Essential oils are becoming a popular method to deal with childhood head lice.The pesticide treatments commonly used contain toxins that pose serious health threats. Because the scalp has many blood vessels close to the skin, these toxic substances are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Pesticide treatments which are commonly used to repel lice contain toxins that pose serious health threats. Because the scalp has many blood vessels close to the skin, these toxic substances are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Harmful side effects from chemical lice treatments include nervous system damage, convulsions, seizures, nausea, vomiting, headaches, mental confusion and even death. To make matters worse, these pesticides are becoming less effective as lice are developing a resistance to them. This often leads to repeated treatments. The additional exposure adds to the potential harm.
Head lice are highly contagious and very common among children. Because certain essential oils are highly effective against lice, there is absolutely no reason to expose children to dangerous pesticide treatment.
Laboratory tests (Veal 1996) show the essential oils of aniseed, cinnamon leaf, red thyme, tea tree, peppermint, nutmeg and oregano to be effective in killing live lice and their eggs. Other essential oils used to repel lice include lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, juniper berry, bergamot, clary sage, and lemongrass.
Tea tree oil may be the best choice for several reasons. Tea tree oil was found to be 93% effective against killing adult lice and 83% effective in killing their eggs. It is generally safe and is one of the only essential oils that can be used neat (undiluted) on the skin (in small amounts.) Tea tree oil can be used on children as young as one year old. Tea tree oil is so versatile that it should be on hand in every household. Having it on hand for other uses will prevent having to search for ingredients when dealing with a lice infestation that requires prompt action.
Many of the essential oils listed above should not be used on children. It is important to check safety data before using any essential oil. Oregano oil and red thyme oil should not be used at all. All essential oils, including tea tree should only be used by children on an “as needed” basis, and must be properly diluted.
Essential oils can be used both to rid the scalp of lice when an infestation is present and as a preventative measure when there is a potential threat.
To rid the scalp of lice the essential oils must be diluted in a vegetable oil or alcohol. Vegetable oil may be the best choice for smothering lice and to soothe scalp that may be sore or itchy from infestation.
Olive oil or vodka is fine if you have it on hand. Sweet almond oil, jojoba or grape seed oil are other good choices.
4 TBS (2oz) vegetable oil (or vodka)
1 tsp castor oil (optional)
20 drops tea tree oil
Blend well. Have child sit on a chair in the bathtub. Apply mixture to scalp and hair. Use only the necessary amount to make sure entire scalp and hair is coated. Cover with plastic shower cap. Leave on for several hours. Then wash and condition hair. Comb hair thoroughly with nit comb. Then rinse hair with the following rinse.
FINAL RINSE
1-quart warm water
¼ cup cider vinegar
2-5 drops tea tree oil
Shake well to disperse essential oil. Pour over clean hair. Do not rinse out. When hair dries, saturate a nit comb with tea tree oil and re-comb.
LAUNDRY
Lice can remain alive for up to 72 hours after they have left the human host. Re-infestation can occur if lice remain on pillows, bed linen, combs, clothes and towels. Completely wash all clothing and bedding. One teaspoon of tea tree oil can be added to each wash load. A few drops can be added to a washcloth and placed in the dryer with clothes and bedding. Dry on hottest setting available.
SHAMPOO
During the weeks following lice infestation use the following shampoo formula. Add 2-4 drops of tea tree oil to your normal amount of shampoo for one use. Leave shampoo in for five minutes before rinsing out. Finish with final rinse. Comb with nit comb.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
To prevent lice from infesting your child’s hair, especially if there is a potential threat, several precautions can be taken. The shampoo and rinse formula described above can be used for precautionary measures. Another quick method to deter potential lice infestation is to dab a few drops of tea tree oil on your fingertips and run your finger through child’s hair.
Warn your child about head to head contact with other children. Advise them not to share hats, helmets, brushes and hair accessories. If they are in day care or elementary school get in a habit of checking their scalp for nits on a regular basis. Early detection will allow quicker relief with fewer side effects such as itching and scabbing.
Tea tree oil is known as a “first aid kit in a bottle”. If you keep a bottle on hand for possible lice infections, you will soon discover it’s many other uses and benefits.

