Ringworm is a very common skin infection that is highly contagious. It can affect the body, nails, scalp, or feet and typically causes a reddish ring or rash on the skin. Despite its name, this infection is not caused by a worm but is caused by a fungus. There are several home remedies that can prevent the infection from become significantly worse and spreading to others.

One way to treat ringworm is to soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar. You then must apply it to the infected area several times throughout the day. This has been one of the oldest, most effective, and most common home remedy for this type of infection. Apple cider vinegar kills fungus naturally and will match the pH levels in your skin; this helps clean the area and kills the fungi within hurting your skin.

Another way to naturally treat ringworm is to wash the infected area thoroughly, then apply a thin layer of pure tea tree oil a few times per day with a cotton ball. This oil contains an ingredient, terpinen-4-ol, that will quickly absorb into the skin and kills fungi at their roots which will allow the infection to clear up in a few days.

Other types of natural home treatments include using dead sea salts. Applying this type of salt to the infected area will dry up fungi and has proven to be very effective although it can be somewhat abrasive on the skin.

These salts are available in larger grains that can be used in body scrubs and for cooking purposes. Black walnut is also a very effective natural remedy for ringworm that has been used mostly by Native American Indians. Inside the shell of an unripe green walnut there is a type of oil or black paste. Applying this paste to the infected area several times throughout the day will ultimately get rid of the infection within a few days.

Traditional knowledge is that perspiration is the root of body odor. However, perspiration on it’s own is largely unscented, but it’s the bacteria and odor coming from different sources that are the genuine perpetrators.

Anaerobic bacteria, which flourish when your body does not have enough oxygen, could be the reason for your body odor. As the body’s metabolism goes to work, it offloads odor which is the body’s way of ridding itself of waste products. Any imbalances in metabolism will end up in stronger odors. We suggest you visit our halitosis, Foot odor and Sweaty Hands sections for detailed consultations of some of the causes and cures. Since we are talking about waste products you have to consider poisons as a possible reason for body odor. In today’s world we are snowed under with poisons in our houses, food, and air that acquire in the body when the organs of elimination can’t lose them. The liver and guts might be obstructed, causing odors to spring from the body, so we suggest an exhaustive detox program by cleaning the liver, kidneys and colon.

At some point in the future we’re going to have a total section on this vital process. Diet imbalances, leading to bowel problems or a deficiency of magnesium or zinc might be other causes of body odor. See our Hard stools section for causes and cures. Due to somebody’s body chemistry, some folk who eat large amounts of beef or who are vegetarians have a particularly particular body odor which can be quite offensive. Some people can’t metabolize foods containing big amounts of choline, eg eggs, fish, liver and legumes. The result’s a “fishy” smell. If you are one of these folk, cut out these products and see whether this is the reason behind your odor. Certain foods and drinks, eg onions, garlic, curry, certain spicy foods, coffee and alcohol, are also prime causes. Fried and baked products may contain rancid fats and oils that lead to body odor.

Over all, your best bet is to cleanse your colon. Flushing your system will get rid of the toxins that have built up over the years and you’ll find that your body odor will reduce significantly.

They call it health tourism. Tourists go to exotic island resorts in Asia and Europe not just for recreation, but also for total body rejuvenation. The spa industry has evolved from providing mere cosmetic solutions to giving a more holistic approach to caring for the body- by incorporating Eastern herbal medication, massages and essences with modern technology. Spas are creating a whole new level of experience for their patrons.

In sunny California, you will find some wonderful spas. Whether you want a facial made from mud taken from the banks of the Dead Sea or a skin-revitalizing bath of pressed grapes, you will them in California.

Finding respite from the hustle and bustle of daily city living is easier than you think. What?s more, you can take your young children along for spa sessions for fun treatments too. Most spas designed their facilities and services with enjoyment for the whole families in mind.

Numerous travel agencies cater specifically to spa vacations so finding the right spa resort for you and your entire family will not be too difficult. To give you an idea, spa resorts are usually located amidst breathtaking landscapes. They give a feeling of being away from it all, where your only worries are choosing between blueberry and wheat germ body scrub.

A spa vacation entitles you to avail of different kinds of massages and skin therapies. They will prepare a treatment plan for you, depending on your needs. The spa offers different treatments for female and male clients. Kids are also bound to get excited with treatments such as chocolate hand and foot scrubs and massages.

Every individual has a characteristic odor on the body, which is caused due to several factors. Chiefly these odors are caused due to the presence of bacteria on the body of the person. These bacteria multiply in the presence of sweat. This is when the odor becomes strong enough to become offensive. In some people, even though there is profuse sweating, the odor is not offensive; whereas in others the odor can be extremely offensive even with a small amount of perspiration. Hence the body odor will depend on several factors. The diet one eats, the climate one lives in, gender, occupation, age and mood all contribute in some way or other towards body odor.

