People who frequently use emojis have sex on their mind

Are you obsessed with sending emoji icons with every WhatsApp message or Facebook post? Check if sex is on your mind 24/7.

According to an interesting survey, people who think about sex several times a day also use emoji icons the most often.

Conducted by online dating website Match.com, the researchers found that something as innocuous as a food item emoji icon can be employed to denote body parts or sex, medicaldaily.com reported.

“[Emoji users] want to give their texts more personality. Emoji users don’t just have more sex, they go on more dates and they are two times more likely to get married,” Helen Fisher, who led the survey told Time Magazine.

The survey involving 5,000 people found that 36-40 percent of people who think about sex several times a day use more than one emoji in every text.

People who never think about sex said they used them less frequently. “Most people who reported thinking about sex once a day said they use emojis but not in every text,” the findings showed. The group that used emojis the least was those who said they think about sex just once a month. A previous study by Match.com — a dating platform that serves 25 countries in more than eight languages — showed that more than half of the men and women surveyed used the “wink” emoji to flirt with a date. The “smiley” emoji was the second most popular emoji to help people in courtship. The previous study also found that 54 per cent of singles who use emojis have more sex than the 31 per cent of those who just rely on their words. Another recent study found that eggplants are way more popular than bananas — at least when it comes to sexually charged emojis used on Twitter. Analysing more than nine million tweets to figure out which sexually charged emojis and emoji combinations were most popular in the US and Europe, DrEd.com found that the most popular emoji was the smiley face with heart eyes, an image that’s more romantic than sexual. But when it comes to more overtly sexual emojis with phallic implications, the eggplant tops, the study said. DrEd.com compiled the most sexually suggestive emojis on Twitter, broken down by gender. In the US, the eggplant was used about twice as much as the banana. In Europe, though, the reverse was true. In both regions, women preferred the banana, while men preferred the thicker eggplant. 

Delayed treatment can worsen heart attack impact

The delay of patients in recognising heart-attack symptoms and seeking the treatment later may increase the damage to heart, warns a new study.

The researchers in this study compared the impact of the time from heart attack symptom onset-to-balloon and door-to-balloon on heart muscle function.

"The decrease in median door-to-balloon time in recent years has not resulted in a reduction in mortality in STEMI patients," said study author Roxana Mehran from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the US.

STEMI or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is a a full-blown heart attack caused by the complete blockage of a heart artery.

"This study highlights the need to reconsider the role of door-to-balloon as a performance metric and examine the utility of a broader metric of systems delay such as first medical contact to balloon time as well as total ischemic time," Mehran added.

Door-to-balloon time is the time from when a heart attack patient arrives in the emergency room until percutaneous coronary intervention is performed to restore blood flow.

The researchers reviewed the records of 2,056 patients and compared them with the symptom onset-to-balloon time in three categories - two hours and less, more than two hours to four hours, and more than four hours.

The patients who took two to four hours or longer from the onset of symptoms to get treated to restore blood flow to the heart were less likely to have blood flow fully restored to the heart and were more likely to die within three years than patients treated more quickly, the study found.

Breast Cancer Drug Could Have Wider Use

A drug used to fight breast cancer may be effective against other forms of the disease, according to a new study.

Writing in the journal JAMA Oncology, researchers from the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) in the University of Pennsylvania, say that after reviewing existing literature and doing their own research, palbociclib could attack other types of cancer cells while inflicting little or no harm to healthy cells.

Palbociclib is a CDK4/6 inhibitor, meaning it targets certain enzymes that drive rapid tumor cell division. It was the first such drug approved against breast cancer.

"All living cells undergo cell division and palbociclib's unique capacity to halt the cell division process (also known as the 'cell cycle') therefore has potentially broad applicability," said lead author Amy S. Clark, MD, MSCE, an assistant professor of Hematology/Oncology at Penn's Perelman School of Medicine and ACC. "Pairing palbociclib with other anti-cancer therapies such as endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy can create a powerful combinatorial effect with real promise for addressing a variety of cancers."

The researchers say the drug has shown promise against lymphoma, sarcoma, and teratoma, which are relatively rare, but often strike young people.

In a phase 2 trial, the drug was used on 17 patients with mantle-cell lymphoma. One patient had a “complete response,” meaning the cancer disappeared for at least some time, while two others had “partial responses.” The drug also appeared to improve survival times among patients with the disease.

Furthermore, researchers said that in other cancer trials, the drug “has been shown to be safe with once-daily dosing,” with the main side effect being lower counts of a certain type of white blood cells that fight infection. That, researchers say, can be reversed by temporarily stopping the drug, then later resuming treatment at a lower dose.

