Acute bronchitis, a short-term inflammation of the bronchi, is caused by the rhinovirus, which dwells in the nose as its name indicates (rhino, meaning ‘nose’ in Greek). The virus reproduces in the nose before descending into the throat and trachea, and then into the bronchi. The mucous membranes then begin...
Sometimes, no matter how many pairs of wool socks you wear, your feet just can’t seem to warm up. If you’re relatively healthy, chances are the cause of your cold feet is likely something harmless. In fact, cold hands and feet reflect a perfectly natural process by which the body...
The sleep aid industry has a powerful grip on the world, but even the most effective prescription drugs have their downsides: side effects, limited access and prohibitive costs, which is why it is better to turn to soporific plants that have been tested for hundreds of years by herbalists and...
In the spirit of the holiday season, we treat ourselves to mulled wine and traditional Christmas cakes such as Lebkuchen. This isn’t a coincidence, as these winter treats contain a mother lode of spices that are celebrated for their strengthening virtues. With the threat of colds and viruses, and onslaught...
With winter approaching, your hands might be getting drier and drier and so a hand cream is a must in order to keep your hands moisturised and skin protected. For those of you who would like to avoid industrial creams, here are two natural recipes of 50ml hand-cream! Recipe #1: Choose a...
A simple way to boost your immune system is to be generous with herbs, spices and condiments in your kitchen. Many cultures around the world, including African, Caribbean, American, Chinese, Indian, Eastern European, have always made extensive use of spices, and for good reason too! Herbs and spices are a simple...
Most diets are based on marketing, however there is one that is based on science and it is known as the Palaeolithic diet. The Palaeolithic diet is based on the types of foods our ancestors consumed before the invention of agriculture. Agriculture, and thus the consumption of cereals, only began 5000...
Are you beginning to find random strands of hair on your comb, sink and bathroom floor? Well then, you may have a problem with hair breakage, which can get a bit worrisome. The first (and possibly worst) reaction to remedy this problem would be to buy ‘miracle’ shampoo. These products often...
Hijama, the Arabic term for ‘wet-cupping’, is an ancient bloodletting technique that has been practiced by several civilisations, including the Greeks and Persians, in order to treat a host of ailments and bodily disorders. Hippocrates had mentioned the practice in his writings while Prophet Muhammad is quoted in stating that...
Every now and again we engage in an internal dialogue with ourselves, which can take form in either; “What do they think of me?”, “You're fat and ugly, its only normal that nobody cares about you”, or “You will never succeed, never!” And yet, the ramifications of feeling inadequate and unworthy is even...