Health

Easy AIP Meals For Beginners

Are you new to the AIP diet? Wondering how to stay on track with your meal planning? Or maybe you love the idea of eating tasty foods that are good for your body, and immune system yet is super easy to throw together. If so, this curation of Easy AIP Meals For Beginners cook is for you! The list includes detailed recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No more guesswork about what exactly you should eat on the Autoimmune Protocol, AIP diet.

AIP Recipes Breakfast

Even if you’re just starting out on the AIP diet, you may want to try some of these easy AIP recipes breakfast. They’re all rather easy to prepare and include tasty ingredients. Most importantly, they’ll make you feel great as you finish eating.

Raisins And Coconut Flakes Breakfast Bowl

Ingredients for raisins and coconut flakes breakfast bowl with coconut flakes:

1. 2 cups thick coconut flakes
2. 1 tsp cinnamon
3. 1/3 cup raisins

Procedure for raisins and coconut flakes breakfast bowl with coconut flakes:

1. Pre-heat oven to 325°F
2. Spread the coconut flakes out on a baking sheet. Sprinkle the cinnamon evenly on top of the coconut flakes.
3. Bake the coconut in the oven for 5 minutes. If they aren’t golden brown, stir them around before baking. Continue to bake until the coconut is completely browned.
4. They can quickly burn so be careful. After they have been lightly toasted and become golden brown, take them out of the oven.
5. Allow it to cool down. Transfer the coconut to an airtight container, bag, or jar. The “raisin bran”, once it is done, add the raisins. For breakfast, or as a snack, enjoy some paleo “raisin Bran” in a bowl with dairy-free milk.

Coconut Pancakes With Cassava Flour

Ingredients For AIP Coconut Cassava Pancakes:

1. 1.5 Tablespoons (9 g) gelatin
2. 3 Tablespoons (45 ml) boiling hot water
3. 3/4 cup coconut flour (3 oz or 84 g)
4. 1/2 cup cassava flour (2 oz or 56 g)
5. A dash of cinnamon, or another AIP flavoring
6. 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut milk, warmed
7. 4 Tablespoons 60 ml honey plus additional to drizzle
8. 2 Tablespoons 30 ml coconut oil to use in cooking
9. Berries to go with

Procedure For AIP Coconut Pancakes With Cassava Flour:

1. Sprinkle the gelatin over a small bowl containing hot water. Mix well. Set aside.
2. Add the coconut and cassava flours to a bowl. Finally, add the cinnamon. Mix the coconut milk, honey, and gelatine mixture and whisk together. Be sure to remove any lumps. You can keep the mixture warm by placing it in a large bowl filled with hot water.
3. Place a little coconut oil in a small nonstick skillet on medium heat. Place 1/4 cup of the batter in a pan. Turn the pan over to spread the batter.
4. If your batter is thicker, you can press it into a thin pancake. Flip it carefully with a spatula after the pancake has cooked for about 3-4 minutes.
5. A delicious golden crust will add a lot of flavors. To absorb excess coconut oil, cook the crust on the underside for about 2 minutes.
6. Continue with the remaining coconut oil and batter. Makes approximately 6 pancakes.
7. You can warm the pancakes and serve them hot. Serve with honey drizzled over and berries of choice.

AIP Lunch Recipes

The AIP lunch recipes can be overwhelming for newbies. Just looking at a shopping list of autoimmune paleo-approved foods can leave you scratching your head. Don’t worry though! These are absolutely easy to make with fewer ingredients!

Crispy Beef Garlic AIP Noodles

Ingredients For Crispy Beef Noodles With Garlic: 

1. 1/2 onion, sliced
2. 10oz ( 300 g] Beef, cubed or sliced
3. 2 Tablespoons avocado oil (or coconut oil)
4. 2 Tablespoons Tamari Sauce (Use Coconut Aminos to AIP).
5. 10 cloves garlic, diced
6. 1 Large chunk of fresh ginger, chopped
7. 2 Tablespoons chopped (for garnishing)
8. 1 zucchini, chopped, or a package of shirataki noodles

Procedure for making Crispy Beef Garlic AIP Noodles:

1. Sauté the onion slices in avocado oil.
2. Add the beef slices or cubes.
3. Add the tamari sauce
4. Cook the beef until tender. If the beef takes longer, cover the pan with a lid.
5. Add the chopped ginger and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes longer.
6. Divide the shirataki or shredded zucchini between two plates. Add the beef saute.
7. Serve with chopped cilantro.

