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Smoking Addiction

Meaning of Addiction

According to psychologists, state of being dependent on something is addiction. It could either be psychological or physical, but whatever it is, addiction insinuates a neurotic or persistent urge to repeat everything that caused the person’s dependency on something.

Normally, the formation of cravings or desire triggers the onset of addiction. On answering these cravings, another craving would rise but this time with more intensity than the first one. As this cycle will go on and on and without knowing it, you are already an addict.

Young Women Smoking For All the Wrong Reasons

Nicotine dependency is the most common form of drug addiction and causes more deaths and disease than all other addictions combined. And when it comes to smoking addiction, cigarette smoking is the one most likely to take hold during adolescence. So with all those people smoking, there have to be other “reasons” for it beyond being a coping mechanism.

And there are – particularly if you ask young women. Some start smoking because it’s still considered cool in certain circles. Peer pressure is really powerful, and if the popular crowd says, “If you light up, you’re cool with us,” that can be hard to resist.

Another draw for girls who start smoking during puberty is it seems to help with hormonal changes that cause mood fluctuations. Nicotine works like other drugs when it comes to anger, depression and mood swings. It goes to the pleasure center of the brain and says, “Chill out! Everything is going to be OK.”

Smoking Addiction

Many people are asking whether cigarette manufacturers are including marijuana in the cigarette to trigger smoking addiction to people. Of course, the productivity of the manufacturers will grow, if people get addicted to it.

It can be true that the cigarette manufacturers are adding marijuana but it’s hard to believe anything because there are no such reports yet as to whether manufacturers really adding marijuana as an smoking addition material.

However, there are elements in cigarette that really instigates smoking addiction, and that is nicotine. In fact, nicotine is regarded as one of the toughest stimulants ever identified. So, nicotine is s one of the most common factor that leads to smoking addiction.

Basically the nicotine level is directly infused into the brain, when a person smokes. This helps the smokers to have some relief from tension. The problem is that the anxiety sets back in with greater intensity after several tension-free minutes, and demands for more doses of stress-relievers i.e. nicotine.

In this way the smoking addiction starts. People who smoke as a way to release tension are already addicted to smoking. They slowly increase the number of cigarettes. This shows the person’s dependency on the cigarette already. This can be traced to where the smoking addiction starts.

Source: http://www.stop-smoking-tips.com

Dangers of Smoking

There are many dangers of smoking to the body, to the immediate family, to the society, to the environment and to the economy. More than 700 chemical additives are found in cigarettes. Some of them are classified as toxic and are not allowed in food.

Once lit, a cigarette reaches a temperature of nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat helps release thousands of chemical compounds, including poisons like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, at least 43 carcinogens, and numerous mutagens. All of these are drawn into the body when a smoker inhales.

Dangers Of Smoking With Nicotine

One of the main dangers of smoking is due to Nicotine. Nicotine is found naturally in tobacco. It has no odor and no color. It is, however, both physically and psychologically addictive, and it causes those who use it to want to smoke one cigarette after another.

Nicotine enters the body as tiny droplets resting on particles of tar in cigarette smoke. Inhaled into the lungs, the drug passes quickly into the bloodstream, reaching the brain within about 10 seconds. In another 5 to 10 seconds the nicotine has spread to all parts of the body.

The nicotine raises both the heart rate and blood pressure. The smoker quickly feels more alert and relaxed. In less than 30 minutes, however, about half of the nicotine has left the bloodstream, and the smoker starts feeling less alert, more edgy.

So he or she reaches for another cigarette to get a new “hit” of nicotine. Over time, the smoker starts needing more cigarettes throughout the day to satisfy the craving.

Dangers Of Smoking With Tar

There are other dangers of smoking as well. The tar from tobacco smoke starts to accumulate on the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs. The hot smoke burns the tiny hairlike projections (called cilia) that trap harmful particles before they enter the lungs.

Carbon Monoxide

One more of the dangers of smoking are Carbon monoxide. Smoking also increases the level of carbon monoxide in the lungs. This poisonous gas is quickly absorbed into the blood, reducing its capacity to carry oxygen.

As a result, the smoker has to exert more physical effort to attain a given task than does a nonsmoker. The heart in particular must work harder, particularly during rigorous exercise. Increased levels of carbon monoxide in the blood can impair vision, perception of time, and coordination.

Source: http://www.stop-smoking-tips.com

Hot Punjabi Song

Mera Vo Samaan louta do!!!

Auto Insurance online - How it protects you and your vehicle

What is auto insurance?

Auto/vehicle insurance is where you pay a regular premium and the insurer compensations you for any financial loss that occurs if you get involved in an accident.

Because every state requires you to have the state minimum coverage, you should look for affordable auto insurance that will protect you if you have an accident. If you are a good driver and haven't had any parking tickets or accidents recently, then most insurance companies will offer you discount auto insurance policies.
What does auto insurance cover?

Your basic policy should cover the following:
Bodily Injury Liability: This provides protection if the driver, policyholder, or the policyholder's family member causes bodily injury to someone else. Go here to get free online insurance quotes.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): If the passengers and driver of the policy holder's vehicle are injured, PIP covers the cost of treatment and may also cover lost wages, cost of replacing services, and funeral costs. Search the internet for best auto insurance rates.
Property Damage Liability: If you or someone else permitted to drive your car damages others' property, this coverage will protect you. When you look for free auto insurance quotes, make sure you will be covered under the Property Damage Liability coverage.
Collision coverage: This compensates for damage to the policy holder’s car as a result of collision with another car. Even if you are at fault, this term will cover the cost of repair to your car minus the deductible. If you are not at fault, then your insurer will try to recover the cost from the other driver's insurer.
Comprehensive Coverage: Many of you may be asking yourselves "What is comprehensive auto insurance protection?". If you suffer a loss due to theft or a damage caused by something other than a collision, like a fire, explosion, earthquake, or windstorm, then this protects you.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM): Individuals who buy cheap car insurance are often underinsured and do not have enough money to pay for losses if they are involved in an accident. If an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver hits you or your family member, this term will reimburse the cost of your damages damage. You will also be protected if you are hit as a pedestrian. When you buy car insurance compare quotes for UM/UIM coverage from different companies.

What are the benefits of buying auto insurance online?

With many companies offering online auto insurance quotes, it is easier for you to research the policies, terms, and conditions and compare them. You can also check the company's auto insurance reviews to make the best choice.

Here are 4 benefits you can get if you buy auto insurance coverage online:

Easier research: The internet allows you to do extensive research on various companies without having to visit each company. You can easily find the cheapest legal auto insurance online to suit your budget.
24/7 service: This is the best part about looking for information online; you can find information when you need it.

Manage a policy:

You can manage your policy, print out proof of coverage, and view/ manage your bill online.