Shopping Can Make You Happier, Here's how

Good news for all the shopaholics! Recent study reveals that shopping can reduce stress and even make you happier in long-term. This study is contrary to the common debate that money can't buy you happiness. Conducted by the researchers at University of British Columbia, the findings revealed that spending money can actually make the spender happy regularly. It has also revealed that buying stuff brings much more happiness than buying experiences such as traveling or visiting a zoo. "Consider a holiday shopper deciding between tickets to a concert or a new couch in the living room," explains study author Aaron Weidman, from University of British Columbia. The concert will provide an intense thrill for one spectacular night, but then it will end, and will no longer provide momentary happiness, aside from being a happy memory. In contrast, the new couch will never provide a thrilling moment to match the concert, but will keep the owner snug and comfortable each day throughout the winter months.
Previous studies were based on analyzing the material and experiential purchases and the things that the participants remembered about these experiences and items. However, the researchers Aaron Weidman and Elizabeth Dunn from the University of British Columbia wanted to know how the people felt when they were in the moment of a new purchase, say first few weeks of buying a new dress or a phone. The assessed that the momentary happiness people got from experiential and material purchases was as much as five times a day for two weeks. For the study, Weidman and Dunn evaluated the participant's actual-period of happiness that they got from buying things or experiential purchases such as spa gift cards, ski trip etc.

Anxiety Could be a Good Thing in a Crisis: How Brains Respond to Social Cues

Do you get anxious easily? This could be a good thing in a crisis. Scientists have found that the brain devotes more processing resources to social situations that signal threat than those that are benign.

Facial displays of emotion can be ambiguous. In this case, though, researchers managed to identify what it is that makes a person particularly threatening. They found that the direction a person is looking in is key to enhancing our sensitivity to their emotions. Anger paired with a direct gaze produces a response in the brain in only 200 milliseconds, which is faster than if the angry person is looking elsewhere.Many people know about a "sixth sense" that we have for danger. But what if the ability to devote more resources to specific situations could explain that sixth sense? In this latest study, the researchers looked at social threats and how our brains respond to them.

The scientists also found that anxious individuals detect threat in a different region of the brain from people who are more laid-back. This difference, though, may serve a useful purpose; anxious people process threats using regions of the brain responsible for action. Meanwhile, low anxious people process them in sensory circuits, which are responsible for face recognition.

"In contrast to previous work, our findings demonstrate that the brain devotes more processing resources to negative emotions that signal threat, rather than to any display of negative emotion," said Marwa El Zein, lead author of the new study, in a news release.

The findings reveal that anxiety may actually help people process threats. With that said, the researchers hope to also determine whether the same is true for people with anxiety scores in the clinical range.

Ways to undo the effects of party make-up

After wearing make-up for outings and parties, your skin tends to lose its shine. Try a cream-based moisturising facewash, and a day after the party spend some time reviving your skin by exfoliating it with a mild scrub to get back the natural glow, says an expert.

Manoj Khanna, chairman and managing director, head of cosmetic surgeon at city-based Enhance Clinics, has shared tips to make your skin glow:

* Get an extra dose of moisture: Make-up removers and harsh facewashes can destroy skin's natural moisture. Post the party season, switch to a cream-based moisturising facewash. Let it stay on for a few seconds so it permeates deeper into the skin, before washing it off. End your day with a thick night cream and be sure to greet the next morning with a fresh face.

* Opt for an instant eye cooler: Cucumber slices work the best. They cool, have a lightening effect and help counter puffiness. If not cucumbers, try the next best remedy -- green tea bags. Once they come to room temperature, squeeze out the excess water and keep them on your eyes for 20 minutes to find respite from stubborn dark circles.

* Don't forget to scrub: A day after the party, spend some time reviving your skin by first opening the clogged pores with a steam session and then exfoliating it with a mild scrub. The steam will open up the pores and the abrasive action of the scrub will force all the grime, make-up residue and impurities out.

* Follow up with a moisturising face pack: Treat yourself to a nourishing do-it-yourself face packs. Papaya and honey together are a winning combination to hydrate the skin and combat dryness or grind soaked almonds with milk and use it as a paste to make the skin look and feel smooth. Milk is rich in antioxidants, vitamin B and essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and selenium whereas almonds are full of proteins, antioxidants and vitamin E.

* Declare a no make-up day: After a few days of partying and wearing heavy make-up, make sure the next few days keep cosmetics at bay. This will allow your skin to breathe and get its original glow back, naturally.

Eat only when you're hungry for a good health

Do you tend to munch something or the other between your meals even when you are not hungry? If yes, such a habit could certainly satisfy your taste buds but harm your health, warns a new study.

In contrast to people in traditional societies, people in contemporary societies often eat not on account of hunger but because tasty food is available.The widespread advertising of such food also bombards the consumer with the temptation to eat.

