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Puffy eyes are the venom of most women’s existence. Puffy eyes are a state where the eyes begin swelling because of different factors. The skin round the eyes is very fine and is full of blood vessels which makes it very sensitive. Puffy eyes can be because of many factors. These factors can be fluid retention, stress, allergies, hormone changes, and other as well.

Puffy eyes could be a exception to remove to some people. Occasionally, we just find ourselves having those bags when we just wake up one day and find out we have those eye bags just sitting there, waiting and wanting to be take off. There are all method of insidious reasons people develop puffy eye syndrome. Some typical reasons for puffy eyes are fluctuating hormone levels, edema or fluid retention throughout the body, pregnancy also result in increasing edema in women and dehydration, from drinking too little water or from a hangover.

Puffiness caused from medication use. Heredity and allergies, which may also cause itchiness and redness of the eyes and surrounding tissue. Puffy eyes can also be a mark of sinus and allergy problems. Puffy eyes are a symptom of increased anxiety, stress, and sleeplessness. Dip cotton wool pads in ice-cold rose water. Simple home remedies can help get rid of puffy eyes. Use them as eye pads over closed eyes.

Stiffly beat few egg whites. Add a drop or two of witch hazel. Apply to the face and under the eyes with a brush. This will make the skin feel packed and look less puffy. Strips of grinded potato or cucumber placed under the eyes helps to reduce the swelling. Drink plenty of water to clean out your system. Thin cucumber slices used as squeezes over closed eyes will lessen sore, puffy eyes. Neglect salty foods, which cause the under eye area (and the rest of your body ) to hold fluid.

Soothing Eye creams with aloe and Vitamin E can be applied to the eyes. Avoid salty foods, which cause the under eye area (and the rest of your body) to retain fluid. A few egg whites, potently beaten, and applied with a brush to the face and under the eyes will make the skin feel tighter and look less puffy. Add a drop or two of witch hazel which also removes swelling and will keep the egg whites from drying to quickly. Don’t apply a hemorrhoid cream around the eye area’it’s unsafe and won’t reduce puffiness. Dip cotton wool pads in ice-cold rose water.

Applying cold tea bag wrapped in tissue on closed eyes makes the skin tense and reduces puffiness. The natural astringent in tea - tannin works great. Void eating salty foods like chips, pickles, drinking alcohol that retains fluids that settles in the eye area. Use a cold compress on your eyes like cloth dipped in cold water or ice cubes in a rinse cloth.

Puffy Eyes Home Remedies Tips

1. Drink plenty of water to clean out your system

2. Use an aloe-based eye-soothing gel or cream.

3. Store creams in the refrigerator, as the coldness will also help reduce puffiness.

4. Avoid salty foods, which cause the under eye area to hold fluid.

5. Soothing Eye creams with aloe and Vitamin E can be applied to the eyes.

6. Applying cold tea bag wrapped in tissue on closed eyes makes the skin taut and reduces puffiness.

7. Thin cucumber slices used as compresses over closed eyes will relieve sore, puffy eyes.

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Healthy, silky hair is being we all want. Hair is composed chiefly of proteins (88%). These proteins are of a hard fibrous type called as keratin. Keratin protein is embraced of what we call “polypeptide chains.” Hair plays a major role in defining the personality of any human being. If your hair is easily detrimented , prone to split ends, and feels brittle, you most likely have dry hair.

Dry hair may be the result of several factors, such as an unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet lacking vitamins and nutrients, or the usage of products containing ingredients too harsh for your hair. Dry hair is often caused by too much time in the sun, chlorine, salt water, over-shampooing, permanents, heat styling, or neglect. Protection from the elements is the next step in treating dry hair. Hair normally has a moisture content of approximately 10%. If your hair’s moisture content drops below this level the key is to increase the hair’s ability of attract and retain moisture.

Heat expressed such as hair dryers, curling irons, and hot curlers all cause dry hair. Perms, bleaching and color treatments cause dry hair as well. Although we like our curls and colors, going natural is one of the best methods to avoid dry hair. Beautiful, healthy hair is easy to attain if it’s treated and maintained correctly. Dry hair should be washed with a delicate shampoo. Massage the scalp to encourage the follicles and loosen dandruff/dirt that may be clogging the pores.

