First Aid Wound Treatment to Prevent Infection

 Infection is prone to happen whenever a break on the skin occurs. Be careful not to touch the open would with your fingers or with any thing else that may be carrying bacteria. Do not cough or breathe heavily over the wounded area. The germs from your own nose and throat may find their way into the wound and cause more trouble.

If the wound looks somewhat clean and the bleeding has ceased, cover the area with a sterile dressing and patch it firmly in place. Small wounds need only a small adhesive bandage tape over the dressing. Leave the wound alone until the it has been examined thoroughly by doctor. It will probably heal without any additional complications.

If the wound is soiled or mudded and the patient can’t be brought to a clinic for several hours,something must be done to prevent further infection. Wash the whole area with care using gentle soap and clean warm water. Gently take out all the surface dirt while running the soapy water into the deeper parts of the wound. Then apply the dressing over the wound and bandage it securely in place.

A slight bleeding is often good for healing, for it helps remove some of the causes of infection. But if there is much bleeding, heavy pressure should be applied over the wound to allow the blood to clot. Wait for about 15 minutes while applying steady pressure over the wound. Don’t remove the dressing every few minutes just to find out what is happening. This hinders the blood from clotting.

If after fifteen minutes the bleeding has not stopped at all, try applying pressure on the nearest “pressure point.” If this does not work, then a tourniquet may be necessary. This is seldom needed.

© 1/3/2011 Athena Goodlight - Healthmad

Herbal Remedies for Pain Relief

There are natural remedies that people have been using for many centuries to treat the pain caused by burns, bee stings, back aches, carpal tunnel syndrome, canker sores, and a lot more.

image via Wikipedia

There comes a point where you are fed up of putting more chemicals into your body in order to help relieve an incessant and lingering pain.  It is during these times that you may seek herbal pain relief remedies. There are natural remedies that people have been using for many centuries to treat the pain caused by burns, bee stings, back aches, carpal tunnel syndrome, canker sores, and a lot more.

Take note that pain is a sign of another problem. Some causes of pain are easy to pinpoint while others may need a doctor’s diagnosis. Treating a symptom may help in the immediate relief but it is good find the deeper cause and treat it, too. If the pain is severe or it does not seem to go away, you need to have it checked by a doctor.

Also, be mindful that some herbal remedies may not be the best solution for your condition or may react negatively when combined with other treatments you may be going through. Consult your doctor if this will not hinder with your recovery or other treatments. Also remember that there is no perfect treatment and while one treatment may be effective for some, others may have little or no success.


For treating back aches, eucalyptus and peppermint oils can be used. This can either be applied on your skin directly combined with a massage or poured into water for a hot bath. The oils will loosen up stiff muscles as it gets absorbed into the skin.

For burn relief, try sandalwood paste is known for its cooling and soothing attributes.  A plant that has been used for ages to treat burns is aloe vera. Not only is it known for its soothing properties, it can also heal the skin faster.
A bee sting can be treated using a paste made from papaya. An enzyme in papaya called papain can dissolve the venom from the bee sting.  You may also, use a paste made from baking soda. An acid in the venom of a bee sting causes the itching. Baking soda can neutralize that acid and brings pain relief.

Mouth or canker sores can make eating and drinking an awful experience.  Sometimes, pain can be felt throughout the day. Green leafy vegetables have anti-canker sore properties while clove oil applied on the sores can help lessen the amount of pain.
 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome afflicts a lot of people and the best way to remedy it is through surgery.  However, there are some things that you could do to help ease the pain.  Willow bark, which is also known as nature’s aspirin, may help reduce the pain through its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Drinking chamomile tea is known to calm the nerves that are causing the pain. Also, bromelain, a substance found in pineapples can reduce and prevent inflammation and the capsaicin in red peppers helps lessen the pain and bring relief.
There are a lot of other remedies that can be found in plants and natural products that help bring relief for a variety of ailments.  The secret to relieving the pain may just be in one of the herbal remedies.

© 12/15/201 Athena Goodlight on Healthmad

The Medicinal Properties and Health Benefits of Violets

Violets have been known throughout history as a healing herb. Hippocrates, in the ancient times, classified the violet as a “moist” plant, which is best used for treating liver disorders as well as bad tempers. In the 16th century, the English used syrups made from violets for their laxative properties. Violet remedies were also used for pleurisy, epilepsy, and jaundice. Culpepper, a 17th century herbalist states that “All the violets are cold and moist while they are fresh and green, and are used to cool any heat or distemperature of the body.” He personally recommends the use of violet concoctions to treat various skin and eye disorders, as well as congestion and constipation.

