HOME REMEDIES TO WHITEN YOUR TEETH

Add 1-2 drops of hydrogen peroxide in half tablespoon of baking soda and mix it. You can use this natural teeth whitener for couple of days in a week. Their can be little irritation in the gums in some cases, but it will not harm your mouth and teeth.

Prepare a mixture of charcoal of babul wood, roasted alum and some rock salt. Rub this on the teeth instead of using the conventional toothpaste. This will give you white and long-lasting healthy teeth.

You can also use sodium bicarbonate regularly each morning as a toothpowder instead of toothpaste. Sodium bicarbonate replenishes the lost mineral content of the teeth, which helps them to regain their whiteness.

Strawberries, tomatoes and amalaki are rich in vitamin C. Apply them directly on the teeth. Vitamin C helps in removing the plaque on the teeth and makes them whiter.

You can also rub an orange peel on the teeth every night before going to sleep. The vitamin C of the orange peel will combat with the microorganisms all through the night..

Prepare a mixture of baking soda (half tablespoon), vinegar (half teaspoon), and pinch of table salt. This is very beneficial in removing teeth stains and keeps your teeth white and bacteria free.

Mix one teaspoon baking soda and a pinch of home used iodine rich salt. You can use this as a natural teeth cleanser. This is an effective home remedy for teeth whitening. Sage leaves (salvia) are used extensively for teeth whitening. Brush the stained teeth using sage leaves to make your teeth sparkly white.

TEETH WHITENING TIPS

The following are some of the simple tips for teeth whitening:

Do not take sugary foods in any form. Chocolates are also not good. If you do consume such foods, never forget to wash your mouth thoroughly with strong gargles so as not to leave any sweet residue in the mouth.

Do not take excess tea and coffee. These beverages contain strong alkaloids which can stain the teeth.

Smoking also makes the teeth lose the white coloration of the teeth.

Chewing betel leaf (paan) is done in several Indian regions. This is also disastrous to the whiteness of the teeth.

Include pungent, bitter and astringent foods in your daily diet. These tastes have an astringent effect on the teeth that helps to maintain them clean. They also take care of the excess buildup of plaque on the teeth, which makes them lose their pearly white color.

Brush your teeth after every meal, or at least in the morning and before going to bed. While brushing your teeth, take care to sweep out all the embedded food particles.

Excess consumption of antibiotics is also harmful for teeth and gives a stain.

Eat guava, apple, sprouts, carrot, sugarcane, and cucumber fruits to prevent yellowing of teeth.

Drink lots of water as this makes your skin hydrated and removes plaques from your teeth.

Include green and fibrous vegetables in your diet to keep your teeth white and bacteria free.

HOME REMEDIES FOR ACNE

Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and rose water. Apply this mixture on the affected areas with cotton and leave it for an hour. Continue doing this for about 15 to 20 days to have the desired results.

Avocado paste, made with the help of water, consists of a natural remedy for getting rid of acne. Use it like a face wash, making sure to gently rub it on your face for 5 minutes. Then, wash it off with water.

Another option you can go for is a bath with blanch of nettle and rosemary. This will help reduce your acne.

Mix 1 tsp of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and squeeze 1/2 lemon into it. Drink this every morning, on an empty stomach.

Combine a tablespoon of dried or fresh yeast with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply this combination on your face and keep it on till it dries off. Now, wash it with warm water.

For getting rid of acne, mix 2-3 tsp tea with some basil. Cook this mixture in boiling water for about 10 to 20 minutes. Then, cool it down and apply on the affected areas with a cotton ball.

Honey and cinnamon powder are also beneficial for treating acne. Make a paste of the two and apply on the infected area before going to sleep. Wash your face next morning.

Another option is to blend one tablespoon of groundnut oil with one tablespoon of lime juice. Apply on the affected areas for 15 minutes and wash off.

For removing acne, scrub your face with a mixture containing 2 tablespoon white sugar and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Make sure to wet them before rubbing.

