“After a busy, stressful day it’s a great escape to come home and potter about in your garden,” says author Gay Search. Not only is it rewarding and absorbing but gardening may even provide better exercise than going to the gym. How so? According to Search, “activities such as digging and raking are good steady exercise, which burns more calories than cycling.”

Tending a garden especially benefits the elderly. Waiting for a new shoot or bud to appear to help them to look ahead positively. Additionally, “the garden provides an antidote to the pain and frustration” of old age, states Dr. Brigid Boardman of the Royal Horticultural Society. The elderly often feel discouraged because of an increasing dependency on others.

As Dr. Boardman notes, though, “the need to be in control is met by our control of what we plant, how we plan the garden, and how it is tended. And the need to care is again fulfilled.” Those suffering from mental-health problems often feels relaxed when working in a beautiful, peaceful environment. Further, growing flowers or food for others may help such individuals to regain confidence and self-respect.

However, it is not just gardeners who benefit from greenery. Professor Roger Ulrich of the University of Texas experimented with a group of people who had been subjected to a stress-inducing test. He found that those who were taken to a green space surrounded by trees enjoyed a speedier recovery—as measured by heart rate and blood pressure—than did those not exposed to a natural setting.

A similar test found that patients recuperating in the hospital after surgery benefited from staying in rooms that overlooked trees. Compared with other patients, they “recovered quicker, went home sooner, needed less pain relief and complained less.”

So gardening is not only that you can benefit from the fruits of your plant vegies or enjoy the beauty of your flower plant, you will also gain healthful life.

Even so, a growing number of older and younger people in poor countries are lowering this hurdle by making use of health care that is available and affordable. Take, as an example, a new approach in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).

Worldwide, TB kills more people than AIDS, malaria, and tropical diseases combined—8,000 each day. Of every 100 TB patients, 95 live in the world’s developing countries. Some 20 million people now suffer from active TB, and some 30 million could die from it in the next ten years, a number equal to the combined populations of Bolivia, Cambodia, and Malawi.

No wonder WHO was pleased to announce in 1997 that it had developed a strategy to cure TB in six months without the need of hospitalization or high-tech medical care. “For the first time,” noted The TB Treatment Observer, a WHO publication, “the world has proven tools and strategies to reverse the TB epidemic not only in wealthy countries, but in the world’s poorest countries as well.” This strategy—described by some as “the biggest health breakthrough of this decade”—is called DOTS.

Although the cost of this strategy is much less than that of conventional TB treatments, the results are promising, especially for those living in developing countries. “No other TB control strategy has consistently demonstrated such high cure rates,” says Dr. Arata Kochi, director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “DOTS produces cure rates as high as 95 percent, even in the poorest of countries.” By the end of 1997, the DOTS strategy had been adopted in 89 countries. Today that number has risen to 96. WHO hopes this strategy will reach many more millions of poor people in the least developed countries, thus enabling them to lower the third hurdle in the race of life.

By changing his habits, enhancing his environment, and improving his medical care, man has indeed been able to extend his average life span and life expectancy. The question is, Will it be possible one day for man to extend the maximum human life span as well—perhaps even to live without a finish line?

Similarly, human life has a starting point and high hurdles along the way. During his life man encounters one hurdle after another. Each jump makes him weaker, and in time, he gives up. The higher the hurdles, the sooner he drops out, or dies. If one lives in the developed world, the drop-out point comes at about 75 years of age. This time period is called the average human life span — comparable to the distance most runners actually go.

Some people, though, run on longer, and a few even reach what is thought to be the maximum human life span, 115 to 120 years — a feat rare enough to make world headline news.

Identifying the Hurdles

People can now stay in the race almost twice as long as they could at the beginning of this century. Why? Basically because man has been able to lower the hurdles. What, though, are these hurdles? And can they be pushed even lower?
A public-health expert of the World Health Organization (WHO) explained that some of the main hurdles, or factors, affecting man’s life expectancy are habits, environment, and medical care. Thus, the sounder your habits, the healthier your environment, and the better your medical care, the lower those hurdles are and the longer your life may last. Although people’s circumstances vary greatly, virtually everyone — from a bank director in Sydney to a street vendor in São Paulo — can do something to lower the hurdles in his or her life.

