Yogurt has long been used as a natural cleansing and softening agent. Suitable for all skin types, yogurt masks are quite popular in improving the look and feel of skin.

Aside from its beauty potential, yogurt is more famously known as a popular food item. Yogurt has been a staple component of many cuisines around the world. Health promoting properties of yogurt include:

• Rich Source of Probiotics – Yogurt contains natural “good” bacterial cultures which actively help relieve any digestive concerns and irregularity.

• Calcium – Yogurt is a great source of calcium. Calcium will help keep bones healthy and help you prevent osteoporosis.

• Yogurt can be digested by those suffering from lactose intolerance. Yogurt, therefore, is a very important calcium source for people who have difficulty digesting lactose in milk products.

• Yogurt is full of nutrients. Yogurt is rich in B vitamins, protein and minerals. Yogurt is low in carbohydrates and some varieties are also low in fat.

Below are popular homemade yogurt masks that will help you improve the look and feel of your skin:

Astringent

Mix together equal parts yogurt with tomato pulp or tomato juice. Apply liberally to the face. Leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.

Skin Toner

To improve the look and tone of your skin, create a mask using yogurt and fresh cucumber juice. This mask will not only improve the appearance of your skin but will act to cool and refresh the area.

Dry Skin

To relieve dry skin, make a mask by combining yogurt with a small amount of honey. Apply to the face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water.

Another popular yogurt mask to combat dry skin involves the addition of bananas. Combine yogurt, honey and mashed banana. Apply to the face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Soften Skin

To effectively soften skin, create a mask by combining egg whites and yogurt. Leave on for 10 minutes and then wash your face with lukewarm water.

Removing Dark Spots

To remove skin spots, try the following yogurt mask. Mix together yogurt, ground oatmeal and honey. Make it into a paste and apply to skin. Leave on for 20 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.

Nervousness is often experienced during stressful situations. Nervousness is often associated with apprehension, anxiousness and fear. Common symptoms include sweating, heart palpitations, muscle spasms, insomnia and shortness of breath.

To deal with nervousness, the key is to figure out what is actually causing the nervous reaction. You may also want to try the following home remedies and natural cures to treat nervousness.

Home Remedies for Nervousness

• Make sure to eat a well-balanced and wholesome diet. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Make sure to keep hydrated. As well, try avoiding refined and fried foods as much as possible.

• Have a glass of warm milk on the onset of nervousness. Drinking a glass of warm milk is said to both help calm and relaxes the system.

• If you experience nervousness, try eating a banana. Bananas are traditionally consumed to treat nervousness.

• Aromatherapy is said to be an effective remedy to treat nervousness. Try lighting a scented candle or your favourite incense. You can also boil ingredients such as cinnamon cloves and cardamom in water. The scent of lavender is also said to be very effective.

• Add a tablespoon of honey to your orange juice. This mixture is said to help alleviate symptoms of nervousness.

• Massage the temples and forehead with mustard oil. This is said to help relieve the symptoms of nervousness.

• Add ginger to your tea. Ginger is said to be very effective in treating nervousness.

• Have almond milk. Add almond paste to your milk, adding sugar to taste. Almond milk is said to help relieve nervousness.

• Try yoga. Yoga and breathing exercise are known to be very effective in calming and relaxing the system.

Body odor can be a very embarrassing condition. Caused by the accumulation of bacteria on the skin, body odor can be extremely unpleasant. The problem of body odor can be overcome by the following natural home remedies.

