ALLERGY TO PLANTS AND TREES: RESINS AND BALSAMS ARE SECRETIONS PRODUCED BY TREES

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Resins and balsams are secretions produced by trees and plants following injury. Natural turpentine is produced this way, as is latex. Balsam of Peru is a chemical known commonly to cause reactions. It has an odour resembling vanilla and cinnamon. It, and related balsams, are used as flavouring agents in many food products, confectionery, drinks, and for flavouring and perfume, home medicines and toothpaste. Balsam of Peru cross-reacts with a number of common chemicals such as coal tar products.
Rosin is a resin produced as a distillation of natural oil of turpentine. It has a very wide use in all sorts of applications from fabric finishes, through adhesive tape, to varnishes and lacquers, and sensitivity is well documented.
Many natural oils and resins (such as natural turpentine and essential oils like rosemary) are used in producing building and decorating materials with no synthetic chemicals. Some individuals can be sensitive to these. .
Linseed oil is produced by pressing from the seeds of the flax plant. It is used as a sealant in some building products and as a component of linoleum. It is relatively inert and rarely causes reactions. Linoleum is a type of flooring that causes few problems to the chemically sensitive. Forbo-Nairn manufactures linoleum which can be ordered through any carpet or flooring supplier.

Obama: Health Costs Are ‘Biggest Driver of Long-Term Deficits’

Friday, March 27, 2009

By Jacob Goldstein
At his press conference last night, President Obama continued to hammer on what’s been his central health theme lately: Cutting costs.
“[I]t is going to be an impossible task for us to balance our budget if we’re not taking on rising health care costs,” he said, adding that “huge” health care costs are the “biggest driver of long-term deficits,” according to a transcript.

Later, he said that “the problem is not just in government-run programs. The problem is in the private sector, as well. It’s experienced by families. It’s experienced by businesses.”
And he gave a quick rundown of policies he argues “may cost money on the front end, but offer the prospect of reducing costs on the back end.” Those include expanding health IT and preventive care, and paying doctors and hospitals “on the basis of improved quality, as opposed to how many procedures you’re doing.”

Health-policy types talk all the time about trying to save money while improving care. Given the inefficiencies in our health-care system, you’d think it would be doable. Pilot projects like this one suggest it’s pretty tough — though maybe not impossible — in the real world.

Dates-Powerhouse of energy

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Benefits of dates:
Rich in carbohydrates and hence provide instant energy.
Great source of fiber.
Rich in iron and calcium. When eaten regularly, they can help in strengthening of bones.
Contains stimulants that strengthen the muscles of the uterus during the last few months of pregnancy. These stimulants help to dilate the uterus at the time of delivery.
Provides natural remedy for those suffering from giddiness due to low sugar and low blood pressure.
Contains 25 per cent more potassium than a banana.
Rich in Vitamin A.
Prevents constipation.
Helps cure abdominal cancer.

Helps in maintaining your heart in healthy condition if taken twice a week.

Sources:http://naturegnome.com/alternative-healthcare/health-benefits-of-dates/http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2008/09/03/dates_offer_complete_health_benefitshttp://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-dates.html