Claim:

You can even file a claim online and follow it up online.
Before you buy a policy, make sure you understand auto insurance terminology so you can ask your agent any questions.

Converting to a low cost policy:

Discount auto insurance schemes can help you convert your basic policy into a low cost auto insurance policy. You can find many cheap auto insurance quotes that will allow you to save money and provide adequate coverage. Take a look at few of the ways to save money.
Safety measures: A few insurers offer discounts for safety measures like anti-lock brakes on used cars.

Multiple policy rates:

Some of the bigger insurance companies that provide different types of insurance offer "bundle" rates if you buy several kinds of insurance, like life insurance and homeowner’s insurance in addition to your car insurance.

Safe driver's discount:

In many cases, insurers offer a safe driver's discount if you go for a certain period without a ticket or accident, usually 3 years.
Renewal discount: If you have been with an insurer for a long time, they might offer a renewal discount to get you to continue your current coverage.

Discounts for students:

If you are a student, unmarried, under the age of 25 years, and you meet the grade requirements, you may get cheap auto insurance.
Choosing a higher deductible: If you choose a higher deductable, your premium payment will be less, but you will have to pay more if you have an accident.

Type of car:

The type of vehicle you buy is a factor your insurance agent uses to determine your auto insurance premium rate. The quotes you get for an expensive car will be higher than for a more standard car. The age and size of your car also determines how high your premium is.
Good credit history: Maintaining good credit history may also entitle you to certain discounts.

Low mileage discounts:

Some companies may also offer certain percentage of discounts to individuals who drive less than the average number of miles each year. If you are one of them, then you may also get this privilege.
Apart from the above, there are other ways to maximize your auto insurance benefits while minimizing costs.

Will your premium go up after you file a claim?

Every insurer will increase the amount of your premium if you are involved in an accident. The increase is decided by the auto insurance company you purchased your policy from.

If you have a bad driving record, your motor insurance company may refuse to renew your policy and varies from one company to another. Accidents caused by drunk driving are more likely to result in a non-renewal of your policy.

If you decide not to inform your insurer about a minor accident, it may cause problems later. If you get sued by the other driver, your auto policy provider might not cover you because of the time lapse. Even if the claim is not refused, it will be harder to find evidence to support your case.

No one can predict when they will get into an accident. Investing in automobile insurance, protects you and your family during accidents and from losing your license for driving without insurance.

Top 5 Reasons to Learn a Foreign LanguageTop 5 Reasons to Learn a Foreign Language

Over the past years, English has become a global language. With some 380 million native speakers, it is currently the most widely spoken and written language in the world. However, this doesn’t mean that English is the only language that must be learnt by people who want to make their life easier, and transform it into a great experience. I say this whilst bearing in mind the statement of American President, Obama- that he is embarrassed by the fact that he doesn´t speak a foreign language. English is his native language, but in the 21st century, speaking just this language isn´t enough anymore.
So, if someone’s ever said to you that learning another language is a waste of time and it´s unrewarding, you should know that the person telling you this did to you a great disservice. You should take advantage and learn a language as long as you´re still young…Here are five reasons to convince you of the importance of foreign language learning.
1. To increase your employment potential
Knowing languages will open up employment opportunities that you wouldn´t have had otherwise. Most companies nowadays are multinational and international companies who do business abroad. Therefore, they need bilingual or even multilingual employees. In fact, all sectors demand people with foreign language skills, and having these kind of skills will certainly give you an edge over monolingual people, who are competing for the same job as you do.
2. To enhance your travel experiences
I’m not saying that it’s impossible to travel to foreign countries without speaking their native language. Just that by speaking the language spoken in the country you travel to, you can get the most out of your experience. When you know the language, you don´t feel embarrassed anymore, and are able to communicate and participate in their daily lives and to understand their cultures by surpassing the language barrier. Moreover, people are much more receptive if they see you making an effort to speak their language, and that can only turn your experience into the trip of your life. Nowadays there are many possibilities to combine traveling with learning a language. For example, there are many language schools spain that offer the possibility to learn Spanish and they organise sightseeing trips throughout the country.
3. To improve your chances of studying at a great college or University
The majority of universities believe that knowing a foreign language (and, of course, a bit about its culture) is a requirement for admission, so they ask for language diplomas or they give you exams to test your knowledge. Most educational institutions require you to have studied a foreign language for at least 2 years, as this is a part of what every educated person should know.
4. To make friends
By learning other languages you can communicate with a great number of people. Through meeting foreign students while studying abroad or through establishing a connection with a pen-pal, you connect to another world, to other traditions and cultures, and you become friends of these people, in one way or another.
5. For your personal satisfaction
Any process that requires all your effort and hard work will at the end bring you a lot of joy and a feeling of having achieved something. Learning a foreign language isn´t easy at all, you´ll have a lot of small issues and problems to tackle along the way, you´ll have to focus on spelling, grammar, reading, and so forth, but at the end, you will be pleased and proud of yourself as learning a foreign language is one of the highest intellectual goals that one could have, and you have achieved it.
Are you still thinking of learning a foreign language? What are you waiting for? Do it!


Source: http://www.educationguideonline.net/

HOME REMEDIES FOR ALL HEALTH ISSUES

1. Aloe Vera for Burns:

Sometimes studies tell us what we already know. Aloe Vera is the herb for minor burns, a fact that was confirmed most recently in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Keep a potted aloe on your kitchen sill; it requires no care beyond weekly watering. For minor burns, snip off a thick leaf and slit it open; scoop out the gel from the inner leaf and apply to the burn.

  2. Black Cohosh for Menopause:  

The Algonquin Indians used black cohosh to treat gynecological ills, and it was a key part of Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, sold in the 1870s to treat "female complaints and weaknesses." In a recent German study on menopausal hot flashes, subjects were given estrogen, a Valium-like tranquilizer or black cohosh (Remifemin, two tablets twice a day). The herb, which is an option for women who can't take estrogen, worked best. "The vast majority of studies show benefit," says Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council.

  3. Boswellia for Arthritis and Joint Injuries:  

Did the three wise men suffer aches and pains from their long camel ride? Luckily, they had frankincense, aka boswellia, a traditional Ayurvedic medicine for arthritis and joint injuries. In a study published in Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Egyptian researchers gave people with osteoarthritis of the knee boswellia and turmeric or a placebo. After three months, the herb group showed significantly greater relief from knee swelling.

  4. Chamomile for Digestive Problems:  

"Chamomile tea, perhaps the best-known herbal tisane, is widely employed as a digestive remedy throughout Europe, and its therapeutic use is well documented," says David Hoffman, author of Medical Herbalism. The herb relaxes spasms of the smooth muscles and counters inflammation in the gut lining; it also has antiseptic and vasodilatory effects. Allergic reactions are possible, especially if you're sensitive to ragweed.(5) Chaste Tree for Premenstrual Syndrome.

