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WHY CORNER

Why do shoes have heels?

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KnowHow team explains: Shoes are made for walking, jogging, hiking, even dancing. But in the centuries since our ancestors first wrapped their feet in woven grasses and animal skins to protect them from rough surfaces, function has clashed with fashion in the design of our footwear. The crocodile-hide loafers and cowboy boots that cross paths with dress oxfords on today’s city streets are often chosen for what they say about their wearer rather than for comfort

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Human feet probably evolved to help us walk comfortably across natural terrain in the African savannahs, where the modern humans originated millions of years ago. The surface of such natural grasslands and forest floors used to be inherently padded, and therefore each step taken by our ancestors did not jolt his or her body.

But our social evolution did not keep pace with the biological evolution. The surfaces our ancestors walked on became increasingly harder, ranging from stone to marble stripped of all natural padding. But the body didn’t have time to adapt with the change.

Which is why the heels and balls of human feet take a lot of abuse when we walk; they absorb a great deal of weight over a small surface area that comes in contact with the feet. So to protect the area that strikes the ground with most force we began wearing padded footwear. The wide, blocky heels on shoes, especially those that are made of soft materials such as rubber, help to cushion the feet.

Because they are higher than the rest of the sole, they also shift the weight of the body slightly off the heel and forward onto the rest of the foot, so the heels don’t have to take so much of the load. High-heeled shoes, however, shift the centre of gravity so far forward that much of the weight is borne by the balls of the feet.

Source:The Telegraph (Kolkata,India)

 

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News on Health & Science

Now a vaccine to control blood pressure

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LONDON: British scientists have developed a vaccine which they claim will help people suffering from hypertension to control their blood pressure.

The vaccine developed by Cheshire-based drug firm Protherics has been successfully tested and is expected in the markets within five years.

The vaccine uses a protein found in limpets, a sea creature, to attack a hormone called angiotensin produced by the liver. Angiotensin raises blood pressure by narrowing arteries. The vaccine, however, turns the body’s immune system against the hormone.

It would need a course of just three jabs, with a booster every six months.

A booster shot every six months, or even once a year, would keep blood pressure low, the researchers said.

People who have tried it have suffered a few side effects, although one in ten did complain of a brief flu-like illness.

Protherics is planning trials of an improved version of the vaccine, which is ten times more effective at stimulating the immune system than its original formula, the Daily Mail reported.

“Improving compliance in this way could save thousands from life-threatening complications such as heart attack or stroke,” said Andrew Heath, an official of Protherics.

High blood pressure which affects a third of all adults doubles the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke and is blamed for 60,000 deaths a year in Britain. It is currently treated with pills with side effects and some patients simply stop taking them.

The Swiss firm Cytos Biotechnology is also developing a similar vaccine that uses an empty virus shell to spur the immune system into action.

Source:The Times Of India

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Yoga

Shavasana(Total Body Rest)

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Posture : Motionless & fixed but relaxed posture like dead body.
Pre position : Supine Position.
Use Generally practiced to get rid of fatigue, strain, exertion etc.

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How to do the Asana(Exercise):
1. Spread both the legs and keep them at a distance of 1 or 1.5 feet apart. Keep the heels facing inside and allow the toes to fall outside and relax them.
2. Take both the hands little away, say 3 to 4 inches, from the body and relax them. Keep the palms facing the roof and the fingers half – closed.
3. Turn the neck to any side and relax it. Further, relax the muscles of the face. Keep the eyes closed with ease and without pressure. Continue extremely slow breathing.

Position : The very aim of this asana is to relax each and every muscle in the body. In order to reach or attain this aim it becomes necessary to take the position in which one finds all the organs of the body in a comfortable and soothing state. Breathing must be slowed down.
Releasing : First one should prepare one’s mind for releasing the Asana. Then all the organs should be brought to their normal tone, and then after preparing first the mind, then the body and then the asana be released as under:-

1. Open the eyes and straighten the neck.
2. Get the hands beside and near to the body.
3. Bring both the legs together and take the Supine Position.