But the findings of the new study by David Gal from University of Illinois at Chicago suggest that it might be healthier for individuals to eat when they are moderately hungry than when they are not hungry.

The individuals participating in the study were 45 undergraduate students.

They were first asked to rate their level of hunger and then to consume a meal rich in carbohydrates.

To measure how the meal was impacting participants' health, participants' blood glucose levels were measured at regular intervals after they consumed the meal.

Blood glucose levels tend to rise after a meal containing carbohydrates and it is generally healthier if blood glucose levels rise by a relatively small amount because elevated blood glucose is damaging to the body's cells.

The results of the study showed that individuals who were moderately hungry before the meal tended to have lower blood glucose levels after consuming the meal than individuals who were not particularly hungry before consuming the meal.

Attention to-be mommies: Vaginal birth helps build baby’s immunity

Opting for a vaginal birth can make your baby healthier as researchers have found that this practice is beneficial for inter-generational transfer of the microbiome from mother to infant, which is crucial for the newborn to build strong immunity.

Perturbation of the microbiome environment in the gut during pregnancy, delivery and early infancy could impact the developing baby’s early microbiome and set the stage for health problems later in life, the study said.

The term “microbiome” refers to the trillions of organisms we harbor on our skin and within our respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.“Not only do we have to consider the microbiome of the child but also that of the mother, and the irony is that some of our modern medical practices, through their effect on these early microbiota, could have unintended consequences, interfering with normal development of children’s immune, metabolic, and neurologic systems,” explained Sharon Meropol, assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio, US.

“Disturbed microbiota could potentially contribute to a wide range of childhood diseases including allergies, asthma, obesity, and autism-like neurodevelopmental conditions,” Meropol said.

Recent studies suggest that traditional practices like vaginal births, skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and breastfeeding may promote the development of the microbiome in the infant and help set the trajectory towards healthy development, the researchers pointed out in their review of studies.

Medicinal Benefits and uses of Avarai or Country Beans

Plant name : Avarai or Meghari or Country Beans
“Used in Siddha to treat Diabetes, Eye problems and Skin diseases”.

Botanical name : Cassia auriculata
Family : Fabaceae
Actions : Astringent, Anti Bacterial, Anthelmintic, Coolant, Anti Diabetic

Siddha Medicinal Uses :

1. It is mentioned in traditional books that people travelling in hot sun crush the leaves of this plant and pace it under their turban before stepping out in sun. This way they remain protected from scorching heat and its harmful effects.
2. Water soaked in flowers are helpful to manage peaking sugar levels. It also reduces thirst, burning sensation of body and removes bad odor of body.
   Dried flowers and buds are prepared as tea and consumed by diabetics.
3. The decoction of roots are helpful in curing constipation, fever, diabetes, urinary infection etc.
4. The bark, flowers, leavers and fruits taken in equal parts prepared as decoction for treating diabetes.
5. Water soaked in flowers are also helpful in managing skin problems.
6. Leaves fried in ghee, cooled and applied over eyelids for eye diseases like conjunctivitis, Chronic purulent ophthalmia etc.
7. Decoction of bark is used to cure leucorrhoea. It also acts as a coolant.
8. Flowers can be ground well with turmeric and chick pea powder and used as bath powder to treat burning sensation of body and bad odor.
9. Flowers cooked as Manapagu can be given for Vellai noi, Urinary infections and burning sensation in genitals.
10. Dried powdered seeds can be ground in water and used as eye application for various eye ailments.

Health Benefits of Lemon – Citrus limon

Botanical Name :  Citrus Lemon
Other Names : Elumicham, Jambira, Nimbu, Naranga
A very good and rich source of Citric acid, Citrate and Vitamin C. As per Siddha, it is a very good Anti-Pitha drug, a coolant, and a good carminative. Siddha Literatures also classify this herb under Kayakalpa or Kayakarpam. Regular intake makes the body healthy and rejuvenated. It also has various health benefits as discussed below.

Lemon Juice  : Extract of a squeezed lemon :

1. 2 teaspoons of lemon juice with warm water daily in empty stomach cures constipation.
2. Lemon juice mixed with equal quantity of honey and given empty stomach to reduce body weight.
3. 2 teaspoons of lemon juice with 2 pinches of Black Pepper cures Diarrhea.
4. Massaging tooth and gums with lemon juice helps to stop bleeding and eases pain.
5. Warm coconut oil with few drops of lemon juice can massaged well in scalp regularly for dandruff and hair fall.

Lemonade : Drink prepared from Lemon juice, water, sugar/salt/honey

1. Daily intake of Lemonade helps to cure increased Pitham, cools the body detoxifies the body, purifies blood, calms the mind. Also cures cough and respiratory problems.
2. Lemonade prepared with honey helps to burn fat and lose weight. It also makes our skin glow.
3. Lemonade acts as a Diuretic and flushes out all the toxins in our body in adding 1 teaspoon of ginger juice and 2 pinches of jeera powder to a glass of lemonade aids digestion after a heavy meal.
4. Inhibits Urinary calculi or Kidney stones as it contains highest amount of Citrate.

