Answers to 18 commonly asked Health Questions

I  NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

Disclaimer : All the postings of mine in this Blog are only my  collection. MY ALL EFFORT IS COPY PASTE ONLY. Most of them are received in my email inbox, Some are downloaded from internet posted by some one else. I am just saving some time of readers to get them readily available. So none of these are my own creation. I believe I am not violating any copy rights law or taking any illegal action am not supposed to do.If anything is  objectionable, please notify so that they can be removed.
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These questions and answers are mostly applicable in Western countries, having a different general level of cleanliness and health consciousness. Conditions are quite different in India, especially in respect of hygiene. The answers themselves indicate that they are sometimes not fully correct. You cannot classify every thing between 'yes' or 'no'. There are different shades of gray. However, this article gives good overall guidance and indicates what to look for.
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Answers to 18 commonly asked Health Questions

The Definitive Answers To 18 Of Your Biggest Health Questions

1. Does olive oil prevent heart disease?
Short answer: Yes
The health benefits of olive oil come from the presence of polyphenols, antioxidants that reduce the risk of heart diseases and cancers. But to get these healthy compounds, consumers should buy good-quality, fresh "extra-virgin" olive oil, which has the highest polyphenol content. Most commercially available olive oils have low levels of polyphenols associated with poor harvesting methods, improper storage, and heavy processing.


2. Do cough syrups work?
Short answer: No
In 2006, the nation's chest physicians agreed that the majority of over-the-counter cough medicines don't actually work. These colorful syrups typically contain doses of codeine and dextromethorphan that are too small to be effective. Only cough suppressants that contain older antihistamines seem to relieve coughs. That includes brompheniramine, an active ingredient in Dimetapp.

3 Do sugary soft drinks lead to diabetes?
Short answer: Yes
The majority of health research is stacked against sugar-sweetened soda. A large 2004 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who drank one or more sugary drinks per day increased their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 83% compared to those who consumed less than one of these beverages per month.

4 Do I need sunscreen with more than 30 SPF?
Short answer: No
Sunscreens with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 block about 97% of ultraviolet rays, while sunscreens with an SPF of higher than 30 block 97%-98%. It's more important that you choose "broad-spectrum" sunscreen, meaning it protects against both UVB and UVA rays. Sunbathers also need to apply a generous amount of sunscreen in order to get the full benefit of the SPF.

5. Is the MSG in Chinese likely to give you a headache?
Short answer: No
A review of 40 years of clinical trials, published in the journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2006, found that all previous research "failed to identify a consistent relationship between the consumption of MSG and the constellation of symptoms that comprise the syndrome," including headaches and asthma attacks. The misconception spawned from several poorly-done small studies in the 1960s that seemed to connect MSG with a variety of maladies that people experienced after eating at Chinese restaurants.

6. Do nuts make you fat?
Short answer: No
As much as 75% of a nut is fat. But eating fat doesn't necessarily make you fat. The bigger factor leading to weight gain is portion-size. Luckily, nuts are loaded with healthy fats that keep you full. They're also a good source of protein and fiber. One study even found that whole almonds have 20% less calories than previously thought because a lot of the fat is excreted from the body.

7. Is walking as effective as running?
Short answer: Yes
Studies have shown that how long you exercise (and thus how many calories you burn ) is more important than how hard you exercise. Running is a more efficient form of exercise, but not necessarily better for you. A six-year study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology in April found that walking at a moderate pace and running produced similar health benefits, so long as the same amount of energy was expended.

8. Is drinking fruit juice as good for you as eating fruit?
Short answer: No
Calorie for calorie, whole fruit provides more nutritional benefits than drinking the pure juice of that fruit. That's because when you liquefy fruit, stripping away the peel and dumping the pulp, many ingredients like fiber, calcium, vitamin C, and other antioxidants are lost. For comparison, a five-ounce glass of orange juice that contains 69 calories has .3 grams of dietary fiber and 16 milligrams of calcium, whereas an orange with the same number of calories packs 3.1 grams of fiber and 60 milligrams of calcium.

9. Are all wheat breads better for you than white bread?
Short answer: No
Not all wheat breads are created equal. Wheat breads that contain all parts of the grain kernel, including the nutrient-rich germ and fiber-dense bran, must be labeled "whole grain" or "whole wheat." Some wheat breads are just white bread with a little bit of caramel coloring to make the bread appear healthier, according to Reader's Digest.

