Tuesday 14 August 2012

Coconut Water and its Health Benefits (Nariyal Pani)

Coconut water (Nariyal Pani) is found in the coconut fruit that is native to the coastal parts of the Asian nations, mainly South India. This water is one of the best refreshing drinks of the nature. Its famous throughout the world because of its superb health benefits. This drink is clear in appearance and sweet in taste. Its composed of some unique ingredients like sugar, electrolytes, enzymes, amino acids, cytokine, vitamins, minerals and phyto-hormones. Know its main health benefits here:
coconut water, nariyal paniHydration- Coconut water is one of the best drinks that soothes the problem of dehydration. It contains two minerals called sodium and potassium. They help to restore the deficiency of salt in the body.
B vitamins- This drink is highly rich in B vitamins. They give energy to the body and decrease the symptoms of anxiety and depression. This nutrient series even helps in the proper functioning of the muscles and builds a strong immunity.
Vitamin C- You will find an abundant amount of vitamin C in this drink. Its important for fighting with the movement of free radicals. They can cause damage to the body and initiate the problems of cancer and various heart diseases.
Healthy digestion- This water helps to ease digestive upsets and nausea problems. It contains two elements saline and albumen. They treat the symptoms of kidney stones, urinary tract infections and dysentery.
Boosts energy- You will be surprised to know that coconut water is more nutritious than milk. It contains no fat and cholesterol content. And as its naturally filtered from its husk, so there is no need to purify it.
Universal donor- In certain emergency conditions, this drink can be used as a universal donor. Its make-up is same as that of the blood plasma. Its solutions have been used in the third world. And it got the credit to save many lives.
Other benefits- It cools your body, helps in maintaining oral hygiene, raise the rate of metabolism, promote weight loss, detoxifies the body and fights against viral infections like flu herpes and AIDS, controls diabetes and reduces high blood pressure problem.
*Drinking coconut water can interfere with blood pressure during and after a surgery. It can also cause latex allergy. So do not drink it during this phase.

Friday 3 August 2012

How Banana Benefits your Skin Health

Banana (Kela) is a highly nutritious fruit which helps to make your skingrow and look healthy. Banana peels contain a lot of antioxidants which help to restore the natural balance of your skin, especially the facial one. So its used as a wonderful home remedy to treat various ill skin conditions. It mainly includes allergies, bruises, dry skin, wrinkles, acne and many more problems.
bananaThe main compounds in banana peels are potassium and antioxidants which help to make your skin supple and soft. So here are some of the main banana remedies to treat your distressed skin conditions. Have a look!!

Ways to Use Banana for Various Skin Problems

Psoriasis- Psoriasis is the problem of red, irritated and flaky skin. And banana forms a very fine remedy to treat this illness. For this, rub the inside part of a banana peel gently on the affected area. Leave it for around 5 minutes and then clean it by using a wet cotton pad.
Acne- Acne is a condition in which some pus filled pores develop on the outer part of your skin as small extensions. Just rub the inside of a banana peel on your acne spots and leave it for about 5 minutes. After that, wash it off with water.
Poison ivy- Poison ivy is also called contact dermatitis. In this illness, the skin becomes red, sore and inflamed. Just rub the inside of banana peel on the affected area of the skin. Leave it for 5 minutes and then clean it with a wet cotton pad. This remedy will reduce the symptoms of itching and irritation.
Warts- Warts are rough and small growths on the skin. Since banana has the ability to make your skin soft and supple, so it helps to ward off the sign of roughness. For reaping this benefit, rub the inside of banana peels over the troubled part. Leave it for around 5 minutes and then clean it with water.
Wrinkles- Wrinkles are a part of aging process, so almost everybody has to face this skin condition. Mash a banana till it turns creamy and then apply it over your face as a mask. Leave this application for around 15-20 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. This remedy will help to reduce wrinkles and aging lines from your skin.
Apart from this, bananas are highly rich in skin benefiting nutrients. So, you can also add them to your diet. This way, they will make your skin condition look better, both from inside and outside. But use them only in moderate amounts to get the desired and effective results.

Thursday 5 July 2012

Health Benefits of Buttermilk | Natural Probiotic

Buttermilk is one of the strongly recommended Natural Probiotics, popular for savoring multiple health benefits. Its indicated to a number of dairy drinks. Primarily, it is a liquid, left behind after churning butter out of milk cream. This product is called traditional buttermilk. However, its also indicated to a wide range of fermented milk drinks, highly used in warm places, like India, Middle East, Pakistan and Southern United States, where the fresh milk turns sour easily. However, the fermented form of this drink is called cultured buttermilk. Its basically made by cow's milk. Its sour in taste which is caused by lactic acid bacteria. So, lets find out some of the main aspects and health favors of buttermilk here ..

buttermilkWhy Buttermilk is Thicker than Milk?

Buttermilk is tart in taste due to the presence of acid in milk. This acid is formed by the lactic acid bacteria during the fermentation of lactose, the main sugar in milk. This results in the reduction of pH level and casein protein in milk. So there occurs a curdling or condensation of milk particles. This makes the buttermilk thicker than the normal milk. The traditional milk is less thick in comparison to the cultured milk.

