Self care measures at home can help ensure breast health. Here’s what you can do to keep your breasts healthy.

1. Mix together cod liver oil, vitamin E, ground bark of white oak and garlic tempered oil to a pasty consistency and apply on sore nipples. This paste will help reduce any inflammation in the breast region.

2. Stuff your bra with leaves from the head of a cabbage when your breasts feel tender and painful.

3. Brew some tea from red raspberry, and drink it everyday. Red raspberry tea is rich in anti-oxidants and helps prevent cancer.

Breast care is extremely important because breast cancer can cause permanent loss of the breasts. Breast care is also especially important when a woman has reached the age of 20. There are several risk factors that increase the chances of cancer in women. Some of the risk factors are related to the age of the woman and there are also other risk factors which are related to the lifestyle of the woman. Lifestyle habits like poor diet, smoking, and drinking are all risk factors that can cause cancer.

Apart from age, family history of breast cancer and hormonal changes are also known to increase the risk of breast cancer. Though it is known that hormones increase the risk of breast cancer, it is not known to what extent they may affect the condition.

The characteristic symptom of breast cancer is the formation of lumps. Lumps may be found on the breast or the arm pits. Breast cancer is inflammatory, and grows in clusters of cancerous cells. Some typical symptoms of breast cancer are lumps and swellings, especially in the armpits, discharge from nipples, pain in the nipple area, or retraction in the nipple.

Breasts are natural organs that are present in the upper ventral region of the torso. Breasts are present in the female body, and they are vital because they contain the mammary glands that secrete milk for the new born baby. They are not only important in terms of cosmetic beauty, but are also a vital part of the human anatomy and the reproductive system. The breasts, just like the other organs in the body, are extremely susceptible to cancers and other ailments. Today, breast cancer is one of the leading causes of loss of breasts in women. Though breast cancer is not fatal and can be treated completely if detected early, it is still a frightening experience.

Breast care is vital to save the breast and prevent amputation. From time to time, mammograms and self-examination of breasts should be conducted in order to keep checking for any signs of cancer. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help in keeping breasts healthy.

Acne Vitamin Treatment

Two vitamins, namely, niacin and vitamin A have been used successfully to treat acne. Vitamin therapy should comprise the intake of 100 mg niacin, three times daily, and 50,000 international units of vitamin A, three times daily. Vitamin E, 400 mg, should be taken once daily. Continue this therapy for a month.

Zinc Treatment for Acne

Zinc is another effective remedy in the area of nutrition that seems to offer new promise of help for acne. It has shown dramatic results in some cases. Take zinc in therapeutic doses of 50 mg three times a day. Zinc is available in tablet and in capsule form. In tablet form, it is available as Zinfet - 200 mg. The patient can take a quarter tablet so as to get 50 mg of zinc. In capsule form, zinc is available as Ulseal 220 mg. One-fourth of the powder inside the capsule can be taken as a single dose. The patient can take a dose of 50 mg daily upto one month or till there is noticeable improvement and then reduce the dose to 25 mg.

Acne treatment (naturally at home or otherwise) is the most sought after treatment among the younger generation. Acne is a common and chronic skin disorder. It is an inflammatory condition of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The lesions are usually found on the skin of the face, neck, chest and shoulders. Nearly six out of ten young people between the ages of twelve and twenty-four suffer from some degree of acne. Acne causes a great deal of embarrassment at an age when people tend to be sensitive about their personal appearance. Read about how yoga can cure acne.

Here are some simple home remedies to deal with wrinkles on skin and prevent the formation of new ones –

Apply egg whites to the skin under your eyes.

Odor-free castor oil can be applied to the skin under the eyes or on that of the throat.

Empty the contents of 3 Vitamin E capsules into a small bowl. Add to this 2 tsps plain yogurt, 1/2 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp lemon juice. Apply this mixture on the face using a cotton ball. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse.

A mixture of 1/4 cup comfrey infusion, 1/4 cup witch hazel and 10 drops of patchouli essential oil is effective in treating wrinkles. This can be stored in a clean bottle and applied on affected areas with a cotton ball.

Gently massage coconut oil on portions of skin prone to wrinkles every night a bedtime.

A paste of turmeric made with sugarcane juice is great to get rid of wrinkles and slow skin ageing.

Cut a green Thompson seedless grape in half and gently crush it on your face on the wrinkles. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water and let it dry in natural air.

Rub the core of pineapple on the face and leave it for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off. This works well on fine wrinkles.

Applying juice of green pineapples and apples on the face daily for 10-15 minutes is good for fine wrinkles and cracked skin.

Application of pure castor oil regularly prevents wrinkles.

