Watermelon and its health benefits !!

Watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. As with many other fruits, it is a source of vitamins A, B6 and C. Additionally, watermelon is a good source of thiamin, potassium and magnesium. Watermelons contain a significant amount of citrulline - an amino acid our bodies use to make another amino acid, arginine. They have no fats, have fewer amounts of calories and are one of the healthiest fruits. Watermelon is also mildly diuretic and contains large amounts of beta-carotene.
 
Although watermelon with red-pink flesh is more common, there are varieties of watermelon that feature yellow, orange or white flesh. Watermelon with red-pink flesh is a significant source of a potent antioxidant, lycopene - a plant pigments responsible for the red color of watermelon, tomatoes, and pink guavas).

 The Health Benefits

Aids in Energy Production: Watermelon is concentrated with B-vitamins. B-vitamins are responsible for a lot of your body's energy production. This means, eating watermelon can give you substantial energy. It also has high amounts of the energizing nutrients, magnesium and potassium. Eating watermelon is a safe alternative to taking energy drinks prior to exercise. It also keeps you hydrated with its high water content as opposed to caffeine filled energy drinks that dehydrate you.
Provides Antioxidants: Watermelon is a natural source of the most powerful antioxidants. It is a good source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A (through its concentration of beta-carotene). Watermelons with red-pink flesh are also a good source of carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene. All these antioxidants reduce the risks of asthma, heart disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and various cancers by neutralizing dangerous free radicals that could otherwise damage cells and cell membranes.
Shows Cancer Fighting Properties: Adding watermelon into your diet can help prevent and fight cancer. This can be attributed to its rich antioxidant profile. The antioxidants of watermelon are very concentrated and they have the ability to kill the cancer causing free radicals. Lycopene, a potent carotenoid in watermelon, has been extensively studied for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. In research on humans, lycopene has been linked to the protection of DNA inside of white blood cells due to its antioxidant function to help protect cells from free radical damage. Lycopene has been found to be protective against many cancers, particularly prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, endometrial cancer and colon cancer.

Improves Eye Health: Eating enough watermelon can prevent night blindness. This is because, watermelon is rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, which improves overall eye health. Eating watermelon can also prevent age related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults. Macular degeneration is just a fancy word for loss of vision. Studies show that eating watermelon is actually healthy for your eyes than eating carrots. That holds true in preventing both short-term and long-term vision loss.

Lowers Blood Pressure: Watermelon is a good source of potassium, which helps in controlling blood pressure and in maintaining the body's proper electrolyte and acid-base balance. Two cups of watermelon contains about 10 percent of the recommended daily value of potassium.Promotes Brain Power: Being a very good source of vitamin B6, watermelon serves as a great brain food. Vitamin B6 helps the body to create brain chemicals that regulate sleeping patterns, relieve stress and even give a feeling of elation.

Promotes Heart Health: Scientists suggest that when watermelon is consumed, citrulline (an amino acid) is converted to arginine through certain enzymes. Arginine is an amino acid that works wonders on the heart, the circulatory system and the immune system. The citrulline-arginine relationship promotes heart health.Acts as the Natural Viagra: Scientists suggest that watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body's blood vessels and may even increase libido. It has been found to show great effects in relaxing blood vessels without involving any side effect of a drug.

Treats Erectile Dysfunction: Arginine, produced by the body using citrulline, is used by the cells lining your blood vessels to make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes the blood vessels and this is the same effect which Viagra produces while treating erectile function.

Treats Impotence: Arginine seems to improve sexual function in men with impotence. Arginine boosts nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels. A study of 50 men with impotence reported significant improved sexual function after they were given arginine supplementation

.Promotes Muscles Health: Potassium-rich foods like watermelon help athletes to cope up with muscle strain and cramps. Eating a slice of watermelon immediately after rigorous exercises can even prevent the muscles from becoming sore.

Aids in the Weight Loss Process: Watermelon is low in calories and high in water content. This makes it filling but not fattening. Eating watermelon in place of high-calorie treats can help to shed pounds without the feeling of missing out on something. The natural sweetness found in melons will help you not to be tempted to grab those high calorie sweets.

