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Many people with depression do not realize that besides pharmaceutical medications, there are some things that can be done at home to improve the symptoms of the disorder. The first approach to treatment of depression is to learn about the disorder because this can help motivate you to stick to your treatment and makes you aware of the warning signs of depression. The family should always be part of this therapy as they are in a better position to monitor for worsening symptoms.

Secondly, individuals with depression should try and avoid recreational drugs and alcohol as these agents can worsen the symptoms of depression. A glass of wine once in a while may not be harmful but regular intake of alcoholic beverages is not recommended.

Over the years, several non-drug therapies have become available to treat depression. The use of St John’s wort has been shown to improve mild to moderate depression without causing any major adverse effects. In fact, clinical studies show that this herb is equally as effective as some of the older tricyclic antidepressant medications. However, St John’s wort should be used with caution as it may interact with other medications. Never combine St John’s wort with antidepressants as it may lead to serious adverse effects.

Other supplements that have been shown to improve mild depression include the use of SAMe and omega-3 fatty acids. Unlike St John’s Wort, the evidence to support these supplements to reverse depression is not as strong.

Besides drugs and supplements, there are several alternative and complimentary therapies that can help improve the mind. These mind-body techniques for management of depression include acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, guided imagery, music, and spirituality. It is important to understand that all these techniques to reverse depression are not a one shot deal but have to be practiced regularly to obtain the maximal benefit.

It is also important to be aware that depression is not the type of medical disorder that is advised to be treated by yourself. All patients who have depression should be followed by a healthcare provider. Further, all the supplements, alternative and complimentary therapies should not be a straight forward replacement for conventional antidepressant medications but should initially be considered as complimentary aids.

Other things you can do to ease your depression include:

• Simplifying your life and cutting back on unnecessary obligations.
• Set up goals that are realistic and practical.
• Today there are many local and online groups that offer education, counselling, resources and supports to help cope with depression. There are several religious organizations that also provide resources for depressed people.
• Try not to become isolated. Whenever you get the opportunity, participate in family gatherings and other social activities. Structure your day so that you have a list of things to do and keep you busy.

Finally, change your lifestyle; eat healthy, get adequate sleep and become physically active. There is a lot of evidence which now shows that almost any outdoors activity is beneficial to the brain and helps reverse the symptoms of depression.

Do you know anybody with depression?

Rhinitis is typically the cause of a runny nose and it’s the mucus membranes inside the sinus and nasal passages becoming irritated. The increased production of mucus by the body is its own way of eliminating certain infections in the body.

A runny nose could be caused by an infection such as the flu or a cold or by cold weather, crying, allergies, and particles in the air or irritating smells. Lots of over the counter prescriptions can cure your runny nose but often include certain side effects such as drowsiness. Here are some of the best methods to stop your runny nose and minimize the strength of symptoms, with no adverse reactions.

1. Saline Drops or Sprays

Thinning your mucus can be of assistance in ridding the body of symptoms of runny noses. You can buy a saline nasal drop or spray or you can always formulate your own by dissolving one-quarter teaspoon of salt in two cups of lukewarm distilled water. Place a suction bulb into your nostril one after the other and inhale deeply. Use as often as necessary to stop a runny nose and recover your health fast.

2. Use a Humidifier

If the runny nose occurs with or causes nasal congestion, dry air is usually responsible as it thickens and dries out the mucus thereby congesting your nose and throat. Install a humidifier in your sleeping area to warm the air and clear your airways so you can wake up without a congested or runny nose.

3. Ginger

Ginger is the one of the most effective natural cures for stopping a runny nose as it contains antiviral, antioxidants, anti-fungal and anti toxic properties. Chew some ginger lobes with a pinch of salt daily to rid yourself of a runny nose. Ginger’s ability to fight against germs and bacteria residing in the body is of immense benefit.

4. Turmeric

It is often used in traditional Indian medicine and is extraordinarily well-known for treating a host of varying infections including a runny nose. To use Turmeric, take some dry ground turmeric and saturate it in linseed oil which can be obtained from most grocery stores. Pour the mixture in a spoon and warm on low flame until it starts to burn. Breathe in the rising smoke for a minimum of 5 minutes.

5. Acupressure

This process involves applying pressure to certain areas of the body in order to remedy a runny nose. Apply gentle pressure on the side of the nose ten times and ensure the nostril gets nearly closed each time pressure is applied on that spot. Next, press down on the spot just beneath the eyes and repeat the procedure ten times on both eyes. Finally, knead both earlobes for a period of ten seconds.

Acupuncture therapists believe that by applying pressure to these spots you can ease congestion of sinus, nasal passages and runny nose which results from cold or several allergies.

6. Apply Steam

Sitting in a hot bath or taking a hot shower can help alleviate the symptoms of a runny nose. Directly breathing in the steam from a basin of hot water also works effectively, and can help relieve the mucous membranes coating the interior of the nose.

