Anadi.net - The wellness blog. https://anadi.net The quest for eternity Thu, 01 Mar 2018 06:30:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.9 Can I Use Rose Water as Eye Drops? https://anadi.net/1718/rose-water-as-eye-drops/ Thu, 01 Mar 2018 06:30:53 +0000 https://anadi.net/?p=1718 So, the question is whether one can use rose water for eye drops or not? Is it safe, are there any side effects?

According to people related to Ophthalmology, the answer is ‘NO’!

rose water as eye drops

The rationale for this is that there are no scientific data or research that proves the benefits of rose water in a form of eye drops.

Another concern is that the rose water is a byproduct of perfume making process with the use of rose petals, and during such procedures there is hardly any control over its safety is observed or exercised.

So it means that instilling some of it into your eyes can be just as good as using any random water source for this purpose. And since we know that the eyes is a very sensitive area, which can be easily contaminated, and is quite uncomfortable to have problems with, you should probably think twice before using so called rose water eye drops or make your own from the unknown or untraceable source.

And in addition to this, the preparations made from this product, may contain some unsafe chemicals that may just be totally unfit for your eyes, and lead to the occurrence of an allergy or even a more serious condition.

It may also cause severe eye dryness in some people.

Is Everything Really That Bad?

Actually and interestingly, there are quite opposite opinions exists. Some people, who also have some relation to medicine, say that there is actually no harm in using rose water as eye drops.

And actually there are some benefits to it, like it gives your eyes some soothing effect, it clears the eyes and helps to relax the tension in them.

But unfortunately, no substantial data was given to support these statements, so you need to judge their validity yourself.

The majority of experts, in their opinion, lean toward avoiding this whole idea: to use rose water for eye drops and better switch to the trusted and well-tested and well-known remedies.

So, There Is No Way To Use Rose Water For My Eyes?

rose water for eye drops

Well, it has some benefits, but for the safety reasons it’s better to use it for external application only.

For example, you can dip the cotton balls or swabs in this water, and then place them over your eyes; let them sit there for up to 15 minutes, then remove.

This simple procedure may reduce eye redness and inflammation; remove dirt, dust and other pollutants.

You can also use it to fade dark circles. You need to mix cold milk with it, and pour the whole thing into a spray bottle.

Spray the mixture on a cotton ball, and leave the ball over your eyes for 10 minutes. Repeat the procedure daily for 3-4 weeks to see the results.

There are other recipes, including those that advise rinsing your eyes with rose water or use it directly in a form of eye drops. While you may be tempted to try it, be aware that there are risks involved, especially if you are not sure about the safety of the product and the reliability of its source.

Sources:
1. _www.quora.com/Is-it-harmful-to-put-rose-water-in-eyes-Are-there-any-side-effects
2. _www.firmoo.com/answer/question/8512.html
3. _www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-rosewater-for-eyes/
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Essential Oils For Dandruff https://anadi.net/1713/essential-oils-for-dandruff/ Thu, 01 Mar 2018 06:17:41 +0000 https://anadi.net/?p=1713 Here we are going to discuss the use of essential oils for dandruff in a form of three home remedies: a shampoo, a mask and an anti-dandruff lotion. We are going to learn how to make them, and how to use in your dandruff treatment.

Homemade Remedies for Dandruff

Essential Oils For Dandruff

Dandruff affects thousands of people around the globe, and while it usually does not have very serious health implications, it can become a matter of self-esteem, especially in extreme cases.

There are many home remedies for dandruff, but we want to focus on only three of them that we consider to be the most practical and effective to use. This will relieve you from buying all kinds of stuff and use something which has already been tested and proven to be effective.

Natural Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

One solution is to wash your hair with a special dandruff shampoo every week. We are not talking about a shampoo that is available at drugstore (actually various chemicals in it can become a cause for dandruff or worsen the existing one).

If you accustomed to buying commercial products, please, develop a habit of reading the labels so that you know what’s inside and avoid any possible harmful ingredients.