Apply a paste of ripe tomatoes on pimples. Keep it for an hour before you wash. It will prove beneficial in getting rid of acne.

Mix turmeric powder with mint juice and form a paste. Apply this on the acne-infected area and keep on for 30 minutes. After that, wash it with lukewarm water.

Aloe. Use aloe vera juice or gel to counteract infection and promote healing. Use the ointment on pimples and sores. For acne scars, using aloe vera juice morning and night for as long as necessary (perhaps six months or longer) will help reduce the scars and improve skin complexion and color. It is drying, so if you have dry skin, use an aloe-based moisturizer. The pulp of the aloe vera plant is an excellent skin cleanser. Break off a portion and rub the pulp directly on the skin.

Apple cider vinegar/lemon juice. Clean your skin and apply either lemon juice or apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball. The acid in these kitchen remedies helps flush out the pores and keeps the skin looking beautiful. Vinegar acts as an astringent and helps remove excess oil, kills bacteria, and normalizes the skin's pH. This remedy should work quickly.

Another method using apple cider vinegar is to "steam clean" the face by putting it over a pan of boiling water with a towel over your head to trap the steam. This will loosen the dirt and oil. Then apply the vinegar with a cotton ball to remove the dirt and oil buildup. Repeat twice, then dab more vinegar on the pores to close them. Use this method once a week.

Basil. For acne that hasn't responded to other remedies, brew 2-3 teaspoons of dried basil leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 20 minutes; let cool; apply to affected area with a cotton ball.

Carrot Juice. The essential oils in carrot juice will aid digestion and help stop acne.

Charcoal. To aid digestion, take 3 tablets of activated charcoal three times daily.

Cucumber. Liquify a peeled cucumber in a blender and apply the juice to the acne. Another variation of this remedy is to drink four or five cups of cucumber juice daily for a week. This is said to purify the blood and lymphatic system, resulting in a clearer skin.

Egg whites Clean your skin thoroughly and apply egg white with a cotton swab. Let it sit for several hours or overnight. The egg white is an astringent.

Garlic Rub your acne with raw garlic several times a day.

Grapefruit seed extract. This extract is a powerful all-around antimicrobial product and is an excellent disinfectant. Make a solution of 4-40 drops in four ounces of water and apply to the affected areas with a cotton ball two or three times a day.

Lemon juice. Apply fresh lemon juice to the affected area with a cotton ball or Q-tip before bed. Wash off in the morning.

Oatmeal. As for measles and other skin irritations, people have used oatmeal to conquer acne. Apply some cooled, cooked oatmeal to the whole face for fifteen minutes, then wash off. Oatmeal is an astringent and seems to draw oil and impurities out of the skin, keeping it clean and blemish-free. This method may take a week or two, but should have good results.

Oil of oregano. Put a few drops in a glass of water and dab on the acne using a cotton ball. Oil of oregano is a very strong disinfectant, so if you start to get redness on your skin, stop using it for a few days then use a more diluted solution.

Sugar. Wash your face and make a poultice of white sugar with a small amount of water; dab on the affected area. Sugar has an antibacterial effect.

Basil. To treat affected area, obtain a basil-based oil from your health food store and apply it as directed. Another way is to get the actual herb and make an infusion. To make an infusion, put two to four teaspoons of dried basil leaves in a cup of boiling water, steep for 10 to 20 minutes, cool, and apply to the acne.

Tea. There are several other herbs that can be made into a tea and taken internally or used as a wash. Besides aloe and burdock, calendula, chickweed, dandelion, red clover, white oak bark, yellow dock, cayenne, echinacea, ginseng, redmond clay, sarsaparilla, and valarian may be used.

HOW TO DEAL WITH BODY ODOR

Wellness Program

Lifestyle changes
There are certain lifestyle changes to make if you have a constant problem with body odor. Occasional problems can be treated if you know the cause. We suggest a program of daily bathing, changes in diet, and changes in clothing.