10. Can a hot tub make me sick?
Short answer: Yes
Hot tubs (especially ones in spas, hotels, and gyms ) are perfect breeding grounds for germs. The water is not hot enough to kill bacteria, but is just the right temperature to make microbes grow even faster. Even though hot tubs are treated with chlorine, the heat causes the disinfectant to break down faster than it would in regular pools. The most common hot tub infection is pseudomonas folliculitis, which causes red, itchy bumps. A more dangerous side-effect of soaking in a dirty Jacuzzi is a form of pneumonia known as Legionnaire's disease. This is what reportedly sickened more than 100 people at the Playboy Mansion back in 2011.

11. Does coffee cause cancer?
Short answer: No
Coffee got a bad rap in the 1980s when a study linked drinking coffee to pancreatic cancer. The preliminary report was later debunked. More recently, health studies have swung in favor of the caffeinated beverage. Coffee has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, liver cancer, and even suicide.

12. Do eggs raise cholesterol levels?
Short answer: No
Although egg yolks are a major source of cholesterol ( a waxy substance that resembles fat ) researchers have learned that saturated fat has more of an impact on cholesterol in your blood than eating foods that contain cholesterol. "Healthy individuals with normal blood cholesterol levels should now feel free to enjoy foods like eggs in their diet every day," the lead researcher from a 25-year University of Arizona study on cholesterol concluded.

13. Can you drink too much water?
Short answer: Yes
It is very rare for someone to die from drinking too much water, but it can happen.
Overhydrating is most common among elite athletes. Drinking an excess of water, called water intoxication, dilutes the concentration of sodium in the blood leading to a condition known as hyponatremia. The symptoms of hyponatremia can range from nausea and confusion to seizures and even death in severe cases. To avoid this, drink fluids with electrolytes during extreme exercise events.

14. Can yogurt ease digestive problems?
Short answer: Yes
Our digestive tract is filled with microorganisms ( some good and some bad). Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria, generically called probiotics, that helps maintain a healthy balance. Probiotics can relieve several gastrointestinal problems, including constipation and diarrhea. Certain brands of yogurts, like Activa by Dannon, are marketed exclusively to treat tummy issues.

15. Do whitening toothpastes whiten teeth more than regular toothpastes?
Short answer: No
Whitening toothpastes usually contain peroxides and other strong abrasives that might make your teeth appear whiter by removing stains. Unlike at-home whitening strips and gels that contain bleach, these toothpastes do not actually change the color of your teeth.

16. Is it safe to microwave food in plastic containers?
Short answer: Yes
But the plastic container should display the words "microwave safe." This means that the Food and Drug Administration has tested the container to make sure no chemicals used to make the plastic leech into foods during microwaving. If chemicals do seep out into food, the amounts are tiny and not dangerous to our health. As a general guideline, plastic grocery bags as well as most plastic tubs that hold margarine, yogurt, cream cheese, and condiments are not microwave safe.

17. Can watching TV ruin your eyesight?
Short answer: No
Watching TV will not destroy your rods and cones as the outdated myth suggests. Before the 1950s, TVs emitted radiation that could increase an individual's risk of eye problems after excessive TV viewing. Modern TVs have special shielding that blocks these harmful emissions.

18. Is bottled water better for you than tap water?
Short answer: No
Bottled water is no safer or purer than tap water, although it is substantially more expensive. A recent study by Glasgow University in the U.K. found that bottled water is actually more likely to be contaminated than water from your faucet because it is less well-regulated. Bottled water and tap water typically come from the same sources (natural springs, lakes, and aquifers). While public water supplies are tested for contaminants every day, makers of bottled water are only required to test for specific contaminants every week, month, or year

Amazing frozen lemons

I  NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

Disclaimer : All the postings of mine in this Blog are only my  collection. MY ALL EFFORT IS COPY PASTE ONLY. Most of them are received in my email inbox, Some are downloaded from internet posted by some one else. I am just saving some time of readers to get them readily available. So none of these are my own creation. I believe I am not violating any copy rights law or taking any illegal action am not supposed to do.If anything is  objectionable, please notify so that they can be removed.
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Lemon is a common citrus fruit in India and its juice is used in preparation of many tasty dishes. It is squeezed on top of many food items to give a nice taste. However, generally only its juice is used and the fruit is thrown away after squeezing, except in pickles. The article below gives a novel method of using the whole fruit.
Lemon is known to be a good source of Vitamin C and has certain other medicinal properties. However I am not convinced about it being better than some other proven medicines, especially for cancer. If lemon is so good at killing Cancer cells, probably no in India should have that dreaded decease.
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Amazing frozen lemons 

 

All it is.....is a frozen lemon

Many professionals in restaurants and eateries are using or consuming the entire lemon and nothing is wasted. How can you use the whole lemon without waste?