Home Remedy for Body Odor

• Maintain a well-balanced diet, rich in whole and fresh foods.
• Apply baking soda to the areas of the skin where you perspire the most, such as the underarms. Baking soda actively helps prevent body odor.
• Add a few drops of rosewater to your bath water. This is a very old and traditional remedy to counter body odor.
• Mix together baking soda and fresh lemon juice. Apply this paste to the affected area and leave on for about 10 minutes before washing off.
• Apply baby powder or talc powder to the areas of the body where you perspire most frequently.
• Start the day with a glass of hot water with added lemon. This is believed to help regulate and balance all functions of the body.
• Prepare a tonic of warm water and apple cider vinegar. Apply this tonic to the underarm area to lessen the risk of developing body odor.
• Rinse the skin with fresh juice of radishes (diluted with water) throughout the day. This is another traditional home remedy to fight body odor.
• Apply apple cider vinegar directly to the underarm area. This is believed to keep the area clean and dry.
• Apply tomato juice to the skin and leave on for about 15 minutes. This is said to keep the skin fresh and clean.
• Combine one teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 cup warm water and a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol. Spray this tonic to the skin for relief from body odor.
• Drink the juice of parsley to help fight body odor. Parsley is said to keep you cool and fresh throughout the day.
• Rub the underarm area with fresh cut potato slices. This is said to help keep the area dry.
• Mix a few drops of Tea Tree Oil to water. Apply this to the underarm area. The antibacterial properties of Tea Tree Oil are believed to counter the development of body odor.
• Keep hydrated throughout the day. Keeping hydrated will help counter body odor and help remove toxins from the body.
• Apply the juice of turnips to the underarm area. This is believed to provide relief from body odor.
• Add rosemary oil to water and mix well. Apply this mixture to the skin. Rosemary has antibacterial properties and will thus help counter the effects of body odor.
• Zinc is believed to help prevent body odor.
• Drink sage tea. This can be prepared by boiling fresh sage in water. Sage is believed to help prevent the development of body odor.

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, which are lymph nodes located at the back of the throat. Tonsillitis results in the enlargement and inflammation of the tonsils, caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. The degree of the infection itself varies from mild to severe. Tonsillitis is contagious at any stage and can be spread quickly to another person.Common side effects of tonsillitis include pain in the tonsil and throat region, pain while swallowing, inflamed and swollen tonsils, severe sore throat, fever and congestion.

Although a professional health care practitioner should be contacted as soon as symptoms arise, there are natural remedies that have been practiced for thousands of years. Although these natural remedies may not cure the problem, they may help provide temporary relief.

Home Remedies for Tonsillitis

• Stay hydrated. Prepare clear soups and teas to consume throughout the day. The hot liquids will help soothe the throat and provide relief.

• A very old and traditional remedy for tonsillitis is adding 4 teaspoons of honey, 1/8th teaspoon of salt and freshly squeezed lemon juice to a glass of warm water. This liquid should be prepared and consumed a few times during the day.

• Gargle with warm salt water throughout the day to combat the infection and swelling.

• Add a bit of turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper to a glass of warm milk. Have the prepared milk before bed.

• Prepare chamomile tea with lemon and honey. Chamomile tea should provide temporary relief.

• Prepare a fresh vegetable juice from carrots, cucumber and beets. Drink this vegetable juice once a day.

• Add the juice of one lemon, a pinch of salt and black pepper to a glass of hot water. Sip the water for relief and comfort.

• Boil 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds for 20 minutes. Strain and let cool. Gargle with the fenugreek-infused water throughout the day.

• Make a paste from boiled figs and water. Apply this fig paste to the external throat region for soothing and cooling relief.

• Boil milk and 2 tulsi leaves and add to it a pinch of turmeric. Sip the hot milk for relief.

Skin whitening is a very lucrative business. Some people go to extraordinary lengths to brighten and lighten the appearance of their skin. Skin bleaching creams can be quite unsafe and pretty expensive. However, there are quite a few herbal remedies that improve the complexion of skin. Try the following herbal skin lightening remedies to improve the appearance of your skin and to help lighten the appearance of scars.

Home Remedies for Dark Skin and Scar Removal

• Make a paste of turmeric powder, gram flour and yogurt. Apply to the desired area. Wash off with warm water after 20 minutes or until the mask beings to flake off.
• Take a fresh potato slice and rub onto darkened area.
• Prepare a paste of skim milk powder, honey and lemon juice. Apply to the darkened area and remove after 15 minutes.
• Apply a paste of rose water and sandalwood and rose water daily to the affected area. This paste is traditionally applied daily.
• Mix together yogurt, freshly squeezed orange juice and the rind of the orange. Apply this mixture to the darkened area and leave on for 15-20 minutes.
• Apply lemon to the skin. This is said to brighten the appearance of the darkened area. Avoid sun exposure while this treatment is on.
• Apply equal parts of coconut water and cucumber juice. This mask is said to not only lighten the skin but cool down the affected area.
• Make a paste out of ground almonds, rosewater and milk. Apply to the desired area and leave on for 20 minutes.
• Mix together oatmeal, tomato juice and yogurt. Apply this mask to the darkened area and leave on for about 20 minutes.
• Rub coconut milk with a little bit of turmeric powder on your skin daily. Leave on for about 20 minutes and then wash off with warm water.
• Mash a handful of grapes, taking out the seeds. Apply the mashed grapes to the desired area. Grapes are said to brighten the skin.
• A traditional home remedy for skin lightening is making a paste from baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the skin after a shower.
• Apply a mixture of fresh tomato pulp and lemon juice. Apply this mixture to the skin and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes.

