It's dengue season once again, and I have more reason than most to fear the disease. Last year, both my children had attacks of dengue and it was traumatic to nurse them through a disease that was so painful even in its mild form. This year, I've done a lot of research on natural mosquito repellents, for how much can one rely on the chemical stuff? Here are my tips --
Avoidance -- The Best Policy

Mosquitoes have complex methods of detecting hosts. If we are able
to understand why they home in on some individuals, and never bite
others, we would be equipped to avoid them better. Till then, here are
some simple ways of avoiding being bitten–

• Mosquitoes are attracted by dark clothing and foliage. So,
  avoid then by steering clear of bushes, woods and parks at times when
  mosquitoes are active. Also avoid wearing dark clothes.
  
• Mosquitoes home in on their victims by following the train
  of carbon dioxide they leave. Distract them by keeping a burning
  candle, incense or any fire around you.
• Mosquitoes are drawn to the sublte odour of Lactic Acid,
  released when we eat certain foods (like salty or high-potassium
  foods). You also release more lactic acid when you have been
  exercising. By avoiding these activities before mosquito exposure, you
  can avoid getting bitten.
  
• Mosquitoes are often attracted to the slightly cooler
  temperatures of the extremities. So keep them covered with socks or
  long sleeves if exposed to mosquitoes.
  
• Mosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the
  chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around
  your body. That is why when you’re plagued by mosquitoes, a cool shower
  instantly brings relief.
  
• Keep your home and garden free from stagnant water, moist plants and uncovered water tanks. Mosquitoes breed in these.

• Lemon ecualyptus oil --Oil of lemon eucalyptus Eucalyptus
  citriodoraprovides provides protection against mosquito bites,
  according to the CDC.
  
• Lemongrass, citronella-- A good mosquito repellent, it is often added to candles and incense sticks.
  
• Neem oil --Neem oil is a good mosquito repellent, but smells quite strong.
  

I didn't think so when I was younger and brasher, but now I certainly do -- Grandma Knows Best!

There's
something about those forgotten ways of doing things, those handy tips
in the era before supermarkets, and those herbal remedies before
over-the-counter drugs became available -- that's so attractive to
people today. They can help us lead lives that are healthier, happier,
cleaner and certainly greener.

*Take cool baths, fill a bath tub, submerge and lay down for five to ten minutes. Repeat as needed until the fever is down.*Drink as much water as you can in order to replace fluid loss. It will also help to bring down body temperature.
*Rest as much as possible.
*Avoid suddenly changes in atmospheric temperatures.
*When
you have fever do not take any supplement containing either iron or
zinc. Taking iron causes great tension in a body that is fighting
infection; and zinc is not absorbed by the body when you have fever.
*My
Granny always said, starve a fever and feed a cold. Many people believe
that one should not eat solid foods until the fever is gone. You can
replace the foods by drinking plenty of distilled water and/or juices.
*Oranges
are excellent foods in all types of fever when the digestive power of
the body is seriously hampered. The patient suffers from blood
poisoning called toxemia, and the lack of saliva results in the coating
of his tongue, often destroying his thirst for water as well as his
desire for food. The agreeable flavour of orange juice helps greatly in
overcoming these drawbacks. Orange juice provides energy, increases
urinary output, and promotes body resistance against infections,
thereby hastening recovery.

In the 20’s, the church preached disinvesting from `sin stocks’ --
alcohol, gambling and tobacco. Today, the definition of sin stocks has
changed. More and more investors are veering towards Socially
Responsible Investing (SRI), or investing on eco-friendly projects that
give reasonably good returns...

Also called ethical investing,
socially aware investing, or “green” investing, it indicates an
attitude to investing that combines intentions to maximise returns and
social and environmental good. More and more, investors are trying to
align their investments with organisations based on their products and
services, their environmental impact and policies, labour relations and
human rights records, and community involvement. See http://www.copperwiki.org/index.php/Socially_Responsible_Investing?utm_source=gk_rediff&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=invite

If there is one thing that makes every woman feel like…well, a real
woman -- it is lipstick. But did you know – it’s been estimated that in her
lifetime a woman ingests as much as four pounds of lipstick?
The use of the lipstick is not new; in fact it has been in vogue for the
last 5000 years. The earliest known users in ancient Mesopotamia, used
the powder of semi precious stones to paint their lips. The ancient
Indus Valley civilization also records the use of lipsticks. The dye of
the ‘Henna’
plant was also used to redden lips in the ancient times. In Egypt,
women not only used henna, but also used a reddish purple mercuric
plant dye, which they called fucus. Some chemical compound called
bromine mannite was also used to redden the lips. However these
compounds contained ingredients that were known to be poisonous and
fatal. Yet this did not deter women from applying this crude form of
lipsticks. Cleopatra was rumoured to have used crushed beetles in a
base of crushed ants to paint her lips.

Did You Know?

