Beauty and Personal Grooming

* Three months of intensive Yoga can curb the frequency and intensity of migraines by 70 percent according to a study by the University of Rajasthan. Yoga increases serotonin levels which reduce the constriction of blood vessels in the brain that cause migraines. * A team at Gothenburg University in Sweden treated 30 sufferers with 30-minute weekly sessions of acupuncture for 10-12 weeks. Each subject recorded their pain level, noting on an average, a 70 percent reduction in brain ache. To enhance this curative effect, study author Dr. Elisabeth Sodenberg recommends combining it with deep breathing exercises. See also: A magnetic device to zap migraines (Guest post by RJ)

Most Acupressure Therapists swear by this. They say that rubbing the nails of both the hands can reduce hair fall and give you dense, thick and strong hair. Moreover, it can also prevent graying of hair , they add. This tip has also been popularized by yoga guru Baba Ramdev through his yoga camps. The method: You have to briskly rub the fingernails of one hand against the fingernails of the other hand, excluding the thumb for 5 minutes thrice a day. Though not compulsory, it’s better if you visualize and concentrate on what you want to accomplish (whether it is a full head of hair or a head devoid of gray hair). You have to be patient and do this for one full month to notice any difference and you will reap the full benefits of practicing this technique in about 6 months.

I don’t like to use an anti-bacterial soap as a regular bathing soap, mainly because I belong to the school of thought that does not advocate the regular usage of anti-bacterial/ antimicrobial soaps on a perfectly healthy skin as it tends to interfere with the normal skin flora and disturbs the ecology and health of the skin. Besides television ads have also impressed upon me that anti-bacterial soaps are mostly meant for athletes, wrestlers and those who do rigorous and strenuous work/exercise. However, anti-bacterial soaps may prove advantageous to those people whose skins are prone to bacterial infections as also to those who live in insect/bug /mosquito infested localities and folks who suffer from excessive perspiration and body odor .

Quotes on nutrition - If these  awesome collection of highly motivating,inspirational nutrition quotes, sayings, and  proverbs can't motivate you to take charge of your health then I don't know what will! By the way, if Kareena Kapoor is your inspiration for a maintaining a healthy figure as opposed to a   'size-zero look', did you know that it was achieved through a proper nutrition plan? Yes, actor Kareena Kapoor isn't reed-thin but looks healthy, flaunting her curves and  this was achieved by a combination of proper nutrition, Yoga and exercise. Indeed, nutrition plays an important role in our health and well-being and according to Kareena’s nutritionist, Rujuta Diwekar, food is the core of our existence.  She says “ I use food and the act of eating as a way of getting in touch with our digestive system and our real self.” “Eating doesn’t make us fat. In fact I eat (proper nutritious food) all the time and I give my client ‘eating plans’, not ‘diet plans ”, s

[In this post, Dr. Aparna Santhanam, skin care expert from Kaya Clinic gives some valuable advice about sun protection and skin care for Desi (Indian) skin.] It is the truth. The quantum of sun that we as Indians are exposed to in summer far outstrips that which our western counterparts experience. Yet, most of our fundas on sun care emanate from the west. Let us look specifically at some unique issues that Indian skin faces due to the sun. The risk of sun exposure in the west is mainly linked to worries about skin cancer. There is some good news for us. Being pigmented, we have some inherent protection and with a sensible outlook to sun, we do not have to worry about the risk of contracting cancer. The biggest risk that Indian skin faces is pigmentation. Due to extra melanin in the skin and a prototype that is prone to tanning, patchy darkening of the skin is the biggest worry. This can be effectively prevented as well as treated. The third worrying side effect of sun

These face packs from Ayur are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin in summers. I have used these packs several times before and they have worked for me. But, please test them on a small area of your skin before using them on your face and neck. It’s quite natural to develop rashes if you are allergic to any ingredient in them; so be forewarned. Tulsi face pack Ayur Tulsi face pack The herb Tulsi is known to fight and ward off skin infections and as such this pack is found to be good enough for normal to oily skins. Sandal face pack Ayur Sandal face pack Sandalwood is a coolant and anti-bacterial, fights prickly heat and acne and makes the skin glow. Neem face pack Ayur Neem face pack This highly antiseptic and anti-bacterial face pack is most effective for acne-prone skins and heals pimples. (See also: Himalaya neem face pack: review ) Mint face pack Ayur mint face pack This aromatic face pack with its cooling and refreshing properties re