During the winter months, colds, flu, sore throats, and respiratory illnesses become more prevalent, outdoor activities decline, family members are in closer contact with one another, and our homes are sealed up against the wintry elements. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) declines as indoor airborne pollutants and indoor allergens increase. The accumulation of built-up antigens (allergens) within a home, typically cause family members to suffer adverse health effects. Recent research confirms the EPA’s claim that indoor air quality can be 100 times, or even in some cases, 500 times worse, than the outdoor air quality. Those persons prone to allergies and asthma suffer severely at this time of the year. Until the general public becomes aware of the dangers of polluted indoor air and then begins to demand the services, Home Indoor Allergen Control services, specializing in improving indoor air quality, will remain limited in numbers. The EPA, utilizing public service announcements, is presently promoting campaigns to educate the public on the dangers to health from poor indoor air quality.
Coinciding with the energy conservation practices initiated in the late 1970′s, including better insulated home-building construction methods, asthma (and asthma related deaths) among children has continued to increase, year after year, since 1980. Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled through;

• patient/parent education
• allergy injections
• medications, and
• avoidance of “triggers”

Symptoms of Allergies
Symptoms ranging from itchy skin, stuffed up nasal cavities, runny noses, head or sinus aches, bouts of sneezing, sinusitis, irritated, watery and reddish eyes, puffy, swollen or discolored eyelids, wheezing, a “tight” chest, scratchy throats, raspy voices, dry unproductive coughs, feelings of lethargy, mental fatigue and even depression are not uncommon. These symptoms may only result in temporary, or day to day, discomforts for some. Yet these discomforts, even if minimal, can now be controlled, at a low cost and without over-the-counter allergy medications, a huge revenue source for the pharmaceutical companies.
More importantly, without utilizing the benefits of home indoor allergen control, the nearly 50 to 60 million American’s (one in five) who suffer from allergies are at great risk of becoming afflicted with even more permanent, life long, ill-health effects including; asthma, bronchitis, perennial rhinitis (hay fever), eczema, dermatitis, sinus infections and other serious health issues, looming in their future.
Asthma and the Differing Types of Asthma
By overlooking the need for home indoor allergen control, children, the elderly, and persons with weak immune systems (even if just temporary) are at a high risk of developing long term medical afflictions. Although 4 to 5 million children, knowingly suffer asthma attacks yearly, asthma remains one of the more common chronic diseases of childhood and is often undiagnosed amongst children. There are as many types of asthma as there are “triggers” that can cause asthma attacks, but basically asthma is classified as either “intermittent or “persistent” asthma.
What is very important for parents to realize is the possibility of your child having “hidden” asthma a condition that exists before wheezing, coughing and rapid breathing become noticeable. Since infants and toddlers cannot verbalize how, or what, they are feeling, “hidden” asthma may be very hard to diagnose, even by your family physician. Irritability in very young children can mean many different things but, like a guttural cough or rapid breathing, could also be a sign of respiratory difficulties.
So how do you know if your child has signs of developing asthma or “hidden” asthma?
Pay attention! Become knowledgeable of the symptoms and alert to the possible triggers. Although it may be difficult to notice any tell-tale signs with children under the age of 18 or 24 months, there are definitive symptoms to look for in older children. Wheezing, for one you may think…but not necessarily so, is a prime characteristic found in asthmatics, yet it’s not necessarily the most common symptom. Coughing is a particularly prominent indicator and wheezing may not be readily noticeable to parents or the family physician, even through a stethoscope. Children with a history of bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory infections, numerous and constant bouts of coughing (particularly at night or in cold weather when asthma conditions tend to worsen) should be thoroughly checked for asthma. Coughing immediately after vigorous activities such as running, or even a long-lasting spell of crying, are also signs that should be noted and may require a physician’s evaluation for asthma. Family history, especially a history of allergies or asthma, genetics, the child’s moods and actions, responses to foods and possible allergy triggers, must all be communicated to a physician in assisting to determine whether a child may be susceptibility to asthma.
Infants and toddlers with a past histories that include chest colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic coughing or unusual breathing patterns, either shortness of breath or rapid breathing, should be tested for asthma as well as other respiratory diseases. Keep in mind, as active as toddlers and pre-schooler’s tend to be, it may be very difficult to discern the limitations of physical activities. Pulmonologist’s, performing lung function tests on very young children, still find it difficult to ascertain an asthma diagnosis, but these tests may still reveal airway obstructions. Asthma, brought under control, allows children to live more active lives without frequent asthma attacks.
Common Home Indoor Air Pollutants Resulting in Asthma and Allergies
Through education and knowledge, basic common sense, and recent technological innovations, the removal, reduction, and control of the following worst pollutants and allergens, will greatly improve Home Indoor Air Quality and the health of the home occupants. Of the nearly 50 – 60 million American’s suffering from allergies, 20 million or so, are allergic to household dust and/or the particulates that make up household dust. Guanine, a potent and harmful allergen produced by dust mites and found in their fecal pellets and exoskeletons, is a major contributor. The most common indoor allergens include:

