The Many Benefits of Sandalwood

The Many Benefits of Sandalwood

By Anand Kumar

Sandalwood is produced from the sandal tree and it is scientifically known as Santalaceae Santalum Album. It is an evergreen tree commonly found in the southern areas of India, Indonesia and some parts of Australia. It can grow to thirty feet in height and it is considered to be at its peak when it reaches the age of sixty.

Sandalwood's sweet fragrance makes it valuable in the production of soaps, candles, cosmetics, drugs, incense, perfumes and so on. It is also used in sacred ceremonies and for the purification of holy places. One astonishing feature of this tree is that it transfers fragrance to the axe that cuts it.

Moreover, sandalwood has a calming effect on the body as well as mind. It is very useful in the relief of fever and excessive sweating. It also good for treating burns and balancing the body after over-exposure to sunlight. Experts in natural medicine use it in the treatment of ulcers, acne, rashes, sores and so on. Its powder is used to smoothen the skin and it can be made into paste, lotion as well as soap for cleansing, calming and hydrating a skin that is aging or sensitive.

Sandalwood incense possess a wonderful scent which is ideal for clarifying the mind and awakening intelligence, hence, it is indispensable for meditation. It relieves stress, nervous tension, calms the mind, uplifts mood and generally believed to boost courage, strength, purpose and happiness when used for meditation.

Besides, sandalwood is an essential ingredient in the production of herbal soap which is used for repairing dry, damaged complexion and restoring luster as well as health to aging skin. It is also present in herbal cream, massage oil, balm as well as many other herbal products. It is also interesting to note that some herbal products used for treating hot flashes, irregular menstruation, liver imbalance, etc., contain sandalwood.

In India, sandalwood was declared a royal tree in 1792 by the Sultan of Mysore and it is currently under the protection as well as ownership of the Indian government, even if it is grown on private land. The owner of the land only gets 75% of the proceeds in return for planting and taking care of the tree till it reaches maturity. Due to the increase in demand for perfumes, cosmetics and drugs containing sandalwood, it is a very essential commodity in India and even worldwide. It is illegal to export the wood out of India but other products made from it can be exported.

For more information about herbal products made from sandalwood, especially Maharishi Ayurveda products, you should visit MaharishiAyurvedaIndia.com.

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Top Benefits of Almonds You Must Know

Top Benefits of Almonds You Must Know

By Anand Kumar

Almonds are the oldest and most widely grown nuts in the world. Incorporating them into your diet will add value to your total wellness and this piece tends to expose the great benefits you can derive from doing this.

Almonds contain healthy fats that give your body the necessary energy and fuel it needs for daily activities. It is important to note that not all fat makes you fat. There are bad fats like trans fats (found in fried, fatty foods) which are not that good for the body. But there are good ones that are very essential for your survival and wellbeing.

Furthermore, eating almonds lowers your risk of having a heart attack. They help in reducing bad cholesterol levels and prevent dangerous blood clotting. They contain flavonoids which prevent the artery wall from damage and work with other vitamins to boost the cardiovascular system. Research shows that the consumption of nuts at least five times every week reduces the risk having a heart attack by 50%.

It has also been proved that almonds help in keeping the blood sugar levels regulated and prevent the insulin from spiking when they are taken after meals. They are a great snack for those who want to stay away from sugary, processed foods. They can also help you to reduce your craving for sugary snacks if you take them during the day.

In addition, almonds contain phosphorus which is very essential in building as well as maintaining strong bones and phosphorus also helps in strengthening your teeth. Almonds are also good for your brain. They contain vitamin E, riboflavin and L-carnitine which are nutrients that help in maintaining cognitive abilities through aging. They boost the overall brain activity and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

It is generally agreed that diseases cannot thrive in an alkaline environment, hence, your body needs to be slightly more alkaline than acidic and maintaining this pH is very vital for feeling good and living free of illness. The good news here is that almonds are one of the only nuts that have an alkalizing effect on your body.

Almonds can be taken raw, soaked and in powdery form. Their oil is well-known in ayurvedic cooking because of its smoothness and soft flavour. Their flour is a great alternative for cooking as well as baking because it bakes more easily and has a great taste. Their milk can also be an alternative for you if you really need to stay away from animal milk.

For more information on almonds and their uses, especially in Maharishi Ayurveda products, you should visit MaharishiAyurvedaIndia.com.