As science advanced through time it has been it has been theorized that that a lot of these known medicinal powers of violets in the history of folklore have been exaggerated and could not merit enough scientific evidence. However, further advancement in medical studies of the present period has found that the flowers, as well as the leaves and the roots of violets in fact do contain various healing compounds.

An example that was proven by research was that Viola odorata contains phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, mucilage, and tannins among other things. These compounds work in several ways to cure ailments.

For example:

• The flavonoids act as diuretics to help treat individuals who suffer from elevated blood pressure.

• The alkaloids have vasolidating effects, causing blood vessels to relax, allowing the blood to flow easier; thus, it helps decrease blood pressure.

• The mucilage and saponins are soothing expectorants that help relieve coughs and other bronchial ailments.

• The salicylic acid in violets acts as painkillers and as an anti-inflammatory compound similar to the active ingredient in aspirin which helps people reduce arthritis discomforts or other discomfort felt in the joints.

• James A. Duke, an herbalist and a plant expert, states that the significant amounts of rutin, a compound that strengthens capillaries, are found in violet flowers. This compound prevents “leakage” from the blood vessels resulting in less swelling in pain, which benefits people who suffer from inflammation.

• Violets contain rich anti-oxidant compounds in the form of beta carotene and ascorbic acid. A 140 ml serving of violet leaves provides as much vitamin C equivalent to 4 oranges.

Commision E, a group of experts based in Germany which judges the effectiveness and safety of herbal medications, has approved violet tea as a solution for several skin problems. Herbalists worldwide also attest to the efficacy of violets as treatment for various illnesses.


© 10/2010 Athena Goodlight

Natural Treatment for Constipation

Although many people may feel a little embarrassed to talk about it, constipation is something many of us can resolve any point in our lives. A regular bowel movement is very essential to help maintain good health. It's good to know that there are natural remedies for constipation, which is a great alternative for those who prefer not to take synthetic medicines to alleviate this problem.

One of the most popular, as well as nutritious ways to help keep the body’s digestive system functioning well, is by taking prunes. Prunes are among the effective, safe, and inexpensive natural remedies for constipation. It is easy to enjoy eating prunes and they can easily be incorporated into anyone’s diet. For those who are not fond of eating prunes they may choose to drink a glass of prune juice every other day to regulate bowel movement.

Another remedy is Licorice. Not only is licorice a favorite candy of many children but it can also be among the most effective natural remedies for constipation. Anyone who has tried over indulging in black licorice may have already found out about this. Some parents sometimes use licorice to cures children’s constipation. It’s a lot easier than convincing a child to take a synthetic medicinal drug. In fact, since this is one of the most flavorsome natural cures for constipation, parents must keep watch over the amount of licorice their children are eat up. Too much licorice may actually result in numerous trips to the toilet.

Another very gentle way of assisting the body to regulate bowel movement is by increasing the amount of water intake. Water is known as one of the most natural remedies for constipation. It is also a fact that a lot of people simply do not drink enough liquid in throughout the day. By increasing their daily liquid intake to at least eight glasses of water, they could regularize their bowel movement in a short period of time.

There are herbal remedies available for nearly anything that can potentially afflict a person and constipation is not an exception. There are several herbal concoctions that are believed to be natural cures for constipation. It is recommended that if a person is already under prescriptive medication for a certain medical condition, they must consult their doctor before they start taking any herbal supplements as natural cures for constipation. Herbal products may interact with synthetic medications and the effects can be severe.
By taking good care of yourself, drinking lots of water, by eating a well-balanced diet, and staying physically fit will most likely help your body functions normal. If you do need some extra assistance in moving your bowels, consider herbal cures for constipation. They will get the job done with lesser side-effects.

© 10/12/2010 Athena Goodlight on Factoidz

 

Shiatsu Massage Towards Total Body Wellness

Shiatsu is a type of Asian Oriental acupressure treatment only with the words that were derived from the Japanese. As the practice of shiatsu became known around the world, its name has evolved.  Now it goes by the names Zen shiatsu, oha shiatsu, barefoot shiatsu, namikoshi shiatsu, and macrobiotic shiatsu.