The one that we are talking about is very easy to make: just take your regular shampoo (as we mentioned before, try getting a natural one) and add some special ingredients to it to make it work more effectively.

What are we going to do?

We are going to add these essential oils to our shampoo:

  • Cedar essential oil
  • Rosemary essential oil
  • Thyme essential oil

We will use a special ratio for diluting them in the shampoo. The dosage for diluting essential oils in carrier substances is half of the total shampoo container’s (ml) content in drops. Suppose your shampoo has 100ml. Then the total amount of essential oils should be half of this amount in drops, that is, 50 drops.

  • Open your organic shampoo (supposedly 100ml)
  • Add 17 drops of cedar essential oil
  • Add 17 drops of rosemary essential oil
  • Add 16 drops of thyme essential oil
  • Stir well every time you use it

Natural anti-dandruff mask

It’s the second option in our dandruff treatment. It is completely natural and should be applied to the hair roots in a form of a mask.

The ingredients you will need are:

  • Empty 30ml container
  • Neem oil
  • Tea Tree Essential Oil

And this is the way you have to mix them:

  • Fill the 30ml container up almost full with neem oil, and then add 15 drops of tea tree oil.
  • Apply to the whole scalp and leave it to sit for 30 minutes, then wash your hair with the shampoo we mentioned before.
  • While your mask is on your hair, you can do some gentle massage to stimulate blood circulation in the area.

As an extra advise: you can start regularly using homemade avocado hair masks and avocado oil – they are quite effective to fight dandruff and keep your hair healthy and strong.

Natural Anti-Dandruff Lotion

Natural Anti-Dandruff Lotion

Regardless of the above mentioned steps (meaning you have considered doing them or not), you can still use a natural hair lotion made with thyme hydrolate or tea tree hydrolyte.

It will give you a feeling of freshness and prevent the formation of dandruff or relieve the symptoms of the existing condition.

How to use it: just add thyme hydrolate or tea tree hydrolyte to a diffuser and use it on the hair roots.

Precautions

Thyme hydrolate, neem oil and tea tree essential oil usually don’t cause any side effects (well, actually pure tea tree oil can be too strong for people with sensitive skin so it’s not recommended to use it on skin directly; dilute it in a suitable carrier oil instead).

However, thyme, rosemary and cedar essential oils are quite strong and should not be used during pregnancy or for long periods of time. In addition, they are especially contraindicated in cases of cardiac or neurological diseases.

Properties of ingredients
Here are some of the most interesting properties of the ingredients we have used in our home remedies for dandruff, so that you know why it is so beneficial to use them:

Essential oils of cedar, rosemary and thyme

These three essential oils have particularly valuable properties for hair treatment. These oils share the quality of being great circulation and lymphatic system toners. They should not be used for too long, but in certain treatments, these oils not only help to eliminate dandruff but also stimulate hair growth, prevent hair loss and provide excellent natural hair care.

Neem and Tea Tree Oil

Both neem oil and tea tree essential oil are particularly effective substances in combating fungi, bacteria and harmful germs. This is a very useful property when dealing with dandruff, because it has a powerful effect on a fungus called Malassezia Furfur. In addition, dandruff occurs when this fungus is accompanied by skin diseases such as dermatitis or seborrhea. Both oils are especially indicated for the treatment of skin diseases.

Thyme and tea tree hydrolate

Hydrolates or floral waters are substances that have the same properties as the essential oils from which they come, but at a lower concentration and have a watery rather than oily consistency. Thyme water and tea tree water therefore have the properties of thyme and tea tree, they stimulate hair growth and are powerful disinfectants and antiseptics, which is essential in the dandruff treatment.

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Essential Oils for Acne Scars https://anadi.net/1708/essential-oils-for-acne-scars/ Thu, 01 Mar 2018 06:09:25 +0000 https://anadi.net/?p=1708 essential oils for acne scars

Essential oils to treat acne

Among the different types of natural skincare products and treatments that exist to combat acne, the use of essential oils is very common. Contrary to what it may seem, these oils do not make your skin oily, which is what you try to avoid at all costs when you have acne. The purpose is to eliminate the excess sebum generated by the skin. But not all essential oils have the same effect when they are applied, but each one of them serves something more specific.

