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!

How to save yourself when having a heart attack!

Imagine you're all alone when you have a heart attack! How do you save yourself? Here's how!

LASIK

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is performed for correcting refractive errors of the eye like myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism. It involves creating a flap of cornea with an instrument called microkeratome, reflecting it back, and zapping the cornea with an Excimer laser. The laser, basically 'sculpts' the cornea to a predetermined level so as to ensure optimum vision. The flap of cornea is then placed back to the original position. The procedure is done under topical anesthesia and the patient can return back home shortly after the procedure.


Complications after LASIK are also not uncommon. In some cases, there might be a residual refractive error, and the patient might have to continue with the glasses. In some cases, there may be complications related to the flap. Also, structurally, the cornea is weakened slightly than it was before.

Nevertheless, in carefully selected cases, Lasik is an effective and safe procedure. LASIK is not indicated for very high refractive errors or in eyes with preexisting disease like dry eyes etc. Your eye doctor, after a thorough assessment, would be able to say if you are the right candidate. Make sure you know about all the complications and the level of vision you are likely to get, before proceeding.
Related Links:
Bionic eye
Computer vision syndrome

Amazing Derren Brown

I am a big fan of Derren Brown, the famous English mentalist. He harnesses the mysterious and powerful effects of the brain by suggestion, tricks of the mind, NLP, hypnosis etc. There is no magic involved, just a perfect understanding of how the mind works and using it to bamboozle people.

When a series of commands is issued rapidly and sometimes confusingly, many at the other end up doing what they are told.

I have many favorites but think this is hilarious. A poor guy ends up giving his wallet, and much more, to Derren. Of course, it may not work on any one but then, Derren has a knack of spotting the most suggestible person!




"Trains of thought" is equally amazing!( instant hypnosis at work!)



Related links:

Mind reading, psychic powers, miracles etc, etc

Kosmix

The aim of Kosmix, according to their own words is to "Build the unofficial home page for every topic on the Web." With the help of a unique categorization engine that searches countless Web pages, a home page is generated on each individual topic. For example, a search on Atkins Diet will bring up a home page, which contains relevant results, articles, images, videos etc on the topic.

The results are further refined on any particular topic. Kosmix is thus the best starting place to search for any topic.