Bathing
Bathe daily to remove bacteria from your skin, especially the armpits and groin area where the bacteria is most prevalent. Scrub the armpits with a soapy washcloth as that will work better to remove the bacteria than just soap in your hands. Deodorant soap is preferable as it helps fight bacteria more than regular soaps. If you have a serious odor problem, soak for fifteen minutes or longer in a tub of water with three cups of tomato juice added. Don't forget, tomato juice works on you and your pets if you have been "skunked"!

Clothing
Clothing is an area many people overlook. Loosely fitting clothes allow the body to breathe better than tight clothes. The perspiration escapes and doesn't become a breeding ground for bacteria. The type of fabric is also very important. Synthetic fabrics for shoes and clothes don't allow the body to breathe, so use all natural fabrics. Wash your clothes often!

Dietary
Dietary changes are also very important in eliminating various sources of odor. Certain foods, such as meat, onions, garlic, exotic spices, and drinks such as coffee and alcohol can lead to body odor. Try eliminating these from your diet for a week or two and see if this makes a difference. Although you can usually smell your own B.O. if it is from your armpits many people don't realize they have general body odor because they have become accustomed to it. Have someone you can confide in do a "smell test" - before and after you start eliminating certain foods. That may be the only way you will find out.

Sweating
As we mentioned above, excessive sweating may have underlying causes, so it is wise to be diagnosed to see if you have a medical problem. Women going through menopause and perimenopause may experience bouts of sweating accompanied by terrible body odor. The sweating may occur even when the woman is not warm. We'd like to thank Sue Berkenstock for this tip and the remedies she suggested as being quite effective, mentioned below, are baby wipes, vinegar, and bauxite crystal deodorant.

Caffeine
and medications may also be the cause of your sweating. Reduce your caffeine intake and note if there are changes when you stop taking medication.

Tobacco
Although we have mentioned it in the Bad Breath section, tobacco use is a major cause of body odor. Not only does it come back through your lungs, but it comes through the skin. It probably mixes with other elements of your body's chemistry to create a distinct odor. If you stop smoking it may take several weeks for the body to rid itself of odor causing substances.

Supplements

Chlorophyll
One or two chlorophyll tablets or chlorophyll liquid taken with each meal may also help, as chlorophyll is a great deodorizer.

Magnesium
Take magnesium supplements or augment your diet with food sources high in this important mineral. Between 200-500 mg of magnesium have been recommended. You will have to try different doses until you get the amounts that are right for your body.

Vitamins A
High-potency B vitamin (50 mg or higher), when combined with magnesium, will help reduce certain secretions that can be a cause of odor. Make sure you are getting 100 mg of PABA and 100 mg of B6.

Zinc
If you have body odor, try taking zinc tablets. Zinc, plus magnesium, will help balance your body's metabolism and reduce the cause of bad odor. Studies have shown that taking 30 to 50 mg daily will dramatically reduce certain body odors, although you may need less. Zinc may also reduce perspiration and sweaty feet. However, it is wise to go above 15 mg only with a doctor's supervision as zinc may interfere with the absorption of copper, another essential trace mineral.

Home Remedy

• To prevent body odor, drink a glass of water in the morning, on an empty stomach, along with 500 mg wheat grass. The chlorophyll present in the grass will help in reducing body odor.
  
  
• You can also apply baking soda to your armpits as well as to your feet, to reduce body odor.
  
  
• While bathing, add alcohol or white vinegar to a mug of water and use it to rinse the armpits. This will definitely help in lessening the body odor.
  
  
• One of the simple home remedies for body odor is to put a few drops of rose water in the bathtub, before taking bath. It will give you a long lasting freshness and serve as a good substitute for deodorant.
  
  
• To reduce the pH of the skin and eliminate armpit odor, one can use apple cider vinegar instead of deodorant. Put it in a mug of water and use it to rinse the armpits, while bathing.
  
  
• Take showers, at least thrice in a day, in the summer season, when one tends to sweat a lot.
  