Oregano essential oil

This oil has medicinal properties; therefore it helps to eliminate blackheads with its antiseptic properties. This oregano oil must be mixed with a base of almond or jojoba oil, since applying it without prior mixing may have harmful effects.

Tea tree oil

If there is oil that is trusted by many experts, it is tea tree oil. It has multiple applications since it has antibacterial properties as well as anti-inflammatory. It is a great choice to treat skin ailments, so this oil is always associated with acne treatment. Like many other oils, it should be mixed with base oil so that it is not so invasive.

Rose hip oil

Its use is recommended after a surgery, skin changes or scars. Applying this oil restores the skin and helps it return to its normal state. This is why rose hip oil helps regenerate acne-affected skin.

Rosemary oil

Rosemary has many alternative uses to be considered as a beauty or curative treatment, but in this case it should be emphasized that it is a great cellular revitalizer that helps to reduce the excess of grease that the skin generates when it suffers acne. This is essential to prevent the disease from spreading. It is also a great calming agent that reduces the redness and swelling of the skin.

Lavender essential oil

This oil is necessary for any type of treatment, because lavender oil has many beneficial properties for health and beauty and also, it is recommended to be mixed with other oils as it helps to enhance its qualities. In addition to regenerating the skin it helps it to stay more hydrated.

Jojoba oil

This oil can be used to dilute the other oils that can be too invasive as an isolated procedure. Its properties are that, despite being oil, it does not have an oily texture and is very easily absorbed. In addition, jojoba oil is a great rejuvenator of the skin, which is essential for the skin to return to its natural state after suffering from this disease, and reduce the marks left on it.

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Licorice Powder for Skin: Benefits and Face Pack Recipes https://anadi.net/1686/licorice-powder-for-skin/ Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:17:50 +0000 http://anadi.net/?p=1686 Licorice is also known as liquorice, and its scientific name is Glycyrrhiza Glabra. Its powder has been used for ages as a home remedy for skin care.

The main active compounds, contained in Licorice, that are very beneficial for our skin are Glabridin, Liquiritin and Isoliquertin. Thanks to them, liquorice has skin lightening properties, including dark spots, scars and uneven pigmentation.

The benefits of licorice powder for skin

licorice powder for skin

1. Glabridin reduces the damage to our skin, which comes from UV rays. If you happened to be under the sun for an extended period of time, apply a licorice based extract on your skin to ‘reset’ its color back to normal.

2. Liquiritin is the flavonoid, which lightens the skin, including scars and blemishes.

3. Liquorice has anti inflammatory properties, so it can reduce any skin inflammation.

4. It fixes problems with skin pigmentation, and lightens dark patches that were caused by melasma.

5. If you make a face pack containing licorice powder, it will improve the hydration of your facial skin, making it brighter and plumper.

How to Use Licorice Powder for Skin

liquorice powder for skin

1. Face Pack with Licorice and Sandalwood

Mix 1tbsp of licorice powder and 1/2 tsp of red sandalwood powder in a bowl.

Squeeze in a few drops of fresh lemon juice, and enough milk, and mix everything so that you get a paste to apply on your face.

This is the skin lightening pack for dry and normal skin, which lightens dark spots and makes your skin glowing; if your skin is oily, use rose water instead of milk.

2. Liquorice and Turmeric

Mix in a bowl 1 tbsp of each: liquorice powder, rice flour and turmeric powder. Add few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add rice water or rose water to make a paste. Mix everything, and use it as a face pack for acne scars.

3. Licorice and Honey

Put 1 tbsp of licorice powder in a bowl, and add raw honey as much as you need to create a paste-like mixture to use as a face mask; it will tone and brighten your skin nicely.

These are the simple ways of using licorice powder for skin.

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Stiff shoulders and upper back? Try this simple yoga pose! https://anadi.net/1652/yoga-pose-for-stiff-shoulders-and-upper-back/ Sun, 14 Aug 2016 14:55:46 +0000 http://anadi.net/?p=1652 What are the benefits?

