HOME REMEDIES FOR TREATMENT OF ACNE VULGARIS

By Emmanuel Chukwu

First of all I would start by explaining briefly the meaning of acne vulgaris.

What is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition. It occurs on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. It involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles and commonly occurs during puberty when the sebaceous glands come to life. These glands are stimulated by hormones produced by the adrenal glands of both males and female. Acne is found too affect mostly teenagers and youths than the elderly and aged. This is because youths produce more hormones than the elderly.

The skin as we all know has lots of tiny holes called pores through which a small hair called follicle grows. The function of these tiny holes (pores) is to excrete dead skin cells from the body.

Therefore when these dead skin cells are being prevented from leaving the body as a result of blocked pores, the dirt accumulates in the pores which lead to an inflammation called ACNE.

Acne also known or referred to as pimple is not as dangerous as people term to regard it; although it can leave ugly scars if not treated properly.

CAUSES OF ACNE

·        STRESS

Stress has always been a part of us, though we try hard not to let it get in our way and instead dwell on happy thoughts everyday. Studies have shown that when one feels anxious and tense, the body releases hormones particularly cotisol which in turn increases the production of skin oil, which also increases the chances of acne.

·        FOOD/DIET

Studies have shown that sugar and foods that have high glycemic index do cause acne. This is because too much sugar can boost one’s insulin level, increasing sebum production and thus clogging the pores.

HOME REMEDIES FOR TREATMENT OF ACNE

·        Applying sugar scrub

Applying sugar scrub can also help you control acne. The sugar granules work to exfoliate the skin. The grains work to dislodge any dead skin and also to clean out the pores. It is always a good idea to rinse with cool water, because it helps the pores to close back up.

·        Applying grated potato

Another method of acne treatment is the use of grated potato. Potato has been used for years to draw out infections and it works great to absorb all the dirt and oils that are on your skin. Grated potato also helps remove dark circles around the eyes, puffiness and it even helps diminish wrinkles and blemishes.

·        Applying Cinnamon mixed with Honey

The use of cinnamon and honey is another effective way of treating acne. Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties and honey adds beautiful glow to the skin.

In this case it has to be proportioned for effective result. The proportions to apply are 1 cinnamon part to 3 parts of honey (ratio 1:3). The treatment should be left on the skin overnight and then rinsed off with warm water in the morning.

·        Applying orange peels

This method is much simpler as well as effective and suitable for persons who don’t want to go through a lot of prep work. All you have to do is grind the orange peels (sun dried peels) and mix with some water to form a paste and apply it on the affected area. Allow it to sit for 25 to 30mins and then rinse it off.

The vitamin C and citric acid contained in the orange are great for acne and they also will leave your face refreshed.

·        Wash your face regularly

Washing your face regularly helps clear up your skin pores, and this really helps in preventing and removing acne. You can also use a regular face wash with scrubbers to dislodge dirt from your skin pores.

·        Watch your diet

Your diet plays a huge role in your health, and a good diet helps prevent all sorts of complications and illnesses. As pimples can often be caused by vitamins deficiencies, remember to take foods rich in vitamins. Such foods include carrots, oranges, lemons, spinach, liver, eggs and marine fish.

·        Drink water regularly

This is also known as water therapy. Drinking up to three (3) litres of water a day is an absolute must for anyone looking to be healthy and free from health complications. Sometimes acne can be a symptom of chronic dehydration.

Drinking lots of water helps your body get rid of toxins which has a direct impact on your pimples.

·        Another home made solution is the application of Aloe-Vera mixed with glycerin on the affected spot. This can be used as treatment for acne as it reduces its size.

·        Finally the application of lemon juice mixed with rose water on the affected area is also a home remedy for acne.

In conclusion I’ll advice you try as much as possible to avoid rubbing your face with dirty hands as you will transfer dirt and bacteria to your face which will end up blocking the pores and causing acne.

I Need To Drink How Much Water?