Shampoos containing moisturizers will supplement hydration insufficiently made by the body. Fetch shampoos and conditioners labeled for dry hair, containing omega 3 and lipids. Use a soft brush for dry hair, taking care not to tug through knots. Many times dry hair denotes a poor diet or even mild dehydration. Drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet of good proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and consider vitamin and mineral supplements.

Vitamins A, C, E, and calcium are all good for considering dry hair. Use a low or no ammonia hair color. Eat protein rich foods (chicken, fish, nuts) - Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids. Exercise and a good night’s rest are good for the rest of your body, but they also help handle dry hair. Exercise bestows to proper blood flow, and sleep will give you better health overall.

Vitamins A, C, E, and calcium are all good for treating dry hair. Use a soft brush for dry hair, taking care not to tug through knots. Brushing the hair from top to bottom will also encourage the scalp and bring sebum down to the ends. Keep blow-drying to a minimum, avoid overlapping chemical therapies. Skip a shampoo day, and protect hair from the sun with a hat. Don’t wash your hair every day.

Dry Hair Treatment Tips

1. Be careful not to over wash dry hair. It’s very easy to strip away the natural oils if you wash it too often.

2. Use a moisturizing shampoo. Condition after every shampoo.

3. Rinse with water alone on off days.

4. Do not use mousse on dry hair, use a thickening lotion instead.

5. Use safflower oil or olive oil. Both are wonderful conditioners for dry hair:

6. Avoid the use of heated appliances and steer clear of perming or coloring for the immediate future.

7. Limit washing to once every four days and use a high-quality conditioner to treat dry hair problem.

8. Brush hair with a bristle brush to spread the naturally produced oil gently down the hair shaft.

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Borage Cough Syrup Home Remedy

Place ½ cup of borage leaves in blender along with ½ cup of water. Blend until mixture is of a smooth consistency. Place in an enamel pan and add 2 cups of honey. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add the juice from 2 lemons. Take 1-2 tablespoons as needed for coughs.

Cherry Cough Syrup Home Remedy

Place 2 cups of cherries in a pan and add just enough water to cover. Add several lemon slices and 2 cups of honey. Simmer the mixture until cherries are soft. Remove from heat. Remove the lemon slices and the cherry pits from the mixture. Refrigerate and take several tablespoons as needed for coughing.

Cough Syrup with Elecampane

Put 1 tablespoon each of elecampane, coltsfoot, Irish moss, lobelia, and 3 tablespoons boneset in a pint of water. Build own to half the liquid. Strain well and add 2 cups of honey. Refrigerate and take by the tablespoon as needed for cough.

Cough Syrup with Slippery Elm Bark

Put 1 tablespoon each of boneset, Irish moss, white yarrow; slippery elm bark, thyme, peppermint, horehound, and lemon balm in 4 cups of boiling water. Steep for 30 minutes. Strain well and add 4 Cups of honey. Drink several cup of this liquid a day for coughs.

Currant Cough Syrup Home Remedy

Simmer 3 teaspoons of black currants in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes. Strain and add 2 tablespoons of honey. Use as needed for coughs.

Expectorant for Coughs

Mix ¼ cup each of mullein and mallow flowers. (Either the Mullein leaves or flowers can be used.) Add 1 tablespoon of herb mixture to 1 cup of boiling water. Strain and add several cloves and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Sweeten with honey. Loosens Chest congestion and promotes discharge of mucus.

Garlic Cough Syrup

This is a remedy for bronchial complaints ranging from bronchitis to asthma. Slice 2½ cups of fresh garlic into 4 cups of water. Bruise 2 tablespoons each of caraway and fennel seeds. Add to garlic water. -Boil this mixture until garlic is soft. Let stand 12-14 hours in a very tightly closed container. Measure the mixture at the end of 14 hours and add an equal amount of cider vinegar. Bring again to a boil, adding enough sugar to make syrup. For coughing, take 1 teaspoon every morning or when necessary.

Horehound Cough Syrup

Add 6 tablespoons of horehound and 2 tablespoons of grated horseradish to 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Strain and add: x cup of honey. Take 2 teaspoons as needed for coughs.