Boosts the Immune System: Arginine is the physiologic precursor in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which plays a pivotal role in many biological processes such as platelet aggregation and immune system modulation. A study involving 40 children demonstrated an increase in lymphocytes, which play an important role in the immune system, after oral administration of arginine.

Helps Remove Toxins: Arginine plays an important part in the healing of wounds and the removal of ammonia and other toxic compounds from the body. Excess ammonia in the blood can lead to fatigue, kidney and liver disease.Improves Insulin Sensitivity: Arginine has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in obese type 2 diabetic patients with insulin resistance.

Pineapple and its health benefits

Pineapple stores many compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.

1. Its flesh contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; however, it is rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber like pectin.

2. Studies have shown that consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation.

3. Pineapple consists of 80% of vitamin C. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.

4. It also contains vitamin A and beta-carotene levels. Vitamin A is required maintaining healthy mucus membranes, skin and essential for vision. 

5. It also contains Potassium, magnesium or copper. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Copper is a helpful cofactor for red blood cell synthesis. Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger.

Tomatoes and its health Benfits

 
Tomato (tamatar) is the red and edible fruit of a plant, known as Solanum lycopersicum. However, its counted as both a fruit and a vegetable. People enjoy tomatoes in the form of salad or like a veggie. South America is known to be the Origin of the juicy, delicious Tomatoes and then its use spread throughout the world. Interestingly, tomato is famous with the tag of “Golden Apple”.

This food is highly rich in vitamin C , E, B1, B6 and A, antioxidants, potassium, folate, dietary fiber, magnesium, niacin, iron, phosphorus and copper.

Health Benefits

Antioxidants- A tomato contains a good amount of vitamin A and C which works as fine antioxidants. They neutralize the harmful free radicals that are moving in the blood stream. These radicals can cause cell damage. However, when you cook tomatoes then their antioxidants shrink a lot. So, it would be better if you go for them in their raw form by making their salad. But if your body has the tendency of forming stones in gall bladder, kidneys or elsewhere, then do avoid tomatoes in their raw form as this might encourage the problem.

Diabetes- A good amount of chromium is found in this veggie. It helps to control the high blood sugar level.

Smoking- Tomatoes give a high hand in reducing the damage done by smoking cigarette. This healing gets possible due to the presence of two acids named as chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid. They help to shoot-off the carcinogens that are brought by cigarette smoke inside your body.

Vision- Due to a good level of vitamin A in this veggie, it helps to maintain a healthy vision and treat night blindness.

Heart problems- It contains vitamin B and potassium which helps in controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol issues. So, its use prevents the problems of stroke, heart attack and many other life-threatening heart problems.

Skin health- Rub the peel of tomato against your skin. It makes your skin look more shiny and clear.

Hair- A nutrient, vitamin A, in tomatoes help to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

Cancer- As this fruit-cum-veggie holds a good amount of lycopene, so it helps to treat cancer. This mainly includes prostate cancer, stomach cancer and colorectal cancer.

Healthy bones- Tomatoes contain vitamin K and calcium that helps to form strong bones and treat minor injuries.


*Do notice the point that eating too many tomatoes can cause the problems of kidney stones and gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. So eat them only in moderation.

Health benefits of Dates fruit

Dates, one of the most nourishing fruits and called Phoenix Dactylifera scientifically, are largely used as a bread by the natives of Sahara. Dates are embraced as both dry and fresh fruits with astounding health benefits. Its made with 60-70 percent of natural sugar. This fruit undergoes fermentation very easily, this is the reason why it is dried under the sun.  It got its origin in the Persian Gulf area or Mesopotamia. The level of glucose and fructose increases in your body with its use, due to which it is considered as one of the finest sources of energy. And it works as a tonic for treating various digestive disorders, too.

HEALTH BENEFITS of DATES

Constipation- This fruit contains a laxative effect. So it helps to treat the problem of constipation. For this purpose, soak some dates in water for one night and make their syrup on the next morning and drink it.

Intestinal health- A fine nicotinic amount in this fruit regulates the growth of pathological organisms. It helps to enhance the level of friendly bacteria in the intestine.