Make sure you include this wonder fruit in your diet daily.

Siddha Maruthuvam or Siddha Medicine and its history

Siddha system of medicine is the most primitive medical system. This system was formulated and established about more than 25000 years back by the eminent powers called Siddhars and hence the name Siddha Medicine. The medicines were prepared by the various research work done by the Siddhars on herbs,minerals and animals. The father of Siddha Medicine or Siddha Vaidyam is the primordial Guru, Agasthiyar. There are also 18 prime Siddhars who are the followers of the primordial Guru, contributed their valuable knowledge and experiences in this field. Siddha medical system doesn’t consider treatment and prevention separately. The main aim of this system is prevention of disease, as it is well said that“Prevention is better than cure”!

This medical system was then carried over generations after generations by the Traditional practitioners under Gurukula system, it was found and practiced in the earliest Dravidian civilization and hence was developed in Tamil language only. Then after independence,the government of Tamil Nadu developed this Traditional system as a Medical system. So far there are 6 Siddha colleges under government and private sector in Tamil Nadu which are based in Tamil medium. Recently, a college in English medium started in Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram. This is a 5 year course which holds B.S.M.S degree that is Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery. The interested professionals can also opt for P.G course and then PhD.

Today, the treatment like physiotherapy, panchakarmam, marmam, acupressure, naturopathy and yoga are well known separately but it can be confirmed that all these are evolved from Siddha system of Medicine or Siddham. These methods are present in this single system of medicine. Siddha system emphasizes not only a healthy body but a peaceful mind and pure soul. Hence, it is unique when compared to any other medical system.

When the methods of treatment taken into account, then Siddha system holds the 8 unique methods of diagnosis. One among these 8 method is Naadi(Veins). A Siddha physician keenly observes the naadi before starting any treatment. Hence unlike other system of medicines there does not exist only a symptomatic treatment in Siddha. A strong relationship develops between the patient and physician. The physician not only heals the disease of the patient through medicines but also provides an assurance to his mind and prays for the soul. For example, in a patient suffering from psoriasis, medicines are not enough as stress is an aggravating factor of the the disease. So, it is only possible by a Siddha physician to pacify the disturbed mind of the patient by the spiritual counseling.

Siddha treatment is based on Pancha Bhootha Pancheekaranam(Five elements). Human body is made of 5 elements and 3 humours ( Vatham, Pitham and Kapham). These forces or humours are in a balanced ratio in our body say 1:1/2:1/4 as Vatha: Pitha: Kapha. Sometimes due to some pathological reason or seasonal variation this equilibrium or balanced ratio may change and hence diseases may occur. A Siddha Physician who is well versed in Naadi diagnosis can detect this change and prescribe internal and external medicines accordingly.

Siddha System comprises of 32 types of internal medicines and 32 types of external medicines. The medicines are safe, natural and very effective, derived from the flora, fauna and rich mineral resources of mother nature. Internal and External medicines are available in market manufactured by various companies. However there are traditional practioners still practicing with their self prepared drugs. External Therapies like Thokkanam (9 unique Siddha Physiotherapic techniques), Ottradam (formentation), Vedhu (steam therapy), Varmam (stimulation of vital points of body therapeutically), Kaya-karpam, Attanga Yogam (8 limbs of Yoga) etc are very effectively used for diseases like hemiplegia, parkinsonism, arthritis etc.In Siddha, there is a wide range of drugs which includes medicines that has got no expiry date. They can be preserved life-long. The formulas of medicine was prepared by Siddhars thousand of years ago

Siddham or the Siddha medicine or Siddha Vaidyam is a not purely a medical system for curing the physical body, Its a way of life formulated by Siddhars through their vision and realisation for getting peace for the mind, health for the physical body and purity for the Soul. Siddhar’s through there Great powers like Ashtamasiddhikal and through immense prayers they realised the fact that Soul which is ultimately a part of the Supreme which is like a drop of water from sea.

Treatment for Mind, Body And Soul:

Siddha medical system is a part of a way of life of the well known Dravidian civilization which emphasizes the importance of Spirituality for Soul, Peace for the Mind and Health for the Physical body. Siddha system of medicine is most ancient and spiritually enriched one. Medicines are formulated and prepared by the Siddhars thousands of years ago after undergoing various research work on flora, fauna and the rich mineral resources of Mother Earth. The medicines are enriched with prayers and power which not only cures the disease but also provides peace to the mind and spirituality to the soul. This divine system of medicine is a treasure of numerous medicines. Just like medicines work for the physical body, mind should be kept peaceful through prayers and meditation.

