How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster

1. Eat a healthy diet

Eating a diet rich in protein and vital vitamins and minerals is an essential prerequisite to healthy hair growth. Opt for foods high in vitamins A, B, C, and E, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and selenium. Vitamin B-complex, in particular, is extremely important for making your hair grow faster.

So, include a variety of foods like milk, cheese, yogurt, chicken, eggs, whole grains, salmon, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, cabbage, parsley, grapefruit, avocado, brown bread, oats, and alfalfa in your diet to nourish your hair and scalp. Plus, drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices, such as orange, grapefruit, carrot, beet, and lettuce juice.

Fish, flax seeds, walnuts, beans, winter squash, olive oil, and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also good for hair growth as about 3% of a hair shaft is made up of omega-3 fatty acids.

Avoid nutritional deficiencies because they tend to affect your hair adversely. For example, vitamin E and zinc deficiencies lead to hair thinning and loss.

2. Use castor oil

Being rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, especially omega-9 fatty acids, castor oil promotes hair growth naturally.

• As this oil is quite viscous, mix the castor oil with an equal amount of coconut, olive, or almond oil. Massage your scalp with it and leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes. Then shampoo your hair.
• You can also add essential oils, especially rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, or thyme oil, to the castor oil and then put it in your hair.

3. Massage your scalp

Massaging promotes blood flow to the scalp, which in turn stimulates the hair follicles. In addition, deep condition your hair once a week with a hot oil treatment or deep conditioning hair mask.

1. Apply the oil (preferably warm) or conditioner to your hair.
2. Gently rub your fingers on your scalp in a circular motion for three to five minutes.
3. Rinse the oil or conditioner out of your hair.

4. Flip your hair upside down

This is one of the most popular tricks to promote faster hair growth. Just flip your hair upside down by flipping your head over for two to four minutes daily. It is believed to work by improving circulation.

5. Stay stress-free

Stress is one of the most important factors that contribute to hair loss. It is believed that stress can disrupt the normal hair cycle and trigger hairs to enter the telogen or fall-out phase. Thus, when striving for faster hair growth, minimize the stress in your life.

To manage stress, you can use meditation, breathing exercises, or other relaxation techniques. Plus, be sure to get your beauty sleep as the growth hormone is released during sleep.

6. Whip up an egg mask

Eggs are highly beneficial for faster hair growth because they are packed with protein and also contain iron, sulfur, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium. You can use an egg hair mask at least once a month.

• Whisk an egg. Mix in four tablespoons of grapeseed oil and a few drops of lavender oil. Apply it on your hair and scalp and leave it on for half an hour. Finally, rinse it out and shampoo your hair as usual.
• Apply a mixture of two egg yolks and two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil on your scalp. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash it out with cold water and then shampoo your hair.
• Alternatively, whisk an egg and add one cup of milk, two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, and the juice from half a lemon to it. Apply it on your scalp and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before washing it out and shampooing your hair.

7. Infuse your hair with herbs

Herbs like rosemary, catnip, nettle, burdock, horsetail, and sage promote faster hair growth. Rosemary, in particular, is excellent for hair growth because it stimulates the hair follicles. It also adds luster to your locks.
Furthermore, the polyphenols and anti-inflammatory properties of green tea are also linked to hair growth. Plus, most herbs stimulate hair growth by improving circulation.

• Prepare an herbal infusion by steeping any of these herbs in hot water for 10 to 20 minutes. Use it as a final rinse after shampooing and conditioning your hair. In addition to encouraging hair growth, it will strengthen your hair and make it soft and manageable.
• You can also mix herbal infusions or essential oils in your shampoo.
• Drink herbal teas.

8. Take vitamin and herbal supplements

In addition to eating a proper diet, you can take supplements like folic acid, biotin, kelp, fish oil, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, saw palmetto, and others to augment hair growth.

Folic acid and biotin are B-complex vitamins (vitamin B9 and B7 respectively) that aid faster growth of hair. Before taking any supplements, though, make sure you consult your doctor.

9. Nourish your hair with aloe vera

Aloe vera encourages hair growth and prevents hair loss. It also reduces dandruff and helps restore your hair’s natural sheen.