Can you improve your memory with food? Many cultures around the world seem to think so! Here are some home remedies to help boost memory.

Memory Home Remedies

• Eats foods containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids. These foods contain DHA and EPA, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Both DHA and EPA are fundamental to development, and critically necessary for the proper development of they eyes and brain.

• Almonds are said to boost memory and stimulate the mind. A handful of almonds should be eaten everyday. Another memory improving almond remedy is preparing a paste of almonds, a bit of butter and sugar. This is said to help boost the memory and help calm the body.

• Walnuts are regarded as the ultimate brain food due to their resemblance to the human brain. Make sure to consume a handful of walnuts daily.

• Cinnamon is said to stimulate the memory. Sprinkle some cinnamon over your fruits or add some cinnamon to your tea.

• Rosemary has long been used to boost memory. In fact, rosemary is commonly referred to as the “herb of remembrance.” Rosemary is said to stimulate the mind and alleviate any fatigue. Make a rosemary tea and add to it some lemon juice.

• Many people rely on the consumption of phosphorus-rich foods to help stimulate memory. Phosphorus rich foods include apples, oranges, figs, dates, grapes, almonds and walnuts.

• Mix together a teaspoon of honey and 1/8th teaspoon of ground black pepper. Consume this everyday to hep increase memory.

• Sage herb is said to help stimulate the mind and increase the ability to concentrate. Make a sage tea and sweeten with honey.

• Tulsi leaves, holy basil, are extensively used in India as a memory enhancer. Make a tea using the tulsi leaves and enjoy everyday. Let the tea cool before consuming.

• Prepare Brahmi tea by soaking Brahmi in boiling water. It is said to consume this tea cold and on an empty stomach.

• It is believed that Ayurvedic herbs can help stimulate memory. For more information on Ayurvedic herbs like Shankhpushpi, Mandookparni, Brahmi and Ashwagandha, consult a sound Ayurvedic consultant.

• Cumin seeds are said to be very effective in stimulating memory. Grind half a teaspoon of cumin seeds and mix with honey. Consume everyday.

• Pranayama, yoga and meditation are considered effective methods of improving memory.

The presence of kidney stones can be downright painful. Kidney stones form due to the crystallization of certain substances within the kidney or the urinary tract region. The size of a kidney stone can vary, from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Causes of kidney stones include obesity, gout, the absorption of too much calcium, the presence of excessive ammonia in the urine, chronic dehydration, hyperparathyroidism, medications, among other causes.

Home Remedies for Kidney Stones

• Keep fully hydrated. Drink water throughout the day. This will help remove toxins from the body.

• Boil figs in water. Drink this liquid every morning to help prevent kidney stones.

• Drink tomato juice containing a pinch of salt and pepper every morning. This is said to help successfully dissolve kidney stones.

• Increase your consumption of magnesium and Vitamin B6 containing foods. These are said to help alleviate kidney stones.

• Include watermelon into your diet. Watermelons are a rich source of water, and will help you dissolve kidney stones.

• Grapes are often consumed during the presence of many kidney disorders. Grapes are considered a natural diuretic and contain many minerals that will help dissolve kidney stones.

• Those suffering from kidney stones often increase their consumption of celery. Celery is said to help prevent and dissolve kidney stones.

• Tulsi has been used for centuries as a traditional Ayurvedic method of treating kidney stones. Drink the tea of boiled tulsi leaves with honey every morning to help treat and prevent kidney stones.

Rashes that present on the body can be a very frightening condition. Body rashes are simply inflammations of the skin. Body rashes can have many symptoms, but common symptoms include reddening of the skin, inflammation, drying of the area, itchiness, bumps, or burning sensations. Rashes can occur over the whole body to a small designated area of the skin. Common rash areas include the face, neck and back.

