difficulty sleeping and those who suffer from stress disorders. Just a couple drops of lavender oil on a pillow or sachet can work wonders for inducing sleep. Some aromatherapists also recommend lavender to assuage feelings of depression.

People use lavender for its physical benefits as well. Try rubbing a little lavender oil onto your temples to relieve a headache. Apply it to cuts and burns to encourage swifter healing. Add some to the bath or to massage oil to ease cramps and muscle aches. Because it is a very gentle oil, it has a wide variety of applications.

Lavender can be found in many health and beauty products including soap, lotion and shampoo. In addition, room sprays, potpourri and candles commonly feature it for its appealing scent. You can buy the pure essential oil itself–but remember that just a few drops can be very powerful, so be conservative when using it.

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Healthy Living: Hair Care

19. June 2008 admin

Hair care has become a booming business. We have moved far beyond the days of Dippity Do gel and Aqua Net. There is now texturizing balm, finishing spritz, volumizing mist, shine serum, and defining wax, just to name a few of the trendy hair care products that promise to make you and your hair fabulous.

Everybody Loves Hair Care Products
Many women and men alike cant wait to get their hands on that revolutionary new hair product that will give them to-die-for hair. And a new one seems to crop up every week or so. Basically, styling products dirty up your tresses because clean hair is difficult to manipulate.

Collecting these products can become quite expensive. I personally use three styling aids: revival crème to protect my hair from the wretched blow dryer, wax to define the ends, and shine gloss for flyaways. And I still hate my hair. I remember how resourceful I was once in the 80s when I colored my hair purple for a Depeche Mode concert using red food coloring and made it stick up with sugar water. How punk of me. But hey, it worked!

If youre not so concerned with sculpting your hair into different textures and shapes, but are longing for lush, healthy locks, it is unlikely that any single product will transform your hair. Eating well, drinking water, regular trims, and limiting use of heat styling appliances are the best way to keep your mane in good shape. But between you and me, Im secretly crossing my fingers for that one hair care miracle in a bottle to come along.

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