• Stock-market traders use lipstick sales as indicators of
  economic trends. Rising lipstick sales, the theory goes, indicate a
  downturn in the market – a notion based on the idea that consumers turn
  to cheap and cheerful indulgences when they’re feeling uncertain. It
  has proved a relatively reliable indicator; for instance, in the months
  after the September 11 terrorist attacks, lipstick sales doubled.
  
• Social scientists say that changes in lip colour indicate
  attraction. When we desire one another our lips redden. Lipstick mimics
  that flush of attraction, which is why we find them so irresistable.

Turmeric, or Haldi, is one of the best known spices used in Indian cooking. But did you know, it also has so many health boosting qualities, that it is worth its weight in gold! It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial and cytotoxic (tumor-fighting) effects. 

The main constituent of turmeric is curcumin, which has lot of
therapeutic effects. It is a strong antioxidant and reduces
inflammation by reducing histamine levels. Here's how Turmeric is useful for us --

• Taking turmeric regularly helps to purify the blood and is good for the liver.
  
• Turmeric when added to beans and pulses can help to reduce gas and bloating
  
• Turmeric contains compounds that herbalists use to treat and
  prevent conditions of the liver such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and
  jaundice.
• Very beneficial for people suffering from digestive and gall
  bladders problems as it helps to break down fats during the process of
  digestion.
• Taking turmeric mixed with milk not only heals the wounds, but also treats high blood pressure.
  
• It helps in reducing cholesterol levels and prevents the internal blood clots that trigger strokes and heart attacks.
  
• Boil turmeric powder in water. Gargles of this cold and decanted water are beneficial in stomatitis and ulcers of the tongue.
  
• Roast turmeric, grind it to make a fine powder. This powder can be applied to treat toothache.
  
• External application of turmeric paste cures eczemas and skin ailments.
  
• Turmeric (especially fresh) mixed in warm milk helps in chest congestions and asthma.
  
• It is commonly used in common cold, fever and inflammations.
  
• Turmeric powder increases the mucus content in gastric juices and hence acts against gastric disorders.
  
• A pinch of turmeric powder with warm water helps in stomach ache.
  
• Turmeric is used to treat minor cuts and burns since it has antiseptic and microbial properties.
  
• Turmeric also helps in regulating reproductive system of women.

• It can heal and prevent dry and patched skin.
  
• When turmeric is mixed with milk, it becomes a natural
  cleanser. It also brings a healthy glow to the skin. It is a very
  important ingredient for face creams and body lotions.
  
• Paste made with fuller’s earth (Multani mitti), Turmeric
  powder, yogurt, rosewater can be applied to face to get a clear and
  glowing complexion.
  
• A pinch of turmeric powder mixed with a tablespoon of coriander juice and gram flour is an effective remedy for pimples.
  
• In South India turmeric paste is applied by women all over
  their bodies before a bath since it improves the complexion and has
  depilatory properties..

*Use a rug pad to prolong your carpet’s life* Nothing can be more damaging to a rug than poor or improper
cleaning. It is important to always get your carpet cleaned
professionally, your dealer will be able to recommend a good cleaning
service. If cleaned or dried imperfectly, a hand knotted carpet could
get permanently warped.
* Rotate your rug 180 degrees every year, to ensure it wears out evenly.
* Vacuum at least once a week to keep the pile fresh and free
from dust and mites. This actually slows the aging process of the
carpet. For hand-tufted rugs, use a vacuum without `beater bars’, as
they are less durable than handknotted rugs. Take your time with the
vacuum cleaner -- for example a 9x12 rug would
require 15-20 minutes to become squeaky clean.
* If you’re using the carpet in a high traffic area, do not
forget to vacuum the back of the rug every year. This shakes the dust
out of the carpet’s foundation.

* Tackle stains and spills immediately while they are fresh.
Basic food stains can be cleaned easily with club soda or seltzer.
However, make sure the carpet is thoroughly dry before being replaced
on the floor. For more information on carpets and kilims, visit http://copperwiki.org/index.php/Hand_Knotted_Carpets

We all use paper -- but few give thought to how it actually originated. The fact is, paper has played a key role in the development of most world
cultures, and interestingly, each culture has its own papermaking
techniques.

Five thousand years ago, Egyptians used a marsh grass called Cyperous Papyrus
(the origin of the word Paper) that grew in the Nile valley, to make
paper. They cut thin strips from the plant's stem and softened them in
the muddy waters of the Nile. These strips were then layered in right
angles to form a kind of mat. The mat was pounded into a thin sheet and
dried in the sun. The resulting sheets were ideal for writing on.
Lightweight and portable, even the Greeks and Romans adopted them for
record keeping, spiritual texts and works of art.

Similar paper-making techniques were adopted by the Mayans during 2nd Century AD.

In the Pacific Islands, a paper was made by beating a fine bark
over specially shaped logs to make clothes and ritual objects. However,
none of these sheets would qualify as true paper today.