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The Many Health Benefits of Aloe Vera You Must Know

The Many Health Benefits of Aloe Vera You Must Know

By Anand Kumar

Aloe vera is one of the chief plants used in folk-medicine. Its healing benefits were recognized in the ancient Indian, Chinese, Greek and Roman civilizations. The Egyptians refer to it as "the plant of immortality" and it is usually among the funeral gifts buried with the pharaohs. In the traditional setting, aloe vera is used for healing wounds, relieving itching as well as swelling and it is known for its antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

Aloe vera is a member of the lily family and is one to two feet tall. Its leaves are succulent, with a broad base, pointed tips and spines along the edges. Its leaves contain the healing gel which is 96% water, while the remaining 4% contains Vitamins A, B, C, and E; calcium; amino acids for protein building; and enzymes used in the digestive system. It has over 240 species but unfortunately, only four of them have medicinal values. The most potent of all the species is the aloe barbadensis and it is important to note that aloe vera, which is native to North Africa as well as Spain, is also grown in the hot regions of Asia, Europe and America.

The healing potential of aloe vera stems from its ability to prevent injury to the epithelial tissues and help in the healing of injured tissues. An epithelium is a layer of cells covering the body and our largest epithelium is the skin. Aloe is very beneficial in soothing many skin ailments like mild cuts, insect stings, bruises, eczema and so on. Research has also shown that it has antifungal as well as antibacterial properties and boosts blood flow to wounded areas. It also helps in the production of fibroblast (the skin cell responsible for wound healing) and collagen (the protein that controls the aging process of the skin as well as wrinkling).

Moreover, when aloe vera juice is taken internally, it aids digestion, helps control blood sugar, boosts energy production, promotes cardiovascular health and improves the immune system. It helps in clearing toxins from the digestive system and improves the functioning of the liver, kidneys as well as gall bladder. Its anti-inflammatory fatty acids alkalize the digestive juices and guide against acidity which causes indigestion. These fatty acids are not only beneficial to the stomach but also to the small intestine and colon. However, it is not advisable for pregnant women and children under five years of age to take aloe vera internally.

You can get more information on aloe vera and its uses, especially in Maharishi Ayurveda products, by  MaharishiAyurvedaIndia.com.

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How To Make The Best Use of Raisins

How To Make The Best Use of Raisins

By Anand Kumar

Raisins are dried grapes and they complement a great meal because of their medicinal value. When grapes are dehydrated to produce raisins, the nutrients become more concentrated and they become more beneficial to the body. If you are wondering how best to make use of raisins or the particular benefits you can derive from using them, this piece is definitely for you.

Raisins are good sources of carbohydrate, vitamin B, iron and potassium. They can improve your performance in sports and other endurance exercises because they contain carbohydrates which provide instant energy. They can assist you in meeting your daily requirement of iron if you take them regularly. Your body potassium need will also be met since potassium carries electrical charges that cause muscle contraction and stimulate nerve impulses. Their regular intake is a quick, easy and tasty method of getting some of your daily recommended fruit servings.

Raisins are very good in lubricating the body channels, especially the lungs, hence, they are ideal for boosting the respiratory system. If you are struggling with a malfunctioning respiratory system, it is advisable to add them to your diet. Using them with milk and water can be very soothing to your throat and this can go a long way in relieving thirst.

Furthermore, raisins nurture the brain and can balance emotions if used in the right proportion. If they are soaked overnight and taken in the morning, they can boost your bowel movement in order to aid digestion. Infertile women can consider adding them to their diet because research has shown that they can enhance fertility.

Raisins are also used as spices and are best used in combination with other spices. They don't digest easily, hence, they should be taken in moderation or with cinnamon since cinnamon boosts digestion. They are also very effective in eliminating waste from the body and boosting skin metabolism thereby protecting the body from sun damage. If you live in a place that enjoys greater share of sunlight daily, regular intake of raisins will help you to maintain a wonderful skin.

However, it is advisable to avoid golden raisins which are ordinary brown raisins treated with sulfur dioxide to maintain their colour. In order to avoid fermentation, they should be stored in the refrigerator and when you are buying herbs containing raisins, you should check the ingredients table to ensure that the right proportion is used. You should also get your herbs from trusted sources so that you will be assured of quality.

For quality herbs containing raisins, Maharishi Ayurveda products are your best bet. Visit their website at MaharishiAyurvedaIndia.com.