  Simple.. place the washed lemon in the freezer section of your refrigerator. Once the lemon is frozen, get your grater, and shred the whole lemon (no need to peel it) and sprinkle it on top of your foods.
 
Sprinkle it to your vegetable salad, ice cream, soup, cereals, noodles, spaghetti sauce, rice, sushi, fish dishes, whisky.... the list is endless.
 
All of the foods will unexpectedly have a wonderful taste, something that you may have never tasted before.  Most likely, you only think of lemon juice and vitamin C. Not anymore.
 
Now that you've learned this lemon secret, you can use lemon even in instant cup noodles.
 
What's the major advantage of using the whole lemon other than preventing waste and adding new taste to your dishes?
 
Well, you see lemon peels contain as much as 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon juice itself.  And yes, that's what you've been wasting.
 
But from now on, by following this simple procedure of freezing the whole lemon, then grating it on top of your dishes, you can consume all of those nutrients and get even healthier.
 
It's also good that lemon peels are health rejuvenators in eradicating toxic elements in the body.
 
So place your washed lemon in your freezer, and then grate it on your meal every day. It is a key to make your foods tastier and you get to live healthier and longer! That's the lemon secret! Better late than never, right? The surprising benefits of lemon!
Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy.
 
Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits.
 
You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy.
 
How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations?
 
As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes.
 
You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors.
 
This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats stress and nervous disorders.
The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas...
The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells.
 
And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells.
So, give those lemons a good wash, freeze them and grate them. Your whole body will love you for it!!!!!

The danger of high Triglycerides

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

Disclaimer : All the postings of mine in this Blog are only my  collection. MY ALL EFFORT IS COPY PASTE ONLY. Most of them are received in my email inbox, Some are downloaded from internet posted by some one else. I am just saving some time of readers to get them readily available. So none of these are my own creation. I believe I am not violating any copy rights law or taking any illegal action am not supposed to do.If anything is  objectionable, please notify so that they can be removed.
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The real danger of high Triglycerides

If I asked you what the danger was in having high blood sugar, you would probably say it means insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes. Then if I asked what elevated cholesterol can contribute to, chances are good you’d say heart disease. And then if I really challenged you and asked what protein in your urine could mean, you just might know that it suggests a kidney problem. But how about if I asked you about elevated triglycerides? Especifically what they are and what the big deal is about them?
Hello?  Anybody there?
Fact is, most people don’t really understand triglycerides.  The typical response I hear when I ask people about them is, "Aren't they something like cholesterol and they’re tied to heart disease?"
Well, sort of.  But there’s a whole lot more to it than that.
Let me give you a brief crash course in triglycerides so you can better understand what they really are, what the elevations mean and most importantly, how to help keep yours healthy.

So...what are triglycerides anyway?

Simply put, triglycerides are your body's main type of fat.
When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn't need to use for energy at that moment into triglycerides. The triglycerides are stored in your fat cells (adipose tissue).
So when you 'pinch an inch' you’re viewing fat cells that are your little biological warehouses for triglycerides.
Later on when it’s been a while since you had food and your body needs a source of energy, hormones (including insulin) release triglycerides into your bloodstream for your energy needs between meals.
Triglycerides also insulate and protect your organs and store your body's reserve of essential fatty acids (like Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFAs).

So, similar to cholesterol, triglycerides are NOT the demons that people think they are.  Without them you’d be deep-sixed before long!
The trouble with triglycerides is some people have WAY too many and they’re stored in an area that can spell trouble.
Here’s what I mean.

High triglycerides and the "apple figure"

Just like elevated glucose in the bloodstream, high blood levels of triglycerides also increase your risk of heart disease by damaging your artery walls.
The danger is similar to not changing the oil in your car.
When neglected, both human blood and engine oil get thick and slushy, which makes the heart (or engine) have to work harder to pump the fluid. This viscous fluid also picks up excess debris and forms harmful deposits, which eventually cause a breakdown.
A car engine will burn up. In humans, the result is atherosclerosis and eventually a heart attack or a stroke.
And it's especially risky for people with an "apple figure" (having excess weight around their middle) and insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes.
For men with diabetes AND the apple figure, the risk for heart disease goes up two and a half times. For women with diabetes and this shape, it rises EIGHT times.

