Herbal Remedies For Everyone

Abdominal pain is pain that is felt in the part of the trunk below the ribs and above the pelvis.
Abdominal pain comes from organs within the abdomen or organs adjacent to the abdomen.
Abdominal pain is caused by inflammation, distention of an organ, or by loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be caused by contraction of the intestinal muscles or hyper-sensitivity to normal intestinal activities.
Symptoms associated with abdominal pain may include:
    Bloating
    Gas (flatus, farting)
    Indigestion
    Pain in the upper left or right; middle; or lower left or right abdomen
    Constipation
    GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease)
    Heartburn
    Chest pain
The cause of abdominal pain is diagnosed on the basis of the characteristics of the pain, physical examination, and testing. Occasionally, surgery is necessary for diagnosis.

The diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain is challenging because the characteristics of the pain may be atypical, tests are not always abnormal, diseases causing pain may mimic each other, and the characteristics of the pain may change over time.

What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is pain that is felt in the abdomen. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs and diaphragm above, the pelvic bone (pubic ramus) below, and the flanks on each side. Although abdominal pain can arise from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity (such as the skin and abdominal wall muscles), the term abdominal pain generally is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity. Organs of the abdomen include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas.

Technically, the lowermost portion of the area described previously, is the pelvis, which contains the urinary bladderand rectum, as well as the prostate gland in men, and the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries in women. Often, it can be difficult to know if lower abdominal pain is coming from the lower abdomen or pelvis.

Occasionally, pain may be felt in the abdomen even though it is arising from organs that are close to, but not within, the abdominal cavity. For example, conditions of the lower lungs, the kidneys, and the uterus or ovaries can cause abdominal pain. On the other hand, it also is possible for pain from organs within the abdomen to be felt outside of the abdomen. For example, the pain of pancreatic inflammation may be felt in the back. These latter types of pain are called "referred" pain because the pain does not originate in the location that it is felt. Rather, the cause of the pain is located away from where it is felt (i.e., it is referred to a different area).

What causes abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is caused by inflammation of an organ (for example, appendicitis, diverticulitis, colitis), by stretching or distention of an organ (for example, obstruction of the intestine, blockage of a bile duct by gallstones, swelling of the liver with hepatitis), or by loss of the supply of blood to an organ (for example, ischemic colitis).
To complicate matters, however, abdominal pain also can occur without inflammation, distention or loss of blood supply. An important example of this latter type of pain is the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is not clear what causes the abdominal pain in IBS, but it is believed to be due either to abnormal contractions of the intestinal muscles (for example, spasm) or abnormally sensitive nerves within the intestines that give rise to painful sensations inappropriately (visceral hyper-sensitivity). These latter types of pain are often referred to as functional pain because no recognizable specific abnormality to account for the causes of the pain have been found - at least not yet

When should I call my doctor about abdominal pain?
Some doctors suggest that if you have a "less serious" cause of abdominal pain (see above section on topic), especially if it is likely food poisoning (viral or bacterial) and you have had discomfort but are not dehydrated, you will likely not need medical care as the symptoms should resolve in about 24 to 48 hours. If you have a chronic problem that occasionally causes abdominal pain, most doctors suggest you contact the person treating you for the ailment for an appointment or prescription (refill). However, if you have any of the problems or symptoms listed in the "serious abdominal pain "section above, you should seek immediate medical care.
How is the cause of abdominal pain diagnosed?
Doctors determine the cause of abdominal pain by relying on:
    Characteristics, signs, and symptoms of the pain
    Findings on physical examination
    Laboratory, radiological, and endoscopic testing
    Surgery

Signs and symptoms associated with abdominal pain
The following information, obtained by taking a patient's history, is important in helping doctors determine the cause of pain:
    The way the pain begins: Abdominal pain that comes on suddenly suggests an acute event, for example, the interruption of the supply of blood to the colon (ischemia) or obstruction of the bile duct by a gallstone (biliary colic).
    The location of the pain: Appendicitis typically causes pain in the middle of the abdomen, and then moves to the right lower abdomen, the usual location of the appendix.
Diverticulitis typically causes pain in the left lower abdomen where most colonic diverticuli are located.
Pain from the gallbladder (biliary colic or cholecystitis) typically is felt in the middle, upper abdomen or the right upper abdomen near where the gallbladder is located.
The pattern of the pain:Obstruction of the intestine initially causes waves of crampy abdominal pain due to contractions of the intestinal muscles and distention of the intestine.
    True cramp-like pain suggests vigorous contractions of the intestines.
    Obstruction of the bile ducts by gallstones typically causes steady (constant) upper abdominal pain that lasts between 30 minutes and several hours.
    Acute pancreatitis typically causes severe, unrelenting, steady pain in the upper abdomen and upper back.
    The pain of acute appendicitis initially may start near the umbilicus, but as the inflammation progresses, the pain moves to the right lower abdomen.
    The character of pain may change over time. For example, obstruction of the bile ducts sometimes progresses to inflammation of the gallbladder with or without infection (acute cholecystitis). When this happens, the characteristics of the pain change to those of inflammatory pain. (See below.)
The duration of the pain:The pain of IBS typically waxes and wanes over months or years and may last for years or decades.
    Biliary colic lasts no more than several hours.
    The pain of pancreatitis lasts one or more days.
    The pain of acid-related diseases - gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or duodenal ulcers - typically show periodicity, that is, a period of weeks or months during which the pain is worse followed by periods of weeks or months during which the pain is better.
    Functional pain may show this same pattern of periodicity.
What makes the pain worse. Pain due to inflammation (appendicitis, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis) typically is aggravated by sneezing, coughing or any jarring motion. Patients with inflammation as the cause of their pain prefer to lie still.
What relieves the pain:The pain of IBS and constipation often is relieved temporarily by bowel movements and may be associated with changes in bowel habit.
    Pain due to obstruction of the stomach or upper small intestine may be relieved temporarily by vomiting which reduces the distention that is caused by the obstruction.
        Eating or taking antacids may temporarily relieve the pain of ulcers of the stomach or duodenum because both food and antacids neutralize the acid that is responsible for irritating the ulcers and causing the pain.
        Pain that awakens patients from sleep is more likely to be due to non-functional causes and is more significant.
Other associated symptoms that accompany abdominal pain may suggest the following:
    The presence of fever suggests inflammation or infection.
    Diarrhea or rectal bleeding suggests an intestinal cause of the pain.
    The presence of fever and diarrhea suggest inflammation of the intestines that may be infectious or non-infectious.

