By Jure Klen www.blog.holmedmarket.com

The list of plants and herbs for home remedies.

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus, folium)
It has an astringent effect (contracts and strengthens the tissues). It is used as a mild anti-inflammatory to treat inflamed mucous membranes in the digestive system, which are associated with diarrhoea. Preparations made of blackberry leaves contain high levels of tannins, which soothe sore throat and inflammations of the oral cavity. the flavonoids present in the leaves have a diuretic effect and accelerate waste elimination.

Fenugreek (Trigonella gladiata, semen)
These nutritive seeds are given to reconvalescent patients to help them gain weight, especially in cases of morbid inedia (anorexia). They help reducing fever; their soothing action also makes them suitable as a remedy for gastritis and gastric ulcers. Fenugreek is also helpful against diabetes, and lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood. It is an extraordinarily effective roborant (tonic) for convalescents of major contagious diseases, for patients in post-operative care, and to help fight tuberculosis and poor appetite.

Birch (Betula pendula, folium)
Birch is an effective diuretic, helpful against all kinds of kidney and bladder disorders, dropsy or dropsy-like oedema of the body. Urine production is up to five-fold increased, and the elimination of uric acid from the bloodstream and tissues is accelerated. The symptoms of rheumatic conditions and gout improve, as do chronic bladder catarrhs and urination problems.

By Ally McNeal
www.skincaresmarts.com

Undereye Circles: Causes and Cures

Under-eye circles may be one of the first things you see when you look in the mirror. These black or dark circles under the eyes can be caused by many different factors, including heredity, sun exposure, allergies, lack of sleep, medications, poor nutrition, age, and hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and menstruation.

The skin under the eye is very thin, and when blood passes through the veins close to the surface of the skin, this can cast a bluish/blackish shadow to the under eye skin. Any increase in blood flow will cause the areas under the eyes to appear darker.

While heredity can be one factor for development of under eye circles, sun exposure is another. Even though tanning may make your whole body look good, it’s not good for the skin under the eyes. Too much sun can cause excessive pigmentation of the area beneath the eyes, resulting in dark spots.

Allergies are another factor that can lead to dark circles. Any skin or respiratory condition which has you rubbing or wiping your eyes will trigger increased blood flow. More blood flow to the sensitive under-eye area means a greater likelihood of dark circles.

By Michael Russell
www.best-acnetreatment.blogspot.com

Acne - What Is It?

Acne is spots or papules found on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. These spots may develop into pustules with a white or yellowy head that can sometimes be painful. The occurrence of whiteheads and blackheads is quite common.

In puberty the level of sex hormones in the body rises and causes the sebaceous glands in the skin to produce too much sebum (oil). Sebum is produced in the hair follicles. There occurs an overproduction of the top layer of skin and the pores leading to the sebaceous glands become blocked with plugs of keratin. This causes blackheads and allows the bacteria that love sebum to multiply. The surrounding skin becomes inflamed, while the blood vessels expand to allow more infection-fighting cells to the blocked pore. This is usually accompanied by the production of pus.