How?

Habits That Affect Your Track Record

“Not only do persons with better health habits survive longer, but in such persons, disability is postponed and compressed into fewer years at the end of life,” reports The New England Journal of Medicine. Indeed, the first hurdle can be lowered by changing such habits as eating, drinking, sleeping, smoking, and exercise. Consider, for example, exercise habits.

Physical - exercise habits. Moderate physical exercise goes a long way. Studies show that simple exercises in and around the home help the elderly, including the ‘oldest old,’ to regain strength and vitality. For instance, one group of older people ranging from 72 to 98 years of age found that they could walk faster and climb stairs more easily after doing some weight-lifting exercises for just ten weeks. And no wonder! Tests taken after the exercise program showed that the participants’ muscle strength had more than doubled. Another group, made up of mostly sedentary women up to 70 years of age, exercised twice a week. After a year, they had gained in muscle mass, as well as in strength, balance, and bone density. “When we started, we were afraid we’d rip ligaments, pop tendons, tear muscles,” said physiologist Miriam Nelson, who conducted the studies. “But all we got was stronger, healthier people.”

Summarizing the results of several scientific studies on aging and exercise, one textbook states: “Exercise slows the process of aging, prolongs life, and reduces the period of dependency that most often precedes death.”

Mental-exercise habits. The adage “Use it or lose it” seems to apply not merely to the muscles but also to the mind. Although aging is accompanied by some forgetfulness, studies conducted by the U.S. National Institute on Aging show that an older brain remains flexible enough to handle the effects of aging. Hence, professor of neurology Dr. Antonio R. Damasio concludes: “Older people can continue to have extremely rich and healthy mental lives.” What accounts for the continuing flexibility of older brains?

The brain consists of 100 billion brain cells, or neurons, and trillions of connections between them. These connections act like telephone lines enabling neurons to “talk” to one another to create, among other things, memory. As the brain ages, neurons die. Yet, older brains are able to compensate for neuron losses. Whenever a neuron falls silent, its neighbors respond by making new connections to other neurons and taking on the work load of the lost neuron. That way, the brain actually shifts responsibility for a given task from one region to another. Therefore, many older people accomplish the same mental tasks as younger people, but they may use different parts of the brain to do so. In some respects, an older brain acts a bit like an older tennis player who compensates for his dwindling speed by resorting to skills that younger players may lack. Yet, despite using techniques different from those of his juniors, the older player still scores.

What can older persons do to keep up the score? After studying more than 1,000 people between 70 and 80 years of age, gerontology researcher Dr. Marilyn Albert found that mental exercise is one of the factors that determines which older people hang on to their intellectual prowess. Mental exercise keeps the brain’s ‘telephone lines’ alive. On the other hand, say experts, mental decline starts “when people retire, decide to take things easy, and say they don’t have to keep up with the world anymore.”—Inside the Brain.

So the good news is, explains gerontologist Dr. Jack Rowe, that “factors under our control or which we can modify should enhance our capacity to have a successful old age.” Moreover, it is never too late to start forming good habits. “Even if you have had bad health habits most of your life and you change in the later years,” says a researcher, “you should still reap at least some of the rewards of a healthy lifestyle.”

Environment Makes a Difference

If a girl born today in London were to be transported back to London of the Middle Ages, her life expectancy would be less than half what it is today. That difference would be caused, not by a sudden change in the physical condition of the girl, but rather by an abrupt change in the height of two more hurdles—environment and medical care. First, consider environment.

Physical environment. In the past, man’s physical environment—his home, for instance—was a towering health hazard. During recent decades, however, the dangers caused by physical environment have been lessened. Better sanitation, safer water, and a reduction in vermin in the home have improved man’s environment, bolstered his health, and extended his life. As a result, in many parts of the world, man is now able to go a longer distance. Yet, lowering this hurdle involves more than installing indoor plumbing. It also calls for maintaining a healthy social and religious environment.