Weight gain- Dates are high in the content of fats, sugar, proteins and many vitamins. Just one kilogram of this fruit contains around 3,000 calories. So it proves to be a boon if you want to gain weight.

Heart health- Being rich in fortifying nutrients, date helps to form a healthy condition of the heart. For this, soak its pieces in water for one night and crush them on the next morning and then simply eat them.

Sexual debility- This food works as a tonic for enhancing the sexual stamina of a person. Just take a handful of dates and soak them in fresh goat's milk for one night. On the next day, grind them in the same milk and add a little cardamom powder and honey. Drinking this tonic helps to raise sexual endurance and treat sterility that has occurred due to a functional disorder.

Intoxication- If you are suffering from alcoholic intoxication (due to excessive intake of alcohol) then dates help to reduce this effect. You should soak them for one night and consume on the next day.

Teething problems- Traditionally,  a date was tied to the wrist of the baby and allowed to be sucked by the baby during teething phase. This helped to harden the gums and prevent other issues like diarrhea and fretfulness. A paste was made with honey and a date as an effective remedy for diarrhea and dysentery during teething, and was given three times a day. You can also try it on your baby.

*Avoid the overdose of this fruit as it can cause diabetes and tooth decay due to its high sugar content. So follow the key of 'moderation' while using it.

How to eat Fruits

To absorb full nutrients from fruit on an empty stomach is
to eat it with a few protein foods such as a slice of bread.
In this way, most of the nutrients from fruits will be
digested well and taken as energy by your body. Yes, this is
considered an acceptable reasoning according to many doctors
whom we have discussed this issue with.

- Eating fruits after a meal may cause bloating.

Some doctors say that eating fruits straight after a main
meal may cause bloating or produce gas. They explained to us
that this is because some fruits are high in fructose (sugar
found in fruits), and when digested by your body, a gas may
be produced in your large intestine through fermentation, if
your body's ability to metabolize the excess fructose has
exceeded. This happens especially in persons who have
fructose malabsorption, where they should absorb fructose in
limited amounts.

Things That You Should Know About Fruits

1. Most fruits especially citrus fruits are acidic, but they
will turn to alkaline in your body after they have been
metabolized.

2. Fruits are the roots of health, energy, and longevity. We
do not recommend fruit juices in a can or bottle, especially
soda-mixed fruit--soft drinks that may be against your health
and beauty. Moreover, it may create stress later on, since
they can destroy all nutrients especially vitamins in the
body.

3. It is best to eat whole fruit rather than drinking the
juice of it, because juicing will reduce the fruit's fiber
content.

4. Most fruits have no cholesterol.

5. Fruit stimulates our minds and helps recall memories.
Don't you know that fruits have healing effects for many
diseases as well as the mind? Aside from it, the majority of
beautiful girls love to eat fruits. Fruits may be the key to
beauty.

6. Scientifically, fruits contain more medicinal properties
than other foods. Is it the reason that fruitarians are
healthier than average people?

In fact, we eat fruits or fruit salad every day as long as
we can afford especially during our snack time. Do keep in
mind that fruits are not medicine to cure diseases. They may
only be considered medicinal and may have power to remedy
your health maladies.

 Conclusion

For your information, most of the time, I eat fruits after
meal and during snack time.

I do not feel anything wrong eating fruits after meal, and
you cannot eat a lot of fruits when your stomach is full
anyway. Saying that you should never eat fruit after meal is
nonsense--it's good to eat fruits after meal as DESERT! I
am at least healthy and I have never contracted any diseases
until my old age by eating fruits after meal. How about
you?

Fruits for a healthy radiant skin !!

With most people becoming aware of the harmful effect of chemicals on their skin and health, kitchen solution to every available problem is now the order of the day and fruits fits in perfectly in this.

Fruit and vegetables have be known to contain antioxidants that decrease markers of inflammation linked to a range of chronic diseases.

It has also been shown that a cup of fruit juice a day is a sure guarantee for a clear healthy skin.

Fruits help rehydrate and rejuvenate your skin and give you that youthful skin you have always desired without putting a hole in your pocket.