Some of the symptoms of wrinkled skin are -

Lined and creased skin
Sagging skin
Areas that are more affected include sensitive skin near the eyes, lips and neck.

Though some creases are temporary, they may become deeper and more permanent due to ageing.

Wrinkles occur due to ageing process

Wrinkles are delicate creases caused by thin, sagging skin. These are especially visible on the face, neck and hands. Wrinkles appear when the collagen and elastin present in the connective tissue of the    skin is weakened or decrease in number. Skin that has suffered such damage appears thinner, loses fat content, elasticity and smoothness.

High Blood Pressure Diet

Persons with high blood pressure should always follow a well-balanced routine of a proper diet, exercise, and rest. Diet is of primary importance. Meat and eggs, more than any other food, cause the blood pressure to rise. The pressure can be lowered and blood clotting diminished by increasing the consumption of fruits, reducing protein intake, and sticking to a vegetarian diet. A natural diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables instead of a traditional diet, helps to get rid of the toxins from the body. Salt should be avoided; in any case, it should not exceed more than three grams or about half a teaspoon per day.

Other high blood pressure remedies

Other High Blood Pressure treatment

Persons suffering from hypertension must get at least eight hours of good sleep, because proper rest is a vital aspect of the treatment. Most important of all, the patient must avoid overstrain, worries, tension, anger, and haste. He or she must develop a calm and cheerful attitude and develop a contented frame of mind.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Garlic

Garlic is regarded as an effective means of lowering blood pressure. It is said to reduce spasms of the small arteries. It also slows down the pulse rate and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, numbness, shortness of breath, and the formation of gas within the digestive tract. It may be taken in the form of raw cloves or two to three capsules a day.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry is another effective remedy for high blood pressure. A tablespoon each of fresh indian gooseberry juice and honey mixed together should be taken every morning in this condition.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Lemon

Lemon is also regarded as a valuable food to control high blood pressure. It is a rich source of vitamin P which is found both in the juice and peel of the fruit. This vitamin is essential for preventing capillary fragility.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Grapefruit

Grapefruit is useful in preventing high blood pressure. The vitamin P content in the fruit is helpful in toning up the arteries.

Hypertension or high blood pressure, as it is more commonly known, is regarded as a silent killer. It is a disease of the modern age. The fast pace of life and the mental and physical pressures caused by the increasingly industrialised and metropolitan environments have a role to play in the rise in blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called sphygnomanometer in millimetres of mercury. The highest pressure reached during each heart beat is called systolic pressure, and the lowest between two beat is known as diastolic pressure. Most young adults have blood pressure around 120/80. It increases normally with age, even going upto 160/90.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

Pain at the back of the head and neck

The first symptom of hypertension may appear as a pain at the back of the head and neck on waking in the morning, which soon disappears.

Dizziness, Palpitations

Some of the other common symptoms are dizziness, palpitations, pain in the region of the heart, frequent urination, nervous tension, fatigue, and difficulty in breathing.

Causes of high blood pressure

Stress and faulty life style

The main causes of high blood pressure are stress and a faulty style of living. Smoking and an excessive intake of intoxicants, tea, coffee, and refined foods destroy the natural pace of life and prevent the expulsion of waste and poisonous matter from the body. Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), obesity, and diabetes lead to hypertension.

Excessive intake of common salt, and high fat diet

Other causes of high blood pressure are an excessive intake of common table salt, and eating a high fat and low fibre diet.

Well balanced food intake

The healthy condition of the hair depends, to a very large extent, on the intake of sufficient amounts of essential nutrients in the daily diet. Persons with a tendency to lose hair should take a well-balanced and correct diet, made up of foods which, in combination, should supply all the essential nutrients. It has been found that a diet which contains liberal quantities of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits would provide adequate amounts of all the essential nutrients. Each food group should roughly form the bulk of one of the three principal meals. These foods should, however, be supplemented with certain special foods such as milk, vegetable oils, honey, wheat germ, yeast and liver.

Other hair loss prevention treatment

Proper cleaning of the hair is essential.

Proper cleaning of the hair, and rubbing of the scalp with a towel after a hairwash, are necessary.

Treatment for Hair Loss using Rubbing of Scalp

A vigorous rubbing of the scalp with fingers after washing the hair with cold water is one of the most effective among the several home remedies for the prevention and treatment of hair loss. The scalp should be rubbed vigorously till it starts to tingle with the heat. It will activate the sebaceous glands and energise the circulation of blood in the affected area, making the hair grow healthy.

