How To Use Aloe Vera For Hair?

Does television advertisements make you feel your hair is not glossy, healthy and strong enough? When you see the models showing off their long and shiny tresses, do you silently wish you have glossy hair? Of course, you can have beautiful hair like them, even without applying hair products readily available in the market. If you want smooth frizz free hair you got to go natural.

Aloe vera the miracle plant is the one stop solution for all your hair woes. Aloe vera cleans, nourishes and protects your hair from damage, and makes it shine with a healthy glow. So, apart from providing a host of health and skincare benefits, a few leaves of aloe vera can even save the beauty of your hair when used regularly.
Most of the hair products found today claim to cure hair loss within a week and when you see the main ingredient in the list, it would be mentioned as ‘aloe vera’. It is better to use hair products that contain aloe vera but since they are very expensive not everyone can purchase such products. On the other hand, the local cheaper variants with aloe vera content would not improve your hair in any way due to the chemicals and preservatives present in it.
When it is good to use cosmetics that contain aloe vera, it is much better to extract and use the natural aloe vera gel from your terrace plant! So why should we search for products that contain aloe vera? Let us collect some aloe leaves from our very own garden to treat hair naturally. After all the aloe vera uses for hair are many!
So the best solution is to make aloe vera conditioner at home. You can do this by extracting the clear aloe vera gel or sap from the plant.

Recipe for Aloe Based Leave in Conditioner:

Here is a simple recipe for a leave in conditioner made from aloe vera, this will help to control frizz if you have wavy or curly hair. Aloe vera with a pH of 4.5 helps to close the hair cuticles which aids in controlling the frizz.
Ingredients:

• 4 oz. water
• 4 oz. aloe vera gel
• Essential oil (choose your own)

Method:

• Blend aloe vera and water in a small bowl with a spoon.
• Pour this in a spray bottle and shake it gently, then add essential oil and shake it again.
• You can spray it in your hair when you find it unmanageable.

Aloe Vera Gel for Curly Hair:

Many girls who have curly hair are very particular about the products that they use on their hair. If you are one amongst them, then you can apply aloe vera without even a tinge of worry. This is because aloe vera contains 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids and 200 phytonutrients.
So here are some tips to use aloe vera gel for your bangs.

1. As A Pre-Shampoo Treatment:

Using aloe vera gel before applying shampoo helps to destroy the dandruff buildup in the hair. The natural enzymes present in aloe vera helps to remove all the dead cells, fungus are dandruff effectively. At the same time, it keeps the hair hydrated. Aloe vera also maintains the pH balance of the scalp and prevents dandruff from recurring.

• Massage the aloe vera gel in your scalp and leave it for ten minutes.
• Then rinse it with shampoo.
• You can also blend aloe vera gel with coconut milk and wheat germ oil if you want a relatively lighter pre-shampoo treatment.

2. Aloe Vera as a Shampoo:

Aloe vera gel or juice can be used a shampoo for its hydrating properties.Shampoos that are available in the market are not very kind to the hair but if you still want to use your favorite shampoo add some aloe gel to it.

3. Aloe Vera as a Conditioner:

Aloe vera has great moisturizing properties and using it as a conditioner will leave your hair velvety soft and smooth.

• To make the homemade conditioner you have to cut an aloe vera stem to extract the gel with a scooper or spoon.
• Use your fingers to apply the conditioner on damp hair, start from the scalp and work it up till the tips.
• Wrap the hair in a warm towel and leave it for 15 minutes for the gel to sink in.
• Rinse your hair with a mild herbal shampoo.

4. Instant Styler:

Yes, you can use aloe vera gel to style your hair instead of using readymade serums.

• Take a pea-sized amount of aloe vera gel in your hands.
• Now run your hands through your wavy or curly hair, so that the conditioner makes each hair strand smooth.
• Scrunch the ends of your hair and you are all good to go!

5. Aloe Vera for Hair Growth:

Long and strong hair is always desirable. Aloe vera makes this desire a reality. How? Aloe vera has enzymes that help to remove the dead skin cells that clog the pores on the scalp. By opening the hair follicles, nutrients can easily reach the hair and make the hair long and strong. Those with strong hair don’t have split ends or hair breakage.

Overnight Hair Treatment:

Is your hair extremely dry and damaged? Are you suffering everyday with your unmanageable hair? Here’s an aloe treatment mask for you. It is not that tough to prepare this mask. You will just need a couple of minutes and it will be ready.

• Extract half a cup of aloe vera gel from the plant and add two teaspoons of castor oil, two teaspoons of powdered fenugreek and one teaspoon of basil powder to it.
• Blend this mixture well to form a thick mask and apply covering your scalp and hair.
• Wear a shower cap and go to sleep.
• Let this nourishing and repairing hair mask work on your scalp and hair overnight.
• Wash off in the morning thoroughly with plenty of clean water and a mild shampoo.