 

  5. Chaste Tree for Premenstrual Syndrome:  

It won't preserve virginity, but chaste tree has hormonal effects that minimize monthly symptoms. When 1,634 German PMS sufferers took chaste tree, 93 percent reported benefit. In tests against two other popular treatments, vitamin [B.sub.6] and Prozac, the herb worked as well as the drug and better than the vitamin. "Chaste tree is the best herb for PMS," says James A. Duke, Ph.D., author of The Green Pharmacy. "It's safe and the studies are convincing. "Just be patient: It can take three months to experience benefit. Some women report stomach distress, headache and increased menstrual flow.

 

  6. Coffee for Athletic Stamina:  

The caffeine in coffee or tea stimulates not only alertness (and jitters and insomnia), but also athletic performance. Korean researchers at the Institute for Elderly Health in Seoul asked athletes to ride stationary cycles until they felt exhausted--before and after drinking the equivalent of one tall Starbucks coffee. After their java break, they were able to ride significantly longer.

 

  7. Coffee for Pain Relief:  

Anacin and Excedrin claim that their "extra ingredient" provides greater pain relief. What is it? Caffeine. Many reports, including one in the Archives of Internal Medicine, have shown that adding about 65 milligrams of caffeine to aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen increases pain relief by around 40 percent. Caffeine blocks pain perception, has pain-relieving action, and elevates mood, which also helps minimize pain. Next time you have a headache, wash down your favorite pain pill with coffee or tea for more relief.

 

  8. Coffee as a Decongestant in Colds, Flu and Asthma:  

Caffeine opens narrowed bronchial tubes, according to Joe and Teresa Graedon, authors of The People's Pharmacy. According to a report in the Annals of Epidemiology, the odds of experiencing current asthma symptoms were reduced 29 percent for subjects who drank coffee on a regular basis when compared with non-coffee drinkers.

 

  9. Cranberry for Urinary-Tract Infection:  

Cranberry prevents bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall long enough to cause an infection. Finnish researchers divided 150 recurrent UTI sufferers into three groups. One drank cranberry juice (50 milliliters a day). Another took Lactobacillus. The third took nothing. After six months, 36 percent of the no-treatment group and 39 percent of the Lactobacillus group reported at least one recurrence. Of the juice drinkers, only 16 percent had recurrences. Other options are dried cranberries (Craisins) and cranberry-extract capsules. "I recommend cranberry for UTI," Duke says. "But if you drink the juice, you have to drink a lot. It's usually easier to munch on the dried berries or take capsules."

 

  10. Echinacea for Colds and Flu:  

The root of this daisy-like flower revs up the immune system. According to an analysis by University of Wisconsin researchers, in eight of nine studies evaluating echinacea for upper-respiratory infections, the herb reduced symptoms and accelerated recovery compared with placebos. "As soon as I feel a cold coming on, I take it--and my cold is mild and brief," says Duke. Echinacea is available in teas and capsules, though most herbalists prefer tinctures. Liquid echinacea products may cause temporary, harmless numbing or tingling of the tongue; minor stomach upset is possible with tinctures.

   

    11. Evening Primrose Oil for Lowering Cholesterol:    

Evening primrose seeds contain an oil with a high concentration of compounds rarely found in plants: essential fatty acids, specifically gamma-linolenic acid. In one study, reported in The Review of Natural Products, 79 people with high cholesterol took 4 grams of Efamol every day for three months (which provides about 320 mg of GLA), and their average cholesterol level fell 31.5 percent. The suggested dose for evening primrose oil starts at 1-gram gelcaps twice or three times a day. High cholesterol requires professional care, so consult your physician about GLA.

   

    12. Evening Primrose Oil for Rheumatoid Arthritis:    

The EFAs in EPO are also a powerful anti-inflammatory. University of Pennsylvania researchers gave 37 arthritis sufferers borage oil (which contains GLA) or a placebo, The placebo had no effect, but the herb group reported 45 percent less pain with no side effects. Other studies utilizing GLA obtained similar results. Rheumatoid arthritis requires professional care, so consult your physician about GLA.

    13. Feverfew for Migraine Prevention:    

British scientists at the University of Exeter analyzed six studies of feverfew, concluding that the herb significantly reduces the frequency of migraine occurrence. "In my experience," Duke says, "feverfew prevents migraines in about two-thirds of those who use it consistently." Dosage is generally 50 to 150 mg per day of powdered leaves.

   

    14. Flaxseed for Menopausal Discomfort:    

Safety concerns have reduced the number of women on hormone replacement therapy, but flaxseed is rich in phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) that can take the heat out of hot flashes. At Laval University in Quebec, Canada, researchers gave 25 menopausal women HRT or flaxseed (1.4 ounces per day, mixed into food). After six months, flaxseed relieved hot flashes as effectively as HRT.

   

    15. Flaxseed for Osteoporosis:    

Because flaxseed is a natural hormone replacement therapy, it also mimics HRT's bone-preserving ability. Oklahoma State researchers gave a placebo or flaxseed (1.3 ounces per day) to 38 postmenopausal women for 14 weeks, and measured blood and urine for markers of bone loss and regrowth. The flaxseed group showed decreased bone resorption and calcium excretion, indicating reduced bone loss.

   

    16. Garlic as an Antibiotic:    

From ancient times through World War I, garlic has been used to treat the wounded. During the 1920s, researchers at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in Switzerland isolated garlic's antibiotic compound, alliin, which has no medicinal value until the herb is chewed, chopped or crushed. Then an enzyme transforms alliin into a powerful antibiotic called allicin. Modern antibiotics are more potent and easier to take (just try chewing a dozen raw cloves), but if you're concerned about ulcers, use more garlic in your diet. Researchers at the University of Washington have shown that garlic kills H. pylori, the bacteria that cause ulcers. Raw garlic has the most antibiotic potency, but garlic still has benefits when cooked. "I use lots of garlic in cooking," Duke says, "for reasons of taste and health."

   

    17. Garlic for Cholesterol Control:    

Researchers at New York Medical College in Valhalla analyzed five studies and found that one-half to one clove of garlic per day reduces cholesterol by 9 percent. If you'd rather not eat fresh garlic every day, garlic supplements, including "deodorized" brands. have a similar effect. (Supplements with proven benefit include Kwai and Kvolic.) "Garlic doesn't work as well as the statin drugs," says Blumenthal, "so if your numbers are really high, you may need medication. But if your cholesterol s just mildly elevated or if it's normal and you want to keep it that way, garlic definitely helps." Garlic can impair blood clotting; if you notice increased bruising, stop taking it. and consult your physician.

