Skin allergies like eczema, hives etc. are very common problems. The main causes of these troubles are still unknown. However you can find plenty of medications at your local drug store that treat these allergies. The downside of these medications is that they may have the risk of side effects plus most of them are pretty expensive. How about treating the symptoms of skin allergies like redness of skin, itchiness and rashes naturally? Here we have a few effective home remedies to cure skin allergies in a safe and inexpensive way.
• Oatmeal: the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory compounds found in oats works great for soothing itching and irritated skin. These natural moisturizers are also good for rashes and keep the redness at bay. You can simply soak yourself in an oatmeal bath, preparing it is very easy. Just pour a cup or two of plain, uncooked oat flour or rolled oats directly into the bathtub and your oatmeal bath is ready.
• Banana: swelling and inflammation on the skin due to some kind of allergy can be readily treated with a banana because of its antioxidant properties. This fruit is also loaded with potassium which helps in maintaining the fluid balance in the affected area of the skin. Simply eat the banana and instead of throwing away the peel, rub its inside on the affected skin and do not wash it for an hour. Repeat it several times a day to keep away itchiness.

• Green tea: Green tea is considered to be a promising source of anti-allergenic agents and is therefore used topically to cure many symptoms of skin allergies. If such symptoms appear in your sensitive area like your face, neck or genitals then you can soothe it topically with green tea. For this, prepare a strong cup of green tea by making use of two green tea bags. After steeping the tea bags for about 10 minutes, remove the tea bags and with the help of a cotton ball, apply the strong tea over the allergy spots. The symptoms are likely to reduce when applied frequently.
• Aloe Vera: aloe Vera is a good source of a strong anti-inflammatory component called B-sitosterol which effectively cures almost every kind of skin irritation and also healing sunburns. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of aloe Vera are also helpful in soothing the skin and restraining many infections. One of the best ways to apply aloe Vera is by breaking off a fresh leaf from the aloe plant and cutting it open to squeeze the gel directly onto the infected skin and rub it with your fingers.
• Sandalwood: if your skin allergy is accompanied with a burning sensation, then sandalwood is the best cure for this. This is not usually found in every household, but you can definitely look for a packet of powdered sandalwood at the local grocery store. Make a paste of this powder with water and apply on the infected skin to get an immediate relief from the burning sensation.

All of the above mentioned remedies are free of complex chemicals and also easy on the wallet, while treating the skin allergies efficiently.

Breakfast, as we know it, is the most important meal of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast is in fact the most effective method for those who want to lose weight in a healthy way. Since we have not eaten for the past eight to ten hours before eating breakfast, eating a meal in the morning is necessary to get started. A healthy breakfast gives a kick start to our metabolic system for the day. On the other hand when we skip breakfast we increase our bodies’ tendency to store fats, which can ultimately result in a weight gain. Eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast provides our body with the necessary energy needed to carry out the work for the day. You can have a fiber and protein rich breakfast to keep you full longer and help in reducing hunger cravings. This in turn helps in cutting down calorie intake and hence you lose weight. Your concentration power is also improved because of a healthy breakfast intake and you can work more productively.

When you eat a nutrient rich and healthy meal in the morning, you will feel fresh and active throughout the day. On the other hand when you just have a cookie or donut, you will certainly feel tired and sluggish while working. Therefore you must always make healthy choices for your first meal of the day. Here we have a few tips for you on having a healthy breakfast that can help you lose weight.
• Make sure to choose foods that are rich in proteins and fiber while low in fats and sugar as well. Such foods will keep you full for long. Oatmeal in fat free milk with fruit topping or corn flakes or other whole grain cereals rich in fiber with fat free natural yogurt or fat free milk and again topped with fruits are the best choices of foods for breakfast. You can also select your own recipe for breakfast, but make sure that your breakfast is well balanced and combine a group of food that offer a wide range of vitamins or minerals.
• After choosing the foods that have to be included in your breakfast, you also have to decide on the portion size of that meal. Even if you eat a healthy breakfast in large sizes, you will definitely gain weight in place of losing. For selecting the appropriate portion of your breakfast you can read the labels to count the number of calories in a serving size. Then calculate the amount of calories needed for your breakfast that is equivalent to almost a quarter of daily required calories for weight loss. You can then calculate the portion size of your breakfast.
• You should also limit your coffee and juice intake throughout the day. Although having a glass of fresh juice or a cup of coffee fills you with enormous energy, drinking them also contribute to a large number of calories. In place of juice, opt for the whole fruit, which will provide you with fiber and comparatively less calories than their juices.