Here area few fruits and their skin-beautifying properties:

• Bananas (The Wonder Fruit): Banana is a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium and helps reduce menstrual cramps. The effect of banana on skin cannot be over emphasized. Bananas are rich in vitamin A, B and E and hence works as an anti-aging agent. A fresh mashed banana facial can do wonders for your skin.

• Lemon (The fruit for all seasons): With its vitamin C content, lemon juice will keep your skin beautiful and healthy. A glass of warm water with a tea spoon of honey and a dash of lemon juice on an empty stomach every morning is a great skin cleanser. With its astringent properties, it can be used to lighten the skin tone and also diminish acne scars. Rub the inside of a lemon peel on your elbow remove dark spots. Mix lemon and honey and use it as a natural bleach on your skin.

• Apple (An apple a day keeps the doctor away): The antioxidant property of apple help prevent cell and tissue damage. Studies by nutritionists have shown that apples contain abundant amounts of elastin and collagen that help keep the skin young. Applying a mixture of mashed apple, honey, rose water and oatmeal can act as a great exfoliating mask on your skin.

• Orange (An Orange a Day Can Keep Some Cancers Away): Orange is rich in vitamin C that improves skin texture. Like apple, orange too contains collagen that slows skin aging process. Rub the insides of orange on your skin to tighten the skin. Oranges can be dried and powdered and used as a natural scrub. Like lemon, oranges too help clear skin blemishes.

• Pawpaw: The benefits of pawpaw on the skin have perhaps been talked about since time immemorial. Pawpaw is rich in antioxidants and contain a special enzyme called papain that can kill dead cells and cure skin impurities. A glass of papaya milk or just applying the flesh of papaya on your skin can do wonders to your skin.

• Mango (The king of fruits): This soft pulpy fruit has an amazing effect on skin. Rich in vitamin-A and rich in antioxidants, it fights against skin aging, regenerates skin cells and restores the elasticity of skin

Use food to cure you

1 Pineapple is a natural painkiller The fruit contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that bring pain relief from conditions such as arthritis, according to a study at Reading University.

2 Pomegranate juice could prevent a heart attack This wonder juice is believed to improve blood flow to the heart and lower blood pressure. 

3 Onions are natural antibiotics They might make your breath pong but onions contain allicin, a powerful antibiotic that also protects the circulatory system.

4 Mushrooms can ward off colds They contain more of an immune-boosting antioxidant called ergothioneine than any other food, say researchers at Pennsylvania State University.

6 Blueberries can boost memory A study at Tufts University in Boston showed eating half a cup of this fruit regularly could delay age-related deterioration in co-ordination and short-term memory.

8 Eat chocolate, live longer Hurray! Harvard University scientists say that eating a couple of chocolate bars a week could extend your life by almost a year. 

9 Grapefruit juice can stop medicine working If you're taking medication, avoid washing it down with grapefruit juice as there is evidence that it prevents some drugs being broken down. 

10 You should never drink tea or coffee with meals Tannins in tea and coffee prevent absorption of certain nutrients. A cup of tea with a meal will halve the iron you get from it, whereas a glass of orange juice will double it. 

11 Cherries can cure gout Cherries contain compounds that significantly reduce the chemicals in the body which cause joint inflammation. 

12 Eating curry could help prevent Alzheimer's According to a report in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a yellow pigment used in curry, curcumin, can stop amyloid plaques in the brain that cause the condition. 

13 Sniffing a lemon could help you beat asthma The UK's 5.1 million asthmatics could find lemons ease their symptoms. Studies in rats found that breathing improved after they inhaled limonene, the chemical that gives lemons their smell. 

14 Kiwi fruit can improve your eyesight This fuzzy fruit is a surprisingly good source of lutein, an antioxidant that protects your vision. 

15 Garlic can cure mouth ulcers and verrucas Here's an old wives' tale that works: halve a clove of garlic, squeeze, and apply a drop of the juice to the offending growth at bedtime. 

16 You can have too little salt Too much salt isn't good for us but not getting enough can trigger low blood pressure in those susceptible. Consult your GP before making any major diet changes.