AIP Lunch With Mushrooms And Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients For AIP Lunch With Mushrooms And Sweet Potatoes:

1. 5 Tablespoons of Olive Oil ( 75 ml), to be used in cooking
2. 2 small sweet potatoes (260 g), peeled
3. 2 beef steaks (400 g)
4. 12 white mushrooms ( 120g), cut thick (or other mushrooms of your choosing).
5. 2 garlic cloves, peeled. Finely sliced
6. 4-6 sprigs thyme

Procedure For AIP Lunch With Mushroom And Seet Potatoes:

1. Preheat the microwave to 350°F/180°C
2. Toss the sweet potato into large pieces with two tablespoons of olive oil. Season the sweet potato with salt and place it on a greased baking tray. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the edges are softened.
3. Season the steak with salt
4. Take a large skillet and heat two tablespoons of olive oil. Cook the steak until you like it. Make sure the steak has a crispy crust. While you prepare the mushrooms, remove the steak from the pan.
5. Heat the olive oil in the same pan as the steak and add the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until they are caramelized. Add the garlic and thyme leaves halfway through.
6. The steak should be served with garlicky mushrooms, roasted sweet potato, and the side dish of the asparagus.

AIP Dinner Recipes

AIP (autoimmune protocol) has become big business over the past few years and is consequently increasingly coming on the radar of those who are not normally served by the ‘paleo’ movement. These AIP dinner recipes are all things healthy and tasty!

AIP Air Fried Chicken Tenders

Ingredients For Air Fried Chicken Tenders:

1. 2 chicken breasts (14 oz or 400 g), cut into thick strips
2. 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil
3. 1 teaspoon (3 g) garlic powder
4. 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) dried oregano
5. 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt

For the Ranch dipping sauce –

1. 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) of coconut milk
2. 1 teaspoon (5 ml) apple cider vinegar
3. 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) dried oregano
4. 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) garlic powder
5. 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) salt

Procedure For AIP Air Fried Chicken Tenders:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C).
2. Mix all ingredients until the chicken is fully coated in seasonings.
3. Place the seasoned chicken tenders in one layer in the lightly greased tray or basket in an air fryer. If necessary, cook the chicken tenders in multiple batches.
4. The chicken tenders should be cooked for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. To check the internal temperature of your chicken, use a meat thermometer (73 C).
5. Mix the Ranch dipping sauce ingredients in a separate bowl. Continue whisking until well combined.
6. Remove the chicken tenders carefully from the air fryer.
7. Serve with Ranch dip sauce.

AIP Baked Cauliflower And Turmeric

Ingredients For AIP Baked Cauliflower And Turmeric 

1 1/2 cups chopped coarsely red cabbage, approximately 1/3 head
1 head cauliflower 4 cups
1/4 cup jicama finely diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons salt
3 stalks of celery diced
3 teaspoons powdered turmeric
1 teaspoon turmeric
3 grinds of fresh pepper
2 tbsp of water
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Procedure For AIP Baked Cauliflower And Turmeric:

1. One can substitute 2 tbsp avocado oils for olive oil
2. Preheat oven to 450°
3. In a baking dish, place red cabbage in an even layer.
4. Mix celery, jicama, and cilantro with 1 tbsp avocado oil, one pinch of salt, three dashes pepper, and three dashes turmeric. Layer the mixture over the cabbage.
5. Mix 1 tbsp avocado oils, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, and 2 tbsps of water in a bowl. Add 2 tsp turmeric to the bowl. Season with a pinch of salt. Mix well.
6. Chop cauliflower finely and then add it to the bowl with the turmeric mixture. Mix the turmeric goodness into the cauliflower and stir until it is well coated.
7. Layer turmeric cauliflower over celery mix in a pan.
8. Bake at 450 degrees for 45 minutes
9. Serve and enjoy

Because AIP isn’t really a diet but rather an elimination plan, there are tons of recipes to try out and enjoy. AIP meals are a little different from what you may normally have, but eating real food and keeping your energy levels up is vital to any cooking plan, so just enjoy the challenge and stick with it. We hope this curation of easy AIP meals for beginners could help you create some tasty magic and serve it right to your tummy!

How do I start the AIP diet?

• Use portion control.
• Balance Your Nutrition.
• Flexibility is key.
• Fish and Meat.
• Vegetables.
• Fruits.
• Butter and Oils

Is rice allowed on AIP diet?