Examinations to diagnose abdominal pain
Physical examination
Examining the patient will provide the doctor with additional clues to the cause of abdominal pain. The doctor will determine:
    The presence of sounds coming from the intestines that occur when there is obstruction of the intestines,
    The presence of signs of inflammation (by special maneuvers during the examination),
    The location of any tenderness
    The presence of a mass within the abdomen that     suggests a tumor, enlarged organ, or abscess (a collection of infected pus)
    The presence of blood in the stool that may signify an intestinal problem such as an ulcer, colon cancer, colitis, or ischemia.
For example:
    Finding tenderness and signs of inflammation in the left lower abdomen often means that diverticulitis is present, while finding a tender (inflamed) mass in the same area may mean that the inflammation has progressed and that an abscess has formed.
    Finding tenderness and signs of inflammation in the right lower abdomen often means that appendicitis is present, while finding a tender mass in the same area may mean that the inflammation has progressed and that an abscess has formed.
    Inflammation in the right lower abdomen, with or without a mass, also may be found in Crohn's disease. (Crohn's disease most commonly affects the last part of the small intestine, usually located in the right lower abdomen.)
    A mass without signs of inflammation may mean that a cancer is present.Exams and tests to diagnose abdominal pain
While the history and physical examination are vitally important in determining the cause of abdominal pain, testing often is necessary to determine the cause.
Laboratory tests.
 Laboratory tests such as the complete blood count (CBC), liver enzymes, pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase), pregnancy test and urinalysis are frequently performed in the evaluation of abdominal pain.
    An elevated white count suggests inflammation or infection (as with appendicitis, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, or colitis).
    A low red blood cell count may indicate a bleed in  the intestines.
    Amylase and lipase (enzymes produced by the pancreas) commonly are elevated in pancreatitis.
    Liver enzymes may be elevated with gallstone attacks or acute hepatitis.
    Blood in the urine suggests kidney stones.
    When there is diarrhea, white blood cells in the stool suggest intestinal inflammation or infection.
    A positive pregnancy test may indicate an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus).
Plain X-rays of the abdomen.
 Plain X-rays of the abdomen also are referred to as a KUB (because they include the kidney, ureter, and bladder). The KUB may show enlarged loops of intestines filled with copious amounts of fluid and air when there is intestinal obstruction. Patients with a perforated ulcer may have air escape from the stomach into the abdominal cavity. The escaped air often can be seen on a KUB on the underside of the diaphragm. Sometimes a KUB may reveal a calcified kidney stone that has passed into the ureter and resulted in referred abdominal pain or calcifications in the pancreas that suggests chronic pancreatitis
Abdominal ultrasound 
Abdominal ultrasound scanning is useful in diagnosing gallstones, cholecystitis appendicitis, or ruptured ovarian cysts as the cause of the pain.
Computerized tomography (CT) 
Computerized tomography (CT) of the abdomen is useful in diagnosing pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, appendicitis, and diverticulitis, as well as in diagnosing abscesses in the abdomen. Special CT scans of the abdominal blood vessels can detect diseases of the arteries that block the flow of blood to the abdominal organs.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in diagnosing many of the same conditions as CT tomography.
Barium X-rays of the stomach and the intestines (upper gastrointestinal series or UGI with a small bowel follow-through) can be helpful in diagnosing ulcers, inflammation, and blockage in the intestines.
Computerized tomography (CT) of the small intestine can be helpful in diagnosing diseases in the small bowel such as Crohn's disease.
Capsule enteroscopy, uses a small camera the size of a pill swallowed by the patient, which can take pictures of the entire small bowel and transmit the pictures onto a portable receiver. The small bowel images can be downloaded from the receiver onto a computer to be inspected by a doctor later. Capsule enteroscopy can be helpful in diagnosing Crohn's disease, small bowel tumors, and bleeding lesions not seen on x-rays or CT scans.
Endoscopic procedures.
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD is useful for detecting ulcers, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), or stomach cancer.
    Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy is useful for diagnosing infectious colitis, ulcerative colitis, or colon cancer.
    Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is useful for diagnosing pancreatic cancer or gallstones if the standard ultrasound or CT or MRI scans fail to detect them.
    Balloon enteroscopy, the newest technique allows endoscopes to be passed through the mouth or anus and into the small intestine where small intestinal causes of abdominal pain or bleeding can be diagnosed, biopsied, and treated.
Surgery. Sometimes, diagnosis requires examination of the abdominal cavity either by laparoscopy or surgery.

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and diagnosing abdominal pain
As previously discussed, the pain of irritable bowel syndrome is due either to abnormal intestinal muscle contractions or visceral hypersensitivity. Generally, abnormal muscle contractions and visceral hypersensitivity are much more difficult to diagnose than other diseases causing abdominal pain, particularly since there are no typical abnormalities on physical examination or the usual diagnostic tests. The diagnosis is based on the history (typical symptoms) and the absence of other causes of abdominal pain

Why can diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain be difficult?
Modern advances in technology have greatly improved the accuracy, speed, and ease of establishing the cause of abdominal pain, but significant challenges remain. There are many reasons why diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain can be difficult. They are:

    Symptoms may be atypical. For example, the pain of appendicitis sometimes is located in the right upper abdomen, and the pain of diverticulitis is on the right side. Elderly patients and patients taking corticosteroids may have little or no pain and tenderness when there is inflammation, for example, with cholecystitis or diverticulitis. This occurs because corticosteroids reduce the inflammation.
    Tests are not always abnormal.
        Ultrasound examinations can miss gallstones, particularly small ones.
        CT scans may fail to show pancreatic cancer, particularly small ones.
        The KUB can miss the signs of intestinal obstruction or stomach perforation.
        Ultrasounds and CT scans may fail to demonstrate appendicitis or even abscesses, particularly if the abscesses are small.
        The CBC and other blood tests may be normal despite severe infection or inflammation, particularly in patients receiving corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress the immune system.

    Diseases can mimic one another.
        IBS symptoms can mimic bowel obstruction, cancer, ulcer, gallbladder attacks, or even appendicitis.
        Crohn's disease can mimic appendicitis.
        Infection of the right kidney can mimic acute cholecystitis.
        A ruptured right ovarian cyst can mimic appendicitis; while a ruptured left ovarian cyst can mimic diverticulitis.
        Kidney stones can mimic appendicitis or diverticulitis.
    The characteristics of the pain may change. Examples discussed previously include the extension of the inflammation of pancreatitis to involve the entire abdomen and the progression of biliary colic to cholecystitis.
What are home remedies for certain causes of abdominal pain?

If you are unsure that your abdominal pain requires medical evaluation, contact your doctor before using any home remedies.

    Common home remedies for abdominal pain are:
        eating less food,
        taking small amounts of baking soda,
        using lemon and/or lime juice, and
        starting a BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce and toast) for a day or so.
        Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
Some health care professionals recommend:
    Taking ginger
    Peppermint
    Licorice
    Chamomile tea
    Medications such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), loperamide (Imodium), ranitidine (Zantac) and other over-the-counter substances

Some of these listed above may help reduce symptoms, but if symptoms persist, seek medical help. Beware of "cures" advertised for abdominal pains as a single treatment that can cure all types of this problem does not exist.

Taking aspirin or NSAIDs should be avoided until the cause of the pain is diagnosed because the medications could make some causes worse (for example, peptic ulcers, intestinal bleeding)

What medications can be used to treat certain causes of abdominal pain?
Medications that are used to treat the underlying cause(s) of abdominal pain are the medications of choice. For example, medications are not needed to treat simple viral gastroenteritis, while surgery and/or chemotherapy may be the best approach to treat certain cancers in the abdomen. Other causes may require antispasmodics, antimicrobial, H2 blockers, or even nitrates or morphine. The diagnosed cause usually narrows the choice of medications. A few causes can only be treated by surgery (for example appendicitis, hernia [incarcerated], and certain abdominal injuries), although some medications may be used (for example, morphine) while the person is awaiting surgery.

What lifestyle choices can I make to prevent abdominal pain?
Lifestyle changes really depend on the cause of the abdominal pain.
    Good hygiene, especially hand washing and avoiding materials and foods contaminated with viruses and bacteria will reduce your chances of developing illness and abdominal pain from many infectious causes.
For other specific suggestions, the reader should determine what is suggested to prevent or reduce the chance of getting one of the many specific causes of abdominal pain presented in this article.
Eat a good diet, exercise, and avoid smoking and excess alcohol consumption to reduce the chances that you will experience certain causes of abdominal pain.

The combination of honey and cinnamon has been used for centuries in both traditional Chinese and Ayurveda, a system of healing founded 5000 years ago in India. The two ingredients with unique healing abilities have a long history as a home remedy. Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known to mankind and honey's popularity has continued throughout history. Cinnamon's essential oils and honey's enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide qualify the two "anti-microbial" foods with the ability to help stop the growth of bacteria as well as fungi. Both are used not just as a beverage flavoring and medicine, but also as an embalming agent and are used as alternatives to traditional food preservatives due to their effective antimicrobial properties.
Also, it is worth mentioning that in Ayurvedic medicine, honey is known as 'Yogavahi', which means "the carrier of the healing values of the herbs to the cells and tissues". It is believed that when combined with another substance (eg a herb or spice) in a formulation, the special quality of honey enhances the medicinal qualities of that formulation and helps them reach the deeper tissues in the body more effectively. And honey and cinnamon, which is one of the best-known mixtures, has been reported to be a natural cure for many diseases and a formula for many health benefits:

1) HEART DISEASES: Apply honey and cinnamon powder on bread instead of using jam or butter and eat it regularly for breakfast. It is believed that in the long run, this can help prevent blockages in blood vessels, heart attacks and hypercholesterolemia.

2) ARTHRITIS:Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, by mixing a cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon. When taken regularly, even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a research project conducted at Copenhagen University, it was found that when doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon of honey and a half-teaspoon of cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, 73 out of the 200 tested were totally relieved of pain. Within a month, most all of the people who had trouble walking or moving around because of their arthritis could walk without pain. Apply a paste made of the two ingredients on the affected part of the body and massage slowly. Drinking tea with honey and cinnamon daily can also help relieve pain and stiffness in the joints.

3) HAIR LOSS: Apply a paste of hot olive oil, a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath, leave it for 15 min and wash.

4) BLADDER INFECTIONS: Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and half a teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink. This can help destroy the bacteria in the urinary system.