• Dust and Dust mite allergens
• Second-hand cigarette smoke
• Pet dander
• Cockroaches
• Molds and mildew

Education will allow homeowners to gain the knowledge of just how these allergens accumulate. By simply changing practices and habits, methods can be easily integrated into the present home lifestyle to minimize the amount of unhealthy allergens and thereby improving the quality of health for the home occupants. To a degree, housekeeping practices have evolved over the past generation or two. Kitchen areas have tested to be the most bacteria ridden parts of a home.
Our bedrooms, especially within the mattresses that we sleep upon one-third of our life, are the dirtiest and nastiest. Mattresses and the micro-climatic ecosystem within them, provide all the creature comforts that allow dust mites to live, thrive and breed while producing the antigen guanine, the worst offender and most harmful of all indoor allergens. Our grandparents can recall the days when mattresses were carried outside to have the “dust” literally beaten out of them and then placed in the sunlight for a naturally cleansing. Nowadays, aside from both parents working full-time jobs, mattress technology has evolved to the point that mattresses are too heavy or too bulky, to tote outside even if there is an area that exists where the mattress can be placed for “cleansing”. Carpeting accumulates many allergens as well, however carpeting does not provide the micro-climatic ecosystem that dust mites require. Regular vacuuming assists in controlling built-up allergens in carpeting, but only if the proper vacuum is used.
Home Indoor Allergen Control Technicians
Mattress cleaning technicians, trained in the removal, reduction, and control of home indoor allergens are in an excellent position to not only offer their much needed services, but to also help educate the general public on methods of improving and sustaining healthier lives by simply improving home indoor air quality.
The above information is not intended as medical advice. If you or your family members experience any of the above symptoms, please see a medical professional. Excellent information is available from either the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) or the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI).

• Neuropathy (numbness). Neuropathy is a condition when you lose sensation in your limbs and lower extremities. Prolonged elevated glucose levels over time cause this to happen. This condition has a way of creeping up on you. Often you are not aware of the problem until it’s too late.

• Foot deformities. Because of neuropathy patients can break bones in their feet and not be aware of it. Foot deformities can put unnatural pressure on certain areas of the foot and cause wounds to develop.
• Vascular Disease. This disease causes narrowing of blood vessels and can lead to wound development. Restricted blood flow and circulation make treating foot ulcers frustrating and lengthy. This condition reduces the body’s ability to heal itself–which increases the risk of infection.
• Skin irritation and friction. Patients with neuropathy (numbness) cannot tell when they have skin irritation, problems with friction or pressure points. The only way to know for sure is to check your feet often for redness, peeling skin or blisters.

• Offloading – That’s offloading off-roading. It means quite literarily putting your feet up. Reducing pressure on a wound is probably the single most important and most neglected factor in chronic wound treatment.

• Debridement – The removal of dead skin and tissue. Dead tissue can slow or impede the healing process. The dead skin can appear yellow, tan or black in color. A doctor usually includes debridement as part of complete diabetes wound care protocol.