Here's what’s going on:

Fat cells located in your abdominal area release fat into the blood far more easily than fat cells found elsewhere in your body. Release of fat in your middle begins just 3 to 4 hours after you eat, compared to many more hours for other fat cells.
This quick, easy release shows up as elevated triglyceride levels.
How blood triglycerides get too high to begin with, more than 200.
Although a common cause of high blood triglycerides is diet (more on that below), there are also MANY other causes and contributing factors including:
    Obesity
    Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
    Prolonged stress and/or depression
    Heavy caffeine use
    Smoking cigarettes
    Alcohol abuse
    Lack of exercise
    Chronic liver disease or kidney damage
    Pancreatitis--infection of the pancreas
    Dialysis
    Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
    Cystic fibrosis
    Lupus
    Gout
    Cushing's syndrome--Excess cortisol production, usually the result of steroids, which can cause a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin.
    Estrogens like "the pill" or hormone replacement therapy such as Premarin
    Corticosteroids like Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone, and Prednisone
    Beta-blockers - used to treat high blood pressure and coronary artery disease
    Diuretics - aka water pills; also used to treat high blood pressure
    Tamoxifen - drug treatment for women with breast cancer
    Quinapril (Accupril), an antihypertensive known as an ACE inhibitor
    Mirtazapine - an antidepressant
    Cancer

But far and away, the LEADING causes of elevated triglycerides are these three dietary no-no's:

1- Eating too many refined carbohydrates such as white flour, processed grains, sweets, and other sugar-containing foods
PLUS
2- Eating too many saturated fats (ESPECIALLY trans-fats)
AND

3- Having too few antioxidants in your system.
Here’s why that is so:

The triple dietary whammy

1-      The refined carb piece

First of all, having a diet high in refined carbs creates an enormous influx of glucose into your bloodstream every time you eat.  Your body tries its best to deal with this tidal wave by clanging the alarm bell for the pancreas to secrete insulin, hoping that the glucose will be taken in by your cells and your blood glucose level will come back down where it needs to be.
Insulin also is the trigger that allows your body to use triglycerides as energy, so it has a dual purpose here.
But when you take in large amounts of refined carbs day in and day out (and thus get far more glucose than your body needs for energy), your poor pancreas goes into overdrive trying to keep up with your insulin requirements.
Eventually you can reach the point where your cells start ignoring the signal to take in the glucose (insulin resistance) and your pancreas gets exhausted (and therefore can’t release enough insulin for your glucose or triglyceride needs).
The end result?  You get glucose and triglycerides building up in your bloodstream!

2-      The saturated fat/trans-fat piece

Both saturated fats (found in animal products such as meat, butter and eggs) and trans-fats (found in processed foods, baked goods and fast food) raise blood levels of triglycerides.  So getting too much of either is not a good idea.
However, your body does NEED saturated fats, especially your brain, nervous system and even your heart, so you shouldn’t completely swear them off.
A good rule of thumb is to limit your dietary intake of fats to about 30% of your total calories, of which 1/3 is saturated fats, 1/3 monounsaturated fats and 1/3 polyunsaturated fats.  This will ensure your body gets what it needs without going overboard.
What you SHOULD totally swear off are trans-fats.  These are fats that have never occurred in Nature and are created by infusing hydrogen into a polyunsaturated fat.
They are completely foreign (like a poison) to your body and you can’t metabolize them.  So instead they tax your liver, gum up your arteries, create free radicals, burrow into your tissues and create inflammation and open the door for atherosclerosis, dementia and premature aging.
Oh, and they also cause your blood triglycerides to soar.

3-      The antioxidant piece

Antioxidants are your body’s main defense against the damaging effects of free radicals, so that fact in and of itself makes them a superstar.
But studies have also shown that these impressive little guys can also help lower blood triglyceride levels!
One study performed at Penn State University found that adding spices rich in antioxidants may counteract the effect of fat-rich, triglyceride-raising foods.
During the two-day study, researchers worked with men between the ages of 30 and 65 who were slightly overweight but otherwise healthy.
The men were first served a high-fat meal with antioxidant-rich spices like oregano, rosemary, cinnamon, turmeric, cloves, garlic powder, paprika and black powder. Then the next time the men were served the same high-fat meal, but without the spices.
When the antioxidant rich spices were added, the researchers saw that blood triglyceride levels in the participants had decreased by 30% as compared to the levels with the non-antioxidant meal!