Parsley Cough Home Remedies

This is good to use for a persistent, stubborn cough. Pour 2½ cups of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dried agrimony’s flowers or leaves, and 1 tablespoon dried parsley. Cover and steep until the mixture is cool Strain. Use as a gargle to soothe sore throats. To stop persistent coughs, take 2-3 tablespoons of the infusion morning and evening

Red Clover Cough Suppressant

Place 4 cups of water and 4 cups of honey in a pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and add 4 tablespoons of red clover blossoms. Simmer for 15 minutes. Cool, strain, bottle, and refrigerate. Take 1~2 tablespoons as needed for coughs. You receive a lot of extra minerals with this recipe.

Thyme Cough Syrup

Pour 2 cups boiling water over 2 tablespoons 9f dried thyme. Cool to room temperature. Strain and add 1 cup of honey. Shake to mix well. Keep refrigerated. Take 1 tablespoon several times a day for sore throats, colds, and coughing.

Wild Cherry Cough Syrup

Mix 1 teaspoon each of thyme, lobelia, elecampane, coltsfoot, boneset, mullein, Irish moss, slippery elm bark, wild cherry bark, and 1tablespoon balm of Gilead. Add mixture to 4 cups of water and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Strain and add 2 cups of honey. Add a few drops of wild cherry oil for flavoring. Keep refrigerated after bottling. Dosage is 1-2 tablespoons for coughing. I keep this handy all the time. It will keep for long periods of time and it works well.

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Split ends are also known as Trichoptlosis. Split ends betides when the hair cuticle is damaged and the fibres of the cortex unravel. Split ends are more possible to develop in dry or brittle hair, and typical causes of damage include excessive dying or heavy brushing. Split ends are more general when the hair is dry or brittle. Undue dying or vigorous brushing can cause split ends. Once the hair cuticle is removed in this fashion it is unendurable to replace it. The hair will split into two or three strands, for a length of two to three centimeters in length. The perfect way to get rid of spilt ends is to cut them off. There is no other effective remedy for split ends.

Split ends on the other hand, are ends where the main split has already peeled away from the rest of the shaft. These ends are no longer splitting, they are already split and broken off. Splits ends has no solutions. The only method to get rid of split ends is to regularly trim your hair. Don’t brush your hair too much, and be sure to use brushes and combs with smooth, wide-set teeth; void nylon bristles.

Try to wear always coated or covered rubber bands. During sleep use a satin pillow case to minimize tangles. Use routine conditioner in your hair after shampooing, and a deep conditioner once a month. Try using VO5 Hot Oil treatments, once a week. Apply olive oil, Kolesteral, or similar heavy conditioners. Reduce using hair dryers, curling irons, crimpers, hot curlers, and straightening irons. Use a plastic cap, go under a hair dryer for 15 to 20 minutes, and wash. Try using a “Leave in” conditioner when you feel it’s important. Reconstructers are good. At the pool, wear a swim cap to prevent your hair from harsh chlorine and other water chemicals. Try to cut about the same amount of hair.

Cutting your hair is the perfect way of getting rid of split ends. It is the simplest and inexpensive method to remove split ends. Avoid brushing hair when they wet and most susceptible to split or break. Use shampoo with ingredients that contains sunscreen and moisturizing cream in your hair if it is extremely dry.

Split Ends Treatment Tips

1. Shampoo hair and use a moisturizing formula like.

2. Carefully snip into the twist with sharp scissors. Don’t cut right through; just cut into the thickness to remove the damaged cuticles.

3. Use a good rinse out conditioner making sure to slather the ends where the splits exist.

4. Detangle your strands with a wide tooth comb.

5. Pour a pea sized drop of shine serum like Phytolisse or Robert Hallowell’s Shine Drops Serum into the balms of your hands.

6. Glide your serum coated hands over the ends of your hair making sure to focus more serum on the most frayed ends of your hair.

7. Use a large paddle or round brush and a blow dryer and blow your hair completely dry.

8. Don’t brush hair when it’s wet, because that’s when it is at its most vulnerable.

9. Cut down on hair dryers, straightening irons, curling irons and hot curlers.

10. Wear a hat to minimize sun damage.

11. Condition after shampooing, and use a deep conditioner once a month.

12. Stop using hair dryers, curling irons, crimpers, hot curlers, and straightening irons.

13. Use a plastic cap, go under a hair dryer for 15 to 20 minutes, and rinse.

14. Try using a “Leave in” conditioner when you feel it’s necessary.

15. Try to cut about the same amount of hair.

16. Cutting your hair is the best way of getting rid of split ends.

17. Avoid brushing your hair when it is wet and most vulnerable to split or break.

18. Use shampoo with ingredients that include sunscreen and moisturizing cream in your hair if it is extremely dry.

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Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a gathering of inherited bullous disorders classified by lesion formation in respond to mechanical traumal. EB is a group of severe skin conditions. The skin is so delicate in people with EB that even minor rubbing can cause blistering. Skin is so fragile in people with EB that even minor scratch can cause blistering. At times, the person with EB may not be kmowledgeable of rubbing or injuring the skin even though blisters form.