• Applying medication or dressings – This is usually used in conjunction with other treatments. Your doctor will advise you what medication or dressings to apply. In most cases you will be responsible for changing the dressing and keeping an eye on the wound. The medication could be a course of antibiotics or simply an antibiotic ointment. With diabetes, wound care can be a big responsibility for the patient.

• Control your blood sugar levels – It is vitally important that you control your blood sugar level. It’s especially important during the time you are receiving treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.

• Keep the wound clean and bandaged – The old way of thinking about wounds, “let it breathe”, is not correct it can impede the healing process. Keep a wound clean, covered and moist is the way to go.

• Do not walk barefoot – Diabetics often suffer from neuropathy (numbness). As a result, they won’t feel it if they accidentally step on a tack or a piece of glass.

• Never reuse a syringe – As a rule our skin acts as a good barrier to most infections. But if you are on insulin, you routinely have to breach the surface of the skin and puncture the underlying tissue.

Red watery eyes are usually called as conjunctivitis or pink eye. Conjunctiva is a slender lucid layer with the aim to cover the visible part of eye sclera and inner part of eyelids. As soon as conjunctiva gets inflamed, its tinny blood vessels expand in this manner causing emergence of red or else pink eye.
What are the symptoms?
o Skin complaint or itchiness.
o Blurry eyesight.
o Light sensitivity.
o Yellow discharge from one or both of eyes.
o Increased tearing.
What are the causes?
o Acute bacterial conjunctivitis.
Newborn might be infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae from infected vagina during delivery time.
o Viral conjunctivitis.
It is usually caused by Adenovirus, transmitted by fingers, medical instruments, or swimming pools. The main symptoms are itchy eyes and watery discharge.
o Allergic conjunctivitis.
The characteristic is stringy translucent discharge.
Red watery eyes treatments are so simple to do at home. Here are the 7 effective steps to cure red watery eyes:
1. Warm water compresses help pink eye. Heat up helps for expansion of blood spring and loosen debris.
2. Rinse your eyes with mixture of pint of salt in a boiled-water cooled to room temperature. Wash your eyes with this liquid 4-5 times a day.
3. Breast milk is the best home remedy for pink eye. Bear in mind to use only fresh breast milk to cure pink eye.
4. Chamomile tea bags are very useful for natural pink eyes treatment. Moist chamomile tea bag and put it over the closed eyes for 10 minutes for a faster relief.
5. Marigold is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory features. Marigold compress helps much in pink eye.
6. Avoid touching your eyes since this could lead to further infections.
7. Wear dark glasses to prevent infection to other people. Also wear goggles while swimming to avoid bacteria coming to your eyes.
Red watery eyes medicines can be prescribed by any doctor. Mostly, the medicine contains chemicals which sometimes cause your body to form resistance to it. If you overuse it, the medicine will not be effective anymore when truly needed.

The best way to keep your healthy vision is actually by using effective things found in nature as home remedies. Besides, eye exercises can be one of the best solutions to be free from red watery eyes. 
By Angela Lim

Some herbs are more rare than others and harder to find not to mention, they are also more expensive.

We enjoy the flavor of the herbs and how they enhance the flavor of our food. Sometimes the herbs and spices make the food colorful and we can always count on them to spice things up. That’s all, many people don’t think of herbs and spices in any other way here in America.

The main reason to use herbs and spices is to assist digestion. In order to do that you need to include all 6 of the tastes:
Sweet
Sour
Salty
Pungent
Astringent
Bitter

Ayurvedic cooking is unique because it incorporates each of the tastes into each meal allowing our food to be optimized in our body. Because all of the tastes are incorporated we will absorb more nutrients and utilize the nutrients in a more optimum way. When we are able to absorb and utilize our food, we have less chance of producing “sludge” in our system that slows us down and makes us feel sluggish. We call that “sludge” Ama in Ayurveda.

Because disease has only two ways to enter the body and one of those ways is the gut, our digestion has the ability to keep us well and healthy or when it is having a problem it can lead to disease.