Important Health Benefits of Using Buttermilk

Calcium benefits- Buttermilk is rich in calcium and helps to fulfill your daily recommended dose of this mineral. Its fine amount helps to benefit your health in many ways. It mainly forms strong bones, nerves and heart health. So buttermilk helps to prevent the problems ofosteoporosis and weak heart muscles and functions.
Carbohydrate benefits- Carbohydrate is a nutrient which posses simple sugars that your body can easily break into glucose and energy. It helps in carrying out a proper digestive process. Just one glass of buttermilk contains opium amount of carbohydrates. So it provides enough energy to your body to carry out your daily activities.
Rich in vitamins- This dairy product contains a range of important health benefiting vitamins. It mainly includes vitamin C, A, B12, B6 and folate. Vitamin C and A help to form better skin health. Vitamin B12 enhances the health of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 promotes the fine functioning of the nervous system. And folate helps to prevent birth defects from an unborn child.
Protein benefits- Buttermilk is highly rich in protein amounts. This nutrient contains some amino acids which help in the proper growth and development of your body, mainly the skin organ.
*However, some people suffer from milk allergy and buttermilk's prime ingredient is milk. So avoid its use if you suffer from such an allergy. Some of the main signs of milk allergy are the outbreak of hives, eczema and swelling around lips, mouth and neck. Also, if you are suffering from any severe disease then consult a good medical expert before starting the use of buttermilk. It will prevent the outcome of any negative health condition.

Thursday 12 April 2012

How to Use Vegetable Scraps for Making Vegetable Stock

Do you often throw vegetable scraps into dustbin?? Well, then don't do so as these portions can be used to make a stock. Its a flavored water preparation. This liquid forms the base of many recipes, like soups and sauces. Its made by simmering some raw ingredients in water which leave a thin solution.
vegetable, stockFor this, you can use various vegetable scraps like carrot peel, green leaves of cauliflower, onion skins and garlic peel. So let's find out the method of preparation of this natural stock here..

Method of Preparation of Vegetable Scraps Stock

Save these vegetables- Save the scraps of any of these veggies- Onions, carrots, celery, leeks, garlic, asparagus, parsley, cilantro, winter squash, lettuce, chard, ginger, green beans, cauliflower, zucchini and bell peppers.
Storage- Collect around 4-6 cups of vegetable scraps to make about 2 quarts of stock. Store them in an air-tight container in the fridge. But if you are collecting them for more than a week then store them in the freezer.
Preparation method- Just put 4-6 cups of veggie scraps into a saucepot and add around 1-2 bay leaves and a few black peppercorns.
Cover all these ingredients with cold water and bring it to boil. Low the heat and let it simmer for about one hour. Do not overheat this recipe as it may start deteriorating.
After this, strain the liquid by using a strainer and then let it cool down a bit. Shift this solution into a glass jar or clean yogurt container.
Place this stock in the fridge to keep it fresh for use for around one week.
Garnishing- For garnishing purposes, you can finely chop certain herbs like mint, coriander leaves, thyme, oregano or any other you like!! You can also add noodles or boiled egg slices to this delicious vegetable stock!! One more way to add variety to it is including chopped vegetable of your choice, like carrots, onions, broccoli or anything else!!
Vegetables to avoid- The veggies you should avoid for this recipe are- potato, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, turnips, artichokes and rutabagas (a form of turnip).
One of the best benefits of using a homemade stock is that, it saves you from the harmful effects of the market variety. It retains more nutritional values as its made from fresh and clean vegetables. The only condition, the veggies have to be organic!

Thursday 5 April 2012

How to Use Egg as a Natural Hair Conditioner

An egg is a popular remedy for a fine hair care regime as it works as an awesome natural hair conditioner. It helps to make your hair soft by reducing the problems of frizzy and dry hair. There are many nutrients present in eggs like vitamin A, B, D and E. All these elements work to make your hair health strong and firm. For example, vitamin B and D help to strengthen your hair follicles and roots, and vitamin A and E help to prevent the problem of hair loss. Eggs are also rich in some fatty acids which give a high hand in conditioning your hair finely. So learn some fine egg remedies which work as a superb hair conditioner in this outlook!!

eggHow to Use Eggs for Hair Conditioning

Egg white- Take around 2-3 eggs and separate their white parts from the yolk content and blend them to make a paste. Apply it over your wet hair while taking shower and then leave it for around 20 minutes. After that, clean your hair with water and use your regular shampoo. This remedy is particularly effective for improving an excessive oily hair condition.
Egg yolk- An Egg yolk works best to treat the problems of dry and rough hair. For this, just make a mixture of an egg yolk and 1tablespoon olive oil or castor oil. You can also add mashed avocado or banana to it. Apply it on wet hair after squeezing out the extra water. Leave it for about 15 min to 1 hour, with a shower cap covering your scalp and hair completely. Wash your hair completely with normal cold water. Do remember to shampoo again, if you have added oil to it, to get rid of the stickiness.
Whole egg- You can also use a whole egg for your daily hair care without separating its white and yolk parts. For this, just beat a whole egg and apply it over your hair after doing shampoo. Leave this application for about 15-20 minutes and then wash it with water and use a little amount of shampoo again. This remedy works best for a normal hair order.
Its important for you to note that any treatment, like the egg one, does not give an instant result. For getting the desired plumpy and shiny hair, use the above remedies for about one month. And for a long lasting effect, use them in every 4-5 days. You can also add eggs in your diet to improve the growth of your hair and make them look healthier.