7 Healthy Benefits of Garlic

There is something irresistible about the aroma of roasted garlic. It is so captivating with its powerful notes, that it has long been used as a flavour booster in curries, stir-fries, pizza toppings, pastas, meat preparations, dips - you name it! It has the power to instantly liven up any dish and treat some of the most common ailments. Read on to unravel some surprising garlic benefits.

• Raw Garlic Could Help Cure Lung Infection

While garlic is a common ingredient in every kitchen, in the ancient times, it was highly valued for its numerous health benefiting properties, which are still followed in many cultures today. Our ancestors have used it as a bug-repellant, Medieval Europe against plague and the Egyptians would even bury it along with their dead!

• The Best Garlic Varieties

The sulphur-containing compound, Allicin, found in fresh, crushed or chewed garlic has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and some startling claims mention that it may help prevent some forms of Cancer too. Garlic is a part of the onion family and the 'bulb' of this herb typically consists of 10-20 smaller sections called the 'cloves'. Each small clove is a powerhouse of flavour as well as medicinal properties. Garlic is a part of the onion family and the 'bulb' of this herb typically consists of 10-20 smaller sections called the 'cloves'. Each small clove is a powerhouse of flavour as well as medicinal properties.

Dr. Simran Saini, Delhi-based Nutritionist and weight loss consultant is a fan of the medicinal benefits of garlic. She says, "The high sulphur content in garlic gives it antibiotic properties, helping keep the digestive system clean by flushing out toxins. It also builds the immunity against common cold and prevents heart ailments by clearing up blocked arteries. It is great for rejuvenation and healing of skin scars and gives a glow to the skin as it keeps digestion in top-shape." She advises to consume garlic in a specific manner- place a clove between two teeth, bite a little to release its extracts and then swallow whole with water. She says, "the medicinal value of garlic is best unlocked when it is consumed raw."

So here are the 7 best ways to use them -

1. The Blood Purifier

Tired of covering up those zits with concealer every morning? It's time to tackle the root cause of acne by purifying your blood from inside to get healthy skin on the outside. Take two cloves of raw garlic with some warm water everyday, early in the morning and consume a lot of water the entire day. If you're looking to shed some pounds, squeeze the juice of half a lemon in a glass of luke warm water and have it with 2 cloves of garlic in the mornings. Garlic will help to cleanse your system and flush out toxins.

2. Cold and Flu

Garlic is going to provide you relief from that stubborn cold cold and Flu (yes, they absolutely love you and never want to leave). Taking 2-3 cloves of raw or cooked garlic a day or sipping some garlic tea (with a touch of honey or ginger to lift up the taste) is not only going to relieve a stuffed nose and cure the cold but also build your immunity against these frequent visitors over time.

According to Dr. Shikha Sharma, Delhi-based Health and Wellness Expert, and founder of Nutrihealth says," One of the earliest uses of garlic was by meat-eaters because it was believed that meat could cause infection which garlic could fight off from the body. More commonly used by labourers who are exposed to infections and disease-friendly environmeynts till recently, its plethora of health benefits has made white-collar workers also take to it."

She added, "Garlic can be added to hot stews, broths and soups to fight sinusitis, cold and flu. And garlic is best had in its raw state."



3. Prevention of Heart Disease

Consuming garlic on a daily basis (in food or raw) helps to lower cholesterol levels because of the anti-oxidant properties of Allicin. It is also immensely beneficial to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It is essential to remember that the sulphur-containing compound Allicin tends to lose its medicinal properties when garlic is cooked whole. It is imperative to consume garlic raw or semi-cooked to derive any of its benefits.



4. Anti-bacterial and Anti-parasitic

Garlic is one of the best kept medicinal treasures of the past era - it has been used as an antibiotic to treat bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections for the last 7,000 years. Studies suggest diluted garlic extract helps children with tapeworm infections. A garlic-based mouthwash may not sound like fresh, minty breath but a very small quantity of its extracts is sufficient to ward off cavity-causing bacteria.

5. Cancer Prevention

Several studies have indicated an association between daily consumption of garlic and prevention of stomach and colorectal cancers. It is said to strengthen the immunity of the body against cancer.

6. For Skin and Hair

The invigorating properties of garlic protect the skin from the effect of free radicals and slow down the depletion of collagen which leads to loss of elasticity in ageing skin Applied topically, garlic does wonders to skin infected with fungal infections and  provides relief from skin ailments like eczema. It is also an effective remedy for fungal infections like athlete's foot and ringworms.

All of us know about the wonders of onion for hair but its brother, garlic is no less of a hero for your thinning mane. Well, its surprise time. Rubbing crushed garlic extract on your scalp or massaging with garlic-infused oil is known to prevent and even reverse hair loss.



