The Many Health Benefits of Dried Plums

Prunes are dried plums. This particular fruit besides is known for their sweet, chewy flavor and nutritional content. Prunes are used to make various types of desserts, tarts and other sweet dishes. Besides being used in cooking, it is also recommended for health benefts. According to various health studies, dried plums or prunes are well on their way to acquiring the status of super-food, for two reasons:
First–dried plums boost your energy level, providing immediate gratification.
Second–dried plums help increase your longevity by taking care of a surprising number of health conditions. Prunes contain a variety of phytochemicals which help in the prevention of certain types of cancers, heart disease, and other conditions of aging. The regular intake of the prunes is essential for the maintenance of a number of body systems, like the cardio-vascular system, respiratory system etc. The fruit can not only be eaten raw, but can also be used in preparing certain desserts and sweet dishes.

Read on to know more about the health benefits of eating prunes.

• Eating dried plums for meals and snacks are a great way to enhance and maintain energy levels throughout the day.
• Prunes are high in vitamin A and beta-carotene (a natural antioxidant). These two vitamins play a key role in maintaining healthy eye-sight and are also used to fight acne, resulting in a smooth radiant skin.
• Prunes produce a sense of fullness in the stomach thereby helps in weight loss.
• The insoluble dietary fiber in prunes contributes to the growth of certain useful bacteria in the intestine. Hence, it is a natural probiotic.
• The soluble dietary fiber of the fruit promotes the maintenance of a healthy colon and is useful in certain conditions, like hemorrhoids, constipation, diverticular disorders and so on.
• Prunes are high source of iron and helps in the process of respiration.
• Prunes have the unique combination of low sodium levels and high potassium levels which is essential to maintain normal blood pressure level.
• Another mineral that prunes are rich in is magnesium. The basic functions of this mineral are promoting relaxation (nerves, muscles, and blood vessels), relieving muscle soreness, reducing symptoms of asthma and even migraine headaches.
• Regular and proper intake of the fruit lowers the occurrence of inflammatory conditions like RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis).

Caution
Strictly avoid taking prunes in case of untreated or existing kidney and gall bladder problems. The fruit contains certain amount of oxalates, which when too concentrated in body fluids can become crystallizes and cause health problems. Studies have indicated that oxalates interfere with the absorption of calcium from the body.

Common Flu Home Remedies

There are many home remedies which can provide fast flu relief. Most of these home remedies have been used to treat flu symptoms for generations. Flu symptoms are usually associated with widespread body aches, a fever over 102 degrees, blocked nose, heaviness , cold or running nose. Try these simple remedies at home:


Steam: Fill a small tub with steaming water, and add two teaspoons chopped fresh ginger . Drape a towel over your head and lean over the steam to get maximum benefit. Or you can add one teaspoon of Vicks VapoRub® to the steaming water, then breathe in the steam for several minutes until you get relief. You can also add a few drops of oil of eucalyptus or menthol to the water. Steaming ease congestion, and make breathing easier.

Take a Warm Shower: Getting in a warm shower works as your own personal sauna. The steamy bathroom helps to open your airways and moisten and thin the mucus in your sinuses.

Increase Fluid Intake: Stay well-hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day. You can also take fruit juices.

Use Heat Compress: If your head is throbbing and it's difficult to breathe through your nose, you may find relief by applying warm moist compresses to the cheeks and sinuses.

Nasal Saline Drops: For stuffy nose, make your own nasal drops. Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. And put the drops in your nose.

Hot Chicken Soup: If it's hard to swallow , sip some hot chicken soup. Hot chicken soup loaded with pepper, garlic, hot curry powder, or other pungent spice helps to thin mucus in the mouth, throat, and lungs.

How to Grow Your Hair Faster? Quick Hair Growing Tips

Growing your hair quickly is not a very easy task. How at times you desire to have that long straight hair and try every means to get. But dear friend, growing hair requires lots of care and you need to be patient. While there is no scientifically proven way to make your hair grow faster, there are ways in which you can prevent hair loss. And the less hair you lose, the more hair you have growing to your length of choice, right?

Hair Growing Tips to Follow

• If you're trying to grow your hair, forget the old tip that you should have the ends trimmed regularly. Wait at least three months before doing so. It's good to get a trim if you want your hair longer, but it won't make it grow faster: Hair grows from the root, not the ends. Your hair will look better longer if you trim all the dead ends. Hair seems to grow quicker this way and long hair results.
• Oil and massage your hair and scalp regularly. You can use good quality almond oil, cocnut oil and olive oil. Warm the oil before applying.
• Never towel dry your hair, instead use the towel to smooth your hair (your hair is weak when wet).
• Use a wide toothed comb tp comb your hair.
• Brush your hair regularly before going to bed. This improves blood circulation and helps to grow hair.
• Tie a pony tail when your hair is dry. This is an old grandmother's technique to grow hair faster.

Regular Routine

• Proper nutrition.
• Drinking enough daily fluids.
• Minimizing unhealthy hair care habits like using chemicals, blower, damaging hair care product use.
• Avoid excessive caffeine, sugar, nicotine, alcohol.
• Get enough sleep, rest and relaxation.
• Taking vitamins, minerals & herbs.

Using Horse Shampoo
Horse Shampoo, is simply the best for growing your hair. Horse shampoo is actually the Mane & Tail shampoo used for shampooing the tail of horses. It is tried by many. Instead of using regular hair shampoo, get a horse shampoo from your nearest pet shop and try using this atleast once a week in your hair. You will see the difference. 

General Weakness Home Remedies

General weakness or feeling lethargic or tired is a common problem faced by many. It may be due to various reasons like an illness, boredom, low immune system or maybe just your mental state than anything else. You can also check out our natural home treatments to boost your immunity with nutrition and herbs. General weakness has many symptoms like feeling lack of energy, drowsy or tired, sluggish, uninterested or inactive, loss of appetite patterns, difficulty in performing daily routine, difficulty in concentrating, difficulty in falling asleep and so on.


Natural Remedies for General Weakness

• Soak 8-10 almonds and 1 teaspoon rice overnight. Remove the outer skin of almonds and make a fine paste. Mix in some milk and a pinch of turmeric powder (haldi). Boil in water and drink this with sugar candy (mishri) or ordinary sugar to taste.
• Take mango slices. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon honey, a pinch of saffron (kesar), cardamom (chhoti illaichi) and rose water (gulab jal) on it. Take twice daily.
• Do 10-15 minutes of warm up and stretching exercises in the morning before leaving for work. This will help to keep you fresh and prevent tiredness.
• Never skip your morning breakfast.
• Take a break from your daily routine. Set some goals in the day to perform. Learn to delegate work as too many things together can be a cause for fatigue and tiredness.
• A warm shower after work or before going to bed is also helpful.
• Avoid cigarette smoking, alcohol and tobacco as far as possible.
• Avoid burning the candle from both the ends by sleeping late and getting up early in the morning. Have a sound sleep for at least 7-8 hours daily.