What you can do?

Hopefully you’ve gotten the idea that the way to go here is to respect the role triglycerides play in your body, and to help make sure yours stay at a health-enhancing, not health harming, level!

Part 1- Severely limit your intake of refined carbs, get the right amount of GOOD saturated fats, avoid trans-fats like the plague, and eat more foods that contain natural antioxidants.

If that sounds like a mouthful and seems difficult or overwhelming, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Honey and Cinnamon (शहद और दालचिनी)

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

Disclaimer : All the postings of mine in this Blog are only my  collection. MY ALL EFFORT IS COPY PASTE ONLY. Most of them are received in my email inbox, Some are downloaded from internet posted by some one else. I am just saving some time of readers to get them readily available. So none of these are my own creation. I believe I am not violating any copy rights law or taking any illegal action am not supposed to do.If anything is  objectionable, please notify so that they can be removed.
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I know that honey and cinnamon were quite commonly used home remedies as per  traditional दादीमाँके नुस्खे and आजीबाईचा बटवा for common cold, cough, indigestion etc.  However, the claims made in the article given below appear exaggerated.  I have strong reservations about consuming  spoonful of cinnamon every day. Some details about its toxicity as specified in Wikipedia are given at the bottom of this article . Another article on Cinnamon (दालचिनी) more focused on Indian conditions is also given below.

Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:

It is found that a mix of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:  Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS:   Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder....who knew?

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:  Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:  Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.

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Toxicity : From Wikipedia:

The European Food Safety Authority in 2008 considered toxicity of coumarin, known to cause liver and kidney damage in high concentrations and a significant component of cinnamon, and metabolic effect on humans with CYP2A6 polymorphism, and confirmed a maximum recommended Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 0.1 mg of coumarin per kg of body weight. The European Union set a guideline for maximum coumarin content in foodstuffs of 50 mg per kg of dough in seasonal foods, and 15 mg per kg in everyday baked foods. These limits are low enough to affect the flavour of cinnamon pastries.

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Health benefits of cinnamon (dalchini)

http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/health-benefits-of-cinnamon-dalchini/

Cinnamon or dalchini is a staple addition to curries, pulav and biryani, but did you ever think that that tiny little bark could protect you from a host of illnesses right from cancer to cough and cold? Well, it sure can. Here are the top ten health benefits of cinnamon:

Helps keep diabetes under check: According to a study published in the Diabetes Care Journal.  cinnamon was a highly effective remedy against diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. The study stated that the spice has the ability to improve one’s glucose levels and lipid levels by activating his/her insulin receptors. It also reduces the total serum glucose, triglycerides and the total cholesterol of a person since it stimulates the enzyme systems that regulate one’s carbohydrate metabolism. Cinnamon also has amazing vasodialatory properties that help beat the risk of cardiovascular disease – a common condition seen in diabetics. (Read: Home remedies for diabetes)

Tip: Cinnamon tea is one of the most beneficial methods to beat diabetes. To make the tea, boil cinnamon in water for 15 minutes. The water will turn brown in colour, strain the liquid and drink. To add flavor you could add a few leaves of tulsi while boiling and add a spoon of honey for sweetness. Keep sipping on this tea throughout the day. Here are more health benefits of tulsi.

Can help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s:  A study conducted at the Tel Aviv University [2] found that the extract of cinnamon, when administered on a daily basis to patients with Alzheimer’s improved their longevity and bettered the locomotor defects they experience once afflicted with the disease. Cinnamon extract also known as CEppt, inhibits tau aggregation (tau is a type of protein that aggregates around that part of the nerves that is responsible for transmitting impulses of the brain) and filament formation (a process that is thought to be due to the accumulation of tau protein) which in turn protects the brain from the onset of Alzheimer’s and can also help in slowing down the progression of the disease. (Read: Alzheimer’s disease – it’s more common than you think)

Tip: To help protect you from disease, have a teaspoon of freshly ground cinnamon with a little bit of honey. Have this every day on an empty stomach. If you find this mixture too pungent, try having it as tea. Here are more health benefits of honey.