Duration: Since this asana is meant for rest, its duration is not fixed. The only principle to remember is to do this asana when the body is tired and release when the desired rest is achieved.
Benefits: Body movements are minimized, blood circulation is also minimized, heart rate drops, respiration drops, mind becomes calm and relaxed. This helps improve the functioning of brain, it can cure heart related ailments, it also brings down Blood Pressure.
Do’s & Don’ts Do’s
– Keep 1 to 1.5 feet distance between the feet.
– Hands 5 to 8 inches away from the body.
– Neck turned to any suitable direction or straight but relaxed.
– Keep your eyes closed.
– Try relaxing all the parts of the body.

Don’ts
– Do not wear tight clothes.
– Do not sleep in the asana.

Reference Book:- Yoga Sopan

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Herbs & Plants

Belleric Myroblan

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Botanical Name: Termindia chebula retz

Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Terminalia
Species:T. bellirica
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Myrtales

Indian Name: Harad or Haritaki

Habitat:
This tree is indigenous to India. It occurs almost throughout the country up to about 1,000 meters excepting the dry regions of Western India. It is more common in mixed deciduous forests. The herb contains substantial amounts of tannin substances.

Plant Description:
Belleric myroblan is a large tree, often with buttresses. It has large leaves, 10 to 25 cm long, clustered near ends of branches; small pale green foul-smelling flowers in simple spikes and egg-shaped, brownish long fruits densely covered with hair….CLICK  & SEE THE PICTURES

The word Belleric is taken from the scientific name which distinguishes this myroblan from the other one, that is, chebulic myroblan, (harad). The dried fruits of the tree constitute the drug bahera. The trade name bahera is based on the Indian name of the tree.


Healing Power and Curative Properties:

Chebulic myroblan is a wonderful herb and is known as long-life elixir. It is the fruit of a middle-sized or large tree which has egg-shaped 10 to 20 cm long leaves and dull white flowers in spikes at the end of its branches. The fruit, which is 2 to 4 cm long, has five distinct ribs on its body.

Chebulic myroblan is indigenous to India. It has been used in Indian system of medicine for a very long time. The physicians in ancient India used it in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, heart-bum, flatulence, dyspepsia and liver and spleen disorders. There is an old Indian proverb which says, “If one bites a piece of haritaki everyday after meals and swallows its juice, he will remain free from all diseases.”

The fruit of chebulic myroblan contains an astringent substance. The astringency is due to the characteristic principle chebulinic acid. It also contains tannic acid, gallic acid, resin and some purgative principle of the nature of anthraquinone.
The herb is bitter in taste. It is a tonic and a laxative and arrests secretion or bleeding. It is also useful in reducing fevers. The bahera fruit is one of the three constituents of the famous Indian preparation triphala, the other two being embelica myroblan (amla) and chebulic myroblan (harad).

Among its many medicinal virtues, is its use as a mild, safe and efficacious laxative. The drug helps arrest secretion or bleeding and strengthens the stomach and prornotes its action. It is useful in correcting disordered processes of nutrition by which the organism ingests digests, absorbs, utilises and excretes food substance and restores the normal function of the system. This herb is one of the ingredients of the famous Ayurvedic preparation triphala which is used in the treatment of enlarged liver, stomach disorders and pain in the eyes.

Acidity

The juice of chebulic myroblan is highly beneficial in the treatment of acidity and heart-bum. It neutralizes the acidity in the stomach, if taken after meals. For better results, this juice should be combined with the juice of Indian gooseberry (amla). Chewing a piece of chebulic myroblan is an age-old remedy for heart-burn.

Asthma

A piece of the fruit chewed every night, will reduce asthmatic tendencies to the minimum.

Constipation

As a mild laxative, chebulic myroblan is useful in constipation. Either the pulp of 2 or 3 fruits with a little rock salt or a decoction of 6 fruits and 4 grams of cloves or cinnamon, should be taken daily at bed time to relieve constipation.

