Know your hair

The hair is one of the most important factors which contribute to beauty and personal appearance. For its proper care, it is essential to have a basic knowledge of its structure. The hair is made up pf keratin, a protein based substance. This substance also forms finger and toe nails. Each hair consists of three layers. the central core, known as medulla, is made up of spongy tissues which may contain some colour pigment. The middle layer, known as the cortex, consists of long thin cells which give the hair its elasticity and colour. The outer layer, known as cuticle, consists of hundreds of tiny, overlapping scales.

Hair is formed in minute pockets in the skin, called follicles. An upgrowth at the base of the follicles, called the papilla, actually produces hair, while a special group of cells turns amino acids into keratin. The rate of production of these protein "building blocks" determines hair growth. The average growth rate is about 1.2cm ]per month, growing fastest on women between the ages 15 and 30 years. The sebaceous gland which secrets the oil that gives healthy hair its natural shine is located half way along hair follicle.

The follicles, which contain the hair roots, are fed by blood carrying nutrients. Good circulation is thus of utmost importance to healthy hair. It is th supply of nutrients which determine[s the health of hair as it emerges from thescalp and continues to grow. Once hair leaves the follicle, it is in fact technicially "dead", but it grows because of continued tissue formation within the follicle.
The disturbance in the production of sebum by these glands can result in over dry or greasy hair. Thus, if the glands become blocked or are underactive, the hair will be greasy.

The natural colur of hair and its hape straight or curly are determined by hereditary factors. In case of curly hair, the actual shape of the hair follicle forces the emerging hair to develop waves. The number of individual hairs ranges between 90,000 to 140,000, depending on the natural hair colour. Blondes the most hair since their hair is thinner than of brunettes. Redheads have the least number of hairs, although theirs will often look more abundant since it is generally the sickest. The number of hair roots or the texture of the hair, canot be changed except the natural changes which occur with age.

The life-span of a hair varies from several months to several years, depending on the scalp and hair conditions. The average life of a hair is five years. After that, the follicle from which the hair is growing begins to shrink and the hair remains static untill is drops out or is brushed out and is replaced a few months later by a new hair. Although a large numbr of hairs may come out in a single day, it will not does not from in the follicle due to inadequate blood supply, or glandular or hormonal imbalance.

There are four types of hair-normal, greasy, dry and greasy-dry. Normal hair is shiny yet not greasy, and fairly easy manage. Greasy hair looks good for a day or two after shampooing but then quickly bcomes lank. Dry hair is difficult to control after shampooing, looks dull and nds that are dry and split. Greasy-dry hair is usually fairly along and the hair nearest the scalp is greasy while the ends are dry.

Preventing Decay Through Fruits

Tooth-decay can be prevented by regular consumption of apples, as they process a mouth cleaning property. Dr. T.T. Hanks in his book Dental survey says, "Apples have a mouth cleaning property that no other fruit possesses. and taken after meals, they have the same effect as tooth brush in cleaning the teeth, with the added advantage that the acid content aside from its nutritive value, is of assistance in promoting the flow of saliva in the mouth, which is also beneficial to the teeth". The acid of the apple also exerts an antiseptic influence upon the germs present in the mouth and teeth when it is thoroughly chewed. Applies are thus regarded as natural preservers of teeth and should be taken regularly.

Grapes are very useful in prevnting [tooth-decay, too. The organic acids of grapes are strongly antiseptic. According to Johanna Brandt, "Every tooth may be loose in its cocket and pus may be pouring from the gums, but after a few weeks on the exclusive grape diet, it will in time be found that the teeth are firmly set in the jaws and that every trace of pyorrhea poisoning has disappeared."
Lemon and lime also promote healthy teeth and gums, due to their high vitamin C content. They strengthen the gums and teeth and are very effective in preventing and curing acute inflammation of the gum margins.

Raw spinach juice is another valuable food remedy for the prevention and treatment of pyorrhea, because of its beneficial effects on the teeth and gums. This effect is greatly enhanced if the juice is taken in combination with carrot juice. A permanent aid for pyorrhea has been found in the use of natural raw foods and in drinking an ample quantity of carrot and spinach juice.

Exercising Teeth and gums

The teeth and gums, like other parts of the body, require exercise for maintaing them in halthy condition. This can be achieved by eating hard and fibrous foods. Wheat is especially valuable in the prevention and treatment of pyorrhea. It takes time to chew wheat chappatis, which are generally taken with other foods. This compels one to chew hard, ot only providing the much-needed exercise for the teeth and gums but also helps the igestion process.

Chewing unripe guava is an excellent tonic for teeth and gums. It stops the bleeding from gums due to its styptic effect and richness in vitamin C. Chewing the leaves of the guava tree also helps prevent bleeding from the gums. A decoration of root bark can also be used as a mouthwash for swollen gums.

Vitamins and minerals

Every nutrient which builds health appears to play some role in the prevention of tooth decay. Much tooth decay can be prevented if all persons, whether children or adults, obtained at least 1,000 units of vitamin D daily. Calcium is essential to maintain dental health. Adequate calcium can be obtained if sufficient milk is given daily to children and yoghurt is genrously used by adults. A lack of calcium makes teeth susceptible to decay. The gums recede and the teeth often become loose and crooked, with ugly spaces showing between them.