Hair Loss home remedy using Amla Oil

Indian gooseberry oil, prepared by boiling dry pieces of indian gooseberry in coconut oil, is considered a valuable hair tonic for enriching hair growth. A mixture of an equal quantity of fresh indian gooseberry juice and lime juice, used as a shampoo also stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss.

Treatment for Hair Loss treatment using Lettuce

Lettuce is useful in preventing hair loss. A mixture of lettuce and spinach juice is believed to help the growth of hair if taken to the extent to half a litre a day

Hair Loss home remedy using Amaranth

Amaranth is another valuable remedy for hair loss. Its fresh leaf juice should be applied to the hair. It will help the growth of the hair and keep it soft.

Hair Loss treatment using Alfalfa

The juice of alfalfa, in combination with equal quantities of carot and lettuce juice, taken daily, also helps the growth of hair to a remarkable extent. The combination of these juices is rich in elements which are particularly useful for the growth of hair. While preparing alfalfa juice, the leaves of the plant may be used when they can be obtained fresh.

Hair Loss treatment using Margosa

The leaves of the margosa tree are also beneficial in the treatment of hair loss. If hair has been falling or has ceased to grow it should be washed with the decoction of margosa leaves. This will stop hair from falling and stabilise its blackness. It will also make the hair longer and kill lice and other infesting insects.

Home remedies for Hair Loss using Mustard Oil and Henna Leaves

Mustard oil, boiled with henna leaves, is useful for healthy growth of hair. About 250 ml of mustard oil should be boiled in a tin basin. About sixty grams of henna leaves should be gradually put in this oil till they are burnt in the oil. The oil should then be filtered using a cloth and stored. Regular massage of the head with the oil will produce abundant hair.

Treatment for Hair Loss using Coconut Milk

The application of coconut milk all over the scalp and massaging it into the hair roots is also beneficial in the treatment of hair loss. It nourishes the hair and promotes hair growth. Coconut milk is prepared by grinding the coconut shavings and squeezing them well.

Hair Loss treatment using Lime-Pepper Seeds

Certain home remedies have also been found beneficial in the treatment of patchy baldness. The most valuable of these remedies is the seeds of lime and black pepper, ground together to get a fine paste. This paste applied on the patches, has a mildly irritant action. This increases blood circulation to the affected area and stimulates hair growth. This paste should be applied twice a day, for a few weeks.

Hair Loss treatment using Liquorice

The paste of liquorice, made by grinding the pieces in milk with a pinch of saffron, is another valuable remedy for patchy baldness. This paste should be applied over the bald patches at night before going to bed.

Hair Loss treatment using Onion

Onion has also been found beneficial in patchy baldness. The affected part should be rubbed with onions morning and evening till it is red. It should be rubbed with honey afterwards.

Hair Loss treatment using Pigeon Pea

A fine paste made from pigeon pea or red gram can also be applied regularly on bald patches for beneficial results.

Hair Loss treatment using Other Remedies

Daily application of refined coconut oil, mixed with lime water and lime juice on the hair, prevents hair loss and lengthens it. Application of the juice of green coriander leaves on the head is also considered beneficial. Washing the hair with a paste of cooked black gram and fenugreek lengthens the hair. Regular use of castor oil as hair oil helps the luxuriant growth of the hair.

Lack of vitamins, inadequate nutrition

The most important cause of hair loss is inadequate nutrition. Persons lacking in vitamin B6 lose their hair and those deficient in folic acid often become completely bald. But the hair grows normally after the liberal intake of these vitamins.

Stress, Prolonged Illness, unclean conditions

Other important cause of hair loss are stress such as worry, anxiety, and sudden shock, general debility caused by severe or long standing illnesses like typhoid, syphilis, chronic cold, influenza, and anaemia; an unclean condition of the scalp which weakens the hair roots by blocking the pores with the collected dirt; and heredity.

Information on Hair loss remedies, Hair loss prevention and Hair loss causes

Although hair is not essential to life, it is of sufficient cosmetic concern to provoke anxiety in anyone when it starts thinning, falling, or disappearing. To a woman, the sight of a comb or brush covered with lost hair can cause intense mental strain. Hair is formed in minute pockets in the skill called follicles. An upgrowth at the base of the follicle, called the papilla, actually produces hair when a special group of cells turn amino acids into keratin, a type of protein of which hair is made. The rate of production of these protein 'building blocks' determines hair growth. The average growth rate is about 1.2 cm per month, growing fastest on women between fifteen to thirty years of age.

Hair loss Symptoms

Lose hair found after combing, baths

Seeing hair on your clothes, after you comb, bald patches appearing gradually, receding hairline. Symptoms are pretty obvious for hair loss!