Diarrhoea and Dysentery

This herb is also an effective remedy for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. Four grams of the pulp of the unripe fruit is given with honey and aromatics such as dove and cinnamon twice a day in the treatment of these diseases.

Piles

chebulic myroblan is a popular remedy for piles. The fresh fruits should be fried to a golden brown color in castor oil, powdered and stored. Half a teaspoon of this dissolved on the tongue at bedtime brings about normal bowel movement in the morning and its astringent property heals the pile masses.

Oral Inflammation

The use of a diluted decoction of chebulic myroblan is a popular gargle for mouth inflammation. The paste of the fruit mixed in thin buttermilk also makes a very effective gargle in gum inflammation. The powder of the fruit when applied directly on the painful tooth gives relief.

Skin Disorders

The herb is very useful in skin disorders like chronic ulcers, wounds and scalds. A fine powder of the fruit mixed with carrion oil-made from fat of an animal-makes an excellent ointment for burns and scalds.

Whitlow

Chebulic myroblan is also used to cure whitlow. The fruits are roasted, powdered and sieved. This powder is mixed in dilute tamarind water to make a fine paste which is applied on the infected finger. The astringent action of chebulic myroblan combines with the acidic effect of tamarind water to dry up infection.

Eye Disorders

A dilute decoction of chebulic myroblan used as an eye wash helps to relieve eye congestion. The fruit being astringent, decreases swelling and inflammation.

Mumps

A thick paste of chebulic myroblan applied over the swelling is a good remedy for treating mumps.

Vaginitis

A decoction of the herb is useful in vaginal irritation and inflammation. It should be used as a douche to wash the vulva parts. When there is thick white discharge, washing the part with a decoction made with neem leaves and chebulic myroblan fruits will help greatly.

Precautions: The use of chebulic myroblan should be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause abortion.

Coughs
Belleric myroblan is a household remedy for coughs. A mixture of the pulp of the fruit, salt, long pepper and honey is administered in the treatment of cough. The fried fruit covered with wheat flour and roasted, is another popular remedy for cough and catarrh.

Stomach Disorders
The herb is extremely useful in stomach disorders such as indigestion and diarrhea. A decoction or infusion of 1 to 3 grams of the pulp of the fruit should be administered in these disorders.

Sore Throat
The same mixture as for cough treatment is also a useful remedy for sore throat and hoarseness of voice. The fried fruit is another remedy for treating sore throat. It should be given in the same manner as for cough.

Chronic Constipation
The half ripe fruit is considered useful as a purgative. It can be used beneficially in the treatment of chronic constipation. However, the ripe and dried fruit has the opposite property.

Intestinal Worms
Belleric myroblan, mixed with the seeds of butea (palash) is very effective anthelmintic. It should be taken in doses of one teaspoon thrice a day. It helps remove all intestinal parasites.

Eye Disorders
The herb can be applied on the eyes as a soothing lotion. Its fine powder can be used beneficially in epiphora—that is watering of the eyes, in which tears flow onto the cheeks due to abnormality of the tear drainage system.
Other Uses

Hair Tonic: The herb is useful as a hair tonic. A paste of the fruit is boiled in coconut oil till its essence completely dissolves in the oil. This oil used regularly gives vitality to hair. Cheublic myroblan decoction is a popular hair tonic which many Indian women use to blacken grey hair.

Sweets and pickles based on chebulic myroblan are commonly used in Indian homes. They are believed to be digestive and mild laxative.

Source: www.indiangyan.com and Herbs That Heal

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News on Health & Science

Killing Cancer, the Haldi(Turmeric) Way

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Researchers have successfully trapped curcumin in nanoparticles and this may finally allow the turmeric component to be used as a tumour-fighting agent.

In the laboratory of physician-researcher Anirban Maitra, a tiny vial of liquid portrays the fusion of a 21st century technology and traditional Indian medicine, brought together by a common spice — turmeric or haldi.