5) TOOTHACHE: Apply a paste of cinnamon powder and honey and on the aching tooth.

6) CHOLESTEROL: Add honey to cinnamon powder mixed in boiled water or green tea and drink.

7) COLDS: Make a glass of lukewarm honey water mixed with a pinch of cinnamon powder to help boost your immune system during the cold season. It is also helpful in clearing the sinuses.
   
8) INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on a spoonful of honey taken before food relieves acidity and prevents indigestion.

9) LONGEVITY: Regularly take tea made with honey and a little cinnamon powder to strengthen your immune system and protect your body from viral and bacterial attacks.

10) PIMPLES: Mix honey with cinnamon powder and apply paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash away the next morning.

11) OBESITY: To reduce weight, daily drink a mixture of a teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder boiled in water with an empty stomach in the morning about half an hour before breakfast. Step-by-step instructions in: Cinnamon and Honey Recipe.

Cinnamon has an insulin boosting property (water soluble compounds called polyphenol type A polymers) which have the ability to boost insulin activity about 20 fold and can benefit people who have high sugar levels (obese people, pre-diabetics and diabetics). Also, read the honey hibernation diet theory to find out how honey contributes to the metabolizing of undesirable cholesterol and fatty acid, provides a fuelling mechanism for the body, keep blood sugar levels balanced, and let our recovery hormones get on with burning body fat stores.

12) BAD BREATH: Gargle with honey and cinnamon powder mixed in warm water so that breath stays fresh throughout the day.
Honey plus cinnamon together besides being a amazing potential cure for so many illnesses, their total fragrant, sweet and warm taste is also a perfect match for the palate. The combination adds a magic effect to the taste of cakes, breads, biscuits and rolls and is known to make many winning recipes in the world of delicious food, such as the famous, easy-to-make, kids' favourite classic - honey and cinnamon butter toast!
13) ITCHING/INSECT BITES: If you take one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, you can make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body. Any pain should go away in about a minute or two.
14) HELPS MANAGE DIABETES:Cinnamon contains antioxidant flavonoids whose effect closely resembles that of insulin, meaning that it can help remove glucose from the bloodstream and put it into the cells as an energy source. Cinnamon’s effects, when combined with honey, show a steady use of glucose by the body, and an improvement in Type 2 diabetes management.
15)FIGHTS CANCER:Phytochemicals found in large amounts within honey have been linked to cancer prevention, while cinnamon offers anti-tumor properties that can also decrease the chances of metastasis or the spread of cancer through tumorous growth. Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon 3X a day for one month.

There is something undeniably enchanting about honey; the product of flower nectar(containing about 600compounds) transformed by bees through swallowing and regurgitation.
Honey has always been a very popular culinary delicacy as well as an important medical remedy for many millennia. Across the globe, our ancestors seemed to be well aware of the many health benefits of honey. Its earliest known use as a medicinal prescription is found in Sumerian clay tablets that may be almost 4000 years old. Almost 30% of the Sumerians’ medical treatments included honey. In India, honey is an important part of Siddha and Ayurveda – the ancient, traditional systems of medicine. In ancient Egypt, it was used in managing skin and eye diseases, and also as a natural bandage applied on wounds and burns. Several other cultures have also used honey for various medical purposes. Today, honey is the focus of much scientific research by the medical community, which has been investigating and confirming the many uses of honey our forefathers thought up. Let’s take a look at a few of these.
1.Soothes coughs
A 2007 study from Penn State College of Medicine that involved 139 children, found that buckwheat honey outperformed the cough suppressant, dextromethorphan (DM), in calming nighttime coughs in children and improving their sleep. Another study published in Pediatrics included 270 children aged one to five with nighttime cough due to simple colds; in this study, the children who received two teaspoons of honey 30 minutes before bed, coughed less frequently, less severely and were less likely to lose sleep due to the cough when compared to those who didn't get honey.
2. Boosts memory
According to research reported by Reuters, 102 healthy women of menopausal age were assigned to consume 20 grams of honey a day, take hormone-replacement therapy containing estrogen and progesterone or do nothing. After four months, those who took honey or hormone pills recalled about one extra word out of 15 presented on a short-term memory test. That said, some critics of the study say that it wasn’t scientifically sound because it was small and didn’t last long. But still...
3. Treats wounds
In numerous studies, honey has been found effective in treating wounds. In a Norwegian study, a therapeutic honey called Medihoney (a New Zealand honey that undergoes a special purification process) and Norwegian Forest Honey were found to kill all strains of bacteria in wounds. In another study, 59 patients suffering from wounds and leg ulcers – of which 80 percent had failed to heal with conventional treatment – were treated with unprocessed honey. All but one of the cases showed remarkable improvement following topical application of honey. Wounds that were sterile at the outset, remained sterile until healed, while infected wounds and ulcers became sterile within one week of applying honey.
For the treatment of burns and wounds, WebMD notes: Honey is applied directly or in a dressing which is usually changed every 24 to 48 hours. When used directly, 15 mL to 30 mL of honey has been applied every 12 to 48 hours, and covered with sterile gauze and bandages or a polyurethane dressing.
4. Provides nutrients
According to the National Honey Board, honey contains “small amounts of a wide array of vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.” Thus, using honey instead of sugar provides you with more nutrients for your calories.
5. Potentially prevents low white blood cell count
The Mayo Clinic notes that honey may be a promising and inexpensive way to prevent low white blood cell count caused by chemotherapy. In one small trial, 40 percent of cancer patients who were known to be at risk of neutropenia (very low blood count) had no further episodes of the condition after taking two teaspoons daily of therapeutic honey during chemotherapy. More research is needed, but the remedy could hold great potential.
6. May relieve seasonal allergies
Many people swear by honey’s ability to lessen symptoms of seasonal allergy. As honey has anti-inflammatory effects and is known to soothe coughs, it may not seem like much of a stretch; but honey’s efficacy for treating allergy hasn’t been proven in clinical studies. That said, some experts say that honey can contain traces of flower pollen, and exposure to small amounts of allergens works as good treatment to combat reactions. Whether it can be proven by science or not is one thing; but at its worst, it makes for a delicious placebo. (And don’t knock the healing power of placebos!)
7. Kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria
In clinical studies, medical grade honey has been shown to kill food-borne illness pathogens like E. coli and salmonella, as well as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both of which are common in hospitals and doctors' offices.
8. May help metabolize alcohol

 Research reveals that honey taken orally might, "increase the body's ability to metabolize alcohol, thereby limiting intoxication and more rapidly reducing alcohol blood levels."
9. Makes great workout fuel
Many athletes rely on sugar-laden sports drinks and gels for carbohydrates to fuel their bodies before and during endurance events, and afterwards to help muscle recovery. At 17 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon, honey makes an excellent source of all-natural energy that is superior to other conventional sources since it comes with added nutrients. The National Honey Board recommends adding honey to your bottle of water for an energy boost during workouts. Snacks with honey can be eaten before and after, and honey sticks can be used during endurance events.
10. Resolves scalp problems and dandruff
In a study involving patients with chronic seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff, the participants were asked to apply honey diluted with 10 percent warm water to their problem areas and leave it on for three hours before rinsing with warm water. In all of the patients, itching was relieved and scaling disappeared within one week. Skin lesions were completely healed within two weeks, and patients showed subjective improvement in hair loss as well. And when applied weekly thereafter for six months, patients showed no sign of relapse.
11. Honey cures anaemia
Honey influences the body in different ways depending on how you consume it. If honey is mixed in tepid water and drunk, it has a beneficial impact on the red blood cell (RBC) count in the blood. RBCs are mainly responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood to various parts of the body. The honey-tepid water mixture raises the bloods hemoglobin levels, which takes care of anemic conditions. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that occurs when dietary intake or absorption of iron is insufficient, and the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood is compromised. The reduced oxygen carrying capacity leads to fatigue, breathlessness, and sometimes depression and other problems. Honey can negate these issues by building the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
12.Reduce ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Recent research shows that honey treatment may help disorders such as ulcers and bacterial gastroenteritis.
13.Honey is Probiotic with mysterious therapeutic properties
Some varieties of honey possess large amounts of friendly bacteria. This includes up to 6 species of lactobacilli and 4 species of bifidobacteria. This may explain many of the “mysterious therapeutic properties of honey.”
14. Prevents cancer and heart disease:
Honey contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.
15.Improve allergies – If sourced locally, raw honey can help reduce seasonal allergies.