The pose is called Bandha Hasta Uttanasana. If you regularly practice this pose, it improves your posture, removes any chronic tension in the upper back, shoulders and the base of the neck. It also helps to relieve pain.

If you combine the pose with slow and deep breathing, your lungs’ size increases.

The benefits of the pose cover your heart, blood vessels and the brain. But you have to do it daily if you want to enjoy all these.

A Word of Caution

The pose does not have any serious contraindications with the exception of prolapsed disc and hernia – you should avoid deep bends if you have these conditions.

Also you shouldn’t simultaneously overfill your lungs with air and strain the core muscles of your body as it creates an unhealthy pressure in your lungs.

How to do the pose to get rid of stiffness

yoga pose for stiff shouldersStand up straight, keep your feet at hip width or together. Your arms are relaxed along the body. Close your eyes and make 3-4 slow and deep breaths (it will take around 30-60 seconds).

Cross your hands at the wrists while keeping them at the pelvis level (it doesn’t matter which palm is on top). Keep the palms open, don’t clench them into fists. This is the starting position.

  • yoga pose for stiff upper backOpen your eyes, look forward, keep the neck up and straight, but not strained.
  • Lower the eyes towards the crossed hands and with slow inhalation raise your arms up to the head level, then above your head until the shoulders won’t allow you to go any further. Follow the movement of the arms with your eyes.
  • When you reach the top position with the arms, your head will slightly lean backward, and your gaze should be over the palms. Do not strain yourself too much; there could be just a little tension, that’s all. All this is done along with inhalation.
  • Now, although your lungs seem to be full already, try to slowly inhale a little bit more of air into them along with the expansion of your chest, and stretching the arms to the sides. At this point you will discover more room for the air in your lungs, as your arms go to the sides.
  • Hold your breath for a second without tension. Actually you need to relax as much as you can. If the holding of breath at this point is uncomfortable for you, just skip it.
  • With slow exhalation move the arms back to the over-the-head position, crossing them as before.
  • Continue exhalation while lowering your arms to the starting position. The full exhalation should coincide with the full lowering of the arms. This is the full cycle.

You should aim at doing the full cycle for 1 minute. If you cannot do it that slow don’t worry – it will come with the regular practice.

Do not hold your breath after finishing the first cycle – proceed immediately to the second one. You need to do 5-10 cycles.

But there is the second part too!

Once you complete 5 or 10 cycles, return to the starting position and relax breathing normally.

The forward bend

  • Inhale slowly raising your gaze to the ceiling as you inhaling.
  • Now start exhaling slowly, lower your head and start bending forward at the hips, keeping your back as straight as possible. Release the arms towards the floor (or you can hold your elbows if you like – see the image below).
  • Your exhalation should complete once your reach the lowest position comfortable for you. Stay in it breathing normally and trying to relax your spine and shoulders. Hold this position for 30-60 seconds.
  • Now raise your head with inhalation as much as you can but without an excessive tension. Lower your head with exhalation.
  • On inhale return to the starting position and complete the full cycle as described above (raising your arms over the head, etc.).
  • Return to the starting position and relax. That’s all!

yoga for back and shouldersYou can do the second part once or up to 3 times per session. Be careful with it if you have lower back problems and do not attempt to do it in case of prolapsed disc or hernia (perform only the first part).

When to expect the result?

It may come immediately after the completion of the exercise, or it may take few days to experience the stiffness going away.

Few more notes

Some people may experience some dizziness in the beginning – just be careful, do not force your practice and it will pass. Drop breath retention for a while – it may help.

If this exercise is done for longer than 5 minutes along with slow breathing, it will calm your mind and nerves. But keep an eye on your breath – it should not speed up; keep it slow.

As an additional benefit, the practice of this exercise will contribute to mastering such techniques as Nasikagra-drishti and Shambhavi Mudra.