According to Siddhars or Saiva Siddhantham, Lord Sivam is the Supreme Reality which is eternal, changeless, formless, independent, omnipresent, omniscient, one without a second, omnipotent, taintless, causeless, self-existent, beginningless, ever free, everpure, of course perfect. They realised the fact that Sivam is the Supreme Guru who liberates the Souls from the web of bondage or births. These Great Knowledge they passed it to generations in the form of manuscripts. According to Siddhars the creator or the supreme creates a physical body for a soul to attain the salvation. But it not possible for a soul to attain the parammukti or Salvation by one birth. So a soul must take cycle of births to realise these facts. While getting a birth the Soul is binded with the Mumalams or the Anavam, Kanmam and Mayai which are the impurities just like the Trithodam of the physical body. This is well explained in Saiva Siddhantham as the Pati, Pasu and Pasam. Pati is the Sivam or Eternal Energy and Pasu is the Soul and Pasam the bondage. Anavam is the impurity which pervades in the soul which produces incorrect perception. Kanmam is the other impurity binded in the soul which does the good and bad acts. Mayai is the experience or the material cause which the soul acquires a little of Knowledge and realisation. For these Siddhars formulated certain rules and disciplines or Tapas to clean the three impurities present in the Soul so that one can perceive the spiritual luminance or the Siva lokam within. It is just like as the Kaya karpam to protect the physical body.

Counseling:

Counseling should be a part of treatment always. Just like prayer, Yoga and Meditation, counseling also plays a major role in tuning the disturbed mind of the sufferer. Proper counseling improves the result of the treatment. During counseling a bond of trust and confidence is build between the patient and the physician. All the personal information and data collected during counseling and consultation are kept highly confidential.

Siddha Medicine's 10 Simple Tips to stay young & Healthy always

Health is currently the hottest topic in the market and food for thought around the globe. Though living with various lifestyles and nature, still one is in search of health remedies and tips to make their life more perfect and keep their family healthy in every aspect. Let it be Google or a local health magazine, people are interested in surfing maximum information on health topic and issues.
Although there is no guarantee for a healthy and happy life yet if we follow these 10 Simple tips, we can improve the quality of our lives and keep our family healthy and happy always.

1. Keep yourself hydrated always : Our body is made up of 70% of water. Water helps to regulate our body temperature, protects our joints and organs and helps in Oxygen transport. One should drink 8-10 glasses of water daily. Drinking warm water before each meal helps to prevent overeating and obesity. It also regulates the appetite. Drinking a glass of warm water just after waking up keeps the systems normal and flushes out toxins from the body.
2. Decide your menu. Eat Right : One should be choosy in selecting right food in the menu. Food rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, High fiber, Minerals like Iron and Calcium is perfect to stay healthy. Include vegetables, fortified cereals, sprouts, legumes, low fat dairy, fatty fishes, lean meat, nuts, pulses and fruits in your food menu to make it a balanced diet. Have three meals daily to keep yourself nourished whole day. Never starve yourself to overeat at meal time. It may lead to abnormal metabolic activities and overburden the digestive system. Eat food slowly, chew it properly to get maximum benefits and proper digestion.
3. Love Organic. Cut Junk food : Give more priorities to food which is grown rather than foods that are born. Vegetables, grains, nuts, legumes, sprouts, fruits and pulses should be given more priority in food chart as these foods can be consumed by all in every climates and places without any ill effects as they are easily digested and assimilated by the body. Processed, artificially sweetened, colored and flavored foods must be avoided as these are difficult for the body to assimilate. Unhealthy snacking like French fries, pizzas, junk food made of white flour (maida) should be avoided as these foods make us prone to health issues like Diabetes, obesity etc. Try snacking a piece of fruit or handful of nuts. This will curb appetite and add extra energy.
4. Eat breakfast everyday : A healthy breakfast containing whole grain, high fiber, vegetables, low fat dairy and sprouts and nuts are excellent to keep one active throughout the day with good concentration and mental alertness. Have a heavy breakfast, moderate lunch and light dinner to remain a well nourished.
5. Sleep 8-10 hours daily : Never compromise with your sleep. Sleeping provides rest to the body, prevents sleep disorders, keeps the mind and body fresh, active and at its best the next morning. Always sleep in a dark, noise free room. Maintain a sleep routine. Avoid day sleep.
6. Keep moving : Daily exercise of 20 minutes or brisk walking 15 minutes twice a day is important to boost energy, reduce body pain and ageing of the body. It is best way to nourish all the vital organs of the body.
7. Maintain a good oral hygiene : poor oral hygiene is said to be a precursor of many ailments. Researchers believe that the bacteria causing dental plaque enter blood stream and blocks blood vessel causing heart diseases. Recently links have been found between oral bacteria and stroke, diabetes and birth of pre- term/low weight babies. Brushing the teeth and flossing, exercise, quitting smoking can add years to your life.
8. Keep Stress through Meditation and Prayers : Maintain a stress free life by prioritizing things in life. Something which makes one stress should be not be given priority or importance in life. Having a good peace of mind is very necessary to keep stress at bay. Yoga, Meditation, Prayers should be a part of life always. Give time to near and dear ones. Always take dinner with family to maintain emotional harmony. Never find any harmful means to combat stress like smoking or drinking. Feel the nature and love it, love yourself.
9. Bath daily in morning : Shower early morning will make one active and fresh. It will keep away foul odour and infections, regulate hunger, build immunity. It is also good to have a body shower in evening to overcome the work tiredness and it gives good sleep at night.
10. Avoid health supplements : Taking Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, Beta Carotene etc in foods are excellent way to reduce ageing and cognitive decline. But people instead of focusing on their meals, run after Vitamin and Mineral pills like Calcium tablets or Vitamin supplements. Unfortunately no evidence of taking pills provide anti ageing or any health benefits has been proved so far.