*Women are more vulnerable to the deadly side effects of smoking than men, a lung cancer study found. * Women who have babies in their forties and fifties tend to live longer than other women, according to a new study. * Children who are bullied at school over several years are up to four times more likely to develop psychotic-like symptoms by the time they reach early adolescence. * Increased daily exercise can prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease in obese women, but getting started and maintaining new habits is a challenge. A new study shows that extra support and encouragement can help more women to exercise to and from work. * Fathers’ mental health problems could be harmful for their kids, a new research has warned. * Sleep disturbances are more likely in babies born to mothers with depression than in those of mothers without depression, according to a new report. * Mushrooms 'give your body a boost to beat the flu'. Eating fungi can help fight off infections and vi

An amazing cleansing mask for summer months is a mud pack – preferably a Multani Mitti face pack ; it draws out excessive oil, sweat and grime from the pores and leaves the skin cleansed and free from blackheads . Two such Multani face packs from Banjara Herbals seem good. Multani with AloeVera face pack Aloevera is an awesome herb with soothing and moisturizing properties and when combined with Multani mitti (fuller’s earth), it helps remove impurities from the skin surface without affecting its moisture balance. As such this is a powerful re-hydrant cleansing pack that is not only effective for dry skins but also for all skin types. It’s even mentioned that you can add a tsp of honey for additional moisturization and a soothing effect. Multani with aloevera face pack Multani with Rose face pack This combination of Multani mitti and Rose Petal Powder is supposed to be an anti-ageing formula utilizing protein rich compound. Rose petal powder is believed to soft

I’m fascinated by the medicinal and cosmetic benefits of Rakta Chandan (Red Sandalwood) and apply its paste whenever an ugly pimple sprouts up and I must admit that it dries up the zit exceedingly well and the paste ( Red Sandalwood Chips / Red Sandalwood powder ) itself in combination with Rose water , when used as a face pack, is extremely cooling and soothing to the skin. Incidentally both sandalwood (chandan) and red sandalwood with their antibacterial and coolant properties are ideal for dealing with summer skin woes. So when I happened to notice this soap named as Nagarjuna Raktha Chandan soap at a mall, I immediately purchased it.

Prickly heat is the bane of summer months. While these home-remedies help combat prickly heat   to a greater extent, you could also try commercially available prickly heat powders/talc like DermiCool to fight this menace. DermiCool , a prickly heat powder from Paras Pharmaceuticals imparts a refreshing, cooling sensation in those extremely hot, sweaty summers. This powder with its mentholated formulation is literally ‘cool’ and provides instant relief from intolerable heat and excessive sweating with its cool, soothing effect. After a nice, long cold-water bath, just sprinkle DermiCool all over your body, especially those parts which are prone to more sweating and prickly heat bumps. The powder is quite smooth and doesn’t irritate the skin. As you dust the powder over your skin, you experience that instant coolness, almost like tiny air-conditioners cooling your body.

Mothers get so engrossed in their routine activities and catering to the whims and fancies of their kids and family that beauty, health and personal grooming often takes a backseat. Most Indian mothers are guilty of this. So this post is a call to all such mothers to spare a thought for themselves and also to coerce them to indulge in a bit of pampering and preening. Here are some tips to get going:

The dictionary meaning of Grooming is caring for one's personal appearance, hygiene, and clothing. Wikipedia defines Personal grooming (also called titivating and preening ) as the art of cleaning, grooming, and maintaining parts of the body. In animals, it is a species-typical behavior that is controlled by neural circuits in the brain. Grooming in humans typically includes bathroom activities such as primping: washing and cleaning the hair, combing it to extract tangles, and styling. It can also include cosmetic care of the body, such as shaving. As such, here’s a collection of quotes about grooming from famous personalities. Muse over them. You are your greatest asset. Put your time, effort and money into training, grooming , and encouraging your greatest asset. -- Tom Hopkins Nobody objects to a woman being a good writer or sculptor or geneticist if at the same time she manages to be a good wife, good mother, good looking, good-tempered, well groomed and unaggr

Did you know? A connection between the laxity of a woman's knee joint and her monthly hormone cycle has been found by University of Calgary researchers. A new study finds that "mirthful laughter," coupled with standard diabetic treatment, raises good cholesterol and may lower heart attack risk. Women with psoriasis run a higher risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, perhaps because of the underlying inflammation that causes the skin condition, researchers said. Scientists claim that, after shedding friends like follicles for much of their adult life, many men enjoy a “golden age” of friendship in their late forties. Researchers have found that expectant mothers who drank took longer to recover after the birth. Teeth bleaching products for home use may minimally reduce the surface hardness of tooth enamel and enamel's ability to "bounce back" from normal wear and tear, a laboratory study suggests. Drinking at least one glass of low sodium vegetable juice e