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Simple Exercises to Relax the Spine and Back Muscles https://anadi.net/1637/exercises-to-relax-the-spine/ Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:49:51 +0000 http://anadi.net/?p=1637 Well, you certainly need to be careful when applying any recommendations that were given to you by someone who is not your doctor and/or who doesn’t know you personally to assess your issues adequately. That’s just some wimp warning. 🙂

So, how do you relax your spine and should you?

The relaxation is a procedure of the two-fold benefit: it gives some pleasant sensations and improves the health of your back. If you develop a habit to regularly remove any tension your back accumulates during the day, you will not only prolong its healthy life but additionally prevent or even remove some associated diseases. For instance, if such a habit obtained at the age of 20-25, there is a good chance that a person won’t suffer from backache later on, even being engaged in a sedentary office work. But regular back relaxation is beneficial for anyone at any age.

The easy exercises to relax the spine and back muscles

Exercises to Relax the Spine

 

1. The initial position: place your feet at the shoulders’ width, your palms are on the waist. With inhale rise the right shoulder, and then lower it with exhale. Do the same with the left shoulder. You can repeat it several times (do it according to what you feel).

2. The same position: inhale, exhale, and lower your head and press the chin against your chest. Pull the back up and forward, trying to round it (while leaning forward a little), which means you need to work with the upper back, trying to stretch it.

3. Lean forward as far as it is comfortable for you, ultimately trying to reach the floor or your feet. Do it on exhale. You may want to remain in the final position for a while, then come up with inhale.

4. The starting position is lying on the stomach. Place the arms along the torso, and on inhalation rise the shoulders, chest and the upper back slowly above the floor. Keep the lower abdomen on the floor, and remain in this pose for 2-4 seconds, then return to the starting position on exhalation.

5. Keeping the same pose, rise the legs only, then lower them.

6. This one is a combination of the previous two: while on the stomach, grab your feet, arch backwards simultaneously rising your legs with the help of the arms. The final pose looks like a ring or circle; only the stomach remains on the floor. This is similar to Dhanurasana pose from yoga. Be careful while trying it, especially if you are not accustomed to regular physical activity and/or have some serious spine issues ( in that case it may be better to consult with your doctor before you even try this pose).

7. Now lie on your back, bent the knees, bringing the feet closer to the buttocks. Now arch your back gently upward; shoulders and neck remain on the floor.

8. This one is the extension of the previous exercise: now you need to arch your back upward, and your body will rest on the feet and palms – this is Urdhva Dhanurasana or Chakrasana pose from yoga. Do it with even more care than the previous one.

How to do it: bring your feet to the buttocks; place the hands next to the ears on the floor. Inhale, and on exhale straighten your legs and arms, arching the back upward. Hold the pose for 2-4 seconds, breathing normally, then return to the floor on exhalation.

Some tips to follow

Actually these tips are more like rules or directions, since they are very important so don’t take them too lightly.

  • Never ever exercise on a full stomach.
  • Do each exercise 5-10 times, but track your body’s response to avoid overtraining.
  • Do everything slowly without sharp movements; hold the final pose for few seconds.
  • Do not try to exercise through pain and force – it should be through the discipline and concentration.
  • Relax for 30 seconds after each cycle of 8 repetitions.
  • Begin and conclude the whole complex by the following pose: lie on your back, pull the feet to the buttocks, knees bent, then place the thighs on your belly or chest, embrace the knees with your arms. This position will let your spine to rest and relax. Try to ‘catch’ the pleasant feeling the pose gives, and keep it during the training session (when the pose is done in the beginning). At the end do this exercise longer, than in the beginning.

How the muscle relaxation benefits my spine and back?

  • It Increases the intervertebral space
  • The Trapped nerve roots are released
  • Your whole spine and its surrounding muscles receive better blood flow, which brings all those nutrients to them that are essential to their health, and helps to remove toxins.

Is there anything else to help me relax better?

Yup, here they are:

  • Healthy activities, like hiking
  • Relaxation under the appropriate musical composition
  • Positive affirmations (it’s really like self-hypnosis: you ‘tune’ your mind to positive waves, ‘resetting’ the negative ones at the same time).
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