17 Figs can delay brittle bone disease Good news for the three million osteoporosis sufferers in the UK - it is possible to slow its progress by eating calcium-packed figs.

18 Soya can mimic breast cancer drugs A team of Cambridge researchers discovered that a diet high in soya can have a similar effect to anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen. 

19 Barbecued-food can cause cancer Eating meat that's chargrilled or burnt could lead to stomach, pancreatic, colon and breast cancer because it creates high levels of carcinogenic compounds. 

20 Cinnamon can help diabetics Just half a teaspoon a day of this spice can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, says US research. 

21 Chillies can help you breath more easily Capsaicin, which occurs in chillies, shrinks the mucous membranes which can ease blocked noses and sinuses. 

22 Watermelon is good for the prostate Men will be glad to know that the red flesh contains the antioxidant Lycopene, which helps keep the prostate gland healthy. 

23 Coriander can lower your cholesterol levels This aromatic herb can reduce cholesterol levels and prevent heart problems.

24 Nibbling nuts can prevent blood clots Nuts boost nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes blood vessels and eases blood flow. 

25 Banish bad breath with natural yoghurt A few spoonfuls of natural yoghurt can neutralise halitosis, according to Japanese researchers.

visit Ayurwellness for more health tips and online consultation

Health Benefits of Pomegranate Peels

Pomegranate- bright red, with ruby colored, jewel like seeds/arils embedded within it, has been revered as a divine fruit. Believed to have flourished in the Garden of Eden, Pomegranate finds itself as a part of ancient symbolism, rituals, beliefs and folk practices.

Vedas – the most ancient texts of Hindu Philosophy, consider Pomegranate as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. In Chinese symbolism, pomegranate with its bright red skin and tasty seeds, is a symbol of abundance, passion, happiness and fertility.1 Its beauty and mouth refreshing flavor also comes with equally amazing health benefits. The flowers, leaves, bark, peel and off-course the arils or seeds of pomegranate are all edible and have potent medicinal qualities.

Pomegranate peels left to dry in an old brass plate, near smoldering ‘chulha’ (cooking stove that uses wood as fuel) or in the sun, was a common sight at my maternal home in Goa. Pomegranate peels were one of the most precious ingredients of my grandmother’s medicine box. Throwing away peels of pomegranate was criminal according to her! With so many health benefits under its ‘skin’, wasting peels of fruits like pomegranate is indeed a crime.

Ayurveda holds pomegranate fruit in high regards due to its ability to pacify all the three doshas. It has been considered useful and wholesome in many diseases ranging form anemia, dysentery, diarrhea, heart disease, intestinal worms and many more. Peels or rind of pomegranate which is astringent and bitter in taste can be used in treating many disorders. Due to the Kashaya- tikta i.e. astringent- bitter taste of the peel, it helps in curbing swellings, inflammations, diarrhea, dysentery, bleeding etc. It promotes healing, boosts digestion and is a tonic for the liver.  It is packed with antioxidants and can be used as a potent preservative in foods as well as in pharmaceutics. In fact, pomegranate peel has more antioxidants than the arils. Pomegranate peels also have anti-bacterial activity.

How to dry pomegranate peels?
Choose only organic pomegranates for saving the peels.
Score or give longitudinal cuts on the peel of the fruit. Then, gently remove the peels with hands or by using a paring knife.
Once all the arils/ seeds are collected, cut or tear the pomegranate peel into pieces of about one inch size.
Arrange thinly in a plate or a cookie sheet so that no peels are overlapping each other.
Place in a sunny spot every day till the peel gets hard and loses all the moisture.
Once the dried peels have completely cooled, place them in a zip-lock bag or an airtight container.

A must have home remedy in your medicine cabinet; pomegranate peel can be used for giving relief in following conditions:

Diarrhea/dysentry , colitis, hemorrhoids,  passing blood or mucus through stools:
Sun-dried pomegranate peel- ½ cup
Cumin seeds- 1tbsp
Buttermilk- ½ cup
Rock Salt to taste
Soak the pomegranate peel in water for about 30 minutes. Once it softens, blend all the ingredients in a food processor, till they are homogenized. Add rock salt to taste. Give 1/4th to 1/2 cup of this mixture, three to four times in a day in case of diarrhea, dysentery, colitis, hemorrhoids/piles and stomach ache. This recipe also works for pets (dogs and cats)  if they are suffering from watery stools or are passing blood or mucus through stools.