Although Shiatsu may be known at present with various names and techniques, it still uses the same fundamentals that were used from its origins, although occasionally, it may have some modifications depending upon the perception of the shiatsu experts worldwide.

In the literal sense, Shiatsu stands for, finger pressure, from the Japanese terms, shi = finger, and atsu = pressure. For over thousands of years, it has been a massage technique used by both ancient and modern people for healing and as relief a method.

In the precepts of shiatsu, the human body is made up of passage channels called meridians. Each meridian matches with a particular organ of the body.  It is through these meridians that the energy, or qi (chi), flows. A balanced and continuous flow of this energy translates to wellness.

When any irregularity happens in the energy flow, the body may suffer from an illness because either the chi is depleted or it is overflowing in certain points in the body.  When this happens to your body, this is where shiatsu massage therapy enters the scenario.

 

The goal of the shiatsu massage therapy is to take away any blockades or hindrance that keeps the chi from flowing freely in any of the 14 meridians of the body. It is also employed to reestablish the natural balance of the chi or energy. By applying the acupressure technique, all these goals are accomplished , which is attained by the pressure of the fingers, elbows, knees, toes, and feet, on particular affected acupoints, or pressure points throughout the meridians of the body . Besides pressing, the shiatsu practitioner manipulates the adjacent areas of the acupoints in order to stimulate your body to enhance health and heal illnesses.

 

Shiatsu can provide an intense effect that can sometimes make clients who receive the treatment exhibit emotions such as crying, laughing, wanting to scream, or just calm. This is not something to be afraid of because it is not a negative side effect.  It is actually a good and normal reaction which signifies the restoration and balance of the chi or energy within the body where it is intended to be.

 

Because the world of established medical practice is still not fully convinced about the existence of the chi flowing in particular areas of the body, shiatsu continues to be regarded as one of the alternative treatments that is merely a possible complementary healing method. However, with centuries of existence, it has been proven by the experience of many that shiatsu really significantly helps the human body combat diseases and improves total body wellness.

It has been found to be helpful in dealing with various health conditions, such as muscular pain, digestive ailments, and even emotional pain. Many other benefits are attested by the people who have received and continue receiving the shiatsu massage treatment, specifically improvement of blood circulation, total relaxation, balanced menstrual cycles, removal of wastes and toxins,  prevention of diseases,  increased energy, spiritual, and mental well-being, and  increased flexibility and mobility in the body.

© 10/8/2010 Athena Goodlight on Factoidz

A Positive Outlook Can Help Your Brain Perform Faster

How do you assess yourself in terms of intelligence? When you ask yourself if you really are intelligent, do you respond with a nod and a smile, or with a shy “maybe”? As you reply to this question, you must also know that there several things to take into consideration– your IQ score is merely one of those. Truth is that if you believe that you are better, your brain also tends to perform better.

How your brain performs can likely be influenced by your outlook and perspective on different matters. If you actually think that you are intelligent, then your brain might just begin performing to meet your expectation. Some people believe that basic intelligence would not change after the childhood stage; on the other hand, there are some who believe that psychology plays a big role in this.

The Influential Psychology in Brain Function

I’m sure you have heard of success stories wherein the a person, who have never even stepped into high school, survived to work his way from rags to riches just by using his guts and determination as he rises to achieve his pinnacle of success. Perhaps he has been raised believing that he can be as wealthy as others if he would only strive hard to achieve it. With this belief, he pursued what he knew about himself, and since he knew that he can be rich, too he endeavored hard for it. His mindset was that he is able to do if because others were able to do it.

Without receiving money and help from his rich friends, he worked his way up. What he actually got from his rich friends was his expectation. If he never met his wealthy friends, if he never acknowledged that it is conceivable to be rich, he wouldn’t have worked hard to be where he is right today.

Expectations that you place on yourself plays a large role in your life. It functions as your motivation. It makes you sense that you are on to something conceivable, something that you can accomplish if you just strive for it. This is how psychology influences. When you think that something is possible just by believing that you are able to think harder and learn faster, your brain may just do the same for you.

Evidential and Experiential Learning

After viewing yourself with an improved perspective, then it’s time for you to pay more attention to the matters around you which could function as evidence that you are just about to achieve your goal. After doing all the affirmations, you need solid proof. Take note of your advancements no matter how small or big they may be. If you concentrate on these developments, soon you will realize that the more you take value of your minor developments, several more would follow shortly.

