Aloe vera-the versatile health plant

Aloe vera is a stemless plant of the succulent variety. The leaves of the aloe vera plant contain a gel with many polysaccharides having various biological activities including antiinflammatory, antifungal, wound healing, immunomodulatory and gastroprotective properties.

The immunomodulatory properties of the pure aloe vera gel have been shown by recent research to be due to acetylated mannans. Aloe vera leaf gel extract showed blood sugar lowering properties in diabetic rats.

A compound called beta-sitosterol, which was purified from was shown to have a potent angiogenic activity, which might be of benefit in treating chronic wounds. Aloe vera extract, which has been freeze-dried is effective for improving skin hydration, possibly through a humectant mechanism.

The products are also available as aloe vera juice, aloe vera lotion, aloe vera oil, aloe vera shampoo, aloe vera soap, aloe vera pills etc. Further future research might turn out more useful health benefits of aloe vera.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology has wide range of potential applications. Read here on the use of Nanotechnology in Medicine.

Facial paralysis

Involvement of the facial nerve by various disease processes leads to facial paralysis. The causes range from brain tumor, stroke etc.

Sometimes there is no recognizable cause, i.e., it is idiopathic. In that case, the condition is referred to as Bell's Palsy.

The condition affects one half of the facial muscles. The basic pathology of the condition is inflammation of the facial nerve. Although most cases recover spontaneously, some cases might require the help of a facial paralysis surgeon.

Choosing the right eye wear

Choosing the correct style of eye wear adds to your personality, and can help to cover any facial imperfections. Since the shape of the face varies in different individuals, it is important to choose a frame according to the shape of your face. Your optician is the best guide to help you select the right frame style. However, here are some rough guidelines:

*A round face-try angular frames.
*An oval face-any frame looks good! Try a wide frame.
*A long face-choose frames that add apparent width to the face.
*A square face-try narrow frames.

Of course, the right types of lenses are also very important to achieve a good quality of vision. A photochromatic lens helps to protect against harmful UV rays; plastic lenses are lighter and must be chosen for children since they don’t break; anti-glare and anti-scratch coatings may be helpful. Progressive lenses may be helpful in getting good vision at all distances (distance, intermediate and near). Metal frames look attractive but the coating can fade over time. Plastic frames are lighter and colourful, and ideal for the sporty look. Keep a spare pair of glasses.


Related links: Bionic eye

Addiction Rehabilitation

Addiction to drugs or alcohol is a continuing global problem. It can have a far-reaching impact not just on the individual but also on the society. Very often, rehabilitation of these addicts can be frustrating for the family, the individual and also for the care-givers.

Rehabinfo.net is a non-profit, free resource catering to the latest techniques of drug rehab and alcohol rehab.

Rehab Info was founded in 2006 with the intention of bringing unbiased, non-commercial information on various rehab measures and substance abuse treatment.

Crystals, healing and all that jazz

Crystals supposedly has various powers. Well, James Randi shows that it might be not true!