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Home remedies to remove dark circles under your eyes

how-to-remove-dark-circles

Are you a workaholic, stressed out at work or due to other reasons and seldom sleep well at night? Then you must have also noticed dark patches under your eyes at times and wondered what are those dark patches and how can you get rid of them?

Dark circles occur when the skin under the eyes becomes discolored or dark. They are mainly caused due to insufficient sleep, genetics, stress and also aging. Dark circles can appear to both men and women, regardless of their age.

Although dark circles are not a serious problem, people find that it comes in the way of their looks. Of course the market has an abundance of expensive cosmetic products that promises to alleviate the problem but, the chemicals they contain can affect the delicate skin underneath your eyes in a negative way. In order to avoid these harsh chemical based cosmetics to cure the dark circles why don’t you try some simple and easy home remedies to get rid of those dark circles.

The causes of dark circles are:

* Lack of sleep

* Mental or physical stress

* Crying for long period of time

* Too much work on the computer

* Certain medications

Home Remedies for Dark Circles:

  • Tomato

Is a brilliant home remedy that can erase the dark circles under your eyes as it naturally helps in lightening the skin. Mix 1 teaspoon of tomato juice with a teaspoon of lemon juice and apply it under your eyes.  After applying it, leave it on for about 10 minutes and wash it off with water. Repeat this remedy at least 2 times a day. You can also drink tomato juice mixed with some lemon juice and mint leaves in order to

D get rid of dark circles.

  • Cucumber

Is another home remedy that will not only help in removing the dark circles, but also acts as a soothing agent for the eyes. Cut 2 slices of a fresh cucumber and keep them in the refrigerator for a while. Then place the cucumber slices over your eyes for about 10-15 minutes. You can also mix cucumber juice and lemon juice and apply it under your eyes. It is a natural remedy that will help you get rid of dark circles.

  • Rose Water

Soak cotton pads in rose water and put them over your eyes and leave them there for some time. You can also use rose petals and milk to make a paste and apply it over the dark circles. Rose water is one of the best home remedies for quick removal of dark circles under the eyes as it lightens the skin and also acts as a natural soothing agent.

  • Potato:

Grate a raw potato, strain it and extract its juice. Soak a cotton ball in the juice and place it on your eyelids. Apply it properly so that it covers the dark area under your eyes. Leave it for about 15 minutes, and then wash it off with water. Potato is a natural bleaching agent, which makes it one of the best home remedies for reducing dark circles under the eye.

  • Mint leaves:

A paste made of Mint leaves and tomato juice is another good cure for dark circles. Apply this paste on the area under the eyes. This remedy will eliminate the dark patches of skin.

  • Orange

Who ever thought that orange juice can also do wonders to remove dark circles but it   indeed does? Mix some orange juice with a few drops of glycerin and apply the mixture over the dark circles. It will diminish the dark circles and will also give a natural glow to the area around your eyes.

  • Turmeric Paste

Make a paste using pineapple juice and turmeric powder. Apply the paste on a regular basis to get rid of the dark circles fast.

  • Practice Yoga or Meditate

While, yoga and meditation can bring down the dark circles in your face, it also helps in rejuvenating our body and also brings a natural glow on your face while, at the same time, removing the dark circles under your eyes.

So instead of spending loads of money on expensive cosmetics to get rid of your dark circles try these easy home remedies and be rest assured that you will be back to looking beautiful in few days.

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All you need to know about DENGUE

fever

How often do you come across people suffering from Dengue? Recently, I encountered many cases, promoting me to pen down some valuable information that can help you prevent and recover from Dengue.

Most of us know dengue is associated with fever, but there’s much more to understand.

The name ‘dengue’ originated from the Swahili word for “bone-breaking fever” or the Spanish phrase for “the walk of a Dandie.” The dengue virus belongs to family Flaviviridae and has four serotypes transmitted by mosquitoes of Aedesaegypti species.

In recent years, the spread of unplanned urbanization, with associated substandard housing, overcrowding, and deteriorating water, sewage and waste management systems, has created ideal conditions for increased transmission of the dengue virus in tropical urban centers.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 50 to 100 million dengue infections occur each year worldwide.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever:

Dengue causes a wide spectrum of illness, from mild asymptomatic cases to severe, fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome.

Symptoms, which usually begin four to six days after infection and last for up to 10 days, may include sudden high fever, severe headaches, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, mild bleeding (such as bleeding nose or gums), blood pressure drops down as the circulation of blood in the vessels is also affected.

A decrease in platelet count is often observed 3 days after the fever starts.

In severe cases, the virus reproduces rapidly, affecting vital organs like the bone marrow and liver.

As the old adage goes “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE”!!

Here are some of the preventive measures:

1) Avoid heavily populated residential areas, if possible.