The liquid contains billions of microscopic balls constructed out of a polymer-like material, each loaded with a tiny amount of curcumin, the yellow ingredient of turmeric. Each ball is a Trojan horse — a weapon designed to enter tumour cells and initiate their destruction. Maitra, associate professor at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US, believes these balls will allow curcumin to finally emerge as an effective cancer-fighting agent.

Maitra is part of a father-son team Maitra is part of a father-son team working from two sides of the world that has succeeded in trapping curcumin in nanoparticles, particles so tiny that tens of thousands of them would fit on top of a pinhead.

In the past five years, dozens of studies in India and abroad have established the efficacy of curcumin as a potential treatment for a number of cancers simulated in the laboratory. Some studies have also demonstrated the beneficial effects of curcumin in a number of non-cancerous conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and cystic fibrosis.

Curcumin is among the most attractive among promising new therapeutic agents because it’s been taken through food for centuries without any side effects,” Maitra told KnowHow. “But a single problem has prevented its widespread testing in humans — it’s poor solubility,” he said.

For oral curcumin to be efficiently absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream — so that it can reach various organs — solubility is crucial. An insoluble drug is excreted from the gut. While free curcumin “bathes” the gastrointestinal tract, little of it reaches the circulating blood, said Maitra. “So for diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract, such as colon cancer, free curcumin is okay, but for other diseases, it’s not suitable,” he said.

click to see the pictures…..().……………………………………
Curcumin and nanocurcumin in water, and turmeric

Curcumin therapy would require a patient to take 12 to 20 grams of oral curcumin each day, that is, some 24 to 40 capsules each containing 500 mg of curcumin. Studies have shown that beyond 12 grams, the after-taste becomes unbearable for a patient.

The nanocurcumin is soluble in water and is thus enabled to slip into the bloodstream and travel to different organs. The idea of encapsulating curcumin in nanoparticles was hatched during transcontinental telephone calls between Maitra and his father Amarnath Maitra, professor of chemistry at the University of Delhi, who has been investigating the potential of nanoparticles for drug delivery over the past decade.

Prof. Maitra and his student Sheetal Soni synthesised the nanoparticles — about 100 nanometres in size — that are hydrophobic (water-repellent) on the inside and hydrophilic (water-loving) on the outside.

“This unique property allows hydrophobic drugs like curcumin to be encapsulated inside the nanoparticle where the region is hydrophobic, while the nanoparticle itself with a hydrophilic outer coat is easily soluble in water or other water-containing liquids,” Maitra said. The John Hopkins-Delhi University team published its findings in the latest issue of the Journal of Nanobiotechnology.

While the Delhi researchers synthesised the nanoparticles and determined their properties, the US collaborators conducted studies in human cancer cells maintained in laboratory test tubes to study the behaviour of nanocurcumin. The studies show that nanocurcumin is equal to or better than free curcumin against the human cancer cells. The scientists now plan to conduct studies to evaluate the tumour fighting in animals.

There are two ways through which the nanocurcumin circulating in the bloodstream may reach tumours. Left to themselves, the nanoparticles are likely to accumulate in tumour cells because tumours have leaky blood vessels — they have tiny perforations that would allow the particles to seep out. But there is another, more ambitious, delivery technique which Maitra says is the “more superior option”.

“We can attach a special molecule to the surface of the nanoparticle that allows it to be delivered selectively to specific types of cells such as cancer cells,” Maitra said. Such a nanoparticle would home in on cancer cells like guided missiles. In laboratory experiments, Maitra’s team has shown that in pancreatic cancer cells the curcumin initiates a sequence of cellular events that cause the cell to commit suicide.

Enzymes in the cells then degrade the nanoparticles, allowing curcumin to seep out and begin acting on the target tumour cells. The nanoparticles are made from a polymer that is degraded in the body and excreted.

Source: The Telegraoh (Kolkata,India)

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