Social environment. Your social environment is made up of people—the ones with whom you live, work, eat, worship, and play. Your physical environment improves when you have access to safe water; similarly, your social environment may improve when you have access to valued companions, to name one prime factor. Being able to share your joys and sorrows, dreams and frustrations, with other people lowers the height of the environmental hurdle and helps you to run a longer course.

The reverse, however, is also true. A lack of companionship may cause loneliness and social death. You tend to wither if you exist without receiving expressions of care from the people around you. One woman living in a home for the elderly wrote to an acquaintance: “I am 82 years old and I have been here at the home for 16 long years. They treat us well, but the loneliness is sometimes hard to bear.” Sadly, this woman’s condition is typical of that of many older ones, especially in the Western world. They often live in a social environment that tolerates but hardly appreciates them. As a consequence, “loneliness is one of the major conditions that constantly threaten the well-being of the elderly in the developed world,” says James Calleja, of the International Institute on Ageing.

True, you may not be able to remove the circumstances that make you vulnerable to loneliness—such as forced retirement, declining mobility, the loss of longtime friends, or the death of a spouse—but you can still take some steps to lower this hurdle to a manageable height. For starters, keep in mind that feeling lonely is not caused by old age; some young people feel lonely as well. Being old is not the cause of the problem—being socially isolated is. What can you do to fight slipping into isolation?

“Make it pleasant for people to be with you,” advises an older widow. “Few people enjoy associating with a grouchy person. You need to put forth the effort to be cheerful. That takes energy, it’s true, but the energy you invest gives returns. Kindness begets kindness.” She adds: “To make sure that I have some topics of conversation in common with the people I meet, young or old, I try to keep up with the present by reading informative magazines and following the news.”

Here are some other suggestions: Learn to be interested in what other people like. Ask questions. To the extent possible, be generous. If you lack material goods, you can give of yourself; there is happiness in giving. Write letters. Take up a hobby. Accept invitations to visit other people or to go out with them. Keep your home cheerful and inviting for visitors. Reach out to people in need and offer help.

Religious environment. A growing body of evidence suggests that religious activities help older people to find “meaningfulness and significance in life” and to experience “happiness,” “a sense of usefulness,” “greater life satisfaction,” and “a sense of community and well-being.” Why? The book Later Life—The Realities of Aging explains: “Religious faith provides people with a philosophy of life as well as a series of attitudes, values, and beliefs that help them interpret and understand the world around them.” In addition, religious activities bring older people in contact with other people and thus “reduce the possibility of social isolation and loneliness.”

For Louise and Evelyn, both widows 80 years of age and members of a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, these studies merely confirm what they have known for decades. “At our Kingdom Hall, I enjoy talking to others, old and young,” says Louise. “The meetings are educational. When associating after the meetings, we have some good laughs too. It’s a cheerful time.” Evelyn also benefits from her religious activities. “Going out to talk with the people in my neighborhood about the Bible,” she says, “keeps me from becoming isolated. But more than that, it makes me happy. Helping others to get to know the real meaning of life is satisfying work.”

Clearly, Louise and Evelyn have a purpose in life. The resulting feelings of well-being they experience lower the second hurdle—environment—and help them to stay on course.

“Thirty minutes of moderate activity each day is a good goal,” says the National Institute on Aging (NIA). But you don’t have to exercise for 30 minutes all at once. Doing exercises for three short sessions of 10 minutes each is said to have the same benefits as doing the same type of exercises in one session of 30 minutes.

What kind of exercise can you do?

The NIA booklet Don’t Take It Easy: Exercise! recommends: “Short bursts of activity, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking instead of driving, can add up to 30 minutes of exercise a day. Raking leaves, playing actively with children, gardening, and even doing household chores can all be done in a way that count toward your daily total.” Of course, it is wise to consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Moderate physical activity can help the elderly to regain strength and vitality.