In severe EB, blisters are not enclosed to the outer skin. They may occur in the body, in places like the linings of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, upper airway, bladder, and the genitals. Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is categorised into 3 major categories, including (1) EB simplex (EBS; intraepidermal skin separation), (2) junctional EB (JEB; skin separation in lamina lucida or central BMZ), and (3) dystrophic EB (DEB; sublamina densa BMZ separation.

Epidermolysis Bullosa lesions forms by cytolysis in the basal or spinous layers of the epidermis, and keratinocytes usually have irregular solidity and organization of keratin filaments. Most people with EB have familial the condition from defective genes they get from one or both parents. Genes are installed in the body’s cells and determine inherited traits flowa from parent to child. They also manage every body function, such as the production of proteins in the skin. More than 10 genes are located in different forms of EB. Genes are located on chromosomes, which are structures in each cell’s nucleus. In junctional EB (JEB), the epidermis distinct from the basal lamina, forming a lesion cavity in the plane of the lamina lucida where hemidesmosome form and density are frequently belittle.

Dystrophic epidermolysis (DEB), the basal lamina remains joined to the epidermis, but the lesion cavity forms beneath the lamina densa of dermoepidermal junction, and anchoring fibrils can emerge abnormal, lessened in number, or entirely absent. Blisters form by cytolysis in the epidermis or basement membrane area of the skin.

Causes of Epidermolysis Bullosa

Common causes of Epidermolysis Bullosa

• Keratin filaments.
• Hemidesmosomes.
• Anchoring filaments.
• Anchoring fibrils.
• Genetics disorder ( autosomal dominant disorder and autosomal recessive disorder).

Symptoms of Epidermolysis Bullosa

Common Symptoms of Epidermolysis Bullosa

• Skin blisters.
• Nail loss or deformed nails.
• Hoarse cry.
• Cough.
• Dental abnormalities.
• Alopecia (hair loss).
• Milia (tiny white bumps or pimples).

Treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa

Common Treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa

• Use of steroids for epidermolysis bullosa.
• Avoid getting too hot by keeping rooms at an even temperature
• Apply lotion to the skin to reduce friction and keep the skin moist
• Wear soft clothing
• Use sheepskin on car seats and other hard surfaces
• Wear mittens at bedtime to help prevent scratching.
• Regular skin care and dressing
• Videofluoroscopy and/or barium swallow.

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Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a medical situation in which the median nerve is pressed at the wrist resulting to pain, paresthesias and muscle weakness in the forearm and hand. It is more common in women than men and affects up to 10 percent of the population. It is caused by increasing the pressure on a nerve entering the hand through the enclosed space of the carpal tunnel. The sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger) is controled by median nerve and it impulses some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand ¾ houses the median nerve and tendons is carpal tunnel. Ocassionally, thickening of irritated tendons and other swelling narrows the tunnel and resulting the median nerve to be compressed.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is more common in the U.S. and is somewhat costly in terms of time lost from work and expensive medical cureness. According to The U.S. Department of Labor, reported that in 2003 the average number of missed days of work due to CTS was 23 days, costing over $2 billion a year. It is estimated that about 3.7 percent of the general public in this country suffer from CTS.

Carpus is a Greek word “karpos” which means “wrist.” The disease basically affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers and is sometimes troublesome at night. A major nerve, namely the median nerve, travels down the arm and enters the hand through the carpal tunnel. It is located in the central part of the wrist.