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Amazing Health Wonders Of The Neem Tree

Amazing Health Wonders Of The Neem Tree

By Anand Kumar

Neem tree has been known as a wonder tree for ages due to its many benefits to mankind. It is commonly referred to as the friend of a villager because it can be used to cure common ailments like urinary disorders, diarrhea, fever, skin diseases, burns, inflammatory diseases and so on.

According to modern research, neem has a lot of verifiable attributes which make it an indispensable ingredient in modern manufacture of drugs and cosmetics. It has been discovered that it contains both alkaloids and liminoids which are very medicinal. For example, nimbin and nimbidin which are alkaloids found in neem have antiviral and anti-fungal properties. Also, azadirachtin which is a liminoid has been discovered to be 95% effective when used as an ingredient for the production of pesticides and insecticides. Another liminoid (gedunin) has been used in treating malaria in tropical countries and it is usually administered as a tea or herbal infusion.

Even though all parts of the neem tree are medicinal, its bark, leaf and oil are more beneficial. Its cool, bitter bark can be traditionally used to treat tiredness, fever, loss of appetite and kill worms. Due to its antiseptic and astringent properties, it can be used for healing wounds. It can also be used to traditionally clean the teeth by snapping off a twig of the tree and chewing it. The bark is also used for preventing bleeding gums and tooth decay.

The magical neem leaf works as an anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent to the skin. It takes care of common skin diseases like eczema, ringworm and acne. It is also used for treating wounds and if you can lay your hands on a neem leaf, crush into a paste, then apply it directly to the wound. The leaf is also good for removing toxins from the body, purifying the blood and eliminating toxic, free radicals. It nourishes the hair and has antibacterial as well as antiviral properties.

Neem oil is derived by crushing the seeds and it is very useful for treating skin problems just like the leaf. It is particularly effective in treating dandruff as well as eradicating head lice and it creates a purifying effect when used in aromatherapy. However, if you don't have a neem tree in your compound, you can still enjoy the benefits of its bark, leaf and oil. There are many herbal products having neem as one of the active ingredients and a visit to a nearby herbal shop or a little search online will do justice to that.

For more information about herbal Ayurveda products with neem extracts, especially Maharishi Ayurveda products, you should visit MaharishiAyurvedaIndia.com.

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5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Aging

5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Aging

By Anand Kumar

You really don't want to get old, do you? But whether we like it or not, we are all going to be old someday. However, taking good care of your skin will make it look youthful and your admirers will have a difficult time guessing your real age. If you adhere to these five tips, you will not only have a radiant skin, but a glowing one.

1. Protect yourself from the sun as much as possible

Even though the sun is a source of energy and vitamin D, you should endeavor to protect yourself from direct exposure to midday and afternoon sun. Short period exposure to early morning sunlight is soothing to the skin and allows it to absorb the necessary vitamin D, but when the sun is directly overhead, you should protect yourself by wearing a hat and putting on a pair of sunglasses.

2. Figure out the best foods for your skin type

You need to know your skin type in order to figure out the best food for it. If you have an oily skin, you probably will have to struggle with enlarged pores, excessive oil, pimples, etc. As a result of this, you should avoid excessive intake of oily foods. If you have a dry skin, your struggle will probably be with rashes, sun spots and the likes, hence, you should give priority to warm, greasy foods so that the dryness can be countered.

3. Soothe your stress away

There are three types of stress - mental, emotional and physical. Mental stress can lead to moisture imbalance of the skin. To fight mental stress, you should ensure that you take balanced diets at all times. Diet is also very important for fighting emotional stress, which also affects the skin. Intake of taking food supplements will be of great help if you really want to tackle emotional stress. Physical stress is caused when you work or exercise too much and you can avoid this by knowing the amount of work or exercise you have stamina for. You can also try daily meditation as it is a tested reliever of all types of stress.

4. Rehydrate from inside

Drinking enough water daily will rehydrate your skin and prevent its inner layers from drying out. You can add spices to the water and this will ensure that the water is easily absorbed by the body. Some of the spices you can use are ginger, basil leaves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and so on.

5. Massaging daily

Massaging your body daily will make your skin look young and healthy. The restorative herbs and oil used for massage keep the skin supple and youthful. In order to get the best result, you should massage your whole body before your bath or shower.

If you want more information on how to protect your skin from aging using Maharishi Ayurveda products, you should visit MaharishiAyurvedaIndia.com.