2) Use mosquito repellents, vaporizing mats, and mosquito coils.

3) Wear appropriate clothing: Minimize exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks.

4) Use bed nets during sleeping and tuck them properly under the mattress.

5) Make sure window and door screens are secure and free of holes.

6) Eliminating or avoiding stagnant, standing water where the mosquitoes can reproduce are some of the effective strategies to prevent it.

7) Maintain proper Hygiene and Sanitation.

Treatment:

Dengue is a self-limiting viral disease, meaning it typically resolves on its own with adequate hydration and pain control. Severe cases may require hospitalization and intensive care. Many doctors also recommend home remedies to manage symptoms and speed recovery.

Home remedies for Dengue:

There is no specific diet for dengue, but the following home remedies can help alleviate symptoms and aid in recovery:

1) Water: This is of utmost important as extreme dehydration is very prominent in Dengue. Water can heal symptoms like headache, muscle cramps and furthermore help to eliminate toxins from the body.

2) Papaya leaf juice or Papaya leaf extract: They have an ability to increase the platelets in bone marrow. Here is the way to use them:  Wash the leaves, take out the center vein and crush leaves in a grinder with adding little bit of water and consume  every 6 hours daily.

3) Neem leaves: Steeping the leaves and drinking its brew helps to increase the platelet and WBC count thereby improving the body’s immunity.

4) Carrot Juice: Taking 2-3 spoons of carrot juice having mixed with beetroot juice twice a day helps to boost up the count of platelet count very soon.

5) Omega 3 rich foods like walnuts, flaxseeds, fish boost your immune system.

6) Fresh Fruits and Veggies typically orange juice, amla juice, and grapefruit can promote the antibody production, release the toxins, stimulates cellular repair because of Vitamin C content.

7) Eating Garlic: Chewing two cloves of garlic or drinking hot garlic vegetable soup can decrease the multiplication of viruses.

8) Eating a well- balanced diet with majorly focusing on green leafy veggies can ward off the infection.

9) Also a simple solution to the monsoon Illness is to boost up our immunity by our popularly known

“Dadjiji ka Kadha- Grandma’s home remedy concoction”. You can check out this link on how to prepare the concoction:

Homemade Remedy For Monsoon Illnesses – Decoction Syrup or Kadha Recipe

10) Most importantly REST. The more your rest, the better the production of platelets.

11)  Since it is an Infection, have cooked vegetables instead of raw.

Foods to be avoided:

First and foremost, stay away from unhealthy food like refined sugars, junk food and processed food. Having these foods can cause drop in platelet count.

Secondly, try to avoid the food which is oily, spicy and salty. I know it may spoil the taste of your mouth, but lime juice plays the trick here.

Thirdly, caffeine and alcohol should be avoided to prevent dehydration.

Lastly, avoid meat as it is difficult to digest.

So let’s prevent ourselves from Dengue before we catch hold of it! For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

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Jaggery and its Benefits!

Benefits of JaggeryJaggery is one of the most common ingredients found in Indian kitchens. Apart from being one of the best natural sweeteners, it also offers a plethora of health benefits. It is good for your cardiac health, digestion, improved metabolism, blood circulation, respiratory system, menstrual cramp or pains, sexual potency and stronger immunity.

About 70-80% of the world’s Jaggery production takes place in India, where it is commonly called gur/gud. It is primarily made from Sugarcane but nowadays it can be made from coconut sap and date palm as well.

How is Jaggery Made?

Jaggery is made by first extracting juice from Sugarcane. The canes or palms are pressed to extract the sweet juice or sap. The juice is then allowed to stand in big containers so that any sediment settles to the bottom. It is then strained to produce a clear liquid.

The juice is then concentrated by placing in a very large, flat-bottomed pan and boiled. During this process, the Jaggery is stirred and the impurities are skimmed off the top until only a yellow, dough-like paste remains. This paste is then transferred to containers where it cools into Jaggery blocks.


Jaggery vs Refined Sugar

Jaggery contains more nutrients than refined sugar because of its molasses content. Molasses is a nutritious by-product of the sugar making process, which is usually removed when making refined sugar. Molasses adds plenty of micro-nutrients to the final product. Hence, it is more nutritious as compared to white refined sugar!