   

    18. Garlic for Cancer Prevention:    

Garlic reduces the risk of several cancers. In the long-term Iowa Women's Health Study. researchers followed 41,837 middle-aged women. Subjects who ate the most garlic had the lowest risk of colon cancer. A few cloves a week cut risk by 32 percent and greater intake decreased risk even more While fruit and vegetable consumption in general helps prevent cancel in this study, garlic yielded the greatest preventive benefit of all the plant foods analyzed. Other studies have shown that garlic helps lower risk for prostate and bladder cancers.

   19. Ginger for Motion Sickness:    

In ancient China, sailors chewed ginger root to prevent motion sickness and modern studies have confirmed that ginger prevents nausea and vomiting. Danish scientists at Svendborg Hospital observed 80 naval cadets in heavy seas and found that those who took ginger experienced 72 percent less seasickness than a placebo group. Take a 1-gram capsule of powdered ginger root about an hour before you embark, and another every two hours or as needed (without exceeding 10 grams a day) during a journey, Ginger's only side effect is occasional minor heartburn. "t use ginger myself." Duke says, "It works for me."

   

    20. Ginger for Morning Sickness:    

Speaking of nausea, ginger also assists in preventing morning sickness. In a stud'. published in Obstetrics and Gynecology, researchers at Thailand's Chiang Mai University gave 70 nausea-plagued pregnant women ginger powder (1 gram a day) or a placebo. In the latter group, 28 percent reported relief But in the ginger group, the figure was 88 percent, use the dose given in the study, or brew a tea using 2 teaspoons of freshly grated root per cup of boiling water.

   

    21. Ginkgo for Alzheimer's Disease:    

The big study was published in 1997 in the journal of the American Medical Association: Researchers n a multicenter study gave 202 people with Alzheimer's either a placebo or ginkgo extract (120 mg a day). A year later, the ginkgo group retained more mental function, and subsequent studies have corroborated this finding. Ginkgo Improves blood flow around the body--including through the brain. It's safe. but it has anticoagulant properties, so increased bruising is possible.

   

    22. Ginkgo for Mental Acuity:    

Beyond its benefits for Alzheimer's, four recent studies show that ginkgo improves mental function in people who are cognitively normal, In a study published in Phytotherapy Research. 31 health, adults, ages 30 to 59, received ginkgo (120 to 300 mg a day) or a placebo, The herbs significantly improved several measures of memory. Buy a standardized extract and take 120 to 240 mg a day.

    23. Ginkgo for Erection and Libido Problems:    

Ginkgo improves blood flow into the genitals. In a study published in the Journal of Urology, 60 men with erection problems caused by narrowed arteries and impaired blood flow to the penis were given ginkgo (60 mg a day); after six months, half had regained erection ability. When researchers at the University of Hawaii and Stanford University tested ArginMax, a sexual-enhancement supplement that contains ginkgo, ginseng and L-arginine, 80 percent of the male subjects had improved erection function, while 74 percent of the female subjects reported more libido, less dryness and greater frequency of orgasm.

   

    24. Ginkgo for Anti-Depressant-Induced Sex Problems:    

An enormous number of Americans take antidepressants, The relief comes at a price: a substantial risk of libido loss erection impairment, vaginal dryness and inability to reach orgasm. Investigators at the University of California at San Francisco gave ginkgo (209 mg a day) to 63 people suffering from antidepressant-induced sex problems. The herb helped 91 percent of the women and 76 percent of the men to return to normal sexual function.

   

    25. Ginkgo for Altitude Sickness:    

Traveling from a low elevation up to the mountains often produces symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headache, sluggishness and excessive thirst, due to the decrease in available oxygen. (Over a few days. the body makes more red blood cells, which boosts oxygenation of the blood.) Researchers at the Hopital de Chamonix in France gave 44 mountaineers ascending the Himalayas ginkgo (80 mg twice daily) or a placebo. In the latter group, 82 percent developed respiratory problems related to altitude sickness, but among the ginkgo users, the figure was only 14 percent.

   

    26. Ginseng for Athletic Stamina:    

Many athletes take ginseng as part of their training. In a study published in Clinical Therapy, Italian researchers gave 50 physical education teachers a placebo or ginseng (with some vitamins and minerals), and then had them run on a treadmill, Hearts and lungs in the ginseng group worked more efficiently, and those subjects' stamina increased significantly, Ginseng is safe, but it does have anticoagulant action. so increased bruising is possible.

   

    27. Ginseng for Immune Enhancement:    

Many studies show that ginseng revs up the immune system. Scientists at the University of Milan. Italy, gave ginseng (100 mg a day) or a placebo to 227 people. A month later. everyone received a flu shot (which does not kill the flu virus. but rather stimulates the immune system to resist infection). In the placebo group, 42 people got the flu, but in the ginseng group, the figure was just 15, demonstrating that ginseng enhanced immune response to the shot.

   

    28. Ginseng for Diabetes:    

Ginseng also reduces blood-sugar levels. In a study published in Diabetes Care, 30 subjects newly diagnosed with diabetes were given ginseng extract (100 or 200 mg a day) or a placebo, with the ginseng groups showing lower blood-sugar levels. Other studies concur. Diabetes requires professional treatment; consult your physician about ginseng.

   

    29. Ginseng for Erectile Dysfunction:    

According to a review of studies at Yale University, ginseng boosts the body's synthesis of nitric oxide. As NO increases, so does the likelihood of erection. In a report in the Journal of Urology, Korean researchers gave 45 men with erection impairment a placebo or ginseng (900 mg three times a day). Those taking the herb experienced significant erection improvement.

   

    30. Ginseng for Low Sperm Count:    

At the University of Rome, Italy, researchers gave ginseng (4 grams a day) to 30 men suffering from low sperm counts. Three months later, the subjects' counts almost doubled, from an average of 15 million/ml to 29 million/ml.

   

    31. Goldenseal for Digestive-Tract Infections:    

Goldenseal, an herbal antibiotic, is often marketed in combination with Echinacea as a treatment for infections, but it is effective only in the digestive tract, not for colds or flu. At the University of Illinois in Chicago, researchers tested goldenseal against H. pylori, the bacteria that cause ulcers, and the herb inhibited bacterial growth. For GI infections (ulcer, food poisoning, infectious diarrhea, etc.), ask your doctor about using goldenseal in addition to medical therapies.

    32. Hawthorn for Congestive Heart Failure:    

In heart failure, the heart keeps beating, just not as forcefully as it should; people with the condition become exhausted from minor exertion. Many studies show that hawthorn stimulates fatigued hearts to beat more normally. In a study published in Phytomedicine, German researchers gave hawthorn (240 mg a day) or a placebo to 40 people with heart failure. Three months later, the hawthorn group was able to exercise significantly longer. "We reviewed much of the published research on hawthorn recently," Blumenthal says, "and 13 of 14 studies showed benefit in heart failure."