By Cody Scharf, DC 

"Drink 8 glasses of water a day." "Drink half your body weight in ounces." Some of us may have heard these recommendations, but is it really that simple?
I get asked this question almost every day. "How much water should I drink?" Check 5 sites online and they probably give you 5 different answers. The truth of the matter is that there is not one correct answer. The amount of water you needs depends on several factors, including gender, activity level, and lifestyle. Even the location you live determines the amount of water you need! Knowing about these factors will help you to get the best estimate about the amount of water YOU need!
Why Should You Drink Water?
Besides the fact that you would die without it, water is the most important "supplement" to your health and well-being. Some us may already know that water makes up an astounding 60 percent of our total bodyweight, but what most of us don't know is that water can aid in immune support, fat loss, and increase energy levels.
Not getting enough water, leads to a condition known as dehydration. Even being slightly dehydrated leads to reduction in performance physically and cognitively. Did you know that you actually lose water through breathing and perspiration? It has been estimated that for a 150 pound male can lose up to 5 pounds of water loss per day just from normal body function!
So How Much Water Do I Need?
According the Institute of Medicine, men living in temperate climate need roughly 3 liters, or 13 cups of water. For women that number drops to only 9 cups of water. Now that may seem like a lot, most of us will consume around 20% of our water demands through diet. Shockingly, your body will produce another cup of water every single day!
Now for the sedentary individuals that translates to around 7 cups of water for men and women. These numbers don't seem as daunting of a task now does it? But wait! I said sedentary individuals, not active.
For active individuals and athletes, there is little research suggesting the appropriate amount of water to consume per day. Athletes and active people will generally require more water than sedentary individuals, as they lose more water through perspiration and breathing, and typically have a higher metabolic rate and demand. Depending on the type of activity, water intake may need to increase as much as 2 times the daily requirement from the Institute of Medicine!
Play It Safe!
Drinking enough fluid should leave urine either colorless or a light yellow in color and you should rarely feel thirsty. Each person will require a different amount to stay properly hydrated. There is no right or wrong answer. "Drinking 8 glasses of water a day" seems appropriate, but active individuals may need upwards of a half-gallon or more per day!
For those that find it hard to drink water, spice things up by adding lemon or cucumber to your water. Not only does this add flavor to water, it adds another health benefit to drinking water.

How To Go About Building a Healthy Immune System

By J Russell Hart 

The body's natural immune system does a superb job of helping fight disease-causing germs. However, as good as the system is, it can fail at times, allowing germs to invade and cause illness. While, the effectiveness of boosting your immune system with lifestyle changes and vitamins is still being debated, that doesn't mean a healthy natural lifestyle can't help. There are many researches exploring the effects of diet, exercise, stress, supplements and vitamins on our immune system. Lucky for us, building a naturally healthy immune system is easy. 

Here are a few suggestions. Start your cleanup by drinking plenty of water. Water hydrates and cleans impurities from the body. Consume about 2 liters of water each day. Build up good bacteria to keep the bad bacteria out. Increase good bacteria by eating plenty of organic yogurt and kefir with live, active cultures. In addition, new studies suggest that gardening, specifically digging in the soil, can increase good bacteria and other healthy organisms that naturally boost your immune system. The vitamin D you absorb from the sun, and the organic vegetables you might grow are an added bonus!

Eat a well-balanced diet. Your body needs healthy nutrition to fight infections. A diet rich in healthy proteins, complex carbohydrates and fresh, organic fruits and vegetables will boost your immune system. Protein is essential for cellular repair. Good sources include legumes, eggs, fish and poultry and dairy products. Most vegetables are filled with vitamins, beta carotenes, and antioxidants. Squeeze lemon juice into your water for a dose of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant.

Get the proper amount of restful sleep. Your immune system works hard while you rest. Sleep recharges the body and your mind. It improves your mood, balances female hormones, and clears your thinking.
Get plenty of exercise. Try to do some type of physical activity every day. Getting outside to exercise boosts your mood and strengthens your heart and bones as well.

Supplement your diet with vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Herbs such as garlic, barberry, black walnut, cinnamon, clover, ginger root, oregano, thyme, and turmeric can potentially kill foreign germs in your immune system. Acai, green tea, pomegranate, cranberry, and blueberry are antioxidant rich fruits.

Detoxify your liver. Several times a year do a liver detox to filter out toxic substances in the blood. Wash your hands regularly. Clean hands are important in protecting your body from germs. Wash for 20 seconds with warm water and soap. Rinse well.

Reduce or completely eliminate your sugar and caffeine intake . Sugar is simply empty calories. Fruits and vegetables have a natural sugar that benefits you. Caffeine is a diuretic and is filled with empty calories as well. Reduce the stress levels you deal with daily. Stress raises your cortisol levels, which in turn overwhelms your immune system.

Find out what your stressor are and find a way to control them. Learn anger management, exercise, and think positively. Connect with loved ones or nature or your spiritual practice. Get a pet. Keep your home clean. Make sure the air you are breathing is good quality. Get rid of mold and dust. Your immune system is the main fighting force against germs. Keep it healthy, detoxed, and maintained by living a healthy natural lifestyle. With a healthy immune system, you will not only feel great but you may live a longer life.