  
• Prepare a homemade deodorant with the juice of about two dozen radishes and 1/4 teaspoon glycerin. Mix the liquids well and pour into a spray-top bottle. Spray this in the armpits to fight body odor. Remember to store it in fridge.
  
  
• During summers, you can apply the baby powder or talc to your armpits, in place of deodorants.
  
  
• Pour some white vinegar on a cotton ball and wipe your underarms with the cotton. While the vinegar smell would fade in some time, you would remain smell-free for the rest of the day.
  
  
• Mix two drops of the tea tree oil (essential oil) and one ounce of water. Pour this in a spray-top bottle and use as a deodorant. Since tea tree is an antibacterial herb, it would act favorably in preventing body odor.
  
  
• Mix 10 drops of the essential oil in 30 ml water. Apply this mixture on the armpits to reduce body odor.
  
  
• Turnip juice is also effective in removing body odor. Grate a turnip and squeeze the grated pieces to extract the juice. Apply this juice on your underarms.
  
  
• For excessive underarm odor, try using a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide (3%) that is cheap and can be picked up at the pharmacy. Put a teaspoonful in a glass of water and wash the underarm. If that doesn't work, increase the amount of peroxide.

BODY ODOR. CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

Body odor refers to the unpleasant smell that is emitted by the body. The smell results from the presence of bacteria on the body. These bacteria rapidly double, when they come in contact with the sweat. The most common body parts that are associated with body odor include hair, feet, groin, skin, armpits, genitals, pubic hair, belly button and ears. Though sweating is seen as the most common reason for body odor, there are other reasons as well, due to which your body may emit a foul smell. In the following lines, we have provided the various causes and symptoms of body odor.

Causes Of Body Odor

Sweating
Bacteria present in the sweat
Strong medicines
Alcohol
Smoking
Prolonged illness
Diseases, like kidney problems, liver problems etc
Stress
Skin problems
Gastrointestinal problems
Weak metabolism
Fungal infection
Bacterial growth
Deficiency of zinc mineral, cavities, toxins, etc
Poor hygiene
Heredity factots
Certain foods and beverages, like hot beverages, spicy foods, etc
Menopause
Low levels of male hormones
Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia
Fever
Overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism

Symptoms Of Body Odor

Giving off unpleasant smell is the only symptom, which occurs in body odor. This may happen when a person is sweating. It is seen that a person sweats either when it is too hot or he is extremely nervous or anxious. Such sweat usually has a foul odor attached to it. Unpleasant body odor is experienced after a strenuous workout as well. Another situation that results in body odor would be when a person is exposed to extremely hot temperatures. The smell varies from individual to individual. Though the smell disappears after bathing, it may come back immediately if the person puts on the clothes he was wearing earlier.

DARK UNDERARMS - CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

A darkened armpit can be described as a condition wherein the skin in the underarms assumed a darker hue, as compared to the rest of the body. More than anything else, dark underarms call for embarrassment and awkwardness. People with dark underarms avoid wearing sleeveless clothes. For people with a dark complexion, dark underarms do not matter much; they are a cause of concern for the fairer sect. Profuse sweating and unclean habits are the prime reasons for occurrence of dark underarms. To know more about the causes and symptoms of dark underarms, read the following lines.

Causes Of Dark Underarms

Friction due to tight blouses and tops
Excessive sweating
Infections due to improper washing of underarms
Shaving
Dead skin buildup
Chemicals
Alcohol and strong fragrance in deodorants
Hyper pigmentation
Hair removal cream

Symptoms Of Dark Underarms

Dark skin at armpits
Itching
Sweating
Bad odor

HOW TO DEAL WITH DARK UNDERARMS

Dark underarms is a condition when the skin under the arms or the armpits as we know gets dark. This is a common problem and it is a turn off for most people who equates them with poor hygiene. Ironically, grooming can cause dark armpits. Dark underarms can be caused by many things and it varies from one individual to another. For some people, it may be due to shaving products or deodorants containing alcohol. Dark underarms may be accompanied by itching, sweating and bad odor. There are also many ways to get rid of dark armpits but what works of one does not necessarily means that it will work on you too.