Cinnamon and honey are the two staples that can be found in almost every kitchen shelf. You often top off your salads, snacks, breakfast meals and many recipes with these kitchen ingredients to make your dish more delicious and also healthy. Both of these behold a lot of nutritional benefits. Let us discuss them one by one.
Honey: Honey is a good source of natural sugars. The vitamin content of honey includes B6, niacin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and a variety of other amino acids. It is also rich in a variety of minerals like iron, calcium, copper, potassium, manganese, magnesium, zinc and sodium.
Cinnamon: This sweet spice is known for its anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, carminative and anti-flatulent properties. This spice is an excellent source of manganese, iron, calcium, fiber, potassium, zinc, and magnesium. Little amounts of vitamin A and vitamin K are also present in cinnamon.
Because of these nutrient contents, honey and cinnamon are considered for numerous health issues. These include:
• Immunity: a mixture of honey and cinnamon is very beneficial for the immune system of a person. It enhances the immunity and knocks out fatigue. With a strong immunity, we can fight a variety of ailments like flu, viral infections, cold, sore throat and many other such illnesses. The antioxidant properties of both honey and cinnamon help to eradicate the free radicals in the body.
• Control diabetes: the effect of flavonoids contained in cinnamon almost equates to that of insulin levels, which encourages the sugar from the blood stream into the cells where it is required as energy for their proper functioning. Honey provides a natural source of energy that does not cause much fluctuation in blood sugar levels. A combination of these two hence controls and even improves diabetes.
• Lose weight: cinnamon boosts the metabolism while honey provides natural sugars that are required by the body in the form of energy. A combination of these two in warm water is a great weight loss tool.
• Cancer: the phytochemicals contained in honey along with the anti-tumor properties of cinnamon are found to be helpful in resisting the spread of cancers. Certain acids of honey also help in combating the cancerous materials in the body.
• Prevents itching: a paste made of a mixture of one spoon of honey to two spoons of water with one teaspoon of cinnamon can be applied on the itching body part to make any itching go away within minutes.
• Skin care: a mixture of these two ingredients is also beneficial to cure plenty of skin problems like rashes, pimples and a variety of skin infections. The anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antioxidant property of these two, works wonders for almost all skin problems.
• Reduce arthritis: honey and cinnamon is beneficial for those suffering with arthritis. Simply drink a mixture of two spoons of honey and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a cup of hot water two times a day. This will help in reducing the pain of arthritis and if consumed regularly, the arthritis may also be cured.

Whenever we are on the verge of eating something spicy, some of us may eat a chilli pepper with our meals or sprinkle a pinch of powdered chilly to our dish to make it hot and spicy. Although chilli peppers burns our tongues, make our eyes water and bring us out in a sweat, we still love to have it as it brings a tinge of flavor, even to an ordinary meal. Besides being considered as a spicy ingredient of a dish, a chilli pepper is also known for its medicinal properties and is widely used as a natural remedy for various health issues. Here we shall be discussing about the health benefits of eating chilli peppers.

• Vitamin A and Vitamin C content of chilli peppers is excellent to boost your immune system. Vitamin A is essential to keeping a healthy mucous membrane that lines the nasal passages and intestinal tract, while vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to soak up free radicals and make the body immune to fight infections like chest congestion and the common cold.
• Studies have shown that when chilli peppers are regularly consumed in the diet, the body requires less levels of insulin to break down the food. Hence to lower down the blood sugar levels in the body a lower amount of insulin is required. Therefore, chillies work great for those suffering with diabetes.
• The cardiovascular functioning of a person is improved when he/she consumes chilli peppers regularly in the diet. Chillies, especially the red chillies lower the levels of bad cholesterol and triglyceride and also reduce platelet aggregation. They also help in increasing the body’s ability to dissolve fibrin, which if not dissolved can form blood clots. Further, chillies also promote blood circulation and prevent strokes.
• The high levels of antioxidants found in chilli peppers can cause cancer cells growth to be inhibited. Therefore, a certain amount of chilli peppers is often recommended to people suffering from prostate and bowel cancers as chilli triggers the death of cancer cells.
• Many people relate stomach ulcers with chilli consumption. However this is not true. While chilli is not the cause of ulcers, it actually aids in the prevention of ulcers. It helps in killing the ulcer causing bacteria by stimulating the stomach cells to secrete protective fluids.
• For those suffering with osteoarthritis pain, chilli is often recommended as a natural pain killer. Studies have shown that consumption of chilli is associated with the famous feel-good chemical neurotransmitters in your brain called endorphins and when the chilli is even hotter, you can experience a bigger endorphin rush and your pain will be gone away within seconds.
• A chilli is helpful in fighting obesity, which is a common condition leading to various health issues. The thermogenic properties of a chilli pepper make you feel hot after eating it. This hotness generated consumes energy and hence the metabolism process is increased causing a speedy breakdown of fats causing a loss in unwanted weight.