A glass of water contains 10 million bacteria but all good, claims study

octors always insist on drinking lot of fresh water as it is good for health. A new study has come up that has given another good reason to drink water. Even a glass of fresh water contains more than ten million bacteria that are good for health in some way or other, says the new study. These bacteria help in purifying water, making it healthier for drinking.

Study authors were astonished to find that water on such a large scale was purified naturally by bacteria in pipes and purification plants. Until today, scientists didn’t know about the existence of any such process.

One of the lead researchers said that they have found more than ten million good bacteria in a glass of water. Researchers explained that clean tap water always contain these good bacteria and they grow in the drinking water treatment plant and on the inside of our water pipes, which can be seen in the form of a thin, sticky coating – a so-called biofilm. All surfaces from the raw water intake to the tap are covered in this biofilm.

The new find suggests that bacteria can play a vital role in purifying the water in pipes than previously thought. The discovery lead to the theory that most of the water purification in done in pipes in water purification process rather than in purification plant.

Lead study author Catherine Paul from the University of Lund in Sweden said, “a previously completely unknown ecosystem has revealed itself to us. Formerly, you could hardly see any bacteria at all and now, thanks to techniques such as massive DNA sequencing and flow cytometry, we suddenly see eighty thousand bacteria per milliliter in drinking water.”

Paul further added that we have known about the existence of some good bacteria like in our intestine they help in digestion of food and keep us healthy. Maybe they have a much bigger role to play, beyond our imagination and we have to find that, said Paul.

Moreover, the quality of water might be directly proportional to the amount of bacteria present in water, however, further study is needed to confirm the find.

Amla – Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry

Health Benefits of Amla from Siddha Medicine:

Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry  (Phyllanthus emblica)
(Other names – Amla, Nellikkai, Amalaki, Dhatriphala )

1. Drinking fresh fruit juice daily helps to cure increased body heat, burning sensation of body, gastritis & digestive problems.
2. 20 ml of Amla juice daily with meals is an excellent liver tonic.
3. 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of dry fruit powder twice daily purifies blood. Cures Hyperacidity, wounds & ulcers.
4. Daily intake of the fruit reduces Cholesterol, improves Haemoglobin, enhances immunity & acts as a powerful Antioxidant.
5. 20 ml of fruit juice with honey early morning improves eyesight.
6. 20 ml of Amla juice with 20 ml of Bitter gaurd juice daily helps to manage glucose level in Diabetics.
7. Massaging scalp with oil prepared with the dried fruit acts as a hair tonic & induce good sleep.
8. Siddha Medicines prepared with Nellikkai like Triphala chooranam,Nellikkai leghyam, Nellikkai thylam etc has excellent results in curing various Pitha ailments.

Health Benefits of Amla:

The health benefits of amla include the following:

Hair care: Amla is used in many hair tonics because it enriches hair growth and hair pigmentation. It strengthens the roots of hair, maintains color, and improves luster. Eating fresh gooseberry or applying its paste on hair roots improves hair growth and color. Amla oil is very popular in India because it has been shown to reduce the chances of hair loss and baldness. This quality is due to the carotene content of Amla, as well as its iron content and general antioxidant capacity, which reduces hair loss by not allowing free radicals to damage hair follicles or impact the hormones that can cause premature hair loss.

Eye Care: Drinking Gooseberry juice with honey is good for improving eyesight, and studies have shown it to improve nearsightedness and cataracts, while reducing intra-ocular tension. This is mainly due to its impressive content of carotene, which have long been known for their powerful effect on vision-related conditions, including those that stem from free radical activity. Vitamin A and carotenes reduce macular degeneration, night blindness, and strengthen your vision before the age-related degeneration from free radicals can occur!