10 Benefits of Eating Jaggery

  1. Prevents and Treats Common Cold: Consumption of Jaggery helps fight symptoms of a cold and cough. Mixing a small piece of it in warm water or tea can help greatly.
  2. Immunity Booster: Loaded with antioxidants and minerals like zinc and selenium, which helps curb free-radicals responsible for inflammation, Jaggery helps boost resistance against infections, hence building stronger immunity.
  3. Detoxifies the Liver & Other Organs: It plays a major role in detoxifying internal organs such as liver, stomach, intestines, kidneys, etc. by flushing out harmful toxins from the body. Certain compounds present in Jaggery activate the digestive enzymes in our body, which help us digest food properly and also help reduce indigestion/bloating.
  4. Combats Menstrual Pain and PMS: It is helpful in providing relief from cramps. In case you experience mood swings, irritation before your period, you should eat a small piece as it increases the levels of hemoglobin, maintains the hydration levels in our body in heavy-flow during periods and helps in releasing more Endorphins during periods (this helps relax our body). During periods, consume a solution of a glass of lukewarm water and Jaggery. It will help you tackle period cramps for the day.
  5. Body Pain & Aches: Do you suffer from aches and pains in your joints? Eating Jaggery can provide you with immense relief. Add some grated ginger in boiling water and strain. Add a small piece of Jaggery and drink this regularly to reduce joint pain. You can even drink it with a glass of milk everyday to help strengthen the bones. This can help prevent joint and bone problems such as Arthritis.
  6. Prevents Constipation: It activates the digestive enzymes in the body, stimulates bowel movements and helps prevent as well as relieve constipation. A cup of warm water with organic Jaggery and half a lemon’s juice is one of the best home remedy to cure constipation.
  7. Prevents Anaemia: Rich in iron and folate, it helps prevent anaemia by ensuring that a normal level of red blood cells is maintained. It also helps in increasing haemoglobin content of blood. This is especially beneficial for pregnant women.
  8. Acts as a Cooling Agent: Eating a small piece of it everyday helps in maintaining normal body temperature, which helps in keeping your stomach cool. Experts recommend drinking GurSharbat (soaked in ice cold water) during the summer months to cool off.
  9. Prevents Respiratory Problems: By consuming Jaggery regularly, you can prevent many respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, etc. Eating it with sesame seeds is beneficial for the respiratory system and preventing allergies related to it.
  10. Regulates Blood Pressure: Jaggery contains potassium and sodium, which play an important role in the maintenance of pH levels in the body. It ensures that a normal level of blood pressure is properly maintained.

Quick Til Ladoo/Bars Recipe

You will need:

  • 1 Cup White Sesame Seeds
  • 1 Cup Jaggery
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • ¼ tsp Cardamom Powder
  • Nuts of your choice

Method:

  • Roast sesame seeds on medium heat till light brown
  • Heat ghee in pan and add Jaggery
  • Simmer on slow flame till it melts
  • Put off flame and add the roasted til (and crushed nuts) and mix well
  • Grease your palms with ghee and make small balls or set in a plate and cut bars out of it

We hope this article equips you with valuable insights into the amazing benefits of jaggery. Incorporating this natural sweetener into your diet can enhance your cardiac health, digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. If you found this information helpful, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. For more interesting tips on diet and nutrition, check out Healthy Reads. For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

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Combat Constipation Naturally: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies

bowel-movement

After reading my blog on Poop…most of my blog reader’s reaction was Ewww!! Most of us feel the same way when we talk about shit or pee. But we forget that its part of our own body and we are only responsible for how it turns out. In my years of experience. I have noticed that many of them have issue related to clear bowel movement – medically termed as CONSTIPATION and is one of the reason for not losing weight too.

In Bollywood.too….many films are made on this – like Toilet—Ek Prem Katha, Piku, Delhi Belly. The over or under use of toilet is always an issue!

Constipation is defined as lesser than three stools per week and Chronic constipation means once or less per week.

Most of us have gone through this phase sometime or other in our life. Have you ever wondered why? Well, I know this topic is not that which eases our mind but it’s important to know about it.

Constipation can results into symptoms like abdominal discomfort, feeling of incomplete evacuation, hard stools, rectal or anal bleeding.

Constipation occurs where the food in the stomach and intestine is taking an inconsistently long time to be digested. The contractions that push the food forward is called the peristalsis movement. When the chyme (semi-digested food) is not pushed forward but remains in the intestine it starts fermenting, causing gases and bloating to occur. The water content has all been absorbed so it becomes dry and peristalsis becomes even more difficult and even painful at times. 

When we travel our eating, sleeping habits become irregular, bringing with it changes in our digestive system which can sometimes cause constipation. It can also happen due to some medications, low fibre diet, hormonal disorders, stress, pelvic disorder, less water intake. When that happens we must increase our water intake immediately so as to keep the colon well hydrated to make sure that the chyme doesn’t dry out.

Another reason could also be a sedentary lifestyle. It is important to keep up with moderate activity as we grow older our metabolism gradually slows down and with it the digestive process. Our body is like a machine that we need to keep well-oiled in all departments to keep working properly.

Here are Simple solutions that can help to prevent and cure it.