    33. Hibiscus for Hypertension:    

Hibiscus is the trumpet-shaped, tropical flower that puts the color in Red Zinger tea. A report in the Journal of Ethno pharmacology found that 12 days of drinking hibiscus tea (2 teaspoons per cup of boiling water several times a day) lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 11 percent. High blood pressure requires professional care; ask your doctor about adding hibiscus to your treatment plan.

    34. Horse Chestnut for Varicose Veins:    

"Mainstream medicine offers only support hose and surgery," says Blumenthal, "but standardized horse chestnut seed extract has shown efficacy in most clinical trials." At the University of Heidelberg, Germany, 240 sufferers of newly visible varicose veins were treated with compression stockings or horse chestnut (50 mg aescin twice a day). After 12 weeks, both groups reported equal relief. Off the tree, horse chestnuts are poisonous, but commercial extracts are detoxified and safe.

   

    35. Horsetail for Skin Healing:    

Before steel wool and abrasive cleansers, this herb helped scour pots and pans. Today it's used to heal the skin. A Spanish study published in Revista de Enfermeria showed that horsetail speeds the healing of wounds; it's also used in skin-care products.

   

    36. Lavender for Anxiety:    

Lavender flowers are an age-old remedy for anxiety. British researchers at the University of Wolverhampton had women add lavender oil or a placebo to their bath water. Bathing by itself is calming, but in this study, a bath infused with lavender oil significantly reduced anger, frustration and negativity. Use a handful of lavender flowers, or buy lavender oil and add several drops to your bath. Ingesting lavender oil is toxic; keep it away from children.

   

    37. Lemon Balm for Relaxation:    

The 17th-century English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper wrote that lemon balm drives away all melancholy. That's an overstatement, but science has shown that lemon balm is tranquilizing. The herb and its oil have been used in Alzheimer's care units to calm those who are agitated. To decompress after a tough day, try a cup of lemon-balm tea; for extra benefit, mix with chamomile.

   

    38. Lemon Balm for Herpes:    

Lemon balm has antiviral action. As reported in Phytomedicine, German researchers gave 66 people in the early stages of herpes simplex labialis outbreaks lemon-balm cream or a placebo. The herb group had milder outbreaks that healed faster. Lemon balm is the active ingredient in the herpes treatment Herpalieve. "If you have herpes," Duke says, "drink lemon-balm tea. If you have an outbreak, apply lemon balm to the sore."

    39. Licorice for Sore Throat:    

In a study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, researchers gave either a placebo or Throat Coat, a licorice tea from Traditional Medicinals, to 60 sore-throat sufferers 4 to 6 times a day for seven days; the tea tipplers reported significantly less pain on swallowing. Add a teaspoon of chopped or powdered root to a beverage tea, and feel relief almost immediately.

    40. Milk Thistle for Liver Health:    

Silymarin in milk thistle seeds has a remarkable ability to protect the liver. This herb has been shown to help treat hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis, and it's been found more effective than traditional medicine at treating "deathcap" mushroom poisoning. "In our analysis," Blumenthal says," 19 of 21 studies support milk thistle seed extract for liver conditions." Because most drugs are metabolized through the liver, many herbalists recommend silymarin for anyone who takes liver-taxing medication.

    41. Papaya for Herniated Disks:    

Papaya has been used by Caribbean Indians to treat skin wounds and infections and by the Japanese to treat digestive disorders. In 1982, the Food and Drug Administration approved injections of the papaya enzyme chymopapain to dissolve cellular debris in herniated or slipped vertebral disks in the back. Allergic reactions are possible.

    42. Peppermint for Indigestion:    

In ancient Greece, people chewed a sprig of mint after feasts to settle the stomach, a tradition that evolved into our after-dinner mints. German researchers gave 118 adults with persistent indigestion a standard drug (cisapride) or twice-daily capsules of enteric-coated peppermint oil (90 mg) and caraway oil (50 mg), another traditional stomach soother. (The enteric coating allows the capsules to survive stomach acid and release their oil in the small intestine, where non-heartburn indigestion develops.) Four weeks later, the drug and the herb blend produced the same relief. If you use herbal oils, do not exceed the recommended dose, and keep them away from children. You also can brew a peppermint tea, and add a teaspoon of chopped caraway to meals. "When I get indigestion," Duke says, "I go to the garden, pick some peppermint, chew some leaves, and make tea. It works for me."

   

   43. Peppermint for Irritable Bowel Syndrome:    

IBS involves persistent abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea or constipation. British researchers at the University of Exeter analyzed five studies of peppermint oil as a treatment, and found that it provided benefit. (See the previous item for options and cautions.)

    44. Psyllium for Diarrhea and Constipation:    

Psyllium is a tiny seed that contains mucilage, a soluble fiber that swells on exposure to water. For diarrhea, psyllium can absorb excess fluid in the gut. For constipation, psyllium adds bulk to stool, which presses on the colon wall and triggers the nerves that produce the urge to go. You may find psyllium at health-food stores, but it's easiest to take Metamucil, which is psyllium with flavoring. When using psyllium, drink plenty of water. Allergic reactions are possible.

    45. Red Pepper for Pain Relief:    

Capsaicin, the compound that gives red pepper (cayenne) its fiery flavor, is a potent topical pain reliever, according to the Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. When rubbed on the skin, it causes mild superficial burning. But that sensation desensitizes nearby pain nerves, and soothes pain in deeper tissues. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in several over-the-counter pain-relieving creams, such as Capsin, Zostrix and Pain-X.

    46. St. John's Wort for Depression:    

For mild depression, St. John's wort often works as well as Prozac and Zoloft, but with fewer side effects. "We recently concluded a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on St. John's wort, and 21 of 23 studies support it for mild-to-moderate depression," says Blumenthal. Studies showing benefits have used 600 to 1,800 mg a day; most have used 900 mg a day. Stomach upset is possible, and St. John's wort interacts with many drugs, including possibly reducing the effectiveness of birth-control pills. Depression requires professional care; ask your physician about St. John's wort.

    47. Saw Palmetto for Benign Prostate Enlargement:    

In a study published in the journal The Prostate, saw palmetto extract (32-0 mg) was compared with finasteride in 1,098 men with prostate symptoms. After 24 weeks, both treatments were equally effective, but the herb caused fewer side effects. Researchers at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center analyzed 18 studies and found saw palmetto to be effective for prostate symptoms.

    48. Tea for Heart Health:    

Tea, particularly green tea, has rocketed to prominence as an herbal medicine. It's high in antioxidants, which help prevent heart disease. In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Dutch researchers followed 3,454 residents of Rotterdam. Compared with those who drank no tea, those who drank two cups a day had 46 percent less risk of heart attack, while those who drank four cups a day enjoyed 69 percent lower risk. Drinking tea also improves survival odds after heart attack.