The carpal tunnel is besets by bone on one side, and an inflexible sheath on the other, so if pressure builds, the nerve has nowhere to go. In carpal tunnel syndrome the nerve gets squeezed. In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve is pinched and the normal functions are injured. Problems that can occur in carpal tunnel syndrome include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and other problems typical of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Common Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome :

• Pressure on median nerve and fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause
• Alcoholism.
• Trauma or injury to the wrist
• Repetitive and forceful movements of the hand.
• Hypothyroidism or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Mechanical problems in the wrist joint or work stress.
• Incorrect sleeping position.
• Tendons in the carpal tunnel or overactivity of the pituitary gland.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Some common Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome :

• Tingling .
• Weakness .
• Numbness .
• Swelling of the wrist .
• Pain extending to the elbow.

Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be treated with following treatments :

• Alternative therapies like Acupuncture and chiropractic.
• Exercise Stretching and strengthening exercises under supervision of a physical therapist.
• It is divided in two types depending on condition, Open release surgery and Endoscopic surgery
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers. Other medicines can also be taken with the consult of doctor or physician like Corticosteroids.
• Rest.

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Bursitis Relief with Cayenne Peppers

Add 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper to 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes. Dip a cloth in the liquid and apply to the affected area as a poultice. Rub the area with warm olive oil before applying to the skin.

Bursitis Relief with Olive Oil

Massage the affected area with warm olive oil on a daily basis. This might stop the return of bursitis, and it helps to relieve the pain.

Bursitis Treatment with Potato

Grate 1 potato and add to a cup of water. Steep overnight. Strain the next morning and drink the liquid before breakfast. Should be done on a daily basis to prevent bursitis.

Bursitis Treatment with Sea Water

Sea water has been reputed to cure chronic bursitis. Drink daily. Buy the sea water from a local health food store. Caution: Do not use this recipe if you have high blood pressure.

Neuralgia Pain Relief with Lavender

Add several drops of lavender oil to your bath to relieve neuralgia (spasms of pain).

Pain Relief for Joints with Horseradish

Grate a fresh horseradish root. Moisten with water and place in a small porous bag. Use as a poultice over the affected joint.

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Calcium High Blood Pressure Treatment

Take 1000mg of calcium daily for 8 weeks. This should reduce high blood pressure substantially.

Hawthorn Berries for High Blood Pressure

Remove the seeds from 1 pound of hawthorn berries and soak overnight in about 80 ounces of water. Bring to a boil the next day and boil for 10 minutes. Cool, strain, and drink 2-3 cups per day.

High Blood Pressure Herb Tea

Mix equal parts of chamomile, mint, and tag alder. Make as follows: simmer 2 tablespoons of the herb mixture in 2 cups of water for 20 minutes. Strain and drink tepid. Drink ½ cup 3 times daily.

High Blood Pressure Herb Tea with Honey

Mix 1 tablespoon each of tag alder, chamomile, and pepperl11int. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1teaspoon of the herb mixture. Steep 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey before drinking.

High Blood Pressure Treatment with Primrose

Combine a small handful of chopped primrose leaves and flowers to a salad daily. Can also use to make tea. Add about if 4 cup primrose leaves and flowers to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink with meals.

Caution : Diabetics and hypoglycemic should not take calendula in any form internally. It drops the blood sugar level drastically and is potentially very dangerous.

Irish Blood Pressure Treatment

Wash 5-6 potatoes and peel. Place the peelings in 2 cups of water and boil for 15 minutes, covered. Steep until cool and strain. Drink 2 cups of this liquid every day. Said to bring high blood pressure down to normal.

The Irish sure got their money’s worth with the potatoes. It is used to cure many different illnesses as well as serve as a staple .in our diet. 1 drink that it is amazing that so many different cultures found so many uses for the common everyday plants that are all around us.

Lemon for High Blood Pressure Treatment

Put the juice from a lemon in a glass of warm water and add 1 Tablespoon of honey. Mix well and drink daily.

Meadowsweet for High Blood Treatment

Meadowsweet is very high in magnesium and iron. It can be used for all blood disorders. Put 2 tablespoons of meadowsweet in 1½ cups of boiling water. Allow to steep 10 minutes. Strain and drink several times a day.

Regulate Blood Pressure Using Hyssop

Prepare a tea from leaves and stems of hyssop to help regulate high or low blood pressure. Place a handful of chopped leaves and stems of hyssop in 2 cups of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey. Drink twice daily.

Watermelon Seeds for High Blood Pressure Treatment

Grind up 14 cup of watermelon seeds and add to 2 cups of water. Boil gently for 15 minutes. Strain and add honey to sweeten. Watermelon has long been used as a treatment for high blood pressure.