The vitamins of the B group play an important role in preventing tooth dcay. People who do not take adequate niacin have unclean mouths, heavily coated tongues, often foul breath and rapidly decaying teeth. Vitamin C helps to prevent decay by forming a strong foundation in the dentine, which contains the minerals. In short, all vitamins and minerals help to keep the teeth beautiful. A person susceptible to tooth decay should adopt a well-balanced iet containing all the essential nutrients.

Even though person's teeth may by free from decay, unhealthy gums can lead to an unattrctive appearance. Abnormalities of the gum tissue result from deficiencies and combinations of deficiencies. When vitamin C is under supplied, the gum bleed easily, recede, become infected, and pyorrhea may quickly set in. A person suffering from these abnormalities hould include 300 or more milligrams of vitamins C daily in the diet. A glass of fresh citrus juice in the morning is of great value in keeping the gums pink and healthy. Lack of vitamins A can also lead to infections of the gums, causing them to look pale and unattractive. In such cases, more iron should be added to the child.

Proper diet

Diet plays a vital role in dental health. The condition of the teeth, after they are formed, depends upon the foods one eats from day to day. Dental decay, the destruction of the bone around the teeth, and infections of the gums, can be prevented with an appropriate diet. In fact, with the proper diet, the teeth and jaw-bones can be made harder and healthier as the years go by.

Probably the greatest curse and cause of tooth decay is the consumption of candy, soft drinks, pastries, refined carbohydrates and sugars, in all forms. Bacteria in the mouth break sugar down into acids, which combine with the calcium in the enamel, causing decay or erosion. It is therefore important to restrict one's sugar intake, and to ensure that the diet includes plenty of raw vegetables and wholemeal bread.

Whole foods are ideal. they are good for the teeth as the fibreless refined foods allow particles to accumulate on the teeth in a stricky mass, where they can do great harm. The gums need friction to keep them firm and whole foods also help remove plaque, They are therefore called 'detergent foods' by some dentists.
Whole foods, however, benefit the teeth only if they are free from sugar. Surgeon-Captain Cleave, the author od Saccharine Disease says, 'It is perfectly true that refined carbohydrates are a prime cause of dental decay. but it dos not necessarily follow that unrefined carbohydrates cannot be a cause. if they take a form of stale, coase, wholemeal bread and hard fruits and vegetables, no periodontal disease will follow their consumption'.

In preventing tooth decay, what one eats is no doubt important, but equally important is when on eats. Frequent small snacks are very harmful to teeth, as theoy produce an acid medium in which the bacteria thrive. The number of times one eats sugar is one of the most important factors in determining the rate of decay. For this reason, it is better to eat sweets at the end of the meal rather than between meals.

The natural way to sparkling teeth 'Plaque'

Proper cleaning is the most important step towards healthy and sparkling teeth. Ideally, teeth should be cleaned after every meal, but one thorough cleaning each day will be far better than any number of hurried brushings. A quick brushing is a waste of time. The teeth may appear clean, but they will still be coated with a layer of plaque, a sticky, transparent substance, It is invisible, but it can be felt as a fuzzy coating on the teeth. The accumulation of plaque can lead to gum inflamation and bleeding, which are early warning signs of gum diosease.

Proper cleaning

There are many theories on how best to clean the teeth. The consensus of dental opinion, however, seems to back using a circular motion with the brush, so as to ensure that all dental surfaces are cleaned. One should not be afraid to touch the gums with the brush, as this gentle stimulation improves the blood circulation in the gums.

Toothpaste is not in fact essential for the removel of plaque. although most people prefer to use it. It does help to keep [the mouth fresh. The fluoride, which is now being added to an increasing number of pastes, also helps to strengten the outer enamel and thus render it less susceptible to decay. It, however, has no effect on gum disease, which affects a very large number of people and is the main reason for adults losing their teeth.

Bad breath is not only unpleasant and embarassing for the sufferer, but also for those [with whom he or she comes into contact. With the efficient functioning of one's digestive juices, one is unlikely to suffer from bad breath. the breaht can bej freshened naturally be chewing fresh parsley or watercress, or by using rose water as a mouthwash. Commerial antiseptic mouthwashes should not be used as these are often too strong and can remove the protective fatty acids on the teeth and gum surfaces, leaving the enamel defenceless.

The natural way to sparkling teeth

The mouth is one of the materpieces of natura. With it, we express our thoughts and feelings an show affection. The process of digestion begins in the mouth and it thus sustains life.

The mouth is a delicate combination of skin, bone, muscles and teeth. The teeth are an amazing balance of form and function, aesthetic beauty and engineering. One can look one's best with a good smile, which is enhanced by good teeth.

Good teeth are thus important of one's health and appearance. Like the skeletal development, the appearance of the teeth and mouth is largely determined during the years of growth, depending on the amount of during the years of growth, depending on the amount of calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D in the diet.

Eye problems and their natural remedies - Lines and Wrinkles

These are inevitable, to some extent, with age. Some women, however, get tiny laughter lines quite early in life. These lines are caused by excessive dryness of the skin and loss of tone by tiny muscles around the eyes. A good moisturizer lavishly applied after cleansing and toning will take care of parched skin. Light-weight oil like sunflower oil or corn oil is an ideal lubricant for eyes and areas around the eyes.