Calcium Absorption:One of the less discussed benefits of Amla is how it helps the body absorb calcium in a positive way. Calcium is an essential component of our bones, teeth, and nails, and also ensures that we have beautiful lustrous hair. So, eating a vitamin C-rich fruit like Indian gooseberries is a great way to keep your body looking and feeling great!

Metabolic Activity: Eating foods that are high in protein is one of the most important ways to stay healthy, since proteins are an essential part of our body’s metabolic activities. Our enzymes can breakdown plant proteins into amino acids and reassemble them into usable proteins for our body. Protein is necessary for cellular growth, muscle development, organ health, and a wide range of other metabolic activities that we need to remain healthy and happy!

Menstrual Cramps: Some of the minerals and vitamins in Alma combine to make it very useful in the treatment of menstrual cramps. Since it takes a while for the necessary elements to accrue in the body, it is better to consume Alma on a regular basis so it is always in the system and menstrual cramps can be prevented every month for women.

Diabetes: Gooseberry contains chromium, which has a therapeutic value for diabetic patients. Indian Gooseberry stimulates the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin, thereby reducing blood sugar in diabetic patients and keeping their body balanced and healthy. When blood sugar is reduced, it means that glucose is also being used by the cells as functional energy, so the metabolism is stronger and you have more energy, without the plunges and spikes in blood sugar that are so dangerous for diabetic patients. Chromium also enhances the effect of betablockers, which are used for heart health, by reducing the LDL cholesterol content of the body.

Diuretic Activity: Besides being a fruit that is very high in water, Amla is also slightly diuretic in nature. This means that it increases the frequency and volume of urination. Urination helps our body eliminate unwanted toxins and excess levels of water, salts, and uric acid. Furthermore, it can help you lose weight, since up to 4% of urine is actually composed of fat. Therefore, a diuretic substance is always necessary for keeping our kidneys healthy, and also preventing urinary infections and uterine infections. Alma is a great way to do this!

Digestion: Alma is very high in fiber, like most fruits. Fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps food move through the bowels and keeps your bowel movements regular. This reduces the chances of constipation, and fiber can also bulk up loose stools and reduce diarrhea. Fiber also stimulates the secretion of gastric and digestive juices, so food is digested efficiently, nutrients are absorbed in an optimal way, and you feel lighter and healthier.

Reducing constipation can also help protect your from various gastrointestinal disorders, even colorectal cancer!

Heart Disease: As mentioned above, gooseberry strengthens the heart muscles, so the heart pumps blood smoothly throughout the body. By reducing excess cholesterol buildup, the chromium can reduce the chances of atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the vessels and arteries. This can reduce the chances of strokes and heart attacks. The iron content promotes the creation of new red blood cells, increasing circulation and the oxygenation of organs and cells to maximize growth and regeneration of tissue, while keeping the blood vessels and arteries clean.

Infection: Due to its antibacterial and astringent attributes, Indian Gooseberries protect the body against infection and improves the body’s immune response. They are also a very good source of vitamin C, which is famous for its impressive antioxidant abilities and its stimulation of the immune system. It increases the white blood cell count in the body, which is the main line of defense for the immune system, since white blood cells attack and eliminate foreign toxins and substances in the bloodstream and throughout the body.

Diarrhea and Dysentery: Due to its strong cooling and laxative properties, Gooseberry is a useful component in remedies for diarrhea and dysentery. It provides great relief for gastric syndrome and hyperchlorhydria (burning sensation in the abdomen). As a laxative, it helps flush out any toxins or harmful substances you may have eaten that are causing your discomfort or illness, thereby eliminating it from your system so the healing process can begin, and cooling the burning and discomfort often felt when diarrhea occurs.

Improving Appetite: Consuming Gooseberry powder with butter and honey before a meal improves appetite. It also helps to balance nitrogen levels, thereby increasing weight in a healthy way.

Anti-Aging: Amla prevents health-related hyperlipidaemia by reducing the amount of free radicals in the body through its antioxidant qualities. Free radicals are associated with signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots.

The fresh fruit of gooseberries contains more than 80% water, protein, minerals, carbohydrates and fiber. It is also used as a remedy for fever, liver disorder, indigestion, anemia, urinary problems, respiratory problems, cerebral, gastric and cardiovascular illness. Gooseberry lowers cholesterol levels, increases red blood cell production, and strengthens teeth and nails.

Here are some Health Benefits of Lotus

History - In fact when Buddha a child there were ponds of different colored lotus flowers outside his window with pink, white, and blue flowers symbolizing the three different types of people. 

In Egypt lotus flowers represent rebirth in the afterlife. 

And in India the flower petals represent the elements of the earth.