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To calm the patient, have them drink tea made from a bay leaf. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 bay leaves. Remove the leaves after steeping 10minutes and sweeten with honey.

Nervous Anxiety that Leads to Heart Palpitations

Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried lemon balm. Let steep 10minutes. Strain and sweeten. This is a very pleasant-tasting tea. Add the lemon balm leaves to other teas just for the taste alone. And the added benefits of being a great relaxant are a plus in treating any illness.

Nervous Headache Reliever

Macerate 1 tablespoon of violet leaves and add to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey. This is said to quicken the intellect. You will drink a lot because of the vitamin A content. Knowing that you are getting extra vitamins is enough of a kick for me, and you will enjoy it that much more.

Nervous Headache Skullcap Blend Relief

This is very good for nervous headaches. Mix 1 cups each of dried skullcap, sage, and peppermint. To use, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1teaspoon of herb mixture. Cover and let steep 10minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink warm as needed. Skull cap is especially effective in dispelling headaches. It relaxes the whole system and is non-addictive.

Nervous Tension Calmer

Vivid blue flowers are typical of many of the best nerve herbs and skullcap is one of them. Chop ½ cup of the leaves and flowers and add to 2 cups of boiling water. Steep 15 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey and drink several cups a day. It can be used to treat epilepsy, convulsions, and any involuntary trembling of the limbs. Skullcap is also used during drug or alcohol withdrawal to lessen symptoms of withdrawal.

Pain Killer-Make Your Own

Soak ½ teaspoon of dried willow bark in 2 cups cold water overnight. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain, cool, and bottle. Dosage is 1 cup, to be sipped slowly as needed for pain.

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Contact Pigmentation and Dermatitis is well known that certain chemicals, if present in the skin of an individual, can enhance the sensitivity of the skin towards sunlight. These agents are called ‘photosensitisers’. Substances which act as photosensitisers include perfumes, hair oils,and some other components present in some plants and drugs. Oils are commonly used by a large number of individuals for regular application to the hair or skin.

Some individuals however, develop photosensitivity to the oil,and thereafter if the patient exposes that area of the skin to sunlight after having applied the oil, that area is likelyto develop pigmentation, or even, dermatitis. Such pigmentation usually manifests in the form of blotches on the skin of the face, especially the cheeks and the forehead, if the oil was applied to the face. Sometimes however, if the pigmentation is due to application of the oil to the hair, the pigmentation tends to occur along the hair-line on the forehead, sides of the face, the external ears and the neck. Oil in the hair may also produce pigmentation on the upper back in women who wear low-cut outfits.

Perfumes are also commonly used by a large number of people but some individuals can develop photosensitivity to the perfume, leading to pigmentation in the region where the perfume was applied. A perfume applied as a spray generally produces a conglomeration of minute pigmented spots localised to the area exposed to the perfume. Sometimes a perfume applied by another individual may also be responsible for the pigmentation if the two persons had been sitting
together.

Some plants also produce certain components which have the potential to produce photosensitisatibn. The best example of a plant containing a photosensitiser component is the plant called babchi(Psoralea corylifolia)used for the treatment of vitiligo. The chemical present in this plant is called psoralen. Several varieties of this chemical are present in several other plants also. Some of the psoralen-containing plants are wild weeds, some are used as salads, and others are available as fruits.

Common fruits like the lemons, oranges and figs, and parsley and parsnip are well known to contain psoralens but the content of psoralen is usually very low. Therefore, these fruits and salad leaves do not produce any harmful effect. Sometimes however, when they are used in excessive quantities, especially as a herbal medicine or if the content of psoralen in the plant is high, it can lead to pigmentation.

The pigmentation produced by a photosensitiser isusually very intense and dark and therefore, it takes several months or a year or so to disappear.

The best way to avoid photosensitivity is to avoid unnecessary use of oils,perfumes and herbal products. Oils as a rule have no useful purpose for the hair or the skin and it is preferable to apply perfumes on the clothes rather than on the skin. The herbal products are best avoided.

Sometimes photosensitivity is caused by oral ingestion of a food or certain photosensitising drugs. It is therefore, necessary to avoid undue exposures to sunlight, especially when consuming a photosensitiser drug. The drugs known to produce photosensitive reactions include sulphonamides, Ledermycin, Griseofulvin and Psoralen.

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