You cannot eat all grains (yets, rice, and wheat) or dairy as part of the AIP diet.

Can you eat tuna on AIP diet?

This is one of the most convenient and quick snacks for AIP-compliant people.

Are pickles OK on AIP?

Refrigerator Pickles (AIP/Paleo), are so simple to make, that you’ll be wondering why you bought them in the shop! You don’t need any canning equipment. Pickles are great for summer! Pickles are great for summertime!

Is sugar-cured bacon allowed on the AIP?

Yes, provided it is naturally cured and contains no artificial ingredients or spices other than salt. Sugar is used to provide food for beneficial bacteria during the bacon curing process.

What can’t you eat on AIP diet?

This phase prohibits the consumption of grains, legumes and nuts, seeds, nightshade vegetables, eggs, dairy, and other foods. Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and oils as well as refined and processed sugars and certain medications (such as non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should be a priority.

Is broccoli AIP friendly?

AIP Diet Foods You Can Eat. Paleo people can eat nuts and tomatoes, which are not restricted by the autoimmune protocol. Leafy green vegetables (spinach, endive, herbs, etc.) Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc.)

What foods trigger autoimmune response?

Favela states that everyone has different trigger foods. However, there are some foods you should avoid for an extended period of time to prevent autoimmune diseases.

What carbs can you eat on AIP?

These carbohydrates include 2/3 cup of arrowroot flour, tapioca starch, yam flour, or green banana flour. ½ cup of sweet potato, pattypan squash, or spaghetti squash. 1/3 cup canned pumpkin. 2/3 cup of Japanese pumpkin.

Can you have mayo on paleo?

Mayonnaise is healthy and nutritious food. It is great for people who are following low-carb, high-fat diets like keto, paleo, and Whole30. Mayonnaise is basically an egg-and-oil emulsion with some flavorings such as mustard, vinegar, and salt.

Can you have hearts of palm on AIP?

The Heart of Palm, a crisp vegetable that is harvested from the middle of the cabbage palm tree, is an AIP-friendly pantry staple. They can be cut up and canned or added to raw salads (much like olives). It tastes similar to an artichoke.

Are cucumbers AIP compliant?

People who are trying to adhere to the elimination phase of AIP should be aware of this: Fruits and vegetable-like fruits with seeds Fruits such as berries, kiwis, and watermelon are safe, along with cucumbers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and plantains. This is because they don’t contain any seeds.

Are olives allowed on AIP diet?

Again, yes! You can eat olives as a whole or in olive oil during the elimination phase of the AIP diet. Be sure to check the ingredients before you eat any prepackaged food items.

DIY Conditioner: Best DIY Recipes For A Homemade Hair Conditioner

We all want smooth and silky hair. You can achieve your dream hair with some good products. Using completely chemical-free products can greatly help you in this, such as homemade hair conditioners. You can prepare organic DIY hair products to get soft and shiny hair. The homemade DIY conditioner will help you improve hair health and the texture of hair strands. Check out more haircare tips.

Benefits of conditioning your hair

There are various benefits of using homemade hair conditioners. It has no chemicals in it and can deeply condition the hair. There are various ways of making DIY conditioners.

Following are some of the benefits:

• The hydrophobicity of the hair fiber improves.
• It makes the hair smooth and easy to manage
• They also help in reviving dry, dull, and damaged hair
• It tackles frizzy hair and makes it shinier
• Homemade hair conditioners help in reducing the friction between hair fibers.

The following are the homemade hair conditioners to be used:

1. Shea butter conditioner

Shea butter is rich in vitamin C and has a huge amount of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The fatty acids and oils in it help fight infections. It also helps in having a dandruff-free scalp and hydrates the hair strands. 

Method:

• You will need 1 tablespoon of shea butter
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of argan oil
• Now take a few drops of essential oil
• Make a mixture of coconut oil and shea butter, then warm it up
• Now, add argan oil and essential oil, whip all of it together
• You should apply all of it from scalp to tip 
• Leave it for around half an hour
• Now, rinse it off using a sulfate-free shampoo and cold water
• Then apply a normal hair conditioner
• Use twice every week for best results

2. Yogurt hair conditioner

Yogurt is rich in protein and lactic acid that help in the cleansing of the scalp. This DIY conditioner is absolutely easy to make.