BITTER kola is a popular agricultural produce available in large quantity in West Africa and it is a tree that grows in the rain forests. Bitter Kola has been identified as a potent antibiotic which could be effective in the treatment of many deceases.

The fruit, seeds, nuts and bark of the plant have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat ailments from coughs to fever. As with any other herb, you never consume Garcinia kola without first discussing its use and benefits with your physician, especially if you are currently being treated for other medical conditions or are on any medications.

However, Bitter Kola is considered as an effective agricultural produce in the treatment of cough, diarrhea, tuberculosis and other bacterial infections. “When food is suspected to be contaminated by bacteria, chew bitter kola immediately after eating, it will prevent the development of any infection or poisoning.

Bitter Kola was eaten mostly by the elderly people because of their belief that it could prolong life.” Actually, researches in modern science have revealed that bitter kola contains chemical compounds that will help the breakdown of glycogen in the liver and has other medicinal uses which account for its longevity property in man. “Bitter kola is anti-poison too, it has the ability to repel evil men and spirits, it could sound superstitious but it works.

The naturalist even said that the seed and the bark of bitter kola should be eaten together in cases where food poisoning is suspected, “it helps to detoxify the system”. Indeed, it really works!

Uses of Garcinia Kola

It improves the function of the lung
Garcinia kola has been used for centuries to treat chest colds in traditional medicine, but research has taken a look and found out why it is effective. A study in the 2008 issue of The Internet Journal of Pulmonary Medicine, performed on mice, reports that Garcinia kola improved respiratory function after 28 days of use of a Garcinia extract. Written by David A. Ofusori, MSc, from Igbinedion University in Nigeria, the study shows that Garcinia kola works by dilating the alveolar ducts and sacs in the lungs by improving the strength of the fibers in the lung tissue. Garcinia kola’s beneficial lung properties are attributed to its high antioxidant content.

It Reduces Eye Pressure
An increase in eye pressure can lead to glaucoma, according to a report from The New York Times Health Guide. Researchers at Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria tested the effectiveness of eye drops that contained 0.5 percent extract of Garcinia kola. The results of their study, published in the January 2010 issue of Middle East African Journal of Opthamology, showed that the opthamolic solution that contained the Garcinia significantly reduced eye pressure when used twice a day.

It Relieves Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, characterized by pain, inflammation and limited movement in the joints, according to the National Institutes of Health. Causes of osteoarthritis can include joint injury, obesity and ageing. Since many arthritis sufferers prefer natural herbal medicines to other pain relievers and medications, researchers at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria tested the effects of Garcinia kola against arthritis symptoms. The results of the study, written by Olayinka O. Adegbehingbe and published in the July 2008 issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, conclude that Garcinia kola significantly reduced inflammation and pain and increased joint movement in subjects that had osteoarthritis symptoms. It is believed that Garcinia kola works well as a result of its antioxidant properties.

The side effects reported from the Garcinia kola use in this study were “weight loss”, “increase in sex drive” and “extended sleep” which many considered helpful to meet their individual and marital demands. If you take Garcinia kola and experience diarrhea, hives, irregular heartbeat or other signs of allergic reaction, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention.

Medicinal Significance
Garcinia kola is used in many tropical countries to fight infectious diseases such as Aids and the Ebola virus. It has shown to posses anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Cold Remedy
Garcinia kola is often used to treat the symptoms of colds. It is suggested, in particular, for coughs and sneezing.

Knee Osteoarthritis
Garcinia kola has been successfully used to treat patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis, according to a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery. It reduced pain and swelling and improved movement.

Immunity
Garcinia kola is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is used to prevent infections and viruses, especially of the immune system.

Hop Substitute
Garcinia kola is used as a substitute for hops in brewing lager beer. It is especially useful in preventing beer spoilage.

Weight Loss
Bitter Kola has been known to be a natural hunger suppressant and also increases the urge to drink more water.

Another importance of bitter kola is that its repels snakes. It can be used to chase snakes away. For snake prevention, spread it around the building.

Bitter Kola health benefit for malaria
Considerable experimental studies found the chemical constituents in bitter kola have anti-malaria properties. That aside, traditional healers have for many years prescribed bitter kola for the treatment of malaria infections.

Researchers who reported that bitter kola had anti-malaria effect in the 2010 issue of Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, from a survey of plants used by traditional healers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, attributed this to its quinones content.

The importance of bitter kola cannot be over floored, it is therefore left for everyone to utilize effectively all the benefits embedded in it.

Sea water,the major source of salt, has a history of therapeutic use. Thalassotherapy (originating from the Greek word thalassa) involves warm sea water applied to the body and usually combined with massage. Thousands of years ago, both the Greeks and the Romans recognized the therapeutic effects of warm sea water, penetrating the skin and entering the blood stream with its relaxing, regenerative and stimulating properties.
On the other hand, the American Indians (who resided in the Utah area near the Great Salt Lake) regularly drank small quantities of the inland sea water, enhancing the effects of their herbal remedies.
There are so many ways in which you can benefit from natural salt, including swimming in it and drinking it.

Salt baths
A bath with natural salt added (sometimes known as a Sitz bath) has many of the benefits of ocean bathing because natural salt contains many minerals (including potassium and magnesium) which helps the nervous system, reduces stress and can even relieve water retention. Another plus is bringing about a healthy calcium balance to strengthen bones and nails. Although salt baths are often recommended for those with health problems, they are cleansing and healthy for everyone, stimulating circulation, hydrating the skin and increasing moisture retention. Salt baths will help heal dry, scaly and irritated skin while reducing any inflammation of the muscles or joints and relieving pain and soreness. They are also invaluable for home treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
Drinking salt water
A daily glass of water with a little salt added will help:    Eliminate fatigue;Stabilize blood pressure & Reduce appetite.
Drinking sole
Sole is essentially water that has been fully saturated with a natural salt rather than a small amount of salt dissolved in water. The water has absorbed as much natural salt as it is able until it cannot absorb any more.
Here are some of the benefits of salt water sole:
    Helping the body hydrate without becoming too dilute
    Getting the benefits of the vital minerals found in unrefined salts
    Improving digestion
    Improving the quality of your sleep
    Healthy skin, hair and nails
    Helping the body detoxify
    Boosting energy
    Improving digestion and blood sugar
    Acting as a natural anti-histamine
    Helping with muscle cramps
    Improving bone health
    Reducing or avoiding vein problems like varicose veins
    Reducing blood pressure
    Weight loss by improving digestion and nourishing the body on a cellular level

How to Make Salt Water Sole
    Fill a 1 quart glass mason jar about 1/3 full of unrefined, natural salt. Then fill jar with filtered water, leaving at least 2 inch gap at top.  Cover with a non-reactive cap (LIKE THIS).  Give it a good shake and allow to sit for 24 hours.
    After 24 hours, if all the salt crystals have dissolved, add a few more salt crystals to the water. Your sole is ready when the salt no longer dissolves, meaning the water has become fully saturated with the salt.  (There should always be undissolved salt crystals on the bottom of the jar. This is your visual proof that the water is totally saturated with salt.)
    Store, covered, on the counter or cupboard.  The sole will last indefinitely because of salt’s natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
NOTE:  It is important to avoid using metal whenever possible when making and using sole as this de-ionizes the salt.