    49. Tea for Cancer Prevention:    

Researchers at the University of Southern California surveyed 501 Asian women with breast cancer and 594 who were cancer-free. Those who were cancer-free drank the most green tea; as consumption rose, risk fell. Also, Japanese researchers reported in Cancer Letters that breast-cancer survivors who drank three or more cups a day reduced the risk of recurrence. Green tea also appears to protect against cancers of the colon, rectum, and pancreas. Most research has used green tea.

    50. Tea for Bad Breath and Gum Disease:    

Forget breath mints. Instead, researchers at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in Chicago suggest a cup of tea (black or green), which contains compounds that stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. An added benefit: Tea helps prevent gum disease, the main cause of adult tooth loss.

    51. Tea Tree Oil for Athlete's Foot:    

Tea tree isn't tea; it's an Australian plant with an antifungal, antiseptic oil. In a study published in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology, researchers had people with athlete's foot apply tea tree oil (50 percent concentration) or a placebo. After four weeks, 31 percent of the placebo group and 64 percent of the tea tree contingent were cured. Pharmaceutical ointments work faster, but tea tree oil is clearly effective. "Apply it with a Q-tip twice a day," Duke says.

    52. Tea Tree Oil for Dandruff:    

As reported in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Australian researchers studied 126 people with dandruff, which is caused by a skin fungus. Subjects were given either an ordinary shampoo or one containing 5 percent tea tree oil. After four weeks, flaking was reduced 11 percent in the plain-shampoo group, but 41 percent in those who used tea tree oil. It's not a miracle cure, but if your dandruff shampoo isn't working as well as you'd like, add a drop or two of tea tree oil each time you shampoo.

    53. Turmeric for Arthritis and Joint Injuries:    

Curcumin, the yellow pigment in this Indian spice, is an anti-inflammatory. In combination with boswellia, it treats osteoarthritis, according to investigators at India's Central Drug Research Institute. Use turmeric or yellow curries in cooking. "I developed a recipe called 'Arthritis Soup,'" Duke says, "containing lots of anti-inflammatory herbs. The recipe also calls for 2 tablespoons of turmeric." When taking capsules, follow label directions.

   

    54. Valerian for Insomnia:    

Studies have shown that valerian aids sleep, often as well as pharmaceutical sedatives and without being addictive. In a study published in the European Journal of Medical Research, investigators gave 202 insomniacs valerian or a Valium-like tranquilizer. After six weeks, both treatments were equally effective. "Research strongly supports that valerian works," Blumenthal says. "It's been used widely and safely for hundreds of years." Note: It takes a week or more to begin noticing benefit. Also, raw valerian root smells and tastes terrible ("like funky socks," Blumenthal says), so pills are more palatable.

   

    55. White Willow Bark for Back Pain:    

White willow bark contains salicin, a close chemical relative of aspirin. According to a German study of 451 people with low back pain, 240 mg a day of willow bark worked better than conventional therapeutic options. Like aspirin, willow bark can cause stomach distress, and it shouldn't be given to children..

Source: Health n Fitness Spa CHD.

The Miracle Mineral Fibre - Asbestos

The Miracle Mineral Fibre - Asbestos

By Dr. Noel Kerin

Asbestos was recognized for centuries before scientists and industrialists saw it as the dream answer to acid and heat resistance. Asbestos did not conduct electricity and was resistant to the massive heating/cooling cycles that were the basis of the industrial revolution. No wonder the great industrial corporations of the late-19th and 20th centuries embraced asbestos with such fervor.

It was not until the early 1960s that the first warnings of a wolf in sheep’s clothing appeared in medical literature, with Wagner describing several cases of a rare lung cancer (mesothelioma) in asbestos miners in South Africa. Other researchers of that time also claimed evidence of asbestos’ capability to cause cancer and other illnesses – primarily of the respiratory tract.

Predictably, these early findings triggered fierce debate between two camps: the asbestos industry defending itself, and the scientific community drawing attention to the now-obvious damaging health effects of asbestos. Sadly, the debate lasted decades, and the issues were often muddied or misdirected by inadequate knowledge.

For example, as recently as 2000, in our own city of Toronto, a prominent occupational medical physician could write in full belief that “…the train carrying asbestos diseases has arrived at the train station and the burden of asbestos diseases has been unloaded, and now the train has left the station.” This seemingly authoritative statement has since been proven horribly wrong.

Most of the burden of correcting this type of opinion has fallen to the trade union movement in Canada – as it did in the United States, when the great Selikoff was employed to review worker asbestos damages in New York City. Here in Ontario, the CAW has led the fight, forcing the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) of Ontario to accept the huge health damage brought about by the now-defunct Holmes Foundry in Sarnia, where literally hundreds of ex-workers have developed asbestos-related diseases from mesothelioma to lung cancers, bowel cancers and lung fibrosis (asbestosis).

More recently, CAW has tackled the asbestos problem in another huge manufacturing company in Ontario, where hundreds of asbestos-related cancers and respiratory diseases have been discovered.

In both communities, the cause of the various cancers often went unrecognized or unreported. We know that mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, yet in the majority of these cases we found that no compensation claim had been launched on the workers’ behalf.

To grasp the extent of the lack of reporting, and the lack of acceptance of occupationally induced lung cancers, we need only look at the total claims accepted by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario in the years 2002/2003. Seven. Seven lung cancers for the Province of Ontario. Contrast that total with today’s reality, where one occupational medical physician alone has seven times that total number of asbestos-related lung cancers currently launched before WSIB.

Does this mean there are seven times the 2002/3 number of (either declared or accepted) lung cancers than had been previously accepted? Yes. At least that many. I’m convinced the estimated numbers will prove hopelessly conservative.

Four decades after the first warnings, we’re only now lifting the veil from a great tragedy. All the mounting knowledge indicates that asbestos exposure’s full impact on cancers and other occupational diseases will be massive. This unhappy prognosis is not helped by the reality that belated acceptance of the medical evidence has left no overall plan in place to deal with this huge, unfunded liability in our province.

Occupational diseases are the price society pays for industry’s past willingness to accept health risks as a justifiable cost of doing business. More correctly stated, it is the price that workers are paying. And now – like the old Ontario Hydro stranded debit – it falls to the public of Ontario in the 21st century to pick up the cost of the past’s excessive ways. How did it come to this?

The old adage “Out of sight, out of mind” is nowhere more relevant than in the field of occupational diseases. With a latency period of up to 50 years between exposure to workplace hazards and expression of a disease such as asbestosis (scarring of the lungs or lung cancer), industry could view the risks as a problem for a distant tomorrow.

But tomorrow always comes. As the earlier “train station” quote indicates, asbestos-related diseases were considered to be issues of the 20th century. However, in examining the asbestos exposure file of one regional town, we found ten times the national average rate of occurrence for mesothelioma – with most cases identified in the 21st century! There is now broad consensus in the field of epidemiology that the appearance of diseases resulting from old exposures to asbestos will not peak until 2015 to 2020 at the earliest.