1. Good Fibre: Increase fiber intake so that there is sufficient fibre for bile to mix with and digest the food. Soluble fibre softens the stools and insoluble fibre adds bulk and roughage to the stools. E.g. Legumes, Oats, Rice Bran, Whole Fruits, Green Vegetables, Figs, Nuts and Seeds. etc. Apple and Guava works best as per my personal experience.

2. Adequate hydration is must: Increase your water intake makes possible for the insoluble fibre in the colon to move forward more effectively. Water ensure a good production of digestive juices in the stomach and intestine and smooth passage of food thorough the intestine. It even makes stools softer to ensure they are passed out easily. Drink about 3-3.5 ltrs per day to keep cells hydrated.

Use the bathroom as and when needed. Do not hold back.

3. Regularize lifestyle and eating and sleeping patterns. Have good sound sleep and avoid stress. De-stress yourself with some meditation or deep breathing techniques

4. Avoid all the packaged foods, and foods loaded with refined flour. Trans fat, sodium and other preservatives are low in fibre or lack fibre completely.

5. One of the best home remedy is to soak 2 figs or 4-5 raisins overnight and then have it in the morning with a glass of luke warm water. Prunes also acts as a great laxative.

6. One tbsp of castor oil or cold pressed virgin coconut oil works best if had before going to bed. It helps in smooth passage of stools next morning.

7. Our ancient study says – Triphala powder—one tbsp in glass of luke warm water helps in detoxifying and cleansing the colon and rectum.

8. Exercise about 30-45 min daily. This improves blood circulation which promotes better digestion and hence clear bowel movement. Avoid exercise immediately after meals.

Let me share some basic yoga asanas which can be done daily to regularize your bowel movement. Yoga helps revitalise your body and also increases the flow of blood and oxygen in the system, thereby, improving your digestive system.

Ardha-Matsyendrasana (Sitting Half Spinal Twist Pose)

Half-spinal-twist-Ardha-matsyendrasana-300x232

How to do it:
* Sit down on the ground with your legs extended in front of you; toes pointed toward the ceiling.
* Bend your left leg, under your right one, placing your foot next to your right buttock.
* Place the right foot firm on the ground, near the left knee.
* Extend both your arms, and twist your upper body to the right. Place the right arm on the ground behind the back, and your left hand on the right ankle in front of your body.
* Sustain the pose for at least 30 seconds. Gradually, increase the time to 1 minute.
* Release and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: This pose stimulates the pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, and ascending and descending colons, hence, improving bowel movements and providing relief from constipation.

Pavanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)

Pavanmuktasana
This is one of the easiest and most effect Yoga pose if you are felling gassy.

How to do it:
* Recline on your back and hug your legs into your chest.
* Pull the head up and try to put your nose in between the knees.
* You may rock gently if you wish too. Release after 10 to 15 seconds.
* Alternatively, you can extend one leg out.

Benefits: As the name suggests, this posture helps release gas from the body, a common trouble of constipation. The posture can help cure several digestive disorders, including dyspepsia. It also helps in relieving acid reflux which is caused by indigestion.

Shishuasana/Balasana (Child Pose)

childs pose
This position means that you crouch down over your knees on the floor, pushing onto your lower abdomen.

How to do it:
* Start by kneeling on your knees, with your knees touching.
* Sit down so your bottom is touching your feet and your hands are on your knees.
* Place your hands on the floor in front of you and slowly start to move them forward, lowering your body down until your stomach is on your knees and your arms are stretched out in front of you. Your hands stay touching the floor or you can take them back to hold your feet.
* Now relax, taking slow deep breaths in and out of your nose.
* Hold for about 30 seconds and let the weight of your body go so that you are relaxed in this pose, and your knees push into the abdomen to provide relief.
* Then slowly work your way back up.

Benefits: Relieve any pain that you may get when constipated.

Malasana (Garland Pose)

malasana1
How to do it:
* Squat down with your feet as close together as possible, and slightly pigeon-toed or pointing outwards.
* Your heels should be on the floor – you can always place a folded towel underneath them if this isn’t possible at first.
* Separate your thighs so that they are slightly wider than your body, and then lean forward between your thighs.
* As you do so, place your elbows on the inside of your knees with your palms together in a prayer position and gently push against your knees, which helps to lengthen the abdomen.
* Hold for 30 seconds, breathing gently through the nose before releasing.

Benefits: This pose will help you to relax and stretch the intestines.

So, in case your bowel movements are irregular stop worrying and start practising! Just give few minutes of your daily time, along with healthy diet and good sleep and you can actually look forward to a healthy digestive system and a happier you!!

If this article helped you, let us know your thoughts in the comments below. You can find more articles like this on Gut Health here. If you want expert advice or further guidance on improving digestive or gut health, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

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