The most common skin problem that almost every adolescent and teenager face is acne. Though acne is a naturally occurring skin problem, it can make your face look quite unpleasant and unattractive, it might make you lose confidence in your own self. Sleep deprivation, too much stress, unhealthy eating habits are also some of the major causes of acne. Although your face is the most common place where it occurs, it can also appear on your chest, back and scalp. In this article we shall be discussing a few of the natural ways to get rid of acne.

Baking soda: sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is found in almost every kitchen as it is used to bake cakes and cookies. It is an excellent exfoliant for your skin. It opens the pores of the skin and removes the dead skin cells. Moreover, the mild anti-inflammatory and antiseptic property it beholds makes it a perfect remedy to clear away acne. Mix two spoons of baking soda with water or lemon juice and apply this paste on your face for 10 minutes and then wash your face with cold water.

Oatmeal: dirt and excess oil is cleared away from the skin pores by using a mixture of cooked oatmeal with honey and lemon juice. Rub this mixture on your face and leave it on for around half an hour. Then wash it off with lukewarm water. Exfoliate your skin with this mixture twice a week and get rid of that horrible looking acne.

Fuller’s earth: also known as multani mitti, fuller’s earth is a perfect solution for greasy and acne prone skin. It absorbs the excess oil from the skin and unclogs the pores. Make a mud pack by mixing equal proportions of Fuller’s earth, rose water, and sandalwood powder. Apply it on your face and keep it on until dry and then wash it with cold water. You can use this mixture once a week and also get an improved complexion.

Lemon juice: due to its acidic properties, lemon juice can be applied to the face to clear acne right away. Simply rub a lemon slice on the acne affected area for around 5 minutes and then wash with plain water. The acne dries up and withers off themselves, leaving your skin feeling clean and beautiful. You can use it daily, but if your skin is dry, then you can make use of lemon juice every third day.

The do’s and don’ts of acne

If you have acne prone skin, then you should make certain changes in your eating habits in particular. Here are certain do’s and don’ts that can help in preventing acne and are related with women health

• Eat fibrous fruits and vegetables which are helpful to improve your digestion and also clear away as well as prevent acne.
• Drink lots of water to flush out toxins from your body and keep acne at bay.
• Include yogurt in your diet as the good bacteria in it fights off the bacteria that cause acne.
• Do not touch the acne on your face as the dirt on your hands can trigger the acne.
• Avoid scrubbing your face as it aggravates acne causing it to multiply.

Adding spices to your dishes is the easiest way to turn your bland meal into a flavored dish that you’ll definitely enjoy eating. But, do you know that these spices do much more than just making your food delicious. They encapsulate various properties that are very beneficial for your health and keeps away major illnesses. Here we have a list of 5 spices that not only perks up your favorite dish, but can also promote good health.

1. Turmeric: people who admire Indian food around the world are familiar with this particular spice, turmeric is the reason why the curry of the Indian dish gets its yellow color. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is therefore used in ointments for burns. It is also used in a variety of skin products for treating a variety of skin troubles. The active ingredient circumin contained in this herb helps to prevent skin cancer as well as breast cancer. Turmeric is also known to boost immunity against a variety of infections like flu and chest congestion.2. Sage: this Mediterranean native herb enhances the flavor of any dish. Due to its unique pleasant aroma it is used as a fragrance in soaps and also in a variety of cosmetics. Sage includes antioxidants like apigenin, diosmetin, and luteolin and is also rich in vitamin K. It is therefore used in medicines to treat digestive problems and mental disorders like Alzheimer’s and depression. Along with that, it is used to treat digestive problems, sore throat, various skin diseases and is also used as a memory booster.3. Cinnamon: this is a sweet spice which not only adds flavor to your oatmeal or apple slices but also is loaded with numerous health benefits. It contains antioxidants that
   protect the cell from being damaged by harmful free radicals in the body. Its major nutrient contents are iron, calcium, manganese and fiber. This spice although is sweet to taste, helps manage the blood sugar levels and also blood pressure. It also boosts the metabolism of your body and thus helping you reduce weight.

   4. Ginger: the aromatic, pungent and spicy flavor can be added to almost every dish- veg or non-veg. Known for its powerful anti-inflammatory substance called gingerol, this spice is beneficial for people suffering with pain due to arthritis and osteoarthritis or after performing strenuous exercise. It also promotes the elimination of intestinal gas and also soothes the intestinal tracts. Ginger can also help in fighting certain cancers and is also used for treating upset stomach. This spice is also helpful in treating nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and etc.

2. Black Pepper: sprinkling just a pinch of black pepper enhances the taste of almost every savory dish, or even fruits. Also called ‘the king of spices’, it is known for its antioxidant as well as antibiotic properties. This spice is known to promote intestinal health and cure digestive problems. It also stimulates the breakdown of fats and helps you to lose excessive weight. This spice helps in reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol levels, thus helping to keep your heart healthy.