What does this all mean? If we think of it as a crime story, it means we’ve caught and convicted the perpetrator – but we’re still actively gathering evidence to learn the true scope of its legacy. It means that new knowledge imposes on us the need for new vigilance and new thinking.

For example, lung cancer. We can no longer make the automatic assumptive link between lung cancers and cigarette smoking. Other known primary cancer exposures must now be taken into account – and particularly the huge lung-cancer impact of asbestos.

Evidence of the emerging shift in thinking can be found in the new “asbestos” guidelines developed by the American Thoracic Society ATS document (in PDF format), the leading international experts on respiratory disease. Published in 2004, the guidelines were developed over several years, under the chairmanship of Prof. Tee Goidotti. They set out new criteria for addressing diagnoses and assessing the damages brought about by asbestos exposures (functional impairment).

We have posted our KOHC synopsis of this very-detailed publication on our site. We have also posted a quick asbestos decision-making algorithm for the health-care practitioner who is faced with a potentially asbestos-exposed worker.

So far, we have not discussed any other systems damaged by asbestos, but it is now clear that many of the so-called cigarette smoking laryngeal (throat) cancers are, in fact, partially or totally caused by asbestos-fiber damage. Similarly, stomach and colon cancer are, in some cases, caused by old asbestos-fiber exposure.

However, when a surgeon looks at a pre-malignant or malignant polyp in a patient’s colon, there is no reliable indicator to determine if pre-cancer or cancerous changes were caused by asbestos. As we know, with most cancers the causes are multi-factorial. Diet has something to do with the appearance of bowel cancer, as have genetics and, unfortunately, asbestos. There is strong epidemiological evidence supporting the notion that these cancers appear more frequently in asbestos-exposed than non-exposed workers.

Finally, when we felt we knew all about asbestos, and the ten-year exposure to asbestos was the standard for accepting asbestos-related diseases, research by Erlich out of the United Kingdom crumpled our comfort zone – with a clear statement that one month of heavy asbestos fibre-dust exposure is sufficient to induce asbestos-caused pulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis) in 20% of cases.

Copyright © Dr. Noel Kerin and KOHC. All rights reserved.

Source of Article: http://www.kohc.ca.

The Nanotechnology

A nanotechnology application in healthcare is usually expressed as nanomedicine. "Use of nanotechnology in drug delivery, in vitro diagnostics, smart and multifunctional biomaterials, imaging and active implants together come under the umbrella of nanomedicine," says Dr Professor Amarnath Maitra, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi and Visiting Scientist, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, USA.

Nanomedicine may be defined as the monitoring, repair, construction and control of human biological systems at the molecular level, using engineered nanodevices and nanostructures. Nanotech in healthcare has invaded areas like drug delivery systems, pharmaceuticals, biocompatible materials, micro-engineered devices, improved cardiac catheters and stents. Some examples include nanotechnology- based synthetic bone for maxillofacial applications, for treating fractures, and as a scaffold for tissue engineering and differentiation of stem cells, nanoparticles for pulmonary and ocular delivery, and microengineered transcatheteral devices for minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

According to Dr Bellare, however, the potential impact is large, inclusive of artificial organs, tissue engineering, diagnostics of various sorts (at home, bed-side, ambulatory) battlefield, and outer space. "The impact will be felt on virtually every facet of healthcare, from pre-birth to post death," says Bellare.

Source: http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200803/knowledge01.shtml

GEOGRAPHY OF WOMEN

Between the ages of 15 - 20 a woman is like Africa.
She is half discovered, half wild.

Between the ages of 20 - 30 a woman is like America.
Fully discovered and scientifically perfect.

Between the ages of 30 - 35, she is like India & Japan.
Very hot, wise and beautiful !!!!!!!!!

Between the ages of 35 - 40 a woman is like France.
She is half destroyed after the war but still desirable.

Between the ages of 40 - 50 she is like Germany.
She lost the war but not the hope.

Between the ages of 50 - 60 she is like Russia.
Very wide, very quiet but nobody goes there.

Between the ages of 60 - 70 a woman is like England.
With a glorious past but no future.

After 70, they become Siberia.
Everyone knows where it is, but no one wants to go there.

Women face increased Cancer Risk

One in seven women could develop breast cancer if public health trends do not improve, experts warn.

Researchers found the risk to women carrying a gene which can lead to the disease has increased dramatically in the last 60 years.

The study, at the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Centre in Manchester, suggests a lifestyle change is key.

Having families earlier and avoiding long term use of female hormones in HRT and contraceptives were recommended.

Experts also suggested regular exercise and a healthy diet could make a difference.

One in 10 women in the UK currently develop breast cancer by the age of 80 but researchers fear this may rise to one in seven by 2024 unless changes are made.

Gene mutations

Around one in 500 people are said to carry the gene mutations which result in an 85-90% chance of developing breast cancer.

Professor Gareth Evans, who led the study of more than 1,400 women who carried the high-risk genes, said: "This rise in the incidence of breast cancer is reflected in the general population.

"In 1984 only one in 13 women were projected to develop breast cancer.

"In 2004 this reached one in 10 and, if the rates rise as they are currently doing so, it is predicted that by 2024 one in seven to eight women will develop breast cancer by 80 years of age.

"That will translate into an extra 4,000 deaths, unless further improvements in treatments occur."

The report, by the consultant in medical genetics at St Mary's Hospital and Christie Hospital, both in Manchester, will be published in the BMC Cancer journal.

It showed that women born before 1920 who carry faults in the high-risk genes had a 7.5% chance of developing breast cancer by the age of 40.

However, women born after 1960 had a risk of up to 40%.
The Genesis Appeal, a breast cancer prevention charity, has funded the purpose-built £14m centre in Wythenshawe which brings together medical experts to conduct diagnosis, education and research into the disease.

Meditation Basics: Choosing The Incense Right For You!

Meditation sessions are fantastic to help you manage and balance your day-to-day life. One of the important elements you can include as part of your meditation session is incense and for a beginner this really is an important tool and can make the difference between a successful meditation session and an unsuccessful meditation session.

Humans have five core senses including touch, sight, hearing, taste and smell. Each sense plays a role in keeping your mind active and playing a role in the way you feel. The brain takes each of the sensory inputs from these senses and defines how you are going to react to your surrounding. For example, research has found that certain types of music influences the way shoppers will actually purchase products.

One research organisation found that Baroque Music played at 60 beats per minute will infact influence shoppers to spend an additional 38% in their shops. Further to this the use of incense during a meditation session can in fact make a huge difference between a successful meditation session simply because the incense will influence the sense of smell.

