Family Name : LAMIACEAE

Botanical Name : OCIMUM SANCTUM

Common Name : BASIL, SACRED BASIL, HOLY BASIL, TULSI

Part Used : LEAVES, SEEDS

Habitat : Found Throughout India.

Uses : It is Diaphoteric, Anti periodic, Stimulating, Expectorant and Anti-catarrhal. It is used in malaria, catarrh, bronchitis and gastric disorders. It also lowers blood sugar levels and its powder is used for mouth ulcers. It is widely worshiped in India.

Family Name : SCROPHULARIACEAE

Botanical Name : BACOPA MONNIERA

Common Name : HERPESTIS MONNIERIA, THYME LEAVED GRATIOLA, BRAHMI

Part Used : WHOLE PLANT

Habitat : Grows in Marshy places and cultivated South India.

Uses : It is Diuretic, Cardiac, Nervine and Tonic. It is reported to improve intellect, treatment of asthma, hoarseness, insanity, epilepsy. It is a potent nervous tonic and is anti anxiety agent. It is considered good for heart.

Family Name : LILIACEAE

Botanical Name : ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS

Common Name : ASPARAGUS, WILD ASPARAGUS, ASPARAGUS ROOT, SATAVARI

Part Used : TUBEROUS ROOTS

Uses : The roots are bitter, sweet, emollient, cooling, nervine, tonic, constipating, opthalimic, anobyne, aphrodisiac. They are useful in nervous disorders, dyspepsia, tumours, scalding of urine, throat infections, tuberclosis, cough bronchitis and general debility.

A professional relationship and activity in which one person endeavors to help another to understand and to solve his or her adjustment problems; the giving of advice, opinion, and instruction to direct the judgment or conduct of another.Stedman’s Electronic Medical Dictionary, 1994

These definitions help draw a clear distinction, but they don’t really capture the essence of either procedure, psychotherapy in particular.

Lewis Wolberg, in his massive work The Technique of Psychotherapy, provides us with this definition:

Psychotherapy is the treatment, by psychological means, of problems of an emotional nature in which a trained person deliberately establishes a professional relationship with the patient with the object of (1) removing, modifying, or retarding existing symptoms, (2) mediating disturbed patterns of behavior, and (3) promoting positive personality growth and development. (Wolberg, 1977)

The first recorded psychotherapy patient is referred to as “Anna O.” She was treated by Josef Breuer through a “talking cure” in the early 1880s. Breuer told his friend Sigmund Freud about the technique, and he later adopted it with some of his own patients.

Freudian psychoanalysis has been criticized by many because of its tendency to create long-term dependent relationships. Psychoanalysis attempts to “get to the root of the problem” by analyzing the “transference” relationship which develops between the therapist and patient. This is a lengthy process, typically taking several years. There are some recent models of psychoanalytically-oriented brief therapy. The focus in these therapies is narrower, and the work focuses more on the problem at hand than on the root of the problem.

Other schools of psychotherapy have a different focus. Behavior therapy focuses on changing behavior. B. F. Skinner is sometimes seen as the father of behaviorism. Behavior modification focuses on setting up rewards and punishments in order to shape someone’s behavior. Behavioral treatment can involve relaxation training, desensitization of phobias and biofeedback.

Cognitive therapy seeks to help people change how they think about things. Albert Ellis’s Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is an example of this. Ellis considers strong emotions to result from an interaction between events in the environment and beliefs and expectations which we have. Some of these beliefs are too strong or rigid (such as the belief “Everyone should like me.”). The patient or client learns to modify the belief so that it is less extreme and less likely to get in the way (such as “I like for people to like me, but I realize that not everyone is going to.”).

Much psychotherapy is not limited to a particular school. Many therapists are trained in several different approaches. They then take techniques from these approaches which fit their own style and personality. It has been difficult to research the effectiveness of psychotherapy, since the term can refer to so many different activities. It is often used along with medications to treat mental disorders.

There are many other ways to look at psychotherapy.  Psychotherapy consists of two (or more) people sitting in a room talking. At least one of these people is trained in helping people change.  At least one has something about their life that they want to change.

If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and that the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family physician or to a specialist to determine the cause of the odor and for treatment. Of course, if the odor is of oral origin, as it is in the majority of cases, your dentist can treat the cause of the problem.

If the odor is due to periodontal (gum) disease, your general dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in treating gum tissues. Periodontal (gum) disease can cause gum tissues to pull away from the teeth and form pockets. When these pockets are deep, only a professional periodontal cleaning can remove the bacteria and plaque that accumulate. Sometimes more extensive treatment is necessary.