Shaving

There are many women who shave their armpits and there is nothing wrong with it. The down side of shaving is that the underarm region tends to get darker especially those who have brown or black hair. The hair is not pulled out from the roots, so it is often visible below the skin even after shaving. Kind of like the shadow on a man’s face after shaving the beard.

Hair removal creams

The regular use of hair removal cream on the underarms is not recommended since it will darken the region. The chemical in the cream can burn the skin and it is also harsh. Use of hair removal creams is okay once in a while, don’t make it a habit.

Waxing

Waxing removes hair from the roots, so no hair is left under the skin resulting in a lighter shade of skin. Waxing also removes the dead skin in the armpits. Make sure if you are having warm waxing done professionally that the wax isn’t too hot as the patch could burn, make sure your therapist tests the temperature of the wax before application.

Epilating

If you want to remain hair-free on a daily basis, use an epilator. It is not very painful if you remove hair when it is still very small and if done every few days. Your underarms will remain hair-free and clean.

Deodorants/Antiperspirants

Try to keep your underarms deodorant-free when you are at home. Use deodorants and antiperspirants that are aluminum chloride-free as they cause skin discolorations.

Laser

Laser hair removal reduces hair growth so this is the choice for people who have excessive underarm hair growth. This procedure though is a little bit on the expensive side.

Botox

Botox treatment eliminates underarm sweating.

Bleaching

Armpit bleaching and whitening treatments will peel off the dark skin.


There are also several ways to treat the problem naturally. In the following lines, we provide the home remedies to cure dark underarms.

The best and effective home remedy to treat underams is to use lemon. Take a piece of lemon and rub it on the armpits.

Baking soda also acts favorably in curing the darkness of the underarms. After bath, apply some baking soda onto the armpits.

Apply vitamin E oil on the armpits to treat dark underarms.

Rub theunderarms with coconut oil to remove the darkness from the underarm.

Make a paste using 1tsp of lime juice, 1tsp of cucumber juice as well as a hint of turmeric powder. Apply this paste on your armpits and wash off after.

Take 1tsp of gram flour, 1tsp of curd and a pinch of turmeric to make a paste. Apply this mixture to your armpits and rinse after it has dried with cold water.

Mix a little sandalwood powder and a few drops of rose water to make apaste. Apply this paste onto your underams.

Potato is an active bleaching agent. Apply potato juice on the underarms and keep it for sometime. It would effectively remove the darkness of the armpits.

HOME MADE BODY SCRUBS

Body scrubs have always been a beauty must. Although have proliferated lately, with recipes including grains, nut shells, sea shells, salts and other minerals scrape-scrape-scraping away the layers and leaving fresh, new skin behind.

It is so simple to make your own body scrub.

Salt / Sugar Scrubs

• 1/2 cup oil. Use sweet almond, grapeseed or another light-textured massage oil. Don't use simple cooking oil from your kitchen

• 1 cup fine sea salt. Don't use simple iodized table salt -- it's too harsh. If you have sensitive skin you can substitute sugar.

• 5-15 drops high quality essential oils. (lavender, rosemary or lemon grass)

Preparation:

Put the salt (or sugar) in a small bowl.

Add the oil, mixing well with a spoon or wooden stick. The texture should be moist enough to hold together, but not overly oily. You can adjust the amount of oil to achieve that texture.

Gently tap in the drops of essential oil and combine well. If you get more interested in aromatherapy you can customize your recipe using different essential oils.

So now you're ready to use your home-made salt scrub -- once a week is plenty.