Pomegranate peels contain tannins, which are very powerful astringents help in reducing the inflammation of the intestines, swelling of the hemorrhoids, tightens the intestinal lining and stops bleeding and diarrhea. Paste of pomegranate peel can also be applied externally to swollen and bleeding piles.

Boils, pimples and acne:
Roasted and powdered pomegranate skin can be mixed with rose water or lime juice and applied as a face-pack for soothing pimples, boils, acne and for removing white heads and black heads.
Bad breath (halitosis), gingivitis, mouth ulcers:
1tbsp of pomegranate peel powder should be taken twice daily with water for preventing bad breath. Gargles with decoction of pomegranate peels are also effective in this condition. Massaging gums with pomegranate peel powder  helps in soothing swollen, inflamed and bleeding gums. Pomegranate powder mixed with tiny amounts of freshly ground black pepper can be used as a toothpowder for preventing dental caries.
Sore throat, loss of voice, hoarseness:
Decoction made by boiling pomegranate peels can be used for gargling in case of sore throat and tonsillitis.

Pomegranate with all its benefits is truly an amazing fruit. Next time you bring a pomegranate home, save the peels for a handy home remedy when in need.

How fruits help to make our skin glow

Fruits are good sources of various elements which help in having a good healthy body. But only few people know how fruits helps us in having a good glowing skin too. As we know that fruits contains a variety of trace elements and antioxidants they have action on skin too. It helps us to stop the aging process.

I came across an article about how fruits help us make our skin glow. You can get more details about the article here

Happy reading !!!!!

Facts about fruits

Mind-blowing food facts! part-1 1 Pineapple is a natural painkiller The fruit contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that bring pain relief from conditions such as arthritis, according to a study at Reading University. 2 Pomegranate juice could prevent a heart attack This wonder juice is believed to improve blood flow to the heart and lower blood pressure.  3 Onions are natural antibiotics They might make your breath pong but onions contain allicin, a powerful antibiotic that also protects the circulatory system. 4 Mushrooms can ward off colds They contain more of an immune-boosting antioxidant called ergothioneine than any other food, say researchers at Pennsylvania State University. 6 Blueberries can boost memory A study at Tufts University in Boston showed eating half a cup of this fruit regularly could delay age-related deterioration in co-ordination and short-term memory. 8 Eat chocolate, live longer Hurray! Harvard University scientists say that eating a couple of chocolate bars a week could extend your life by almost a year.  9 Grapefruit juice can stop medicine working If you're taking medication, avoid washing it down with grapefruit juice as there is evidence that it prevents some drugs being broken down.  10 You should never drink tea or coffee with meals Tannins in tea and coffee prevent absorption of certain nutrients. A cup of tea with a meal will halve the iron you get from it, whereas a glass of orange juice will double it.  11 Cherries can cure gout Cherries contain compounds that significantly reduce the chemicals in the body which cause joint inflammation.  12 Eating curry could help prevent Alzheimer's According to a report in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a yellow pigment used in curry, curcumin, can stop amyloid plaques in the brain that cause the condition.  13 Sniffing a lemon could help you beat asthma The UK's 5.1 million asthmatics could find lemons ease their symptoms. Studies in rats found that breathing improved after they inhaled limonene, the chemical that gives lemons their smell.  14 Kiwi fruit can improve your eyesight This fuzzy fruit is a surprisingly good source of lutein, an antioxidant that protects your vision.  15 Garlic can cure mouth ulcers and verrucas Here's an old wives' tale that works: halve a clove of garlic, squeeze, and apply a drop of the juice to the offending growth at bedtime.

Health benefits of Cucumber

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C,Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin And your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber React with the aluminium to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been Used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick Meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have Enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its Chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also Repels water.


9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, Creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new Mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a
Slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds To eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth Responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a Slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove Years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm Your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly Use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids Have used to decorate the walls!!