When it comes to citrus fruits, lime is a favorite. Whether eaten as a fruit, used in various dishes, or consumed as juice, everyone enjoys this fruit.
There are several varieties of lime to choose from, with colors ranging from medium green to yellow. On ripening, limes turn yellow in color. All over the world, lime is widely used to make jams, pickles, sorbets, snacks, candies, confectioneries, cocktails and other beverages. Apart from consumption, the oil extracted from lime peel is used as an ingredient in skin and hair care products like toothpastes, beauty soaps, deodorants, hair oils, body oils, disinfectants and mouth washes. As is apparent, lime offers many benefits, some of which are listed below
Skin Benefits Of Lime:
Citrus fruits are known for their beneficial effects on the skin and lime is no exception. Lime juice, whether taken orally or applied topically, benefits your skin in several ways. Being rich in powerful antioxidants like Vitamin C, citric acid and flavonoids, lime provides the following benefits to your skin:
1. Treats Dark Spots:Lime juice is considered as a natural bleaching agent due to its skin lightening properties. It can be used to lighten dark spots. All you need to do is apply it with a cotton ball to the darkened portions of your skin and leave it for 30 minutes. However, ensure that you stay indoors and avoid direct exposure to sunlight  this remedy can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Also, it is advisable to apply sunscreen before venturing out. You can also use this remedy to lighten dark underarms (1).
2. Treats Acne And Blemishes:  Is lime good for acne? Acne, pimples, and blemishes are caused when dirt, oil and dead skin cells clog your pores. Acne and pimples are common problems for people with oily skin. The bacteria present in facial pores aggravate the inflammation, increasing redness and soreness (2). The antibiotic properties of lime juice inhibit the growth of the acne causing bacteria. To keep acne and pimples at bay, you can prepare a face pack of lime juice with honey. While honey possesses antibacterial properties that prevent the growth of bacteria, the acidic nature of lime juice will control excess oil. This face pack should be used every week as part of your skincare regimen. The scars left by pimples can be lightened by massaging some fresh lime juice on them.
3. Anti-Aging Properties:  With the progression of age and the exposure to UV rays, melanin that imparts color to your skin, can build up and get accumulated in your skin, giving rise to dark spots and other signs of aging. The peel of lime inhibits melanin production. Scrubbing your skin with lime peel or applying facial mask containing bits of lime peel can significantly reduce this hyper-pigmentation
4. Treats Skin Tan:  Excessive sun exposure can tan your skin. Lime juice can be used to remove this tan effectively.
5. Treats Open Pores:  Astringents are effective in causing temporary tightening of muscles. That is the reason why they are often used in beauty and skincare products for improving the appearance of your facial skin. Lime oil possesses astringent properties (5) and can be used to tighten pores and temporarily reduce oil production to provide a brighter and flawless complexion.
6. Removal Of Dead Skin:  The citric acid present in lime peels can slough off dead skin cells (6). They are often used in beauty treatments in spas as well as home remedies to improve the health and appearance of facial skin.
7. Lime For Glowing Skin: For a glowing complexion, all you need to do is have a glass of lukewarm water with some honey and freshly squeezed lime juice early in the morning regularly. This will provide an inner glow to your skin.
8. Other Benefits: Lime helps rejuvenate your skin and protects it from infections, thanks to its antioxidant, disinfectant and antibiotic properties. The presence of a large amount of Vitamin C and flavonoids in lime juice helps reduce the body odor and sweat. For this purpose, you can mix some lime juice in your bath water to get a rejuvenating bath experience. When applied externally on your skin, it helps treat bruises and rashes.If you thought that the benefits of lime end here, you need to take a look at its benefits for your hair. Besides being effective in skincare, lime peels and lime juice play an important role in hair care as well. The benefits of lime for hair are as follows:
9. Treats Dandruff: Dandruff is, undoubtedly, one of the most common hair problems. It is a condition characterized by excess flaking of the scalp. Lime juice is often used as an ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos. Citric acid present in lime juice has been found to be very effective and beneficial in dealing with dandruff issues. To get rid of dandruff, rub lime slice directly on the scalp. Rinsing the hair with lime juice added to water also helps in removing dandruff. Lime juice can sometimes dry your scalp. In such a case, you can combine it with olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil.
10. Treats Hair: Oily hair is caused due to the secretion of excess oil called sebum by the sebaceous glands, giving your hair a sticky, oily and dull appearance. Lime juice, with its oil absorbing property, rids your scalp of all the excess oil. Rubbing a slice of lime on the scalp for few minutes before rinsing can also help in removing the excess oil from your scalp and hair. Alternatively, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of lime juice in water and rinse your hair with it to remove excess oil.
11. Promotes Hair Growth: Lime juice is beneficial in promoting hair growth. It has been used to treat baldness, hair thinning and hair loss problems for ages now. The main nutrient that promotes hair growth is Vitamin C, that is present in limes in large amounts. The addition of lime juice to various oils and its application promotes hair growth.
12. Lime For Shiny Hair: Shiny hair is loved and desired by all. Lime juice can impart that much desired shine to your hair. The application of lime juice along with honey and olive oil mixture before washing your hair can provide you with shiny sparkling hairs. Lime juice is also incorporated in shampoos along with other essential ingredients for providing you with silky smooth and shining hair.
13. Lightens Hair Color: As stated earlier, lime juice possesses natural lightening properties. If you want your hair color to be lightened without the use of chemicals, lime juice is a great option. All you need to do is apply lime juice on your hair and sit in the sun for an hour or expose your hair to sunlight. Then, rinse your hair. This procedure will make your hair 2-3 shades lighter in color.

General Health Benefits Of Lime:
Lime occupies an important place among the fruits that possess medicinal properties. The seeds, flesh and rind of this fruit have medicinal properties. Lime juice possesses healing and curative properties. This fruit has been mentioned in ancient Indian and Chinese medicinal texts due to its health benefits.
14. Treats Scurvy: Scurvy is a disease caused due to the deficiency of Vitamin C. It is characterized by frequent infections in the form of cold, ulcers on the tongue and mouth, cracked lips and lip corners, spongy, swollen and bleeding gums etc. Being packed with Vitamin C, lime is extremely effective in curing scurvy. This has been a popular cure since the nineteenth century when the British used to have lime juice to ward off scurvy. Even today, limes are given to workers working in hazardous environments like cement factories, painting shops, mines, furnaces and other dangerous work to prevent the outbreak of scurvy.
15. Gum Care: The deficiency of Vitamin C can also lead to gum problems. As stated above, scurvy can cause bleeding and spongy gums. Often, ulcers and microbial growth are caused due to physical trauma. Limes contain flavonoids that inhibit microbial growth and, along with potassium, facilitate the healing of ulcers and wounds.
16. Eye Care: The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of limes are beneficial for your eyes. The antioxidant property of Vitamin C protects your eyes from aging and macular degeneration while the flavonoids prevent infections.
17. Treats Arthritis:  Arthritis is caused due to the accumulation of excess uric acid in the body. This uric acid is a waste product that is normally removed through urination. But when excess uric acid builds up, it worsens the pain and inflammation of arthritis. The citric acid found in citrus fruits like limes dissolves the uric acid, causing the elimination of greater amounts through urine. Lime also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease pain and inflammation.
18. Treats Gout: Gout is caused by the accumulation of free radicals or toxins in the body, primarily uric acid. Being a wonderful source of antioxidants and detoxifiers like Vitamin C and flavonoids, lime can help reduce the number of free radicals and detoxify your body, preventing gout.
19. Treats Piles: Piles can be defined as an uncomfortable condition that occurs in the anal region, causing bleeding and discomfort during excretion and general activity. When left uncured, piles can even lead to certain forms of cancer. Limes can help heal ulcers and wounds in the digestive and excretory systems, thus providing relief from constipation, which is the root cause of piles.
20. Treatment Of Fever: Lime and lime juice possess natural fever reducing qualities. In case of high to moderate fever, the patient should be given lime juice and water along with other fruit juices to bring down the temperature to manageable levels. The high concentrations of Vitamin C in citrus fruits help lower the temperature naturally.
21. Treatment Of Common Cold: The high amount of vitamin C in limes not only treats common cold but also increases the resistance of the body towards common cold.
22. Aids Digestion: The refreshing fragrance of lime can make your mouth water even before consuming it. The acids present in this fruit facilitate smoother digestion by breaking the macro molecules of food. Flavonoids are compounds found in the fragrant oil extracted from lime. These compounds stimulate the digestive system by increasing the secretion of digestive juices, bile and acids.
23. Treats Dehydration: Lime juice is a refreshing drink that provides quick hydration and rejuvenation, besides being rich in Vitamin C. It also helps to cure fatigue and vomiting bouts.
24. Treats Cystitis:  Cystitis, also known as urinary tract infection, is an inflammation of the urinary bladder caused due to lack of hygiene or allergic reaction to drugs or radiation therapy. Limes have a high content of potassium, which helps eliminate the toxic substances and precipitates that get accumulated in the  kidneys and the urinary bladder. Limes also possess disinfectant properties that can help cure infections in the urinary system. Besides, they prevent prostrate growth and prevent blockage of urine caused by calcium deposits in the urinary tract. In case of urinary tract infection, lime juice boiled in water should be taken every couple of hours to get relief.
25. Treats Peptic Ulcers: Peptic ulcers generally develop in the inner lining of your stomach, esophagus and upper small intestines, leading to a lot of abdominal pain. The acids in lime help reduce gastric acidity by causing an alkaline reaction in the digestive system. Besides Vitamin C, limes contain flavonoids, such as limonoids like Limonin Glucoside that possess antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-carcinogenic and detoxifying properties that facilitate the quick healing of peptic and oral ulcers.
26. Beneficial For The Heart:  Limes are rich in soluble fiber that can lower blood pressure level as well as LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol. This soluble fiber also cures the inflammation of the blood vessels, providing protection against heart attack, strokes, and heart disease.
27. Lowers Cholesterol: Limes contain a flavonoid called hesperidin, which has been shown to lower the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body. If you are suffering from increased cholesterol levels, it is advisable to boost your hesperidin levels by consuming more of limes.
28. Aids Weight Loss:  Lime benefits weight loss. Lime juice has been traditionally used in several weight reduction programs and is a great refresher and antioxidant drink. Lime juice is naturally sweet but extremely low in calories. It contains citric acid, which is an excellent fat burner. To lose weight, add 1-2 teaspoons of raw, organic honey and the juice of a fresh lime to 8 ounces of warm water. Drink it early in the morning on empty stomach to get beneficial results within a week.
29. Good For Women’s Health: This citrus fruit contains calcium and folate, two vital nutrients for post-menopausal women as well as those in the child-bearing age. One fresh medium sized lime contains 22 milligrams calcium and five micrograms folate. Women in these phases should make lime a part their diet to get some relief.
30. Treats Respiratory Disorders: The flavonoid-rich oil contained in lime extracts is used as an ingredient in anti-congestive medicines like vaporizers, balms and inhalers due to the presence of kaempherol. Scratching the peel of a lime and inhaling it provides relief from congestion and nausea.
31. Prevents Formation Of Kidney Stones: Whether taken in the fresh or in the concentrate form, lime juice contains more citric acid than orange or grapefruit juice. Citric acid naturally inhibits kidney stones made of crystallized calcium. It is advisable to use fresh lime juice squeezed into water instead of commercial juices to get maximum benefits.
32. Beneficial For Diabetics: According to the American Diabetes Association, citrus fruits like lime are beneficial for diabetics due to several reasons. Firstly, the high levels of soluble fiber in limes help regulate the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. This prevents the occurrence of a blood sugar spike, which is risky for diabetic patients. Secondly, like most citrus fruits, limes have a low glycemic index. They do not cause unexpected spikes in the glucose levels, thus adding to the benefits for diabetic patients.
33. Prevents Cholera: Though now eradicated in many parts of the world, cholera continues to be a fatal disease in some places. Fortunately, limes and other citrus fruits can help prevent the occurrence of cholera. Lime juice, when added to potentially infected water, can prove to be an effective disinfectant. This juice, when consumed regularly by the patient who has been exposed to cholera-infected water, can reduce the ill effects of this deadly disease.
34. Anti-Cancer Properties: The limonoid compounds present in limes have been shown to possess anti-carcinogenic properties that help prevent cancers of the colon, blood and stomach. Though the exact effect is yet to be known, scientists have observed through research that the antioxidant limonoids can cause the death of cancer cells. Besides, they stay active in your blood cells for longer and can fight more free radicals than green tea or dark chocolate.