7. Eating Hot and Spicy Foods

Eating hot and spicy meals that are cooked using ingredients such as cayenne pepper or chili pepper can go a long way in not just stopping a runny nose but further clearing nasal congestion. There is a universal false impression that hot and spicy food worsens a runny nose. While this is true when starting out, over time, the spicy foods eventually help to eliminate the side effects of a runny nose.

Horseradish is a type of seasoning known for its strong, spicy flavor. It is commonly used to help conserve canned foods during the winter as well as used during the year to add flavoring to various dishes. It is native to western parts of Asia and south-eastern parts of Europe. The plant does well in low and dry temperatures, and prefers shade, non-sandy soils, and argillaceous alkaline earth. The plant itself can reach 6 feet (2 meters) in height, and its leaves are also edible.

Many people may not realize that horseradish has a huge number of health benefits, including:

Prevention of Cancer

Cruciferous vegetables, including horseradish, are connected to the prevention of a myriad of cancers, especially colorectal and lung cancers. This is because of the glucosinolates that horseradish contain. These compounds work with the liver to remove cancer-causing carcinogens which can help prevent the continued growth of tumors. Compared to other types of cruciferous vegetables, horseradish has a much high glucosinolate content, making it even more beneficial than the other vegetables in this family.

High Levels of Vitamin C

One of the most well-known and powerful antioxidants that horseradish has a lot of is vitamin C. Vitamin C works throughout the body to remove harmful toxins which cause damage at the cellular level. These toxins, or free radicals, are known to contribute to the development of cancer. Vitamin C also helps to boost the immune system and helps the body fight against a number of health concerns.

Antibacterial and Antibiotic Properties

Horseradish has been found to be very effective against a number of types of infections. This is in part due to the antioxidants it contains. Some of the types of infections that horseradish has been found to help treat include: common cold, the flu, coughing, ear infections, pneumonia, bladder infections, bronchitis, and strep throat. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can also help relieve the discomfort that often accompanies these conditions.

Clearing the Sinus Cavities

Because of its potent smell, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that horseradish will help to clear out the sinus cavities. However, it not only can help drain the sinuses when you need relief, but it may also help treat sinusitis as well as most antibiotics. There are a couple ways that you can take horseradish to treat sinus problems. You can drink juice that has been extracted from the root, or you can make a mixture of fresh grated root and wine vinegar, then breath in the fumes.

Pain Reliever

If you’re looking for a natural pain reliever for muscle or joint pain, consider trying out horseradish. By mixing it with olive oil and massaging it into your skin above the area that is bothering you, you can experience some relief. This sib because horseradish can help increase the blood flow to where it is applied which will help keep the build up of toxins which is causing the inflammation.

Digestive Problems

Another way that horseradish can help is in the digestive tract. It can help stimulate your appetite, and will also stimulate your digestive tract to make more digestive enzymes, which can help improve digestion. However, it is important to note that too much horseradish can actually irritate the digestive tract, especially if you have a sensitive system or an ulcer.

Parasite Treatment

Another way that horseradish helps in the digestive tract is by destroying parasites. Although it’s not fun to think about, many people have parasites but don’t realize it, which can cause everything from digestive problems to allergies. However, horseradish’s anti-microbial properties can help take care of them for you.

Water Retention

Horseradish is also a natural diuretic, so it can help you with problems such as edemas where you are retaining too much water. This will also help in the removal of toxins in your body and can also help improve your flow of urine. Be sure to drink plenty of water to help this process.

Using Horseradish

Because it has so many nutrients and helpful compounds packed into every bit, you don’t need to take much to get results. You can also find it at nearly any grocery or health food store. You can find it fresh or processed, and both ways are helpful in your body, though it is recommended to get it organic. You can even very easily grow it at home by buying organic horseradish root and planting pieces of it.

Before taking horseradish, ask your doctor if you have gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers or renal problems as horseradish could make these worse. Horseradish should also not be given to children under the age of four.

Significant weight loss, dry skin, excessive hair loss – what does that sound like to you? Brittle nails, constant fatigue and a sickly pale complexion. I’m talking about what happens when you don’t eat.

A common myth among pre-teens and teens is that if you don’t eat, you will lose weight. That is true to a certain extent but do you know what kind of suffering your body is going through? Let me break it down for you.

IN 6 HOURS

When you eat, excess food that is not used is stored in your body as a sugar known as glycogen. After 6 hours, your body’s blood sugar starts to drop and in reaction to that, your body converts glycogen back into glucose to fuel your body.

FOOD-LESS FOR 3 DAYS

Stores are bound to run out – the same goes with your body. The glycogen will probably keep your body sustained for about a day or two then your body enters ‘Starvation Mode’ (yes, it is a real term). This stage is also known as ketosis, where there are higher concentrations of ketone bodies. Ketone bodies are produced by the fatty acids in your body. For the meantime, your body will get energy from the ketone bodies.