The National Institute on Aging, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, says that “the chances of staying healthy and living a long time can be improved” by following levelheaded advice, such as the following:

● Eat a balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables.
● If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
● Don’t smoke. It’s never too late to quit.
● Exercise regularly. Check with a doctor before starting an exercise program.
● Stay in contact with family and friends.
● Stay active through work, play, and community.
● Keep a positive attitude toward life.
● Do things that make you happy.
● Get regular health checkups.

Furthermore, known as Tubang Bakod in Tagalog, Physic Nut in English or tuba-tuba or Jatropha. The latest craze to hit the ago-business in the Philippines. It is cultured primarily for its oil to produce biodiesel. The tuba-tuba has been planted in the Philippines for quite some time, but was used mainly as fencing, as the animals do not eat the leaves, even the insatiable goat will not eat the leaves. The increasing price of oil prices has sparked interest in the tuba-tuba or Jatropha.

Jatropha is drought resistant perennial shrub or small tree that produces seeds up to 35 years but can live to 50 years. Jatropha grows quickly, with little or no maintenance and comes to the average height of about 3 meters, but can grow up to 8 meters.

Tuba-tuba is one of the most promising sources of bio-fuel today. Approximately, 30% of the Tuba-tuba nut is composed of oil. 3 kilos of Jatropha seeds can produce about 1 liter of crude Jatropha oil can then be processed into biodiesel fuel. This oil can easily be turned into fuel that can replace or blend with petroleum-based diesel to save on oil imports and more importantly increase local employment and help the economy grow.

As the average height of the Jatropha plant is about three meters, harvesting is easy and the plant can be grown practically anywhere (common soil, sand, gravel or rocky soil) and adapts easily to different climates. Jatropha is drought resistant, which can support up to two years without rain. The tree also has a short gestation period, will be a variety of fruits from around 6 months of age and be fully fruit one to two years.

Other advantages of planting Tuba-tuba/Jatropha:

- Aside from using the seed oil as biodiesel, the extracted oil can also be used in making soap.
- The Jatropha / Tuba-tuba leaves can be used for fumigating houses to expel bugs.
- The root extracts of Jatropha plant can be used as a yellow dies while the bark extracts as blue dye. While the seeds when pounded can be used for tanning.
- The roots, flowers and latex of Jatropha plant are said to have medicinal properties.
- Planting of Jatropha reduces soil degradation, erosion and deforestation of rural areas.

The planting of the Tuba-Tuba:

Irrigated land can be planted with up to 2,500 plants per hectare of Jatropha - a space or two meters by two meters. However, in poor soils and the land are dependent on the rains, the plants should be spaced further apart. A month or two before the start of the rainy season is a good time to plant. Jatropha seeds can be planted directly or 2-3 months old seedlings in nurseries can be used. Jatropha seedling or cutting is planted then covered in an uphill to prevent erosion. The plants are watered for two weeks after transplantation. Seeds can usually be harvested one year after planting. potential yield ranges from 1.25 to 12.5 tons of seed per hectare.

Oil extraction process:

Oil is easily extracted from the tuba-tuba nut for the use of an expeller. This engine-driven machine is simple enough to be operated in the provinces by the common people. The yield is about 1 liter of oil for every 3 kilos of seeds. The oil is refined to produce biodiesel.

It has been estimated that a processing plant. (Presser, expeller) to be economically viable and have a continuous supply of Jatropha nut, 5,000 hectares of land should be planted with Jatropha trees. The trees can be planted on coconut plantations - inter cropping the tuba-tuba / Jatropha under the coconut trees. With proper weeding, pruning, tillage and fertilization, up to 20 kilos of seeds can be harvested per tree - up to 0.40 metric tons per hectare for irrigated land and up to 2.5 metric tons of seed per year if the land is irrigated. This is an incentive for coconut farmers and landowners alike.

In the Philippines, planting of Jatropha or tuba-tuba is in progress, more so in Visayas and Mindanao, but can be planted anywhere. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is actively promoting its planting to coconut farmers.

With the growing interest in biodiesel fuels, you may one day be used to the idea that fuel for our vehicles was harvested from local plantations instead of using imported oil from the Middle East.