This mask is highly effective in conditioning hair, clearing out dandruff and promoting hair growth. Use it at least once in a week to see the magical results within few months. In the end, you get beautiful, thick and long healthy hair! It’s all the magic of aloe vera!

Miracle Food

Sunflower Seeds

Slow down the development of saggy, wrinkled skin by spooning sunflower seeds over salad or yogurt. These seeds are replete with vitamin E — a powerful antioxidant that decelerates the aging of skin cells, keeping us looking younger longer. Vitamin E is also known for its ability to diminish the appearance of scars. 

Serving size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 324

Quick tip: Pair unsalted sunflower seeds with raisins for a snack that strikes a perfect balance between savory and sweet.

Calcium and your child

Milk and other calcium-rich foods are a must-have in kids' diets. After all, calcium is a key building block for strong, healthy bones. But most kids ages 9 to 18 don't get the recommended 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day.
That's not surprising when you consider that many kids now drink more soda than milk, which is one of the best sources of calcium. And teens who smoke or drink soda, caffeinated beverages, or alcohol may get even less calcium because those substances interfere with the way the body absorbs and uses calcium.
But at every age, from infancy to adolescence, calcium is one nutrient that kids simply can't afford to skip.

What Calcium Does

During childhood and adolescence, the body uses the mineral calcium to build strong bones — a process that's all but complete by the end of the teen years. Bone calcium begins to decrease in young adulthood and progressive loss of bone occurs as we age, particularly in women.
Teens, especially girls, whose diets don't provide the nutrients to build bones to their maximum potential are at greater risk of developing the bone disease osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures from weakened bones.
Younger kids and babies who don't get enough calcium and vitamin D (which aids in calcium absorption) are at increased risk for rickets. Rickets is a bone-softening disease that causes severe bowing of the legs, poor growth, and sometimes muscle pain and weakness.
Calcium also plays an important part in making sure that muscles and nerves work properly, and in the release of hormones and enzymes. So if blood calcium levels are low, the body takes calcium from the bones to help these functions.
When kids get enough calcium and physical activity during childhood and the teen years, they can start out their adult lives with the strongest bones possible. For optimal bone health, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends:

• 1 to 3 years old — 700 milligrams of calcium daily
• 4 to 8 years old — 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily
• 9 to 18 years old — 1,300 milligrams of calcium daily

Getting enough calcium is just part of the equation. Kids 1 to 18 years old also should get 600 IU of vitamin D daily. If you don't think your kids are getting the nutrients needed, talk to your doctor about changing their diet or using vitamin supplements.

Good Sources of Calcium

Of course, milk and other dairy products are good sources of calcium, and most contain added vitamin D, which is also important for bone health.
But don't overlook other healthy calcium-fortified foods, including orange juice, soy products, and bread. Here are some dairy and nondairy products that provide quite a bit of this vital nutrient:

Serving Size	Food or Beverage	Calcium
8 ounces (237 milliliters)	milk	300 milligrams
8 ounces (237 milliliters)	calcium-fortified orange juice	300 milligrams
2 ounces (57 grams)	American cheese	300 milligrams
1½ ounces (43 grams)	cheddar cheese	300 milligrams
4 ounces (113 grams)	tofu fortified with calcium	260 milligrams
6 ounces (177 milliliters)	yogurt	225 milligrams
½ cup (118 milliliters)	collard greens (cooked from frozen)	178 milligrams
4 ounces (113 grams)	ice cream, soft serve	120 milligrams
½ cup (118 milliliters)	white beans	110 milligrams
1 ounce (28 grams)	almonds	80 milligrams
½ cup (118 milliliters)	bok choy	80 milligrams
½ cup (118 milliliters)	rhubarb, cooked	75 milligrams
4 ounces (113 grams)	cottage cheese	70 milligrams
½ cup (118 milliliters)	red beans	40 milligrams
½ cup (118 milliliters)	broccoli, cooked	35 milligrams

Minding Your Milk

Milk and other dairy products are among the best and most convenient sources of calcium you can find. But who should get what kind of milk and when?

• Infants younger than 1 year old shouldn't have regular cow's milk because it doesn't have the nutrients a growing baby needs. Stick with breast milk or infant formula as your baby's major source of nutrition during the first year.
• Kids between 1 and 2 years old should have whole milk to help provide the dietary fats they need for normal growth and brain development. But they shouldn't have more than 16 ounces a day.
• After age 2, most kids can switch to low-fat or nonfat (skim) milk.

The good news is that all milk — from skim to whole — contains about the same amount of calcium per serving. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommend 2 cups (473 milliliters) of milk per day for kids 2 to 3 years old, 2½ cups (591 milliliters) for kids 4 to 8 years old, and 3 cups (710 milliliters) for kids 9 and older.