FAST FORWARD TO 6 DAYS

After the fats are used up, the body has no choice but to start breaking down proteins, which is essentially, muscle. Your muscles start to waste away for the first 72 hours. However, roughly after 72 hours, the body gets used to the hunger – it starts to conserve energy and as a result, your metabolism plummets.

STARVING FOR 3 WHOLE WEEKS

Your body’s metabolism has fallen to use as little energy as possible but your body is still looking for energy. After depleting its source of energy in your muscles, your body will start to break down tissue. Tissue makes up your organs like your stomach, your lungs. Your body is practically eating itself at this stage. You will most probably start to get sick because your immune system has been weakened and you are lacking many minerals and nutrients. Your bone density deceases as well.

Many people die from disease at this point because the body is unable to fight the external viruses. Even if you don’t die of disease, the body will be cannibalizing itself. People die from heart attacks at this stage too because the muscles in key organs such as the heart has been broken down.

MORE INFO

Even if you do abstain for food for several days, your body is bound to have some negative reactions, and some may even be irreversible. Not eating is basically torturing your own body and if you stop eating to lose weight and look skinny, trust me, you don’t look very great at all.

You will look gaunt and scary, you lose hair and instead grow soft furry hair on your limbs and back, a condition called lanugo. This is barely the tip of the iceberg so remember your mealtimes!

Watermelon is a native of Southern Africa and moved north to Egypt and later, about 1000 years ago, to China. Now, of course, watermelon is grown all over the world and these days, is cultivated to grow bigger and sweeter.

It is a popular myth, that Watermelon comprises water and sugar and that apart from the water, offers no benefits at all. Well, this could not be further from the truth! It is actually a nutrient dense food, and one that provides a high amount of Vitamins, antioxidants and minerals – and all for a surprisingly low count of calories.

High Blood Pressure

Watermelon is a high Lycopene food – like Tomatoes – being a carotenoid phytonutrient – which is particularly important for our cardiovascular (blood, veins, arteries and the heart) health – including improvement of blood flow to all parts of the body and thereby decreasing the pressure (blood pressure) needed to pump it around the system. There is also increasing evidence, that it prevents the accumulation of fat in fat cells.

Cancer

Watermelon is wonderful source of the powerful antioxidant Vitamin C – as well as a number of others (like, Vitamin E, Glutathione (GSH)) and Alpha-Lipoic-Acid (ALA)) which can assist in combatting the formation of known free-radicals that cause cancer. The intake of Lycopene (see High Blood Pressure above) has been linked to a decreased risk of Prostate Cancer (the Prostate Gland is only found in men) in a number of health studies. Other significant reductions have been seen in, breast, lung, colon and endometrial (the tissue lining the inner cavity of the uterus – or womb) cancers.

Diabetes

Diabetic patients often complain of feeling half-fed due to their low energy and low sugar diet. Step up the humble watermelon which, despite being sweet to taste a nice thick wedge will only provide relatively few calories due to the fact, which is composed of 99% water and roughage. But, the many vitamins and minerals, viz potassium and magnesium assist in the proper functioning of insulin in the body, thereby lowering the blood sugar level. Also, Arginine – another compound found in watermelons – is truly effective in enhancing the effectiveness of insulin on blood sugar levels.

Macular Degeneration

Reduce your concerns about eye health and macular degeneration by eating plenty of watermelon. This is due to its content of beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin C, meaning that your eyes are well protected. These will ensure good protection of your eyes from age-related blindness and degeneration, and more, these antioxidants will aid the protection of your eyes from other age-related ailments such as, drying up of eyes and optical nerves – as well as glaucoma.

Asthma

It is known, that the risks for developing asthma are lower in those who consume high amounts of particular nutrients. One of these being vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables – including watermelon.

Inflammation

Watermelon contains Choline, an extremely important nutrient that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement and also learning and memory. Choline also very useful in maintaining the integrity of cellular membranes, assists in the transmission of nerve impulses and the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.

Skin and Hair

Watermelon is also a bonus for your skin because it contains vitamin A, a nutrient that’s necessary for the production of sebum, which helps to keep hair moisturized.

Making sure you have enough vitamin C is also necessary for the building and maintenance of collagen, thereby providing structure to skin and hair. Watermelon also assists in overall hydration, something that is vital for healthy looking skin and hair.

Impotence

Arginine, which is also present in watermelon, is beneficial in curing erectile dysfunction, and further, the stimulating nature of this can lift libido, trim frigidity and provide a boost to your love life. So, why not enjoy a few slices of watermelon together!

Conclusion

Well, a host of benefits, I think that you will agree! Far from being inconsequential, watermelon could be thought more as a belle of the ball! Let me give you a passing tip: if your teeth are strong enough, eat those seeds within the watermelon – don’t spit them out! Watermelon seeds are rich in beneficial fats and proteins and besides, the outer shell acts as a good item of roughage and as my lovely (late) mother-in-law (from Devon) used to say – ”It’s good for what’s wrong with you!”