Where They Grow - Lotus plants grow in ponds in Asia anchored in the mud… rising to the top bringing forth beautiful white, pink, and blue flowers.  

Siddha Medicinal Uses :

• For burning sensation of body Lotus flower can be ground as a paste and applied over the externally. The rhizome paste along with milk can be given internally for increased body heat and burning micturation.
• For toxic snake bites the Lotus flower can be ground well and given along with water internally at regular intervals.
• The juice of the flower can be administered for diarrhoea. It is good for Heart too.
• The decoction of the flower is good for fever due to pitham. It also acts as a Cardiac tonic.
• The manapagu prepared from Lotus flower can be given for Cough, Bleeding piles, Bloody diarrhoea etc.
• Venthamarai poo choornam(White Lotus Powder) a Siddha Medicine is very effective for Management of Hypertension and given in the dose of 1 – 2 grams with milk before food twice a day.

Health Benefits of Lotus:

Lower Cholesterol - Making a tea of lotus flowers and leaves is great for lowering cholesterol. It blocks the absorption of fats and thus helps lower cholesterol and trigs. 

Diabetes - The leaves lowers blood sugar levels thus helping those suffering from diabetes. 

Fatty Liver - Tea made from the leaves also helps heal fatty liver disease. 

Detoxing - Lotus leaf tea is great for detoxing the blood and thus helping to lower your risk of disease. 

Stress - Lotus flower tea is relaxing, soothing, sedative, and helps with anxiety… and bringing about a peaceful feeling. 

GI Tract - Lotus flower tea helps with diarrhea, gas, and cramps… and soothes away inflammation.

Acid Reflux - Lotus flower tea helps with acid reflux, lowering stomach acid, and soothes away gastric ulcers. 

Lower Blood Pressure - Lotus leaf tea is also a good vasodilator helping to lower blood pressure. 

Fertility - Men who suffer from premature ejaculation find that lotus tea helps with their condition. And women who have heavy periods find that lotus tea reduces blood flow. 

Heat - In Traditional Chinese Medicine lotus leaf tea is used for summer heat syndrome to get rid of heat rash and cool internal organs. 

Skin - In Ayurvedic Medicine lotus flowers are ground into a paste and applied to the skin, moisturizes the skin, and creating youthful looking skin. 

Vitamin C - Lotus flowers contain Vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant helping to keep away diseases such as cardiovascular disease, strokes, and even cancer. 

B - Vitamins - Lotus flowers also contain B - Vitamins which are important for fertility, vitality, and mood. 

Iron - Lotus flowers contain iron which is important for anemia. 

Phosphorus - Also lotus flowers contain phosphorus which is important for strong bones. 

Heart Health - Because lotus leaves are full of antioxidants they can increase blood flow to the heart and lower blood pressure. 

Anti-inflammatory - Lotus leaf tea is a great anti-inflammatory helping with redness, swelling, and pain… associated with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. 

Weight Loss - Lotus leaves help to prevent carbs and fats from being absorbed, and boosts your metabolism thus you to lose weight. And lotus leaf contains L-Carotene which boosts metabolism. 

Anti-fungal and Antibacterial - Studies show that rubbing lotus leaves on infected areas can kill ringworm fungus and works well for athletes foot. And lotus leaf tea is also antibacterial in action… killing invading bacteria naturally. 

Linoleic Acid - And lotus flowers contain linoleic acid which is important for preventing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, weight loss, and boosting your immune system.

Antioxidants - Lotus flowers contain powerful antioxidants such as nuciferine, lotusine, neferin and demethyl coclaurine which help to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and cancer. 

Healthy Liver - Lotus leaf tea helps to promote healthy liver function. 

Melanin - The oil from lotus flowers helps the body produce more melanin to protect it from damaging suns rays… and also fights premature gray hair.

Astringent - Lotus leaf tea is very astringent and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to stop internal bleeding… and has been used for treating bloody urine.

Mucus - Lotus leaf tea helps expel mucus, making it great for colds, coughs, and other respiratory and sinus problems. 

 Making Tea - Take 2 Teaspoons of dried flowers and add them to a 1/2 liter of very hot water and let steep for 5 or 6 minutes. Lotus flower tea has a nice sweet aroma. 

If you have fresh lotus leaves cut a 4x4 inch piece and steep it in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. 

For dried leaves use 2 teaspoons in a 1/2 liter of hot water and let steep for 5 minutes. 

In capsule form most recommend taking from up to 6 grams per day. 

Used in - Lotus flowers have a beautiful fragrance, and because of that they are used in cooking of rice and other Asian dishes. 

Finding - If you google “Buy Lotus Leaf ” or “Buy Lotus Flower Tea” you will find lots of places that sell this product… or ask for it at your local health food store.