Therefore, in reference to your brain development, just by thinking hard enough that your brain can help improve its performance, it signals your brain to soon execute better functions. The improvements might not be as radical as you expect, but surely, some changes can happen. Take note of these developments, and before long you’ll realize that the accumulated effect of these little changes will sum up to a great adjustment to your brain performance. Believe that you can be better and your brain will soon carry out your expectations. 



© 2010 Athena Goodlight on Factoidz

Choose the Right Cereal to Maximize its Benefits

Whether you’re heading to work or a work out, your body needs some kind of fuel in the morning. For most athletes, the breakfast choice is cereal. Billions of bowls of cereals are consumed in a year.
People who eat cereal have a significantly lower fat and cholesterol intake than those who consume other foods at breakfast, according to scientific studies. Better yet, they have lower serum cholesterol levels than non-cereal eaters and those who skip breakfast entirely.

What’s more, a serving of cereal is inexpensive, quick to fix and clean up, low in calories, rich in important nutrients, and versatile with dozens of varieties to choose from.

Some brands, of course, are little more than thinly disguised candy. But there are plenty more that provide top-notch nutrition. While any cereal is better than the typical bacon-and-eggs or pastry-and-coffee breakfast, the problem is determining which brands are best for your active lifestyle, especially since dozens of newcomers enter the market every year. The following guidelines should help you separate the best from the rest.

Remember that most data is based on a one-ounce serving, which depending on the cereal’s density, may be more or less than you actually consume. If you live an active lifestyle and have a big appetite, you probably eat more, so you may be getting double or even triple the calories and nutrients listed on the box.

Carbohydrates and Fiber

One of the most important things you get from cereal is complex carbohydrate in the form of starch and fiber. Carbo is your body’s most efficient fuel and should account for the bulk of your diet.

Dietary fiber is vital for good health, yet most of us get only a fraction of the recommended 20 – 30 grams a day. Try to choose a brand that lists a whole grain as its first ingredient. These contain both the fiber-rich bran portion of the grain and the vitamin-and mineral-rich germ.

Select cereals with 15-20 grams of complex carbohydrate per serving and at least 5 grams of fiber. If the rest of your diet is short on fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, consider a high fiber cereal.

Fat
We all know the health benefits of avoiding fat. Fortunately with cereals, it’s easy to do. Most manufacturers have made an effort to get rid of oils and other fat sources. Some cereals are completely fat free.
Most contain 1-2 grams of fat, while a few (usually granolas and nut-rich varieties) go as high as 4 or 5 grams. Choose cereals with less than 2 grams of fat per serving, and keep the fat content low by using non-fat milk.

Protein
Cereals contain little protein; usually no more than 5 grams per serving. This doesn’t go a long way toward meeting the U.S. RDA of 44-56 grams a day, but most of us get more than enough at oth
er meals. Besides, pouring on a cup of non-fat milk provides an additional 8 grams of protein to a bowl of cereal.

To get the biggest protein boost from cereal, choose whole-grain varieties. The protein value of any cereal can be increased by adding milk, nuts, wheat germ, etc.

Sugar
Sugar isn’t the poison some people say it is. In fact, it’s a good muscle fuel. Still, an overabundance in your cereal adds calories without nutrition.

While some “kiddie” cereals are as much as one-half sugar, most adult varieties are more sensible. Some cereal brands have less than a gram of sugar. Cereals with dried fruit will have higher sugar content, but that’s okay because fruit is nutritious.

Don’t spoil a low-sugar cereal by applying too much. For a nutritional boost, sweeten cereal with fresh fruit or raisins.

Sodium
Salt can be problematic for people with hypertension, but compared with most processed food, cereal doesn’t have much. Some are sodium free, while most of the rest provide 150-250 milligrams per serving.
Choose cereals with less than 200 mg of sodium per serving if you eat large amounts.
 
Vitamins and Minerals
Virtually all cereals are enriched with vitamins and minerals, so don’t be swayed by nutritional hype. Select a cereal that provides at least 25% of the RDA for iron, but think twice about brands that supply 100% of the RDA for all vitamins. You don’t need a whole day’s vitamins at breakfast, and these cereals are usually expensive. Any normal diet will provide sufficient nutrients.

Select cereals that provide about 25% of the RDA for vitamins and minerals.

© 9/3/2010 Athena Goodlight