If you have extensive build-up of plaque, an invisible layer of bacteria, your dentist may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouthrinse. Your dentist may also recommend that when you brush your teeth, you also brush your tongue to remove excess plaque.

The type of toothbrush your child uses is important because the wrong kind can be damaging to soft tissues. Regardless of your child’s age, his or her toothbrush should have soft nylon bristles. Harder bristles can cause gums to wear away over time. When your child is an infant, the toothbrush should be very small. As he or she grows, select small toothbrushes that can fit easily in the mouth and brush one or two teeth at a time. Your child’s toothbrush should be able to reach all the teeth, including the molars in the very back. Replace toothbrushes about every four months or when they begin to look worn and frayed. If a toothbrush wears out much sooner than three or four months, you or your child may be using too much pressure. It’s also a good idea to replace brushes after your child has had a cold or other illness to prevent reinfection.

Powered toothbrushes are fun and may remove more plaque and stain than regular toothbrushes. That doesn’t mean you should run out and buy one. Regular toothbrushes are very effective, too. However, because they make brushing easier, powered toothbrushes can be helpful for special needs children who can’t sit still long enough to properly brush their teeth with a regular toothbrush.

So many toothpastes are on the market today, choosing one can be confusing. When buying toothpaste for your child, look for one that contains fluoride and tastes good. Some toothpastes also are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). The ADA Seal of Acceptance means that the manufacturer has provided data proving that the toothpaste is safe and effective. Some manufacturers choose not to seek the ADA seal of approval. So, toothpastes without the ADA seal also may be safe and work well, but their performance has not been evaluated by the ADA. Children only need a small pea-size amount of toothpaste on their toothbrushes. Be sure your child understands that toothpaste is not food. It needs to be spit out, not swallowed.

While the eyes may be the window to the soul, your mouth is a window to your body’s health. The state of your oral health can offer lots of clues about your overall health. Oral health and overall health are more connected than you might realize.

Your oral health is connected to many other health conditions beyond your mouth. Sometimes the first sign of a disease shows up in your mouth. In other cases, infections in your mouth, such as gum disease, can cause problems in other areas of your body. Learn more about this intimate connection between oral health and overall health.

The connection between oral health and overall health

Your mouth is normally teeming with bacteria. Usually you can keep these bacteria under control with good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing. Saliva is also a key defense against bacteria and viruses. It contains enzymes that destroy bacteria in different ways. But harmful bacteria can sometimes grow out of control and lead to periodontitis, a serious gum infection.

When your gums are healthy, bacteria in your mouth usually don’t enter your bloodstream. However, gum disease may provide bacteria a port of entry into your bloodstream. Sometimes invasive dental treatments can also allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. And medications or treatments that reduce saliva flow or disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth may also lead to oral changes, making it easier for bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Some researchers believe that these bacteria and inflammation from your mouth are linked to other health problems in the rest of your body.

Oral health and other health conditions

Here’s a look at some of the diseases and conditions that may be linked to oral health:

• Cardiovascular disease. Research shows that several types of cardiovascular disease may be linked to oral health. These include heart disease, clogged arteries, stroke and bacterial endocarditis. Some researchers believe that bacteria from gum disease can enter your bloodstream and travel through your arteries to your heart, affecting your cardiovascular system. Although periodontal disease seems to be associated with heart disease, more studies are needed before the link can be confirmed with certainty.
• Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth. Some research has shown that disease-causing organisms in a pregnant woman’s mouth can wind up in the placenta or amniotic fluid, possibly causing premature birth. Unfortunately, treating periodontal disease during pregnancy may be too late, because the infection may have already spread in the woman’s body. This is why it’s vital to maintain excellent oral health before you get pregnant.
• Diabetes. Diabetes increases your risk of gum disease, cavities, tooth loss, dry mouth, and a variety of oral infections. Conversely, poor oral health can make your diabetes more difficult to control. Infections may cause your blood sugar to rise and require more insulin to keep it under control.
• HIV/AIDS. In some cases, one of the first signs of AIDS may appear in your mouth, with severe gum infection. You may also develop persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth.
• Osteoporosis. The first stages of bone loss may show up in your teeth. Your dentist may be able to spot this on routine dental X-rays. If bone loss worsens from year to year, your dentist can suggest that you discuss the issue with your other health care providers.
• Other conditions. Many other conditions may make their presence known in your mouth before you know anything’s wrong. These may include Sjogren’s syndrome, certain cancers, eating disorders, syphilis, gonorrhea and substance abuse.