Lagundi (scientific name: Vitex negundo) is a woody plant that grows in the Philippines. One of the herbal remedies endorsed by the Philippines Department of Health as an effective herbal medicine with therapeutic value. Usually recognized in the Ilocos region as Dangla, Lagundi has been clinically tested to be effective in the treatment of colds, flu, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis. Studies have shown that Lagundi can prevent the body’s production of leukotrienes, which are released during an asthma attack. Lagundi contains Chrysoplenol D an antihistamine substance with muscle relaxant properties. Even in Japan, Lagundi is being recognized as an effective herbal medicine, especially since research has shown that contains properties that make it an expectorant and have been reported to function as a tonic as well. More than that, most Lagundi plant parts have medicinal value.

The roots of this plant are also used as a treatment for rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, and leprosy. The leaves, flowers, seeds and root of all Lagundi can be used as herbal medicine. The decoction is made by boiling the parts of the plant and taken orally. Today, Lagundi is available in capsules and cough syrup. For its part, the flowers are recommended as a cardiac tonic, as a cure for liver diseases and other systemic diseases such as diarrhea and cholera. Lagundi plant also has anti-inflammatory functions, and its cooling effects are ideal as a treatment for skin diseases like leprosy.

Plant Description: The Lagundi plant can grow up to five meters high. It can be described as a cross between a shrub and a tree with a single woody stem (trunk). One of the distinguishing features is its that the Lagundi leaves pointed with five leaflets together like a hand.

Lagundi tablets (300 mg) are available from the Department of Health’s Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC)

Herbal Benefits of Lagundi:

• Relief of asthma & pharyngitis
• Recommended relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea
• Treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders
• Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox
• Removal of worms, and boils

Preparation & Use:

• Boil half cup of chopped fresh or dried leaves in 2 cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink half cup three times a day.
• For skin diseases or disorders, apply the decoction of leaves and roots directly on skin.
• The root is specially good for treating dyspepsia, worms, boils, colic and rheumatism.

A decoction (boiling in water) of the roots and leaves of Lagundi are applied to wounds, and used as aromatic baths for skin diseases. Boiled seeds are eaten in order to prevent the spreading of toxins and venom from bites of poisonous animals. Juice extracted from the flowers of Lagundi plant is taken in as an aid for disorders like fever, diarrhea, liver disorders, and even cholera. While a decoction of the plant leaves is suggested to be taken by individuals to help increase the flow and production of milk, as well as to induce menstruation.

1. Akapulko (Cassia alata) - also known as “bayabas-bayabasan” and “ringworm bush” in English, this herbal medicine is used to treat ringworm and skin fungal infections.

2. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) - known as “bitter gourd” or “bitter melon” in English, it has most known as a treatment of diabetes (diabetes mellitus), for the non-insulin dependent patients.

3. Bawang (Allium sativum) - popularly known as “garlic”, it mainly reduces cholesterol in the blood and hence, helps control blood pressure.

4. Bayabas (Psidium guajava) - “guava” in English. It is primarily used as an antiseptic, to disinfect wounds. Also, it can be used as a mouth wash to treat tooth decay and gum infection.

5. Lagundi (Vitex negundo) - known in English as the “5-leaved chaste tree”. Its main use is for the relief of coughs and asthma.

6. Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica L.) - is a vine known as “Chinese’s honey suckles”. It is effective in the elimination of intestinal worms, particularly the Ascaris and Trichina. Only the dried matured seeds are medicinal -crack and ingest the dried seeds two hours after eating (5 to 7 seeds for children & 8 to 10 seeds for adults). If one dose does not eliminate the worms, wait a week before repeating the dose.

7. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)- English name: Blumea camphora. A diuretic that helps in the excretion of urinary stones. It can also be used as an edema.

8. Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia microphylla Lam.) - Prepared like tea, this herbal medicine is effective in treating intestinal motility and also used as a mouth wash since the leaves of this shrub has high fluoride content.