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How Will Virtualization Change Entertainment?

How Will Virtualization Change Entertainment?

By Rosina S Khan

What is happening to the entertainment sector? Do you notice any changes? What are some of them? Are they going for the better or worse? Read on to find out.

In fact, it is all becoming virtual from the comfort of homes accessing movies, cartoons, online games and the lot via digital gadgets. It has downsides as well. It concerns less about body movements- just sitting down in a place and enjoying. While this is good for short durations, if you linger on for hours and hours, it becomes a bad habit and you begin to suffer.

It is more oriented towards watching screens rather than enjoying natural greeneries and mother nature, which defined entertainment in the good old days.

Virtual entertainment can be very interesting and unstoppable taking you on the point of addiction which is nothing blissful and healthy like a ride on the swing or merry-go-round at the local park.

While both the young and adults enjoy virtual entertainment a lot, it can actually start to become detrimental to your health by sitting stiff on a chair or bed, being glued to the screen. You also start to fail on your daily responsibilities for instance, shopping, picking up kids from school or your other own work tasks.

While you do need a little entertainment for yourself to take some time out from the daily grind of schedule, you cannot forget that virtualization should be limited and balanced.

Summing up, virtual entertainment is good but only for a little time. These schemes make your eyes glued to the screen so much that you find it difficult to take your eyes off. Therefore, it is not a good omen for your body and eyes. Because your eyesight suffers and you become lethargic as well as less active and energetic. So the best way to pace yourself through your days is to time yourself while entertaining virtually through an alarm clock, reminding yourself when to go back to your day's responsibilities.

Additionally, this life is too precious to waste long hours on entertainment that is virtual. Instead for a change, take your family out for a long drive and enjoy nature and the gentle breeze blowing your hair with soft music in the background CD player of your car. You will love it along with your kids and it will become an indelible memory years later when your kids will have left home for their own destinies and you will probably have only your spouse then to reminisce them with her.

So this is really the moment to enjoy - that also with your family. Give it your best shot and live life to the fullest. Virtualization can take a back seat for the time being. Gotcha?

Rosina S Khan has authored this article. For a wealth of free resources based on an Academic Guide on Databases, quality scholar papers, valuable blogs, commendable articles, amazing self-help eBooks and stunning fiction stories, all authored by her, and much more, visit: http://rosinaskhan.weebly.com. You will be glad that you did.

If you would rather like to access her terrific collection of eBooks based only on fiction and self-help and download them for free, visit: http://www.facebook.com/RosinaSKhan.hub. You won't be disappointed and remember to like her Facebook page.

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Why Trump Supporters Still Still Support Him: 5 Possibilities

Why Trump Supporters Still Still Support Him: 5 Possibilities

By Richard Brody

The 2016 Presidential election, was perhaps, the most polarizing one, in recent memory. Unfortunately, rather than the American citizens coming together, for the common good, and seeking a viable, meeting of the minds, we have witnessed a divided nation, where liberals/ progressives, have opposed conservatives, and there has been, precious, little, middle - ground, where well - intentioned people, have been ready, willing, and able to seek, a degree of compromise, etc! Those of us, who have never supported, Donald Trump, have been challenged, to agree, to nearly anything positive, his being President of the United States, means and represents, and, thus, are confused, when so many of his core supporters, still support him! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly examine, and discuss, 5 possibilities.

1. Naive, and believe: Since Mr. Trump, appears to rarely be truthful, and to his detractors, appears, to be, merely a hypocrite, with a self - serving, personal agenda, we often, can't understand, why others, fail to consider these things, etc! One possibility is they are naive, and want his rhetoric, to become reality, cling to his leadership, and maintain their belief in him, and his agenda!

2. Share his apparent, biases, and prejudices: While our Constitution proclaims that, all men are created equal, the reality is, many, have certain biases and/ or prejudices, and feel, they are better, or more deserving than others! Objective observers consider many of Trump's actions, ideas and approaches, to be based on his perceptions, bias, and prejudice, while his core supporters, consider these to be truths, and match their belief - set! Polls indicate, the President's core supporters/ base, is approximately 35% of the public, and in our political system, where we elect a President, using the electoral college, rather than the popular vote, someone can be elected, by appealing to the common threads, even if detractors, consider those to be un - American biases!