One way disease enters is through our digestion and the other way is through stress. Stress is pretty tricky. Stress can be internal or external. We can name external stress all day long, especially if you have a stressful job.

What type of stress is considered internal stress? Some of our internal stress comes from eating wrong food combinations, eating out of time, eating too much or too little, eating when we aren’t hungry and other digestive related things.

My point here is that digestion can give you issues and stress can give you issues and some of the issues that stress comes from is the diet. It all effects the digestion. I am sure you are getting the point here, it’s a vicious circle, one leads to the other.

Let’s get back to the reasons that Ayurvedic cooking is unique. As we stated it incorporates all the tastes to allow our digestion to work better so that we are enhanced and we absorb and utilize our food, all of this is preventing disease.

So when we eat the correct foods in the correct amount at the right time we are able to be preventative about our health.

When we manage our diet in such a way, we completely cut off one route of disease. In addition we cut off part of the path of internal Stress which comes from the diet.

This is Natural healing at it’s finest. When we are able to manage our health with fresh food, herbs and spices that are local, the natural healing will happen

It might be wise to explore home remedies for wrinkles before embarking on any anti-wrinkle treatment. Although there are plenty of options out there in all forms and budget sizes, it’s still loads better to try to remove the wrinkles out naturally, that is to say, with no reliance on chemicals and artificial ingredients and invasive techniques. Mother Nature, indeed, has provided man with a wealth of resources to maintain health and beauty. You might find it surprising that the key ingredients to removing wrinkles are just around the corner, more specifically in your very own pantry!
Home Remedies for Wrinkles

1. Coconut Oil. Virtually erasing wrinkles is possible with coconut oil. Coconut oil contains plenty of skin nourishing properties that make the skin soft and elastic. To use it for wrinkles, simply massage it over your face gently before sleeping. Do it everyday with the same degree of consistency and results are sure to become visible sooner or later.
2. Olive Oil. Olive oil is one of the healthiest oils out there, loaded with essential fatty acids. Simply massage the oil on your face daily to witness your skin looking younger and smoother.
3. Honey. Honey is one of the best loved all-around home remedies as it offers plenty of benefits. In war-stricken countries and areas where access to medicines is limited, honey is being used to treat wounds, cough and colds, and many other diseases. To use honey for wrinkles, prep your face by washing it clean with warm water. Alternatively, you can have a hot towel on your face for some time. Either way opens up the pores of the skin, resulting to better absorption of honey. Apply honey on your face, carefully massaging it in areas where wrinkles are most evident. Let your skin bask in the goodness of honey for half an hour. Then rinse it off with warm water first, then with cold water.
4. Banana. Banana peels, especially are being used in ancient times to heal a number of skin conditions, apparently wrinkles among them. This is because they contain not just vitamins and minerals but also antioxidants that help prevent further skin damage, thereby reducing chances of wrinkle-formation. Applying a banana peel on the forehead and other areas of the face where wrinkles form helps tighten the skin and makes the wrinkles less visible. Another way you can enjoy the benefits of bananas is to use them as a face mask. All you have to do is to mash up to two ripe bananas until they are creamy enough to stick comfortably on your face. Leave the mask on for half an hour, then rinse it completely with warm water first, then with cold water next. Do this two times a week.
5. Pineapple. People living in tropical countries like the Philippines have many things to be thankful for, among them the abundance of pineapple. Pineapple is a rich source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, that help maintain general well being and skin health. Pineapple makes an excellent anti-aging agent. Take the core of the pineapple and rub it on your face and experience your skin looking lifted, younger, and more refreshed.
6. Lemon juice and fresh milk. Lemon juice and fresh milk are a great combination especially when it comes to fighting wrinkles. All you need are four drops of lemon juice and enough fresh milk. Massage the mixture all over your face, leaving it there for half an hour. Then rinse your face clean with warm water.

In addition, make sure to drink plenty of water everyday, don’t do drugs, or smoke, exercise, sleep early, and essentially create a healthy lifestyle.