The causes of body and skin rashes can be numerous. Body rashes may occur due to a disease or allergic reactions. Skin rashes may sometimes be contagious. Although it is always advised to consult a professional when a skin rash is noticed, there exist many traditional home remedies for skin rashes.

Home Remedies for Skin Rash

• An old traditional remedy to treat skin conditions is to massage the affected area with olive oil or castor oil.

• Apply a mixture of ground cinnamon and honey to the affected rash area. Honey and cinnamon are both said to relieve symptoms of the rash including inflammation.

• Soak a tea bag in water for a few minutes. Then take the soak tea back and place it over the affected rash area. Both black and camomile tea are commonly used for this remedy.

• Add oatmeal to bathwater. Soak in this oatmeal bath for at least 20 minutes. This is said to ease the rash symptoms.

• Apply Vitamin E to the affected rash area. Vitamin E is said to treat a variety of skin ailments.

• Apply Aloe Vera to the affected area to cool down the rash. Aloe Vera is commonly available in gel form.

• Apply baking soda to the rash area. Baking soda is believed to relieve the redness and inflammation associated with the skin rash.

• Make a paste from tulsi leaves, olive oil and garlic. Apply this paste to the affected area. This paste is said to reduce the inflammation caused by the rash.

Sprains being a common phenomenon, home remedies go hand in hand. Sprains are the extended tear of the ligaments in the body. The areas of the foot, ankles, elbow, wrists, and knees are common spots for the occurrence of sprains. The causes of sprains are many. However, common reasons for sprains include falls, physical activity, accidents, twisting, the manoeuvring of heavy objects, and over-stretching. Sprains can lead to inflammation, severe pain and the inability to properly move the affected area.

Home Remedies for Sprains

• Increase your consumption of fresh pineapple. Pineapple contains the digestive enzyme bromelain, which actively helps reduce the inflammatory process and effectively reduce swelling.

• A popular remedy calls for drinking a glass of hot milk with added turmeric powder. Turmeric contains many health boosting properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial potential.

• Almond oil is another traditional remedy for sprains. Mix together almond oil and grated garlic and apply to affected sprained region. Massage the region every few hours.

• Apply ice packs to the region of the sprain. This should help ease the pain and swelling.

• Onions are commonly used to treat sprains. Dice one onion and place in a cotton cloth. Place the cloth on the sprained region for one hour, and repeat as many times as liked.

• Massage the area with a mixture of fresh lemon juice and honey.

• The application of coffee soaked gauzes wrapping the affected area is a common home remedy for sprains and inflammations.

• Soak a cabbage leaf in warm water. Wrap the sprained region with the soaked leaf and leave for 10 minutes, and repeat as often as you like. This is another common remedy for sprains.

• Add grated garlic to almond oil. Massage the affected sprained are with this mixture. Apply a bandage and leave for a few hours. This is said to be an effective remedy for sprains.

• When tolerable, take a hot bath with added bath salts or Epsom salt.

• Get ample rest. This is one of the most effective strategies to get better sooner than later.

An earache can be a very painful condition. More often seen in children, earaches can be a concern at any age. Earaches can be a stand alone ailment or can be a secondary problem associated with a variety of conditions. Earaches can also occur do to environmental conditions, such as exposure to loud noise and pressure fluctuations. It is always advised to see a profession for an earache to rule out a more serious underlying condition. However, there do exist at home remedies for earaches.

Home Remedies for Earache

• Ad a few drops of fresh garlic juice into the affected ear. This is one of the oldest traditional home remedies for earaches.

• Heat one tablespoon of mustard or olive oil with one clove of garlic over low heat. After the garlic turns brown, let the oil cool. Add a few drops of this garlic infused oil into the affected ear.

• Heat a mixture of sesame seed oil and ajwain for a few minutes. Once the mixture is cool, place a few drops into the affected ear.

• Heat the juice of a fresh onion. Once cooled, place a few drops in the ear.

• Boil tulsi, holy basil, leaves in water. After a few minutes, let cool. Place a few drops of this water into the affected ear.

• Heat fresh mango juice, then let cool. Place a few drops in the affected ear.

• Place a few drops of fresh ginger juice to the affected ear to help cure earaches.