The pear is the fruit of the pear tree, whose scientific name is Pyrus communis: pears belong to the Rosaceae family.
This kind of fresh fruit can be of different shapes and size, taste and colour, according to the varieties of pears cultivated. Worldwide there are more than 5000 different varieties of pea
 rs, almost all produced and traded on the fruit and vegetable market.
Here are the 31 benefits of this wonderful fruit
1. Fights against free radicals the causal agents of a lots of illness: The presence of vitamin C, vitamin K and copper in pears fights against free radicals that damage our body cells.
2. Prevents heart diseases: Pears benefits include the presence of fiber, which reduces the cholesterol in the body and thereby protects us from heart diseases. Daily intake of fiber rich food like pears can reduce the risk of stroke by up to 50%.
3. Prevents cancer: High content of fiber present in pears binds to the carcinogenic cells by removing them and prevents colon cancer. A pear a day can prevent breast cancer by upto 34% in women after menopause.
4. No allergic reactions:Pears when compared with other fruits have less chance of allergenic reactions when eaten and thus are one of the few fruits that can be given to infants.
5. Controls blood sugar level: Even though it is slightly sweet, with low glycerin index and high fiber content pears helps in controlling the sugar levels in the blood and prevents diabetes.
6. Boosts immune system:High content of anti-oxidants like vitamin C and copper helps in boosting the immune system of the body to fight against various diseases.
7. Prevents osteoporosis:Bone problems are very common these days. So in order to keep those bones healthy and prevent osteoporosis, it is very important to maintain the pH of the body and eat recommended amount of calcium daily. pH of the body can be maintained through diet by consuming fruits and vegetables daily. The boron rich pears can help to absorb the calcium consumed easily.
8. Increases energy levels:The high glucose content in pears gives you instant energy when you feel weak. It gets absorbed very quickly by the body and converts into energy.
9. Aids Digestion:A medium sized pear contains around 20-25% of the recommended daily intake of fiber. Since its fiber is insoluble, it moves through the colon easily and prevents colon polyps. The high fiber content helps and improves digestion.
10.Prevents Birth Defects: Folates are another of the valuable nutritional components of pears. Folic acid has been positively correlated with a reduction in neural tube defects in newborns, so eating folate-rich fruits like pears can protect the health and happiness of your baby, so pregnant women are always encouraged to monitor their folic acid levels.
11. For weaning children:For weaning children, it is always recommended to give pears because it is hypoallergenic and is a low acidic fruit. So it doesn’t create any digestion related problems. This fruit can be peeled, heated and then pureed. The peel also can be fed but it is very important to take care that it doesn’t have any harsh edges that can hurt children. Pears should not be given to children with diarrhoea.
12. Against gallbladder, colitis, arthritis, gout:Pears help to prevent gallbladder problems, colitis, arthritis and gout if taken regularly.
13. Blood pressure:Anti-carcinogen glutathione and anti-oxidants present in pears help in controlling the blood pressure.
14. Fever:Pears help in curing fever easily with its cooling effects.
15. Inflammation:Pears have anti-inflammation properties which help to reduce inflammation of arthritis and other such problems.
16. Shortness of breath:During summers shortness of breath is quite common due to heat in both children and adults. So it is recommended to take pears during those hot days.
17. Throat problems:Pears prevent throat problems during summers. So it is good to take a pear a day or a glass of its juice will do the work.
To get all the benefits of pears, take them regularly during these hot summer days.
18.Pears helps in weight loss:Pears are high in fiber containing nearly 20% of the body’s daily suggested amount of fiber. Fiber also helps the body feel full longer, so eating a healthy between-meal snack, such as an Apple + Pear fruit bar, will keep you going until dinner making it less likely you’ll “over snack.”This will assist anyone in his overall weight loss program.

                                                   Skin Benefits of Pears
19. Fibers Prevents Skin Damage:Pears are loaded with dietary fibers which play a pivotal role in keeping our skin smooth and soft. They decelerate the discharge of sugar into the bloodstream and prevent the damage of skin collagen (certain type of protein) caused due to frequent sugar spikes. Consequently, we get a smooth skin and plump look.
20. Keep Wrinkles Away:Munch on pears daily to stay away from aging. The fruit is rich in vitamin C – a super effective antioxidants, vitamin K and copper. All these elements are capable of combating harmful free radicals thereby protecting our skin cells from severe damages. It eventually helps in toning up the skin and curtailing the formation of fine lines near our eyes as well as lip area.
21. Treat Oily Skin:If you have an oily skin, pears can be really beneficial for you. Just smash a pear and mix fresh cream and honey with it. Use this paste thrice a week as a face mask and the over secretion of the sebaceous glands present in your skin will reduce to a great extent.
22. Get Acne-Free Skin:People with acne-prone skin can also be benefited by pears. Pears contain high levels of vital vitamins and essential minerals, these fruits can boost their immunity and make them stronger internally. As a result, their skin becomes able to fight against acne, pimple and all other types of skin infections from inside.
23. Stay Moisturized for Long:Pears not only good for oily skin, but are also good for dry and flaky skin. They contain natural humectants, which help balance the normal water-content of the skin and retain its natural moisture. Hence, the extract of this fruit is widely used in making moisturizing lotion. Regular intake of pear juice can also make your skin even and smooth.
24. Effective Natural Scrub:The natural enzymes present in the fruit make it a great scrubbing agent. You can easily get rid of the dead skin cells present in the superficial layer of your skin by blending a mashed pear in your regular face pack and exfoliate your skin with it. The fruit extract can also be used as a gentle peel for accelerating the cell turnover.
25. Good for Lip Treatment:Pears are excellent for our lips. The credit goes to the lactic acid present in its extract. This acid content of the fruit can keep the cells of your lips healthy and hydrated for long so that you get a soft and smooth pout.
26. Anti-Inflammatory by Nature:The anti-inflammatory properties of pears works as a beauty remedy. Consuming pears or using any beauty products containing its extract does not impose any allergic reactions. Hence, it is good for skin and useful for infants too.