What you can do about oral health

If you didn’t already have enough reasons to take good care of your mouth, teeth and gums, the relationship between your oral health and your overall health provides even more. Resolve to practice good oral hygiene every day. You’re making an investment in your overall health, not just for now, but for the future, too.

Floods are a potential threat to any area prone to sudden or prolonged heavy rains. Vehicles caught in floods can undergo extensive damage, but not always. Find out what to do if your vehicle is flooded, how to assess and stop further damage, and how to spot flood damage when you shop for a car.

What to Check if Your Car is Flooded

Follow these important steps to inspect your car and assess flood damage:

Check your oil indicator.
A reading of an oil level that’s too high may tell you there’s water in the engine. Do not start or run your car — it could cause severe damage.

Measure the depth of the water that submerged your car.
It is possible water did not enter any parts that are susceptible to damage.

Determine how long your car was submerged.
The shorter the time, the more salvageable any damaged parts may be.

Be sure to note the type of water that flooded your vehicle.
Fresh water causes less damage to your car than salt water.

Check local weather reports for the temperature during and after flooding.
Warmer temperatures may speed up corrosion, especially if your car was flooded with salt water.

Determine how long your car was submerged.
The shorter the time, the more salvageable any damaged parts may be.

What to Look For When Car Shopping

Cars damaged by floods often show up on used car lots. Learn how to spot flood-damaged vehicles before purchasing a used car.

Buy only from a reputable dealer.
You’re more likely to get the truth about a vehicle’s past life from a reputable dealer.

Ask the dealer if the vehicle has been flood damaged.
Whatever the answer, get it in writing with the bill of sale if you buy the car.

Ask to see the title.
If you think the vehicle was damaged in a flood and the title is not stamped “Salvage” or “Flood,” ask for the car’s history to see if it came from a state that recently experienced flooding.

Find out how extensive the flood damage was.

Look for obvious signs of damage.
Check for dried mud or rust in the glove compartment, trunk, under the dashboard, seats and carpet. Look for discolored, faded or stained upholstery or carpeting. If the carpeting fits loosely or the color does not match the interior, it may have been replaced because the vehicle was flood damaged.

Check the instrument panel to see that all gauges are working properly. Check on the outside of the engine, inside garnish moldings and “kick plates” and inside the rear compartment or trunk for a distinguishing water line to see how deep the car was submerged.

Find out what kind of water damaged the vehicle.
Ask if the car was flood damaged by salt or fresh water. Salt water is more corrosive and can cause more serious damage.

Have a professional inspect the vehicle.
Take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic to be checked for any signs of flood damage.

Spending a little extra time to thoroughly check out a used car before you buy it can save you a great deal of money in the long run.

Protect your house — and your possessions — with homeowners insurance.

For homeowners, insurance protection is an important aspect of homeownership. Buying homeowners insurance, also called home insurance, means buying protection for your home — both inside and out.

What is Home Insurance?

Home insurance compensates you for losses to your home and your possessions inside it, so purchasing a homeowners policy provides added security for your investment. Home insurance also protects you if you’re legally liable for someone’s injuries on your property, as well as from financial losses caused by storms, fire, theft and other events outlined in your policy.

Different companies offer different home insurance coverages, so choosing the right policy means finding the right mix of coverages to meet your needs.

Generally, a standard homeowners insurance policy protects the following:

• The physical structure of your home
• Structures on your property (storage sheds, pools, boathouses, etc.)
• Your personal property and belongings inside your home, up to specified limits
• Your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage you or your family members cause to other people
• Injuries to your household pets while inside your home
• Additional living expenses if a fire or other insured disaster leaves you temporarily unable to live in your home

Often, for an additional fee, you can select optional homeowners insurance coverages, including:

• Higher limits of liability for property damage or bodily injury
• Replacement cost for personal property
• Protection for valuables (jewelry, watches, fur, etc.)
• Additional coverage for electronics or computer equipment

To make shopping for the right homeowners policy easier, take an inventory of what you own to decide what level of coverage makes you comfortable.

What About Townhouses?

If you own a townhouse, you can insure it with a home insurance policy or an association master policy, depending on your situation. Some townhouse associations have master policies, in which case you should purchase a tenant homeowners policy to insure your personal property. Other townhouse associations do not have master policies, which is when you should purchase a home insurance policy for your unit. Check with your association to determine which type of policy you should purchase for your townhouse.