9. Ulasimang Bato | Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucida) - It is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The leaves can be eaten fresh (about a cupful) as salad or like tea. For the decoction, boil a cup of clean chopped leaves in 2 cups of water. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, let cool and drink a cup after meals (3 times day).

10. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasi) - commonly known as Peppermint, this vine is used as an analgesic to relive body aches and pain. It can be taken internally as a decoction or externally by pounding the leaves and applied directly on the afflicted area.

Tips on Handling Medicinal Plants / Herbs:

• If possible, buy herbs that are grown organically - without pesticides.

• Medicinal parts of plants are best harvested on sunny mornings. Avoid picking leaves, fruits or nuts during and after heavy rainfall.

• Leaves, fruits, flowers or nuts must be mature before harvesting. Fewer medicinal substances are found on young parts.

• After harvesting, if drying is required, it is advisable to dry the plant parts either in the oven or air-dried on screens above ground and never on concrete floors.

• Store plant parts in sealed plastic bags or brown bottles in a cool dry place without sunlight preferably with a moisture absorbent material like charcoal. Leaves and other plant parts that are prepared properly, well-dried and stored can be used up to six months.

Tips on Preparation for Intake of Herbal Medicines:

• Use only half the dosage prescribed for fresh parts like leaves when using dried parts.

• Do not use stainless steel utensils when boiling decoctions. Only use earthen, enameled, glass or alike utensils.

• As a rule of thumb, when boiling leaves and other plant parts, do not cover the pot, and boil in a low flame.

• Decoctions lose potency after some time. Dispose of decoctions after one day. To keep fresh during the day, keep lukewarm in a flask or thermos.

• Always consult with a doctor if symptoms persist or if any sign of allergic reaction develops.

Home remedies are inexpensive, and most of us already have them in our homes. When you find the right home remedies can relieve the pain of ear infection and help get rid of the infection completely.

1 Take a cloth full of hot water and drain. Keep a warm cloth in the infected ear until it cools. Moist heat increases circulation and reduces swelling and pain. This will not reduce infection, but is likely to provide comfort.

2: Take 1 tbsp. pure almond oil company, add 2 drops of lavender essential oil, 2 drops of chamomile essential oil and 3 drops of essential oil of tea tree. Combine oils and heat up. Put 2 drops of this mixture of hot oil within the infected ear twice a day for comfort.

3, chewing gum - or food, for that matter - opening and closing the mouth causing the tube Eustathius (where an ear infection normally resides) to air and may allow for drainage. This can help relieve some pressure from the infection and provide comfort.

Tips & Warnings

* Another way to use hot oil treatment to relieve pain from an ear infection is to rub the oil mixture on the inside and outside the ear itself and the affected part of the neck.

* An even faster way to get rid of the pain of an ear infection is to get the mixture of hot oil, dip a cloth and use cloth as a compress on the infected ear. Do not do too hot, or you will burn your ear.
* If you have a perforated eardrum, do not put any oil or drops in the ear canal.

* For those who seem to have a lot of ear infections, you may be allergic to certain foods such as dairy products, egg whites, peanuts, wheat or soybeans.

* Those who get a lot of ear infections can also have too high an intake of fatty foods.

* Antibiotics prescribed by your health care provider is the best option to eliminate ear infections. Home use and natural resources in relation to medical treatment by your doctor.

1, To make an c, first make sure you are getting enough vitamins A, E and niacin. This can be found in a good multivitamin. However, make sure you’re not only to resolve any multivitamin.

2, You’ll also want to be sure to take zinc. Again, not only zinc coating is sufficient. Zinc citrate is probably the most easily absorbed forms of zinc (as well as mineral).

3, Now for the acne home remedy. Group down to the orange peel into fine pieces and mix with a little lemon juice.

4, Put some garlic in your acne home remedy. Spread in areas prone to acne many times a day if possible.

5, Let the acne home remedy to sit a while in your acne-prone areas, then rinse.

Tips & Warnings

* Make sure the acne home remedy is not very liquid so it can stay on your face.
* You cannot put this mixture right before school!
* You can try before going to bed and leave overnight.