• Apply fresh aloe vera gel mixed with a little lemon juice and leave it on for about 20 minutes.Shampoo your hair. Do this once every week or two.
• You can also combine aloe vera gel with equal amounts of coconut milk and wheat germ oil and then apply it on your hair.
• Drink aloe vera juice on a regular basis.

10. Address medical problems

Your efforts to boost hair growth will not reap good results if you have underlying problems like a thyroid disorder, hormonal imbalance, chronic illness, or a severe infection.

Certain medications like birth control pills, beta-blockers, anabolic steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and others may also contribute to problems such as hair thinning and hair loss.

Seborrheic dermatitis and scalp infections cause issues like itchy scalp and mild hair loss. So, identify any underlying issues contributing to hair problems and address them as soon as possible so they don’t hamper your hair growth efforts.

In addition to these tips, try some home remedies such as Indian gooseberry or amla oil, fenugreek paste, a mayonnaise hair pack, and other healthy hair ideas.

Maintain healthy hair by following a good hair care routine and using hair products that are suitable for your hair type. Plus, protect your tresses from sun damage and avoid the use of heat styling products.

11 Health Habits That Will Help You Live to 100

One of the biggest factors that determines how well you age is not your genes but how well you live. Not convinced? A study published in 2009 in the British Medical Journal of 20,000 British folks shows that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing the following four things: being active for 30 minutes a day, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.

While those are some of the obvious steps you can take to age well, researchers have discovered that centenarians tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about, and deal with stress—the sorts of things we can emulate to improve our own aging process. Of course, getting to age 100 is enormously more likely if your parents did. (Recent research suggests that centenarians are 20 times as likely as the average person to have at least one long-lived relative.) Still, Thomas Perls, who studies the century-plus set at Boston University School of Medicine, believes that assuming you've sidestepped genes for truly fatal diseases like Huntington's, "there's nothing stopping you from living independently well into your 90s." Heck, if your parents and grandparents were heavy smokers, they might have died prematurely without ever reaching their true potential lifespan, so go ahead and shoot for those triple digits. Follow these 11 habits and check out Perls' lifetime risk calculator to see how long you can expect to live.

1. Don't retire. "Evidence shows that in societies where people stop working abruptly, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease skyrockets after retirement," says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, has a different take on leisure time. "After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables," he says. "They're never really inactive." Farming isn't for you? Volunteer as a docent at your local art museum or join the Experience Corps, a program offered in 19 cities that places senior volunteers in urban public elementary schools for about 15 hours a week.

2. Floss every day. That may help keep your arteries healthy. A 2008 New York University study showed that daily flossing reduced the amount of gum-disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria is thought to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart disease. Other research has shown that those who have high amounts of bacteria in their mouth are more likely to have thickening in their arteries, another sign of heart disease. "I really do think people should floss twice a day to get the biggest life expectancy benefits," says Perls.

3. Move around. "Exercise is the only real fountain of youth that exists," says Jay Olshansky, a professor of medicine and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "It's like the oil and lube job for your car. You don't have to do it, but your car will definitely run better." Study after study has documented the benefits of exercise to improve your mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bones. "And the benefits kick in immediately after your first workout," Olshansky adds. Don't worry if you're not a gym rat. Those who see the biggest payoffs are the ones who go from doing nothing to simply walking around the neighborhood or local mall for about 30 minutes a day. Building muscle with resistance training is also ideal, but yoga classes can give you similar strength-training effects if you're not into weight lifting.

4. Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast. Getting a serving of whole-grains, especially in the morning, appears to help older folks maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to a recent study conducted by Ferrucci and his colleagues. "Those who do this have a lower incidence of diabetes, a known accelerator of aging," he says.

5. Get at least six hours of shut-eye. Instead of skimping on sleep to add more hours to your day, get more to add years to your life. "Sleep is one of the most important functions that our body uses to regulate and heal cells," says Ferrucci. "We've calculated that the minimum amount of sleep that older people need to get those healing REM phases is about six hours." Those who reach the century mark make sleep a top priority.