3. Buy - into his populist rhetoric; and the economic promises, etc: Donald J. Trump maintains a superior ability, to understand populism, and how to market himself, etc! Is it possible, these individuals, continue to believe it, when he promises, a middle - class, tax cut, which is not, or great health insurance, which also didn't conform with reality! While others consider his agenda, to be more self - serving, than anything else, his core supporters appear to remain, ready to believe in their hero!

4. Fears: Many Americans, today, are fearful of the threats, both from outside, as well as within, our nation. Trump stokes these insecurities, with his consistent, blaming and complaining, and promoting positions, such as his southern - border wall, and his extremist immigration rhetoric!

5. Believe he's done what he promised: Since President Trump, often, takes personal credit, for anything/ everything that goes well, regardless. of whether he had much to do with it, and resorts to blaming others, when anything does not, many of his core supporters, seem to believe he's improved the economy, and made us safer! While objective observers believe, the long - term impacts of his tax reform plan, will be less than favorable, his supporters seem to be happy, with even a minimal tax decrease. While 70% of the public will see a decrease in the amount of taxes paid, and the maximum benefits, will go to the wealthiest 1% of the population, and the largest corporations, the savings to the middle - class are temporary, while tax cuts to the wealthy, are permanent! Short - sighted, wishful thinking, may be the thread, that keeps Trump's supporters, in his camp!

We are living in a divided America, where politicians, such as Mr. Trump, appears to be focused, on politics, rather than serving the public's needs! Wake up, America, and consider, what this nation must stand for, including all the freedoms and rights!

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, Director of Development, consultant, professionally run events, consulted to thousands, conducted personal development seminars, and worked on political campaigns, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. Website: http://plan2lead.net and LIKE the Facebook page for common sense politics: http://facebook.com/commonsense4all

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The Most Multicultural Society in the World

The Most Multicultural Society in the World

By Venkateshan Chandramouli

The Oxford dictionary defines culture as an intellectual manifestation of art, social behavior, and customs of a specific society. Culture is also intricately associated with cuisine, languages, ethnic values, and generic practices. Generally every culture is bound to these parameters in some ways. This phenomenon is commonly observed in most of the countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, there is one country in Asia where the culture goes beyond all the above listed parameters, and that is called India.

Languages across India
If you were to travel across India (North to south, West to East, or any direction you may choose), the experience is no less than the journey from Madrid in Spain to Yiwu in China. India has 29 states and 7 union territories. There are 22 official languages and more than 1,600 others (including dialects of the official languages and the unclassified). The oldest language of India is Sanskrit, whose origins trace back to more than 4,000 years into the BC era. India has five mainstream religions namely the Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. There are hundreds of sub sects in every religion making it multi ethnic society.

In spite of having such a vast number of ethnic groups, India has a unique cultural fabric that is woven from all of them. You can consider a simple example of "Rangoli", the tradition floor and wall art. Every Indian Hindu household has it right to indicate prosperity. The women draw them using the flours of rice, sand, brick powder, and flowers. They are commonly found from the state of Jammu & Kashmir in North India to the state of Tamil Nadu in South India.

The cultural differences between every state are clearly visible when you consider the music, dance, fabrics & dress materials, foods, jewelry and cosmetics, and many other aspects. Yet, there are many similarities among these differences.

Top Similarities among Differences
· Jewelry: The traditional Indian bangles vary in size, color, design, and material. But all of them represent the same cultural identity of women across India. Similarly, you can compare the ornaments for the forehead, nose, neck, waist, feet, and the fingers. You can find some sort of similarities among the visibly different styles.

· Dress Material: The traditional Indian Men's cloth is the "DHOTI" worn in different styles in different states, but it is made of same material. Similarly, the SARI has its multiple forms and materials. The other forms of traditional Indian costumes are the turban, shirts, trousers, skirts, "SALWAR", "KURTA", Pajama, the footwear, veil, blouses, and the "ANGAVASTRAM". These are common among all the religions (other than Christians), though their designs and colors vary.

· Foods and Beverages: The North Indian staple food is wheat, while it is rice in the south and the north-east. The western Indian states are traditionally vegetarian. You can find eat eating people among Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and the Christians. The Jains and Buddhists are strictly vegetarian. The traditional Indian beverages vary from "LASSI", tea, coffee, sugarcane, "SHIKANJVI", "SURA", "HANDIA", and many others.

This article gives you a brief introduction to the multicultural society called India.

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