Pumpkin Wonder: It is the best fruit to rejuvenate dull skin

Pumpkin isn't restricted as a prop for Halloween. Here's how pumpkin can work wonders for your skin

How many of us would have thought that pumpkin can have great beauty benefits? All that comes to our mind when we think about a pumpkin is holiday decorations, pies, scary Jack-o'-lanterns. But hold on, because it has great nutritional value and is a great beauty product. It offers vitamins, minerals, fibre and the all-important antioxidant that our body needs to stay healthy and young. And since winters can play nasty tricks on your skin, pumpkins are a great way to keep your skin supple and soft as always.

Pumpkin makes for a great moisturiser and exfoliating masks depending upon the ingredients you use. The enzymes in it give you a younger look and the natural alpha-hydroxy acids in pumpkin helps to remove cells to reveal younger, fresher skin. In fact, a lot of face products in the market use pumpkin as their main ingredient. Pumpkin nourishes tired or dry skin instantly giving you a healthy glow anytime your skin needs a much-needed boost! Pumpkin peels can also help when you are having one of those dreaded breakouts and acne problems. The nutrients can help soothe and reduce inflammation naturally, helping skin recover from acne-related damage.

Exfoliating mask
You will need:
8 ounces cooked (cooled) pumpkin
12 finely chopped almonds
¼ cup honey
1/8 teaspoon olive oil

You will have to blend the all these for a smoother effect. Leave the mixture on your skin for about 5 minutes and rinse with luke warm water. You will feel the difference immediately.

Make your own home facial
The natural healing properties of pumpkin can be a great treat for your skin especially in winters. Here are few tips on how to make your own home facial. You will need:
2 teaspoons canned pumpkin
½ teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon milk
¼ teaspoon cinnamon spice

All you have to do is to mix these ingredients together into a paste and apply directly onto your skin. Let the paste dry for about 15 minutes and rinse it with water.

Health benefits of Papaya.

Food Value
Papaya is regarded as a wholesome fruit. The daily requirements of some of the essential nutrients like proteins, mineral and vitamins can be met from this fruit. The vitamin C contents in papaya increases as the maturity progresses. Its carbohydrate content is mainly of invert sugar which is a form of predigested food.


Natural Benefits and Curative Properties
The papaya has remarkable medicinal virtues which were fully recognised even in ancient times. It is not only one of the most easily digested fruits, but it also aids the digestion of other foods. Ripe papaya is excellent tonic for growing children, for pregnant women and nursing mothers. It is an energy giving food.
Intestinal Disorders
Papain in the raw papaya is highly beneficial in the deficiency of gastric juice, excess of unhealthy mucus in the stomach, in dyspepsia and intestinal irritation. The ripe fruit, if eaten regularly, corrects habitual constipation, bleeding piles and chronic diarrhoea. The juice of the papaya seeds is also useful in dyspepsia and bleeding piles.
Roundworms
The digestive enzyme papain the milky juice of the unripe papaya is powerful anthelmintic for (i.e. which has the power to destroy) roundworms. A tablespoonful of the fresh juice and equal quantity of honey should be mixed with three to four tablespoonful of hot water and taken as a dose by an adult. This dose should be followed two hours later by a dose of 30 to 60 ml. of castor oil mixed in 250-375 ml. of luke warm milk. This treatment should be repeated for two days, if necessary. For children of 7 to 10 years, half the above dose should be given. For children under three years, a teaspoonful is sufficient.
Papaya seeds are also useful for this purpose, they are rich in a substance called caricin which is a very effective medicine for expelling roundworms. The alkaloid carpaine found in the leaves has also the power to destroy or expel intestinal worms. They are given with honey.
Skin Disorders
The juice of the raw papaya, being an irritant, is useful in several skin disorders. It is applied with beneficial results to swellings to prevent pus formation or suppuration and to corns, warts, pimples, horn, an excrescence or an abnormal outgrowth of the skin and other skin diseases. The juice has a cosmetic, removes freckles or brown spots due to exposure to sunlight and makes the skin smooth and delicate. A paste of papaya seeds is applied in skin diseases like ringworm.
Menstrual Irregularities
The unripe papaya helps the contraction of the muscle fibres of the womb and is thus beneficial in securing proper menstrual flow. It is especially helpful in case of cessation of menstruation due to exposure to the cold or due to fright in young unmarried girls.
Cirrhosis of the liver
Black seeds of papaya are highly beneficial in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism, malnutriton etc. A tablespoonful of juice obtained by grinding the seeds, mixed with ten drops of fresh lime juice, should be given once or twice daily for about a month as a medicine for this disease.
Throat Disorders
Fresh juice of raw papaya mixed with honey can be applied with beneficial results over inflamed tonsils for diphtheria and other throat disorders. It dissolves the membrane and prevents infection from spreading.
Spleen Enlargement
Ripe papaya is highly valuable in enlargement of the spleen. The fruit should be skinned, cut into pieces and immersed in vinegar for a week. About 20 gms. of the fruit thus preserved should be consumed twice with meals in the treatment of this disease. Slices of peeled raw fruit with cumin seeds and pepper can also be used once daily to cure enlargement of the spleen due to malaria.