Ayurveda believes body odor is due to the presence of toxins in the body. The chief toxin that is responsible for the body odor is the ama, which is the buildup of undigested food material in the respiratory tract. If the ama is not controlled within time, then it would spread to other regions of the body. From there, it would be eliminated in the form of perspiration, causing severe body odors. The buildup of ama is due to an imbalance in the pitta dosha of the person’s body; but the body odor itself can be caused due to a vitiation of all the three doshas.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Body Odor and Perspiration

® Alfalfa (Medicago satina)

Alfalfa has an antibacterial agent present in its chlorophyll. When alfalfa is consumed, it reduces the problem of body odor by killing the bacteria present on the body.

® Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) Just like alfalfa, parsley also has antibacterial properties in its chlorophyll. Moreover, parsley contains zinc in it which is known to have powers in reducing body odors.

® Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Rosemary is an antibacterial herb. Hence it is used in several deodorants to kill the bacteria living on the body and make it odor-free.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Body Odor and Perspiration

Diet becomes absolutely important to reduce offensive body odors, as the presence of odors is due to the improper digestion in the body. Therefore the foods that are taken in the diet must be ones that get easily digested whereas all foods that do not get digested easily must be avoided. The following are some dietary tips:-

® Reduce the intake of all difficult to digest foods such as red meats, ice creams, rich desserts, very hot and spicy food, pickles, etc.

® Do not consume foods when they are too hot or too cold.

® Use plenty of green leafy vegetables in the diet. This will provide the necessary roughage for the elimination of wastes from the diet. As a result the digestive tract will remain clean.

® After a heavy meal, eat some plantains. These will facilitate the digestion. Alternatively, digestive herbal pills containing mint in them can be taken.

® Fruits are very important. Instead of oily snacks, having an apple, orange or a banana when hungry is extremely advisable.

® Include one green salad dish in every meal.

® Fluids are extremely important to flush out the ama buildup in the digestive system. Several glasses of water must be had in a day.

(3) Personal Hygiene for Body Odor and Perspiration

Ayurveda stresses on physical hygiene as the preliminary step in the treatment of body odor. People must have a bath daily, preferable in hot water as this also increases the circulation of blood within the body. After the bath, the body must be wiped with a rough towel to remove the dead bacteria and dead cells off the body.

Wearing clean clothes after a bath every morning is ideal. A talcum powder which has antiperspirant agents in it must be used before setting out of the house every morning. Also clean socks and underwear are important.

Most of the body odor problems arise from the armpits. Shaving the hair from this region reduces the problem of body odor to a great extent.

(4) Home Medications

® Some herbal teas can eliminate body odor. Sage tea, when had daily once, can eliminate the bacteria that are responsible for body odor.

® Sage leaves are also helpful in the removal of unwanted body smells. Sage leaves can be mixed with tomato juice and apply this on the regions which are he sources of the body odor. After about thirty minutes, have your bath and wash off the paste. You will remain body odor free for the whole day.

® An unconventional method to reduce body odor is to use vinegar made from apple cider in place of deodorants. This is used in the armpits. Though the method is less commonly used, results are obtained. Vinegar contains acetic acid which is an antibacterial. Even normal white vinegar when applied to the areas of profuse perspiration will reduce most of the bacteria living there and eliminate the body odor.

® Turnip is also known to help. The juice of a grated turnip when applied to the places where sweat is more will keep that area free of sweat and perspiration for a long time. Regular use of this method will eliminate the problem of body odor completely.

A mud mask can help you soften and freshen up your sensitive facial skin. This mud mask already exists since 1100 BC. It was the Egyptians who first formulated the mud masks. They combined olive oil, milk and some natural ingredients for them to have a refreshed and rejuvenated beauty. We are going to make a simple facial mud mask so that anytime we want to freshen up our sensitive facial skin we can just do it at home and not spend too much in going to a salon to have a facial mud mask. The following will be the ingredients and the steps.

Ingredients:

Egg yolkDead sea mudOatmealCosmetic clayWitch hazel1/2 avocado German chamomile oilPeppermint oilLavender oil

Procedure:

The combination of three drops of German chamomile oil, one drop of peppermint oil and four drops of lavender oil to your 1/2 cup of Dead Sea mud is the start. Make sure that you blend it thoroughly to ensure that all the ingredients are mixed properly. After that you need to transfer it into a glass jar. Apply it thinly into your face and leave it there for about five to fifteen minutes. Use warm water in rinsing off the mask and pat it with a towel to dry your face. Make sure that you properly store the unused facial masks so that you can still use them on the next week to rejuvenate your face.

Mash 1/2 avocados and blend it until it is smooth. Now, add one beaten egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of dry cosmetic clay. To create a smooth paste, add witch hazel but make sure it is in a small amount. Now, you it is ready to be applied on your face and allow it to dry on your face. Again, use warm water to rinse of the mask and pat a towel on your face to help you dry it out. The unused masks just should be stored in a sealed container and put it in a refrigerator.

You can also make your own oatmeal mud mask. Mix one teaspoon of dry facial mud with two teaspoons of peppermint leaves and two teaspoons of fine ground oatmeal. To form a thick paste, add three tablespoons of water. It is now ready to be applied on your face. Let it dry on your face for fifteen minutes. Rinse after fifteen minutes and pat to dry.

There are a lot of simple and easy ways on how to create your own facial mud masks. All you just need to do is to be resourceful and creative.