What are the supposed "treatments" for cellulite?

Many people dislike the appearance of cellulite and prefer to have skin as smooth as they possibly can. Therefore, much has been written about cellulite, and many treatments have been promoted, ranging from dietary changes to cellulite creams and mechanical treatments. Some of these therapies include

1. Methylxanthines: Methylxanthines are a group of chemicals that include aminophylline, caffeine, and theophyilline. These chemicals are present in many cellulite creams and are promoted as treatments for cellulite because of their known ability to break down fat stores. However, skin creams cannot deliver the required concentration of these chemicals for the length of time required for significant fat breakdown. While studies have shown a small reduction in thigh measurements with some of these preparations, they do not promote significant loss of cellulite.
2. Dietary supplements: Several of these products have been marketed and contain a variety of ingredients such as ginkgo biloba, sweet clover, grape-seed bioflavinoids, bladder wrack extract, oil of evening primrose, fish oil, and soy lecithin. These preparations claim to have positive effects on the body such as boosting metabolism, improving circulation, protecting against cell damage, and breaking down fats. Such claims are difficult to evaluate as is the case with similar assertions made on behalf of many supplements and alternative therapies. Concepts such as "metabolism," "circulation," or "cell damage" cannot be easily measured on an objective basis to determine whether or not any improvement has been achieved. Additionally, because these products are sold as dietary supplements and not as drugs, they are not subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are therefore exempt from meeting the scientific standards for both safety and effectiveness that are applied to drugs. Furthermore, there are no valid clinical studies to support the use of these dietary supplements for the treatment of cellulite. Studies that have been conducted have not demonstrated any value of these supplements. Some dietary supplements that are promoted for the treatment of cellulite may also pose health risks or may interact with certain prescription drugs. For example, the formulation known as Cellasene contains iodine, which many doctors warn may be harmful for those with thyroid and other conditions.
3. Massage treatments: Several machines have been introduced that massage the areas affected by cellulite. These machines use rolling cylinders to gather areas of skin and massage them inside a chamber. One example of massage treatments is Endermologie, which was developed in France and has been used for cellulite treatment since the mid-1990s. This technique uses an electrically powered device that suctions, pulls, and squeezes affected areas. Treatments are expensive and typically last for 30-45 minutes. Ten to 12 treatments are typically required before results are noticeable. Endermologie has been approved by the U.S. FDA for temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite. While a temporary decrease in the appearance of cellulite may occur, the technique appears to redistribute fat rather than permanently alter its configuration under the skin. Regular maintenance treatments are required after the initial effect has been achieved or the cellulite will return.
4. Laser or light therapy: The FDA has approved two light-therapy devices that combine suction or massage with light therapy for the temporary reduction of the appearance of cellulite. TriActive is a treatment that combines a low-level laser treatment with suction and manipulation of the skin, while VelaSmooth is a treatment combining laser and massage therapy. Like Endermologie, both treatments require multiple treatment sessions and maintenance treatments to keep up the improved appearance. Laser/massage treatments are even more costly than massage treatments; the complete program generally costs thousands of dollars.
5. Mesotherapy: Mesotherapy is a controversial treatment for cellulite that involves injecting drugs or other substances directly into affected tissue. Often, FDA-approved medications are used off-label (meaning that they have been approved for other conditions but not for treatment of this particular condition) in the injections. Herbs and vitamins are often used as well in the injection cocktails. Many injections over multiple (typically 10 or more) sessions are administered. Although this procedure is offered by some physicians, most experts feel that this treatment is unproven and risky. A 2005 report in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy stated that: "Patients considering mesotherapy for cellulite must be aware that the substances currently being injected to treat this cosmetically disturbing, but medically benign, condition have not been thoroughly evaluated for safety or efficacy."
6. Collagenase: Collagenase is a naturally-occurring enzyme in the body that breaks down collagen, a component of connective tissue (the tissues that bind our cells together). A small study of 10 women with cellulite conducted in 2006 suggested that injections with this enzyme may be beneficial in improving the appearance of cellulite. The long-term effects of these injections are still unknown, and studies have not yet been carried out to determine the extent and duration of the improvements, if any. The treatment is considered experimental and is not yet routinely available, but research is underway to determine if collagenase injections may become an option for the treatment of cellulite.
7. Cellulite diets: Special "cellulite diets" have been proposed that claim to be effective in treating cellulite. Proponents of these diets claim that the combination of foods in the diet can reduce inflammation and improve circulation in affected areas and diminish cellulite. However, no studies published in the medical literature have supported these claims. Experts have conclude that eating a healthy diet can decrease fluid retention and improve the overall health and appearance of skin, but specific diets designed to target cellulite are of no value.
8. Wraps: Many salons offer herbal or other types of body wraps as treatments for cellulite. Like cellulite diets, their effects have not been proven or reported in controlled studies in the medical literature. While wraps may decrease fluid retention and improve the overall appearance of skin, these effects are temporary. It is also not possible to "detoxify" the body by the use of herbal or other wraps.