Helps protect you from cancer: In a study done by the USDA (United States Agricultural Department), it was found that cinnamon extract was a potent weapon against leukaemia and lymphomas. The study found that the extract worked by blocking the path of certain components that were important for the regeneration of the cell, inhabited the further multiplication of cancerous cells, and slowly reduced their spread. It also found that the higher the amount of extract the better the results. Remarkably, the extract only inhibited the growth of unhealthy cells and left the healthy cells untouched unlike conventional therapies like chemotherapy, etc. (Read: Can herbal remedies beat cancer?)

Tip: Add cinnamon to your daily diet either by sprinkling it on your food or with honey.

Relieves arthritic pain: Cinnamon is packed with a compound known as cinnamomum, which has very strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a great home remedy for arthritic pain. Its natural heating mechanism provides added relief to aching joints. Read more about how exercise can help you to prevent arthritic pain.

Tip: Grind cinnamon into a fine paste with water and apply on the aching joints. You can place a soft muslin cloth on the paste to keep the paste wet for longer.

Helps in digestion: Cinnamon is packed with mineral manganese, fibre, essential oils and calcium. The calcium and fibre combine with bile salts and help in their transport outside the body. The essential oils, help regulate the action of gastric juices on food, improves digestion, assimilation and its anti inflammatory properties helps reduce the inflammation caused due to indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and ulcers. Moreover the fibre content helps to relieve constipation and diarrhoea. (Read: 10 Home remedies for constipation)

Tip: To relieve a stomach upset have cinnamon tea infused with mint leaves about two to three times a day.

Helps with weight loss: Cinnamon has great digestive properties, it helps with weight loss by regulating the breakdown of carbohydrates and the production and use of insulin by the body. It also helps improve the digestion and assimilation of food within the body, helping one lose weight. (Read: Herbs for weight loss)

Tip: Drink cinnamon tea with a teaspoon of honey every day, half an hour before breakfast. Alternatively you could add cinnamon powder to your meal by sprinkling it on your salad, coffee or other foods.

Helps beat acne: Cinnamon is a common spice and flavouring agent but the essential oil it contains also has strong anti-microbial properties. The water activity of honey is very low and this means that it does not contain a lot of moisture which can promote the growth of microorganisms. Considering that pimples often arise from an infection within the pores of the skin, combining cinnamon with honey is an effective remedy. (Read: Herbal remedies to get rid of pimples)

Tip: Crush a little cinnamon, and add a bit of honey to make it into a paste. Now apply it on the pimple and leave for a few minutes. You can leave it on overnight also for added benefit. Wash off the paste with warm water and watch that pimple vanish. 

Helps cure a cold and cough: Known for its antibiotic and body warming properties, cinnamon is a formidable remedy against a cold and cough. It not only helps to relieve the congestion commonly experienced with a cold, it is also great for a sore throat when combined with ginger, tulsi and honey. Here are more natural remedies for cough and cold.

Tip: Boil a small crushed piece of ginger, a few leaves of tulsi  leaves, crushed black pepper in two cups of water. Cover the vessel with a lid and let the mixture boil at a low heat. When the solution has simmered for about ten minutes, strain the liquid, add a teaspoon of honey and drink. It should be warm. This solution will not only soothe an irritated throat, it will also clear up the blocked nasal passage and sinuses.

Beats heart disease and atherosclerosis: Packed with fibre and calcium, cinnamon is great for the heart. Since the fibre and calcium and help transport bile salts outside the body, the body produces more bile salts for other bodily functions by breaking down cholesterol. This directly translates to lower cholesterol levels which protect the heart from blockages and the arteries from atherosclerosis. Read more about ways to use cinnamon to keep the heart healthy.

Tip: Have a teaspoon of cinnamon powder everyday on an empty stomach. You can add honey or drink it with warm water.

Fights tooth decay: Cinnamon oil is known for its antibacterial properties. It is essentially good for the teeth and gums. Cinnamon not only beats tooth decay but also helps prevent gingivitis and bad breath. Here’s more information on how you can prevent tooth decay.

Tip: If you are suffering from bad breath, gargle with cinnamon infused water (cinnamon boiled in water). For toothache and gingivitis, chew on a small piece of cinnamon, to get some relief.

Finally, do what you may with it, but adding just that exact amount of cinnamon is the best thing you can do for your body.

It is important to remember that these are only home remedies for ailments. Please be sure to visit your doctor if you have a serious ailment or the symptoms persist.