7. Splinters

Many of garlic's astounding uses were forgotten in the folds of time but users (and believers) still vouch for the lesser-known benefits. One of them is against stubborn splinters. Place a piece of cut garlic over the splinter cut and cover with a bandage- and voila! Bye-bye splinter.

Caution

1. Astmatic patients should not consume garlic as it may have side-effects.

2. Garlic should be avoided before surgeries or medical operations.

3. Do not consume more than 2-3 garlic cloves in a day without consulting a doctor

7 Benefits Of Banana Peels

Bananas are great sources of potassium and they taste great with peanut butter. When a banana gets eaten, the peel goes into the trash or compost without a second thought. What are you going to do with it?

Some people are getting creative in their uses for a banana peel. Below are 7 ways you can put the peel to use. While only two have the science to back them up, if you feel adventurous, you can give the other remedies a try and find out for yourself if they work.

1. Whiten teeth. According to Southeast Family Dental taking a ripe banana and peeling it from the bottom, not the top, and using a small part of the inside of the peel will help whiten your teeth. Rub the inside of the peel on your teeth for about two minutes.

2. Splinter removal. Top 10 Home Remedies recommends taping a piece of banana peel to where the splinter is overnight. The peel is supposed to bring the splinter to the surface so you can pull it out. Does this really work? No research has been done, so you'll have to be the judge of that.

3. Soothe a bug bite. Mosquito bites can keep you up all night. If you haven't got anything else on hand, Prevention recommends rubbing the inside of a banana peel on the bites to relieve the itch. Whether it works or not, you can decide.

4. Pimple fighter. If you like to experiment and you like the smell of bananas, then you might want to try this one. Stylecraze says that rubbing the inside of the banana peel on your face for five minutes every night will help cure pimples.

5. Remove warts. For warts that are unsightly, the University of Maryland Medical Center says to take a piece of banana peel and tape it to the wart overnight. Do it for three weeks. If the treatment is working, you will see the wart turn black and die.

6. Pain reliever. Stylcraze claims that putting a banana peel on the place that hurts for 30 minutes will cause the pain to go away. Feel free to see if it does.

7. Remove ink. For ink that gets on your hands, Prevention recommends rubbing the inside of a banana peel on the offending marks. The oils are supposed to lift the ink away.

No longer does the peel have to automatically go to the garbage. It may have more uses than you ever knew.

6 Easiest Method to Remove Cold Sores

Cold sores are caused by a virus that manifests itself in blisters, generally on or around the mouth. The blisters can also appear elsewhere, but they are most often seen around the mouth. When they come, they tend to last for about a week and are painful and unsightly.

Trying to figure out how to get rid of them and reduce the discomfort can be a real challenge. You actually have a few items at home that may help you in your battle. Check out the 6 home remedies below that may give you cold sore relief.

1. Lemon balm. Lemon balm appears to help with cold sores according to Medical News Today. You can make a lip balm, but make sure you have at least 1 percent lemon balm in the recipe. Scratch Mommy makes a balm using 2 tablespoons coconut oil and a handful of fresh, chopped lemon balm leaves. Submerge the leaves in the oil and place it in a window in the sun for two weeks to infuse the oil with the lemon balm. Strain the leaves out after two weeks. Once you've infused your oil, combine the infused oil with 1 1/2 teaspoons beeswax and 1 teaspoon honey in a double boiler on the stove. Melt the beeswax and infused oil. Remove from the heat and add 10 drops of lemon balm essential oil. Whisk for 30 to 45 seconds and then pour the balm into a container and let it sit for two hours before using. Apply the balm three to four times a day.

2. Cornstarch. Cold Sores Cured recommends a simple cornstarch paste that is applied directly to the blister and is made of cornstarch and water .

3. Milk. You can make a milk compress from whole milk which contains antibodies and l-lysine according to Medical News Today. Simply soak a piece of gauze or cotton ball in the milk and apply it liberally to the cold sore. If the cold is too painful, warm the milk first.

4. Licorice. Licorice powder appears to help with cold sores as well. Reader's Digest makes a balm from 1 tablespoon licorice powder and 1 teaspoon petroleum jelly. Leave the balm on the sore for several hours or overnight to find relief.

5. Aloe vera gel. Cold Sores Cured also states putting straight aloe vera gel on cold sores can help clear them up and give relief.

6. Vanilla. Everyday Roots says that some people swear by applying vanilla extract with a cotton ball or Q-tip four times a day to cold sores. No studies have been done to see if it really works, but there's no harm in trying it out.

These remedies are super simple and may help take the sting out of the sores. Go check your cupboards the next time you have an outbreak and put a stop to your cold sores early on.