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REMEDIES FOR DULL HAIR

Vicious weather and the forced air that comes from central heating systems can result in hair looking lifeless and dull. Here are some affordable and effective ways to combat these effects:

Avocado

Mash an avocado (one avocado for short hair, two for long) in a bowl until it forms a thick paste. Spread the paste on your hair from root to tip and leave on for 20 minutes. Shampoo and rinse. Avocados are high in fatty acids and nutrients. Feed your hair!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar with one quart of water and use as a hair rinse after your regular shampoo. Rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, apple cider vinegar helps break down residue build-up leaving your hair soft and full of shine. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and it will be shining in no time.

Eggs

Eggs are great for cleaning your hair of any build-up and giving it a shine. Eggs are very nutritious. They contain 11 essential nutrients including Vitamins A and D. Whip one egg into tepid water and then lather it into your hair. Rinse afterwards with tepid water. You want to keep the water temperatures cool to keep the egg from actually cooking on your head. Another option is to mix together 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of vinegar. This creates a hair treatment that can left on for 30 minutes, rinse out, and then shampooed as usual.

Eggs Over Olive Oil

Beat together two eggs for short hair, three for long, and add in three tablespoons of olive oil. Coat your hair from root to tip and leave on for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse. Eggs contain eleven essential nutrients and are packed with protein. Combine them with olive oil for conditioning and nourishment and you have one powerful duo.

Coconut Craze

Warm three tablespoons of coconut oil and gently comb into your hair from root to tip. Wrap your hair in a hot towel and let the oil sit for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse. Loaded with antioxidants, coconut oil works to smooth dry and damaged cuticles and lock in shine.

Beer

Beer is a great natural remedy for dull, dry hair. Unfortunately, you can't drink it--you have to pour it on. There is a protein in beer that fills in any spaces that are lagging between damaged cuticles. Cuticle repair makes hair smoother and shinier. Arm yourself with a bottle of beer (I prefer Guinness) and step into the shower. Douse hair in beer, from roots to ends, and let it sit for a minute or two. Rinse thoroughly with cool water afterwards to get rid of the smell.

Baking soda

Baking soda is another effective way of removing all product build-up from your hair by removing chemicals and washing away water impurities. Mix ¼ cup water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda until you have a thin paste. In the shower, smooth the mixture onto wet hair and use a wide-toothed comb to spread it through. Rinse with cool water and shampoo as usual. Another option is to just add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to your normal shampoo treatment, lather them together and wash as usual.

NATURAL BEAUTY RIGHT FROM YOUR KITCHEN

Scars from acne can seem like double punishment — first you had to deal with the pimples, now you have marks as a reminder. Some natural ways to treat mild acne scars.. right from your kitchen....

Lemon Juice

It is a natural bleach and it helps in lightening the scars and blemishes of the skin. Apply on skin twice a day for 15 minutes.

Rosehip Seed Oil

This is a special kind of oil used in cosmetics and is extremely useful in reducing acne scars. Simply massage the oil on the scars for 15 minutes twice a day.

Ice Cubes

This is a very simple home remedy to remove the scarring, but I have to warn you, it can be a little painful. You need to rub the ice on the scars for 15 minutes everyday.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera Gel/Juice really comes in handy when applied of fresh wounds as it prevents the formation of permanent scarring.

Tree Tea Oil

Apply Tree Tea oil on your skin everyday and leave it one for 30 minutes. It works like magic.

Honey

Apply honey on the surface of infected are and cover it with band aid. In the morning once you wash your face. Do this right before you go to bed at night.

Sandalwood paste with Rose water

This is an excellent and wonderful remedy to get rid of acne scars. Make a sandalwood paste with rose water and apply on the scars. Keep it overnight and wash it with cold water the next day. If you find that your skin becomes dry in the morning, you leave it only for a few hours on your face or you may try adding some milk while making paste.

Cucumber Juice

Apply cucumber juice on the face. Wash it off after 15 minutes. It will tighten the pores.

Tomatoes

Cut the tomato in half and rub on the skin. Leave on for fifteen minutes. Wash it off with water. This will reduce open pores and blackheads. This treatment is good particularly for oily skin.