How does smoking affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

Smoking during pregnancy facts

• Tobacco smoking in pregnancy is dangerous for both mother and baby.
• The harmful chemicals from tobacco smoking are passed directly to the baby through the mother's bloodstream.
• Effects of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy include increased risk of stillbirth and miscarriage, an increased risk of low birth weight, and an increased risk of premature delivery.
• Secondhand smoke also poses health risks for mother and baby.
• Babies exposed to secondhand smoke in the home have a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• There is no safe limit for tobacco smoke exposure in pregnancy.
• Nicotine replacement products have not been studied in pregnant women.

How does smoking affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

Tobacco smoking affects both mother and baby and poses health risks to both. Smoking during pregnancy puts the baby at risk for health problems during the pregnancy and after the baby is born. Nicotine and all the harmful (and cancer-causing) products inhaled from the tobacco enter the bloodstream of the mother and are passed directly into the baby's circulation through the placenta. Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 harmful chemicals, over 70 of which are known to be carcinogenic (cancer causing).
Some of the known health effects on the baby include:

• A decreased supply of oxygen available to the baby
• Increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth
• Increased risk of poor growth and low birth weight
• Increased risk of premature delivery
• Increase in the heart rate of the baby
• Increased risk of breathing problems in the baby

These risks to the baby increase with the number of cigarettes smoked during pregnancy. Of course, tobacco smoking is also harmful to the mother, increasing her risk of cancers, cardiovascular disease, emphysema, and other conditions.

Scientists are trying to create an 'off switch' for disease — and it could completely transform medicine

Imagine a world where we treated deadly diseases with electricity instead of pills or chemo.
We might not be as far from this reality as you think.
Normally, our nervous systems send signals to our tissues and organs to suppress inflammation, a phenomenon known as the inflammatory reflex. But sometimes, this system gets out of whack, and can even result in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Traditionally, doctors have treated these diseases using drugs designed to suppress inflammation, such as infliximab (trade name Remicade) oradalimumab (Humira). But these drugs are expensive. Plus, they don't work for everyone, often come with nasty side effects, and sometimes, although rarely, they can even kill.
Now, some researchers have found a way to deliver electrical stimulation to just the right areas to stop chronic inflammation in its tracks — a therapy they're calling bioelectronic medicine.
Like many great ideas in science, this one came as an accident. Neurosurgeon Kevin Tracey, the president and CEO of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, New York, and his colleagues were studying a chemical that blocked inflammation in the brain, when they found it also decreased inflammation in the spleen and other organs. At the time, "we didn't understand how the brain could be communicating with the immune system," Tracey told Business Insider.
As it turns out, the body has an inflammatory reflex that controls how we respond to injury or infection.
When the body senses an infection or injury, the brain is notified via the vagus nerve, which relays information from the heart, lungs, and other abdominal organs. But it's a two-way street: The brain also sends electrical signals via the vagus nerve to the organs, tamping down the production of inflammatory molecules. But in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, these signals stop working effectively.

Tracey and his colleagues have found a way to restore those signals, by implanting tiny electronic devices that can deliver targeted electrical shocks to the vagus nerve.
The electrical therapy is already being tested for some diseases.
A company Tracey founded, called Set Point Medical, has conducted clinical trials of this technology in Europe for treating rheumatoid arthritis, and the results have been promising. But is the stimulation treating the cause of the disease, or merely the symptoms? Possibly both, though we will only know after more studies, Tracey said.
Research like Tracey's has inspired broader interest in bioelectronic medicine. The US military's research and development branch, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), launched a program in fall of last year called ElectRx to fund research on electrical treatments for various diseases.
The ElectRx program aims to make it easier to deliver the electrical stimulation in a way that is both minimally invasive and precisely targeted, Doug Weber, a DARPA program manager and bioengineer at the University of Pittsburgh, told Business Insider.

This type of therapy still has a long way to go before it's widely used. Today's therapeutic devices are pretty blunt, consisting of large electrodes that stimulate an entire nerve, when you may only want to target a small fraction of nerve fibers.

"We want to be able to identify specifically those fibers for therapeutic benefit, and have the technology to target those fibers directly," said Weber.

Beyond funding devices that would treat disease, DARPA said they also plans to fund projects designed to constantly monitor the body and potentially detect disease if and when it starts.

Last month, DARPA selected the ElectRx proposals it plans to fund, and is in the process of finalizing the contracts. The program will officially kick off in October, Weber said.