Hair Benefits of Pears
27. Healthy and Nourished Hair:When it comes to the most excellent hair benefits of pears, the first thing that should be included in the list is its ability to make hair healthy and nourished. Pears, especially the ripe ones, contain a natural sugar alcohol named ‘sorbitol’ or ‘glucitol’, which feeds the hair roots, nourishes the scalp and keeps the hair moisturized in order to make it healthy.
28. Reduce Hair Dryness:The moisturizing property of pears is extremely beneficial for reducing the dryness of our hair. Moreover, it holds lots of vitamin C, which works as a natural antioxidant and helps keep the hair strands conditioned by maintaining the health of the hair cells.
29. Tame Your Frizzy Hair:From regular consumption of pears to giving your tresses a treatment with the fruit – everything is helpful for eliminating those ugly tangles. Your frizzy hair can easily become manageable with the help of pears.
30. Restore the Lost Shine:If you are worried about your dull and unattractive hair, pears can be of help. All you need to do is to prepare a natural hair mask at your home by mixing the extract of 1 fresh and ripe pear, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and water. This is a great hair revitalizer that can revive your dull hair and restore its lost shine.
31. Maintain Curly and Coloured Locks:Maintaining the curls and shades of your hair can be much easier with the application of pear hair pack. To make such a pack, peel and smash a pear properly and then form a smooth paste by adding soybean oil to it. Now, spread this paste all over your hair evenly. After an hour, wash it off with a mild shampoo. The difference will be easily visible!

The tonsils are a vital part of the immune system. It serves as body’s natural defense system against infections. Bacteria and any other micro organisms which can cause infections would be filtered out in subtle way by the tonsils. Generally, people consider throat pain as tonsil; in fact it is not tonsils but tonsillitis which can cause diseases. Sometimes tonsils themselves can endure an infection. This infection cause damages to throat and surrounding areas. When toxins in the body have not been flushed out from the kidneys, bowels and skin, it can cause tonsillitis. Tonsillitis usually occurs in addition with a cold, cough, sore throat, headache, fever and body ache. Check out here some effective home remedies for Tonsillitis Treatment that provide you quick healing from tonsillitis.
Home Remedies for Tonsillitis Treatment
Due to a viral or bacterial infection tonsils get inflamed, become red and painful such medical condition is known as tonsillitis. Without underlying cause you are not able to get appropriate treatment for any condition. Medical treatment for tonsillitis includes home treatments, oral medications and surgery in some long term cases. Normally, home remedies provide comfort to the tonsils and that’s why they relieve from tonsillitis without any unpleasant effects.

 Gargling Solutions:
    1.Salt water is useful to kill some of the infection. Pus and fluid of throat would be washed out by gargling action. To swollen tonsillitis, gargling with warm salt water is one of the effective home remedies.
   2. Mix two tsp of onion juice or dried leaves of Mint with lukewarm water for gargling.
   3. Boil some portion of the bark of the babul tree (Acacia arabica) into water. Let it simmer for 20 minutes. Check whether decoction prepared fully or not and then let it cool. This solution speeds up the recovery and eases the tonsils pain.
   4. Mix one tsp fresh ginger juice, one tsp honey with two tsp of lukewarm water for gargling.
   5. Dig out the pulp of bitter tumbi (fruit). Then fill the kernel of the fruit with water and keep aside for few hours. Drink everyday a little of this water to cure tonsillitis.
  6.  Simmer fenugreek seeds about 2 tbsp in half liter of water, let it cool. Then use it for several times a day.
   7. Mix mustard powder into a hot water. This solution rinses your throat therefore germs can get flushed out.

Sipping Drinks:
    1.Take juice of 1 lemon, 4 tsp of honey and a pinch of salt with 1 glass of warm water throughout the day. It provides relief from the prickly pain at the back of the throat and makes swallowing easy.
   2. Mix carrot, beet and cucumber juice in the proportion of 3:1:1, as they are rich in Vitamins which help to fight from the infection.
    3.You can take any herbal tea such as chamomile, ginger or mint to give a soothing relief to the sore throat and from pain caused by the inflamed tonsil glands.
    4.Turmeric is such an antibiotic that is much effective to get rid of tonsillitis. Take a glass of warm milk with 1 tsp of turmeric powder then add a pinch of pepper powder. For best result consume it every night.
    5.Warm beverages give quick relieve to the pain of tonsillitis compared to cold ones. Drink warm vegetable and chicken soups.

Others:
    Mash some figs then mix them with honey. As dried figs have healing properties, it would help in healing tonsillitis.
    Cut lemon into two pieces. Put some salt and black pepper on one piece. By pressing with a knife penetrate salt-pepper into the lime. Then put it on heat to make it warm. Now lick this lemon slowly and squeez it until no juice remains in it.
    Boil about ten to twelve gram of Banafsha (Viola pilosa Blume) flowers in 40 to 45 ml of milk. Filter it, then it must be consumed hot for quick relief.

Precautions:
    Avoid acid drinks and don’t consume spicy food because it may irritate the throat. Sour substances such as buttermilk, curds and fried foods should be totally avoided.
    Drink lots and lots of water through out the day to flush out the toxins from the body. Also drink liquids like fresh vegetable juices.
    Keep good hygiene if you are suffering from a disease like tonsillitis.
    Try to curtail your talk and give rest to your throat.

Malaria and typhoid are two different diseases but sometime physicians are unable to diagnose them properly due to similarity in certain  sign and symptoms.
Difference in Causative Agent:
Typhoid fever is caused by a  gram negative bacteria named as salmonella typhi whereas malaria is a protozoal disease occur due to different species of Plasmodium such as  P. falciparum,  P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae.However, there is one common factor between the two. Salmonella typhi is known to breed in dirty water which can also become ideal conditions for the breeding of mosquitoes .
Difference in transmission
Typhoid bacteria are usually contracted through food or water that have been contaminated with faeces or urine. Anyone who eats any food or drink any water that had any contact with typhoid-bearing stool or urine could contact typhoid fever. Flies, which settle on typhoid-bearing faeces or urine, do in most instances, settle on exposed food or water.
Malaria is contracted by mosquitoe bites.

Difference in Symptoms:
The symptoms of both typhoid and malaria differ considerably. For example in the case of malaria patient can experience nausea, vomiting, chills, fevers and diarrhea sometime but symptoms of typhoid are different in different stages.
Mainly there are four stages of typhoid. Single stage comprises of seven days. During the first stage patient can suffer high fever and persists for weeks (fever does not respond to antimalarials), abdominal pain,severe headache, bradicardia, cough and tiredness. In the second stage, fever, reduced heart rate, diarrhea or constipation, confusional state and rose spots on trunk occur. In the third stage patient may have some complications and the last stage is the stage of recovery.

Differential diagnosis Of Typhoid
The group of symptoms which most clearly suggests the diagnosis of typhoid fever is:
    Gradually increasing fever with evening exacerbation and morning remission.
    General malaise with headache.
    Furred tongue with red edges and tip.
    Epistaxis.
    Relatively slow pulse (possibly dicrotic).
    Abdominal distension with increased bowel sounds.
    Tenderness in the right iliac fossa on firm pressure.
    A roseolar eruption confined principally to the abdomen and chest.
    Splenomegaly.
    Bronchial catarrh.

Difference In Complication In Typhoid
Typhoid complications include Intestinal perforation with peritonitis (rapidly fatal, refer urgently to a surgeon) - presents as severe abdominal pain, tenderness, rebound tenderness and guarding.Acute psychosis (never refer any patient with fever and psychosis to the psychiatric hospital).Some specific complications of malaria are renal impairment, retinopathy, cerebral malaria, convulsions, coma and death.

Difference Diagnostic Tests:
Different tests are being performed to diagnose both malaria and typhoid but it is easier to diagnose malaria in comparison to typhoid. For typhoid following tests are recommended
    Widal test
    Typhidot test
    Bone marrow test
    Stool test

For malaria following types tests are being done;
    Complete blood count (CBC)
    Malarial Parasite (MP) test
    Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based upon the microscopic evaluation of causative agent.