Fruits and their uses

Apples	Protects your heart	prevents constipation	Blocks diarrhea	Improves lung capacity	Cushions joints
Apricots	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure	Saves your eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer's	Slows aging process
Artichokes	Aids digestion	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Guards against liver disease
Avocados	Battles diabetes	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin
Bananas	Protects your heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
Beans	Prevents constipation	Helps hemorrhoids	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar
Beets	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones	Protects your heart	Aids weight loss
Blueberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Boosts memory	Prevents constipation
Broccoli	Strengthens bones	Saves eyesight	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure
Cabbage	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
Cantaloupe	Saves eyesight	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system
Carrots	Saves eyesight	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
Cauliflower	Protects against Prostate Cancer	Combats Breast Cancer	Strengthens bones	Banishes bruises	Guards against heart disease
Cherries	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Ends insomnia	Slows aging process	Shields against Alzheimer's
Chestnuts	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
Chili peppers	Aids digestion	Soothes sore throat	Clears sinuses	Combats Cancer	Boosts immune system
Figs	Promotes weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
Fish	Protects your heart	Boosts memory	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Supports immune system
Flax	Aids digestion	Battles diabetes	Protects your heart	Improves mental health	Boosts immune system
Garlic	Lowers cholesterol	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	kills bacteria	Fights fungus
Grapefruit	Protects against heart attacks	Promotes Weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol
Grapes	saves eyesight	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Enhances blood flow	Protects your heart
Green tea	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Helps stops strokes	Promotes Weight loss	Kills bacteria
Honey	Heals wounds	Aids digestion	Guards against ulcers	Increases energy	Fights allergies
Lemons	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
Limes	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
Mangoes	Combats cancer	Boosts memory	Regulates thyroid	aids digestion	Shields against Alzheimer's
Mushrooms	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Kills bacteria	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
Oats	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	prevents constipation	Smoothes skin
Olive oil	Protects your heart	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	Smoothes skin
Onions	Reduce risk of heart attack	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Lowers cholesterol	Fights fungus
Oranges	Supports immune systems	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Straightens respiration
Peaches	prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes	aids digestion	Helps hemorrhoids
Peanuts	Protects against heart disease	Promotes Weight loss	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Aggravates  Diverticulitis
Pineapple	Strengthens bones	Relieves colds	Aids digestion	Dissolves warts	Blocks diarrhea
Prunes	Slows aging process	prevents constipation	boosts memory	Lowers cholesterol	Protects against heart disease
Rice	Protects your heart	Battles diabetes	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes
Strawberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	boosts memory	Calms stress
Sweet potatoes	Saves your eyesight	Lifts mood	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
Tomatoes	Protects prostate	Combats cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart
Walnuts	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	boosts memory	Lifts mood	Protects against heart disease
Water	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Conquers kidney stones	Smoothes skin
Watermelon	Protects prostate	Promotes Weight loss	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure
Wheat germ	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
Wheat bran	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
Yogurt	Guards against ulcers	Strengthens bones	Lowers cholesterol	Supports immune systems	Aids digestion