6. Consume whole foods, not supplements. Strong evidence suggests that people who have high blood levels of certain nutrients—selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E—age much better and have a slower rate of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, there's no evidence that taking pills with these nutrients provides those antiaging benefits. "There are more than 200 different carotenoids and 200 different flavonoids in a single tomato," points out Ferrucci, "and these chemicals can all have complex interactions that foster health beyond the single nutrients we know about like lycopene or vitamin C." Avoid nutrient-lacking white foods (breads, flour, sugar) and go for all those colorful fruits and vegetables and dark whole-grain breads and cereals with their host of hidden nutrients.

7. Be less neurotic. It may work for Woody Allen, who infuses his worries with a healthy dose of humor, but the rest of us neurotics may want to find a new way to deal with stress. "We have a new study coming out that shows that centenarians tend not to internalize things or dwell on their troubles," says Perls. "They are great at rolling with the punches." If this inborn trait is hard to overcome, find better ways to manage when you're stressed: Yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi, or just deep breathing for a few moments are all good. Ruminating, eating chips in front of the TV, binge drinking? Bad, very bad.

8. Live like a Seventh Day Adventist. Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it's important to cherish the body that's on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise. They're also very focused on family and community.

9. Be a creature of habit. Centenarians tend to live by strict routines, says Olshansky, eating the same kind of diet and doing the same kinds of activities their whole lives. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is another good habit to keep your body in the steady equilibrium that can be easily disrupted as you get on in years. "Your physiology becomes frailer when you get older," explains Ferrucci, "and it's harder for your body to bounce back if you, say, miss a few hours of sleep one night or drink too much alcohol." This can weaken immune defenses, leaving you more susceptible to circulating flu viruses or bacterial infections.

10. Stay connected. Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that's particularly prevalent in elderly widows and widowers. Some psychologists even think that one of the biggest benefits elderly folks get from exercise the strong social interactions that come from walking with a buddy or taking a group exercise class. Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the added benefit of having someone watch their back. "They'll tell you if they think your memory is going or if you seem more withdrawn," says Perls, "and they might push you to see a doctor before you recognize that you need to see one yourself."

11. Be conscientious. The strongest personality predictor of a long life is conscientiousness—that is, being prudent, persistent, and well organized, according to The Longevity Project, coauthored by Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin. The book describes a study that followed 1,500 children for eight decades, collecting exhaustive details about their personal histories, health, activities, beliefs, attitudes, and families. The children who were prudent and dependable lived the longest, Friedman says, likely because conscientious types are more inclined to follow doctors' orders, take the right medicines at the right doses, and undergo routine checkups. They're also likelier to report happier marriages and more satisfying work lives than their less conscientious peers.

25 Ways to Use Honey in Home Remedies

Sometimes called the nectar of the gods, honey has been a staple in the human diet for thousands of years. The benefits of honey have been touted everywhere from ancient history books to clinical trials in modern society. Honey also has antifungal and antibacterial properties. The high sugar content dehydrates bacteria by producing hydrogen peroxide and other antibacterial chemicals. Honey has been shown to speed up growth of body tissues by helping to form new blood vessels, collagen and epithelial cells. Taking honey and mixing it in with other herbs, fruits and foods can help enhance healing properties. There are countless ways to use honey in home remedies. Below are recipes that aid in ailments. (Click on the link to view recipe.)

1. Honey Citrus Syrups: Sooth Sore Throat And Flu

A great concoction of honey, herbs, spices and citrus fruits to help sooth a sore throat. The spices and herbs help in aiding the inflammation of the throat while the honey soothes and helps get rid of any bacteria.

2. Lemon-Honey: Colds

Here is a recipe with honey and lemons that can ease fever and chill symptoms associated with the common cold.

3. Cinnamon-honey: Overall Wellness

Here is a recipe that naturally boosts your health by incorporating cinnamon and honey that may help in combating hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

4. Ginger-honey: Sore Stomach

Ginger appears to reduce inflammation in a similar way to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by slowing associated biochemical pathways. Ginger also promotes circulation. Combining it with honey in thisrecipe makes it ideal for an upset stomach.

5. Clove-honey: Toothache

This recipe uses cloves that contain a very strong anesthetic chemical called eugenol. Eugenol is also an antiseptic like honey that helps kill germs that may contribute to an infection. Cloves are also about 20 times richer in eugenol than other sources.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey: Acid Reflux

An unlikely combination to aid in acid reflux, apple cider vinegar has been shown to improve digestion and mineral absorption that plays a role in reducing acid reflux. Take this tonic on a daily basis for relief.