Essential Oils Uses for Skin and Beauty

• Reduce cellulite: Mix 5 drops of grapefruit essential oil with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil and massage into dimpled areas.
• Natural perfume: Use 1–2 drops of jasmine essential oil on your wrist as a fresh natural fragrance. Lavender and vanilla also agree with most women, while cypress and clove work well for men’s cologne.
• Acne face wash: To get rid of acne, make a homemade face wash by mixing tea tree oil (melaleuca) with raw honey and rub on your face. Then rinse off with water.
• Freshen breath: Use a drop of peppermint essential oil for a natural way to freshen breath.
• Homemade shampoo: To make homemade shampoo, mix lavender oil, rosemary oil, aloe vera gel and coconut milk. Use as you would regular shampoo. It lasts 2-4 weeks.
• Homemade deodorant: Combine coconut oil, beeswax and your favorite essential oils like cedarwood and clove oil for men and lavender and tea tree oil for women.
• Sugar scrub: Mix a few drops of an essential oil with almond oil and rock salt or sugar to make your own salt or sugar scrub.
• Homemade toothpaste: Combine sea salt, baking soda, coconut oil and xylitol with peppermint essential oil to make homemade remineralizing toothpaste. Then brush.
• Body spray: Add 5–10 drops to four ounces of water and use as a fragrant body spray.
• Itchy scalp: Add lavender, cedarwood or basil essential oil to shampoo to reduce itching.
• Thicken hair: Add rosemary to shampoo to naturally thicken hair and increase volume.
• Strengthen nails: Mix 10 drops of frankincense, myrrh and lemon essential oils into 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil, then rub on cuticles.Reduce wrinkles: Mix 3–5 drops of sandalwood, geranium, lavender and frankincense essential oils with an unscented lotion and apply to face. Avoid applying to eyes.
• Teeth whitener: Combine lemon essential oil, coconut oil and fresh strawberries, then rub on your teeth. Rinse after two minutes.
• Treat dandruff: Mix five drops of rosemary and lavender essential oils with three tablespoons of unscented oil. Massage into your scalp and leave on for 10 minutes. Shampoo mixture out.
• Reduce stretch marks: Mix 5 drops of frankincense, myrrh and grapefruit essential oils with coconut oil and apply to stretch marks.
• Facial scrub: Mix one-fourth cup yogurt, one-fourth cup cornmeal, and five drops of patchouli, grapefruit and lavender oil. Apply to face and wash off.Natural skin toner: Mix eight ounces of water with two drops of lavender, geranium and frankincense.
• Deep hair conditioner: Mix 15 drops of rosewood with 5 drops of sandalwood and lavender into unscented oil. Place mixture in a small plastic bag and dunk into warm water to heat up. Apply to hair and wrap for 20 minutes. Shampoo as usual.Reduce age spots: Put on frankincense essential oil three times daily directly on skin to improve sun spots and age spots.
• For oily hair: Mix 10 drops of ylang ylang, lime and rosemary oil with two ounces of unscented oil. Massage it scalp 2-3 times per week. Wash out as usual.
• Heal dry cracked feet: Add 3 drops of lavender oil to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply to the feet at night and put on some socks.
• Relieve nausea: Breathe in peppermint oil through your nose to alleviate nausea, and also apply to your neck and upper chest. Ginger and lavender may also help.