Paper as we know it today comes from another source - China.
Excavations of tombs of the former Han Dynasty (207BC-9AD) have
revealed silk cloth bearing the texts of Lao Tzu - the father of Taoism
(born in 604BC). In 105 AD, Han Emperor Ho-Ti's chief eunuch T'sai Lun
experimented with a wide variety of materials and refined the process
of macerating the fibre of plants. The resultant mash was mixed with
water in a large vat. Next, a screen was submerged in the vat and
lifted up through the water, catching the fibers on its surface. When
dried, this thin layer of intertwined fiber became what today we call
paper. T'sai Lun's thin, yet flexible and strong paper with its fine,
smooth surface was known as T'sai Ko-Shi , meaning: "Distinguished
T'sai's Paper" and he became revered as the patron saint of
papermaking.

Indians used paper from cellulose fibers during 3rd century BC.
The handmade paper industry flourished in India during the Mughal
era.It gradually declined with the establishment of paper mills during
the 18th and 19th centuries. The art of handmade paper making in India
was revived under the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi.

The notion of paper being used as a practical everyday item
did not occur until the 15th Century. When Johann Gutenburg perfected
movable type and printed his famous bible in 1456, he not only spread
the word of Christianity, but also sparked a revolution in mass
communication. The birth of the modern paper and printing industry is
commonly marked from this date.

One of the most inocuous vegetables in our kitchens is garlic. But did you know that this humble vegetable is a miracle  food, better than a lot of medicines? Here, read about its benefits and see for yourself --

• Garlic is known to reduce cholesterol: The largest study so far has been conducted in Germany where 261 patients were given either garlic powder tablets or a placebo. After 12 weeks it was observed that mean serum cholesterol levels dropped by 12 per cent in the garlic-treated group and triglycerides dropped by 17 per cent compared to the placebo group [Anti-viral effects of Garlic by Peter Josling].
  

• Garlic fights infections: One of the most active
  compounds in garlic, allicin, is an excellent anti-microbial drug,
  which can fight a wide variety of infections. Allicin effectively
  blocks two groups of enzymes — cysteine proteinases and alcohol dehydrogenases — which makes it an excellent natural broad spectrum anti microbial.
  

• Garlic cures certain fungal infections: Garlic has long been a traditional cure for Candida infections, thrush and Athlete's Foot.
  Again it is the allicin in garlic that has strong anti-candidal
  properties. Wash the fungus-infected skin with an infusion of garlic
  and water, and include plenty of garlic in your diet.
  

• Garlic and cancer: Garlic contains allyl sulfur and other compounds that decrease or prevent the growth of cancer
  cells. Demographic studies have shown that fewer number of garlic
  eaters have got cancer compared to non-garlic eaters. This is
  especially true of stomach and prostrate cancers. Studies conducted by
  the Penn State University have shown that a by-product of allicin,
  S-allyl Cysteine, prevents the growth of breast cancer cells. Another
  study conducted by the same university showed that garlic contained two
  compounds known as diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide
  (DATS) that helped in the prevention of lung, skin and colon cancers.
  

• Garlic and hypertension: Those suffering from hypertension can have garlic (along with their prescription medicines) to help in
  blood pressure management. Although it hasn’t been proven conclusively,
  it does appear that there is some evidence to support the role of
  garlic in reducing blood pressure.
  The garlic sulphides, rather than allicin, help in this case. Since
  garlic helps in cholesterol reduction, it also indirectly helps in
  managing hypertension.

All over the world, people exclaim over Indian Handicraft, but unfortunately, Indians just don't know enough about their own heritage. I've created a blog on Indian handicraft here -- http://hubpages.com/hub/IndianHandicraft. Take a look and tell me what you think. For those interested in Indian Handicraft, here are some useful links --
*http://copperwiki.org/index.php/Ajrakh_Printing
*http://copperwiki.org/index.php/Maheshwari_weaving
*http://copperwiki.org/index.php/Madhubani_Paintings
*http://www.craftandartisans.com
*http://www.craftrevival.org

The famous ancient Greek physician Hippocrates said, “Let food be your medicine and let your medicine be food.”
In an age where most food comes from packets bought in supermarkets,
the most significant way in which we can ensure that what we eat is
actually good for us, is by learning to decode the fine print of food
labels.
Some vital bits of information that Food Labels contain are – serving sizes, percentage daily values, added sugars, preservatives, fats, carbs, proteins, vitamins, cholesterol and fibre.
Most nutrients are measured in grams, or milligrams (mg). Other
information on the label is given in percentages of the daily allowance
of that specific nutrient, based on a 2,000 calories a day diet.

Many a time, food labels use different names for things people commonly like to avoid. Did you know, whenever a label shows the presence of corn syrup, fruit juice concentrates, honey,
molasses, corn sweetener, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose
corn syrup, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt syrup and sucrose, remember that these all are basically added sugars.

For more on this, read http://copperwiki.org/index.php/Reading_Food_Labels

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