7. Honey Heel Moisturizer: Dry, Cracked Heels

A recipe incorporating honey, milk, and orange to aid in dry, cracked heels. Milk is rich in vitamin A which is essential for healthy skin in helping to repair and rebuild it. The orange serves as a natural chemical peel in aiding to remove dry skin.

8: Honey and Brown Sugar Scrub: Dry Skin

Brown sugar’s texture makes it ideal for removing dry skin. Mix the sugar with the honey for a moisturizing exfoliant for your skin.

9.  Honey and Yogurt Face Mask: Acne

Rich in probiotics, yogurt can help decrease inflammation and restore the skin’s natural pH balance. Mixed with honey this mask will also boost the anti-inflammatory properties for combatting acne.

10. Honey and Coconut Water Drink: Sore Muscles

Coconut oil contains many electrolytes that can aid in dehydration, a main reason for sore muscles. This drink includes citrus and honey that together boost energy.

11. Honey and Sugar Cream: Athlete’s Foot

Honey and sugar work together in this paste to minimize the fungus associated with athlete’s foot.

12. Honey and Lemon: Weight Loss

A simple recipe combining honey, hot water, and lemon. Some recent studies in Nutrition Research and Scientific World Journal conclude that honey can aid in weight loss. Lemon has also been found to contribute to weight loss.

13. Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar: High Cholesterol

Ayurvedic texts say honey gets rid of fat and cholesterol in the body’s tissues. This is an example recipe.

14. Honey and Guggul: Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

This is an Ayurvedic guggul-based formula. Triphala guggulu was assessed in a laboratory setting and found to significantly inhibit inflammatory enzymes related with rheumatoid arthritis. Mix with honey for further anti-inflammatory effects in this recipe.

15. Honey and Turmeric: Oral Ulcers

The proven antibacterial and antiviral properties of honey can accelerate the healing process in the case of canker sores. Mix with turmeric and apply this three times a day.

16. Honey and Ginger Cleanse: Sinuses

A recipe taking a mixture of fresh ginger juice and honey to relieve sinus congestion for use two to three times a day.

17. Honey and Orange Juice: Anxiety

Research has shown that orange has a calming effect and can aid in fatigue, exhaustion, and anxiety. Mixed with honey this recipe is great for fighting anxiety. Citrus oils have also been show to increase concentration and alertness.

18. Honey and Pineapple: Smoking Cessation

Pineapple is high in vitamin C, which aids people who smoke tend to lack. Chewing pineapple and taking honey afterwards, as explained here, can also help to curb cigarette cravings.

19. Honey, Bay Leaf, and Celery Seeds:Abdominal Pain

A recipe involving a mixture of ground bay leaf, celery seeds, and honey before lunch and dinner daily. Bay leaves and celery seeds have been shown to aid in stomach ulcers and colic pain.

20. Honey, Cinnamon, and Trikatu: Poor Circulation

A tea concoction to aid in poor circulation by increasing blood flow. Trikatu is effective in curing dyspepsia and helps in proper circulation.

21. Honey and Castor Oil: Hiccups

Hiccups are caused by spasms of the diaphragm, and the ingredients in this recipe are anti-spasmodic, leading to relief.

22. Honey and Cinnamon: Eczema

Scientists have discovered that honey not only heals damaged skin in extremely severe cases of eczema and eliminates the dry patches, but it also has the ability to regenerate new skin growth. This recipe also includes cinnamon for further healing properties.

23. Fenugreek Seeds, Honey, Ginger Remedy:Asthma

This is an Ayurvedic recipe for asthma using fenugreek seeds along with ginger and honey. Honey is good for your respiratory tract while ginger has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Fenugreek is also added because it may aid in respiratory problems including asthma and bronchitis.

24. Homemade Cinnamon Mouthwash: Bad Breath

A recipe incorporating honey, cinnamon, lemon juice, and baking soda. Combined, these ingredients aid in killing odor-causing bacteria.

25. Honey Mask: Oily Hair

This hair mask incorporates egg yolk, which is full of proteins, and honey, which will nourish and replenish your hair.

Even though honey has great health benefits, it is still a form of a sugar, and you should always speak with your physician before incorporating it into your daily lifestyle.