Difference in Standard/Conventional Treatment:
For the treatment of malaria different types of anti-malarial drugs ( amodiaquine, lumefantrine, mefloquine or sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine) are used but for typhoid treatment, antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and olfloxacin are commonly prescribed.

Herbal Treatment Of Malaria And Typhoid
Lemon Grass In Malaria:For treating malaria, a cup of boiling water is usually poured over lemon grass to make an fusion. It is then allowed to stand for about five minutes before it is strained and drank.
Lemon Grass In Typhoid:To treat typhoid, it is recommended that lemon grass leaf be boiled in water for about half an hour with whole lime, grape fruits, unripe pawpaw fruits, unripe pineapples, cut garlic and bark of Alstonia bonnei (awun in Yoruba; cheesewood/pattern wood in English).
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1.This natural fruit is rich in vitamin. Garden egg provides the body with both soluble vitamin and water soluble vitamins; they are rich in thiamin (vitamin B1) required for normal growth and proper functioning of the heart and Nervous system, Niacin (vitamin B6) needed for cellular respiration.
2. Garden egg is one of the anti cancer fruit which has been helping, for over decades, to fight against cancer and other horrible diseases; it is not a must for you to develop cancer, before you start looking for remedy, hence the saying ‘prevention is better than cure.
3.“A high level of blood cholesterol level, more particularly low-density Tipoprotein cholesterol, is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart disease and garden egg has the power of reducing these risks.According to Dr. Ndubuisi Nwakakwa, physician/consultant Acupuncturist at Green leaves clinic and Acupuncture center, Ilasamaja, Lagos “when compared to apples and oats, garden egg plant is more helpful for reducing cholesterol.”
4.A study conducted by some experts, S. A. Igwe, Dora Akunyili and C. Ogbogu, Published in the 2003 issue of the journal of Ethno pharmacology on “Effects of Garden Egg on some visual functions of visually active Igbos of Nigeria” found that eating plenty of garden egg can help lower eye pressure in persons with glaucoma.
5.The garden egg plant can be regarded as a brain food because it houses the anthocyanin phytonutrient found in its skin, Nasunin, a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger that has been shown to protect cell membranes from damage.
6.The predominant phenolic compound found in garden eggs is chlorogenic acid, which is one of the most potent free radical scavengers found in plant tissues.The chlorogenic acid performs antimutagenic (anti-cancer) activities in the body.
7.Expert in a study indicated that garden egg could be used for the treatment of stomach ulcers. The study was undertaken to evaluate the possible anti-ulcer effect of the African garden egg and was published in the 2011 Journal of the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine .It was  found that garden egg  possessed ulcer protective properties against ulcers induced experimentally, making it a cheap source of natural anti-ulcer remedy.
8.Garden egg is useful in weight reduction.“When you take garden egg, it fills the tummy because of its fibre content and it helps reduce the food you consume, thereby reducing the calories and body weight.’’
9. Garden egg consumption is also beneficial for people that are suffering from constipation because of it high fiber content
10.Pregnant women will find garden egg leaves and fruit very rewarding.The rich mineral content and the availbility of folic acid will help the mother and the unborn baby.

2.Onions are rich in sulphur, fibers, potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C and they are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium. 

Most of us have heard time and time again the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”.  But did you know the same should be said for bananas? When compared to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus and five times the vitamin A and iron? It is also rich in potassium and it’s relatively cheap to eat.Some scientists even believe that the banana may have even been the world's first fruit.Here are 42 amazing reasons why we can safely say  “one banana day keeps the doctor away”

1.Banana can be used in therapeutic control of peptic ulcer because of some of  the chemical constituents i.e.Serotonin and dopamine

2. Banana fruit has mild laxative properties that help to ease constipation as an aperients

3. The fruit aids in combating diarrhea and dysentery and promotes the healing of intestinal lesions in ulcerative colitis.

4. Banana powder is effective in the treatment of colon disease, sprue and other forms of carbohydrate intolerance in children; it is also used for certain intestinal disorders in adults.

5. It forms a useful constituent of the diet of infants; syrup prepared of the ripe fruit may be incorporated with milk and used for infant feeding.

6. The ripe fruit is reported to be useful in diabetes, uremia, nephritis, gout, hypertension and cardiac diseases.

7. Unripe fruit and cooked flowers are useful in diabetes.

8. Vegetable prepared from unripe banana helps in healing the intestinal ulcer.It works as a demulcent.A demulcent is an agent that  forms a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.

9. The juice of flowers is used for dysentery; stem and roots are used for disorders of the blood.

10. Ripe fruit is useful in acidity. Heartburn resulting from tea consumption may be neutralized by taking two ripe fruits just before taking tea.

11. The banana plant juice is astringent; it quenches thirst in cholera ; it is also given in nervous disorders like hysteria, epilepsy etc.

12. Ripe fruit is aphrodisiac in nature.An aphrodisiac is a substance that, when consumed, increases sexual desire

13. The fruit is eaten to relieve soreness of the throat and chest accompanied with dry cough; it is also given in irritability of the bladder; the ripe fruit is a laxative.

14. The ash of the banana skin is used for dressing wounds.

15. An ounce of the ripe fruit mixed with a little tamarind and salt is a household remedy for diarrhea and dysentery.

16. Fruit is said to promote regeneration of red blood cells and to stimulate hemoglobin production.

17. It is a useful constituent of various nourishing foods for infants.

18.Eating bananas will help prevent kidney cancer, protects the eyes against macular degeneration and builds strong bones by increasing calcium absorption.

19. Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea from morning sickness.

20. Bananas are the only raw fruit that can be consumed without distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach against corrosive acids.

21.Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.

22.The natural mood-enhancer tryptophan in banana, helps to relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year.

23.Eating banana can assist in Quitting smoking. Bananas contain high levels of B-vitamins as well as potassium and magnesium to speed recovery from the effects of withdrawal.

24.Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place.

25.Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels of potassium.

26.You can protect yourself against muscle cramps during workouts and reduce nighttime leg cramps by eating a banana.

27.It counteract calcium loss during urination and build strong bones

28. Banana regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation thereby improving your mood and reducing PMS symptoms.(Premenstrual Syndrome Symptons).Premenstrual symptoms occur between ovulation and the start of menstrual bleeding. More than 150 symptoms have been linked to PMS.

29.Rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body.

30.Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.

31.High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure and protect against heart attack and stroke.

32.When you rub a bug bite or hives with the inside of the banana peel it relieves itching and irritation.

33. You can Control blood sugar and avoid binging between meals by eating a banana.

34.Eating a banana can lower the body temperature and cool you during a fever or on a hot day.

35.Banana contains Alpha linolenic acid,which demonstrates significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. Alpha linolenic acid also boosts immune function and enhances blood circulation. When you eat banana you may be shielding yourself from cancer!

36.It helps in Regulating Anemia:Bananas are good for Anaemic patients as they contain high levels of iron which help regulate the haemoglobin levels in the body.

37.Banana can also lower body cholesterol.It is said that Pectin which is a soluble fibre in banana helps to lower Cholesterol levels.  According to researchers, fibres that are water soluble such as pectin, psyllium, beta-glucan etc., lower the LDL Cholesterol(which can cause heart disease) without disturbing the HDL cholesterol(also called the good cholesterol)

38.Bananas can be beneficial in your weight loss endeavour.Bananas contain loads of fibre and low amounts of fat and they are also easily digestible. A banana of 100 grams contains approx. 90 calories

39.It Reduces Inflammation Due to Mosquito Bites:Itching and swelling caused by mosquito bites can be reduced by rubbing the inside of a banana on it.

40. Banana helps in recovering from Hangover:Bananas when blended with honey and yoghurt cures hangover.Hangover is used to describe the after-effects caused by drinking an excess of alcohol.

41.Banana is an instant source of energy.Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.Watching tennis for instance, it’s not uncommon to see the players snacking on a bit of banana in between games. If a banana can keep a professional tennis player going, it’s got to rank pretty well in the high-quality energy source foods.It is far better than a lot of energy drinks!

42.Banana prevents Insomnia:Bananas are rich in amino acids known as Tryptophan.  This substance triggers production of melatonin (sleep hormone) which induces sleep.  Eating banana a few hours before bedtime ensures a peaceful night’s sleep.