The most important thing you can do is to choose the right incense type. Let us take a moment to look at the different types of incense choices. I should note one thing, that there are many different incense choices which will influence your choice of incense.

#1 Starting Out – Lavender Fragrance and Incense

When you are starting out with meditation you will often be stressed, tense and all those other horrible feelings and the best type of incense to start out with is Lavender. There are many theory’s as to why lavender is a create start off tool but the bottom line we have learnt that it relaxes you and distresses you.

So, when starting out use the lavender incense in either a stick or powder form. The best incense type from a safety point of you is the stick incense. If you choose to use the powder incense type make sure that you put sand over the incense once you have finished using it.

#2 Inducing Sleep – Violet or Jasmine Incense

If your meditation session is to help induce sleep, then whilst incense may help the process of relaxation, the best type of incense to consider is the violet or jasmine incense.

#3 Sexual Energy – Rose, Gardenia or Orange Blossoms

If your meditation session is with your partner to help increase sexual desire and passion, then the best type of incense is Rose, Gardenia or Orange Blossoms. More so, if you are trying to use meditation to help sexual desire then in conjunction with the incense look at using fragrance oils as well to help spark the feeling of passion.

#4 Mood Enhancement – Fruity Fragrances

Mood enhancement incenses like fruity scents will help your mood. For example if you are feeling down then using fruit based oils and incenses like berries, bananas, melons, plum and apricot will enhance your internal mood. Might I also say your partners as well.

#5 Energy Enhancements – Citrus Fragrances

If your meditations are about getting that much needed energy and freshening the mind then the citrus fruit incense is the choice for you. You need to consider incense like bergamot, mandarins, orange, apple and even grapefruit. Even Citronella is a fantastic citrus scent for this meditation type plus it repels the moths and more importantly the mosquitos.

#6 The Sweet Smell Enhancements – Vanilla Fragrances

Sweet smell enhancements like coffee and peppermint can make a huge difference to your meditation session. The key reason we use these types of incense is simply to enhance our feelings. These also help bring forward clarity and stimulation and energy.

One word of warning though, be careful with some herbs and spices. Some herbs and spices can form foul smelling odours when burned and more so, some spices can be poisonous.

Choosing the right incense can make a huge difference towards a successful meditation session. When you are starting out then the best incense you should be using is Lavender but if you have mastered the basics then you could even try out a combination of these incense types.

Learning Meditation does not have to be difficult with our Book on Meditation. We also have Music Meditation CDs available from our website as well.

Source: http://www.articleheaven.com

To a Wise Woman, Garlic Held The Answers To Life's Quandaries

We were in the kitchen and as usual, I was relegated to the mundane duty of opening wine. In this house, there was only one cook. I was the sampler, occasionally invited to stir a pot while she chopped garlic in artistic style, again insisting that the misshapen cloves were key ingredients for every recipe.

I had to laugh at her endless, yet impassioned assertions that many of life's lessons could also be discovered from cooking with the wily bulb. Waving knife in hand, the kitchen her stage, she liked to discuss esoteric similarities lost on many, yet understood and reserved for a soul held softly in the hands of the Divine.

To her, garlic simply held the answers to all life's quandaries. Her name was Julie, but only mom called her that. To the rest of us she was Geege, a pet name sounding like Judge, only with the long E.

"Did you ever really look at garlic?" She asked with big eyes. "

"Not too much." I replied.

"It's nothing to look at, but it's so awesome once it's peeled. It reminds me of me when I was young and afraid."

"That's why we call you Geege--Garlic Geege!" I laughed.

As I reached for the bottle of wine, she watched me in disbelief. After all, this was garlic we were talking about. Pouring the wine, I offered the toast.

"May garlic always be in your life." I clinked her glass.

"It's already in my life." She replied and toasted back. "I only hope you find it too."

We had no idea that in another year, at the age of 40, she would be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease resulting in liver failure. However painful, Geege would accept her diagnosis with optimism and incredible courage. At the time she was balancing a marriage, raising two daughters and running a flower shop. If she had a premonition that her time was near, she offered no insight that evening.

"I wonder how any of us can ever become who we're really meant to be without first shedding that protective layer we all wear so well? And you know," she held up a whole garlic head, "it looks so deceiving. You got to get inside a person." She scrunched tiny shoulders and giggled as she tossed me the gnarly cluster. "Just like with garlic."

God, I miss those precious hours and that spicy, lingering scent that filled the house. And for a long time after, I thought about our discussions, always peppered with her sage insight. Of course it wasn't just the excellent food, but a rare chance to share an essence of life with a girl I loved dearly. Where, I asked myself now, did that time go? Those fleeting moments held close in my heart now seemed blended with a sudden and painful dose of life's realities.

After months of battling, searching for a transplant, I gingerly entered her room. With tubes and needles inserted she'd let go her need for answers. Instead, with a forced smile, she fixed me with dark eyes and seemed to exist in the moment, visibly grateful for the opportunity to live and to love for one more day. I searched her hand for assurance, but in my heart I knew she was dying and I had no idea how to tell the others.

A few months before she'd asked me to speak at her funeral and I cried. No, I wouldn't. There would be no funeral and she would make it. Like garlic, she was resilient. After, she held me as I sobbed and when I was finished, when I was again intent on forcing life to keep her, to give her the time we needed, she stared into my eyes and I knew. I knew it would be soon.

As she faded, I sat beside her. Tangled beneath a wadded gown and hospital covers, her thick, dark hair was matted. Machines whirled and beeped as I stayed near. Eyes closed, I knew she couldn't continue to fight this battle. New blood would give her life for another day, but the reality was clear. She was leaving soon.

When she finally opened her eyes, I tried to offer a smile through my tears, but merged souls already have an understanding. They seem to know, to communicate without words. She found my hand and squeezed. Finally I had to ask.

"Geege, what should I say? What should I tell them?"

Oblivious to her wishes and stymied in my own sorrow, I must not have heard her whispered reply, or perhaps I was simply filled with too much anger, but in patient verse she repeated herself.

"More Garlic." She said.

And again, her words brought me back. It was to be our last visit in the kitchen--a brother and a sister, aging and looking back, but finally with enough understanding to contemplate life with certain humility. I wish I'd understood then that the prophecy of her final words would impact me so greatly.

A pot simmered, and she'd finally stopped her sacred ritual with the illustrious bulb. Then she turned to me in serious tone.

"Name me someone who hasn't been called to the stage of life after being chopped and smashed, and yet, aren't we still expected to somehow enhance the show? You know, it might just be the finale and that's all right too, but I think we just have to give it our all."

She lived two years with her donated liver--not nearly enough time, but forever for someone like Geege. You see, in her struggle she ultimately discovered that each day is indeed a gift and tomorrow does not always come.

And like with her garlic, in the end she was chopped and smashed, but she gave it her all.