Essential Oils Uses for Cleaning and Homes

1. All-purpose cleaner: Add three drops each of lemon oil and tea tree oil to a few ounces of warm water, then spray countertops to naturally disinfect.
2. Natural mosquito repellent: Combine one drop each of lemongrass oil, citronella oil and eucalyptus oil with one teaspoon of coconut oil to make natural bug spray and rub on exposed skin. Reapply as needed.
3. Sports gear: If your kids play sports, add two drops each of tea tree oil and lemon essential oil to one quart of warm water; next add four tablespoons of baking soda and mix. Use to clean ripe (!) jerseys, cleats and sports gear.
4. Clean air: Diffuse cinnamon essential oil in the air and enjoy its anti-microbial properties.
5. Homemade peppermint patties: Use peppermint oil, coconut oil, dark chocolate and raw honey to make real peppermint treats.
6. Washing machine: Add 10-20 drops of your favorite scent per load.
7. Vacuum cleaner: Add 5-10 drops of your favorite oil in your vacuum bag or dust container.
8. Homemade sunscreen: Mix coconut oil, zinc oxide, shea butter, helichrysum oil and lavender essential oil, then store in a squeeze bottle to make homemade toxic-free sunscreen.
9. Eliminate shower curtain scum: Using a 16-ounce spray bottle, use four drops of eucalyptus essential oil and four drops of tea tree oil (melaleuca) with warm water; spray onto your shower for natural mold killing action.
10. Clean burnt pans: Use a few drops of lemon oil and some boiling water to help remove burnt food from pots and pans.
11. Wonderful smelling home: Diffuse clove, rosemary and orange essential oils when guests come over, and they will talk about how amazing your house smells.
12. Carpet cleaner: Mix 20 drops of tea tree oil with Borax for homemade carpet powder.
13. Kill pests: Spray orange essential oil and clove oil to kill pests on contact.
14. Lavender cake: Mix coconut flour, raw honey, organic eggs and lavender essential oil and bake at 350 degrees.
15. Eliminate mold: Add tea tree oil to your diffuser to kill mold and other pathogens in the air.
16. Christmas scent: Add a drop of pine, sandalwood or cedarwood oil on a fire log about 30 minutes before burning.
17. Reduce anxiety: Diffuse lavender essential oil around your home to reduce feelings of stress and tension.
18. Spiritual enlightenment: Diffuse frankincense essential oil while praying, meditating or reading to increase spiritual awareness.
19. Bathtub scrub: Mix one-half cup of baking soda, one-half cup of vinegar and five drops of bergamot or lime oil; use as a scrub for a sink or bathtub.
20. Freshen trash can: Put a cotton ball with two drops each of lemon oil and tea tree oil at the bottom of the trashcan to help decrease the odor and detoxify.
21. Wash produce: To clean fruit and vegetables, add two drops of lemon oil to a large bowl of water, then wash.
22. Clean kitchen smell: Add a few drops of clove, cinnamon or citrus essential oil to a simmering pan of water to get rid of cooking odors.
23. Bathroom freshener: Put a cotton ball soaked in lime or lemon oil behind the toilet for a bathroom refresher.
24. Purify fridge: To freshen up the fridge or freezer when cleaning, add a few drops of lime, grapefruit or bergamot oil to the rinsing water.
25. Mint tea: Use 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil in your favorite tea for a hint of mint.
26. Eliminate smoke: To remove cigarette smoke, put four drops of rosemary, tea tree and eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle and spray around the house.
27. Detoxify the air: Add peppermint and eucalyptus oil to a gallon of paint to dispel fumes.
28. Get rid of shoe smell: To remove the smell from shoes, add a few drops of tea tree oil and lemon oil to freshen them up.
29. Bridal shower gift: For a cute bridal shower gift, create a “love potion” with essential oils. Add 20 drops of sandalwood, and four drops of cocoa, vanilla and rose oil to unscented lotion.
30. Baby shower gift: Give a wall diffuser with a lavender scent to calm the mom and baby.
31. Flavored lemon water: Use 2–3 drops of lemon oil in water for a delicious citrus flavor.
32. Cleaner dishes: Add a few drops of lemon oil to the dishwasher before washing for a spot-free rinse.
33. Physician kit: Makeover your medicine cabinet and create a family physician kit with essential oils of lavender, lemon, peppermint, tea tree, oregano and frankincense.

Fastest Way to Cure Stomach Ulcer

Various preparations of dried unripe plantain banana were found to be anti-ulcerogenic against aspirin-induced ulceration in the rat and were effective both as a prophylactic treatment and in healing ulcers already induced by aspirin. Ripe fruit bananas were inactive. Below are the step by step guides for curing ulcers

Step 1: Get two big size of Unripe Plantain


Step 2: Peel Off the back and cut the plantain into pieces



Step 3: Blend it with 1 liter of water then refrigerate it overnight

Notice: It should be taken cold
Start curing yourself by taken one cup of it every morning and evening till you are cured

Regular Drinking of a Cup of Hot Tea Can Protect You From Glaucoma

Drinking a cup of hot tea every day could lower the risk of developing glaucoma, a study has suggested.

Tea-drinkers were 74 per cent less likely to develop the eye disease, according to a study which looked at the eyesight and food and drink habits of 1,678 people in America.

Glaucoma affects 57.5 million people and is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world.

The findings, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, show drinking decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated tea, iced tea and soft drinks does not seem to make any difference to glaucoma risk.

Researchers said tea contains antioxidants and neuroprotective chemicals which have been linked to a lowered risk of serious conditions.

However, the study says no firm conclusions about cause and effect can be drawn, with researchers adding: “Further research is needed to establish the importance of these findings and whether hot tea consumption may play a role in the prevention of glaucoma.

Protect

“Evidence has shown that the antioxidants in tea are associated with lowered heart disease risk factors and possibly cancer,” says Amy Keating, a consumer reports dietician. “These new findings might show yet another connection to better health.”

Tea contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants that can protect against cell damage, and help to repair damage already caused. Coffee contains slightly different polyphenols to the ones found in tea.

This could help explain why coffee did not have the same effect on glaucoma risk, according to Anne Coleman, the lead researcher of the study and director of the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic.

Decaffeinated tea and iced tea may have lower levels of polyphenols than hot brewed tea, which is why they may not have been associated with lower glaucoma risk.

The study did not examine the differences, if any between black, green or white teas, or examine whether the health benefits increase if people drink larger amounts of tea every day.