Steps to follow:

• Take a bowl and an egg. Now, beat the egg in it. Egg is very useful for making your hair shinier.
• Add some six tablespoons of yogurt and mix the ingredients properly
• It is time to massage the mixture onto the hair and keep it covered
• Leave the hair like that for about 15-30 minutes
• Now, wash it off with normal water

3. Vinegar and egg conditioner

Vinegar helps against hair loss while egg acts as an effective conditioner and adds shine to the hair. Olive oil makes the hair stronger while honey hydrates the hair strands.

Method to be followed:

• You will need eggs, olive oil, honey, vinegar, and lemon juice
• Now, whisk two or three eggs and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice 
• Now mix them well. 
• You will have to then add about one and a half teaspoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey. 
• Mix it properly in a blender and make a thick paste. 
• Finally, apply this paste to the hair tips and leave it for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with water.

4. Banana conditioner

Banana is rich in silica, a key element that prevents hair loss. Not just that it also makes the hair shinier. Silica is quite a good conditioning agent that makes hair soft and bouncy. 

Here is the process to be followed:

• You will need 1 ripe banana
• Take almost 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• You should also have 1 tablespoon of honey
•  The banana and then mix all of them to make a smooth mixture
• Apply it all over the hair, starting from the root to the tip
• Let it be for half an hour
• Now, rinse it off using a sulfate-free shampoo accompanied with cold water
• Use a normal hair conditioner
• This should be used once every week for best results

5. Apple cider vinegar conditioner

You can get the essential moisture needed for your hair using apple cider vinegar. It is easier to manage the hair while detangling because of this.

Method of preparation:

• First, take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• You will need a cup of water
• Mix the above-mentioned ingredients and keep them aside
• Now, wash your hair using a sulfate-free shampoo and then a normal conditioner
• Pour the ACV mixture through the hair
• You need to massage it through the scalp and hair strands
• It can be either left like that or give a final rinse
• Using it twice a month can be good for best results

6. Avocado Deep Conditioner

You might not think of using avocado for your hair but it is a really good moisturizer for hair and scalp. Many other ingredients add up to create a powerful conditioner for hair. 

Ingredients you will need are:

• 1 ripe avocado that is to be peeled and pitted
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)

Mix all of them to make a good moisturizer for your hair.

If you have dry, frizzled, and rough hair, it is time to take proper care. Conditioning helps the hair get hydrated, makes it smooth and soft. Use the above-mentioned ways of making DIY conditioners at home. 

What is the best homemade hair conditioner?

1. Banana.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar.
3. Yogurt.
4. Aloe Vera.
5. Classic Coconut.

What is the best homemade deep hair conditioner?

Homemade Deep-Conditioners
Honey And Coconut Oil. Honey has been used to moisturize hair and skin for years. Banana Hair Mask. Bananas are a great way of deep-conditioning your hair as they are rich in natural oils and vitamins.
Olive Oil And Egg Hair Mask.

Is Aussie conditioner bad for your hair?

Aussie hair products certainly have good ingredients that are helpful for ladies with straight and curly hair strands. However, some of the ingredients included in many of Aussie’s products aren’t recommended if you have curly hair.

Is color depositing conditioner bad for your hair?

If you use color conditioner every time you wash your hair, you’ll eventually get the nice, bright shade you want. Leaving the product to sit for a longer time than directed won’t damage your hair.

How do I deep condition my damaged hair?

These genius homemade deep conditioning recipes work like a charm. Blend one ripe banana and add 4 tbsp coconut oil, 1tbsp glycerin, and 2 tbsp honey to the mixture. You need a smooth paste to ensure that it washes off without leaving bits in your hair. Apply this mixture to your hair and cover with a shower cap.

How do you make homemade hair conditioner?

Coconut oil and honey conditionerTake one tablespoon of coconut oil, one tablespoon honey, one tablespoon lemon juice, two tablespoons of curd and one teaspoon of rose water. Mix all of them well and apply them on your shampooed hair. Leave it for about 10-15 minutes and rinse off with running water.

What can I use instead of hair conditioner?

DIY natural conditioners for your hair

• Banana mask for soft strands.
• Egg mask to nourish your strands.
• Aloe vera for unbeatable shine.
• Honey for softness and shine.
• Yoghurt mask for damaged hair.
• Argan oil for strength.
• Tea rinse to fight dullness.
• Apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse for all hair types.

What is the best homemade hair conditioner?

• Honey and olive oil conditioner. Honey and olive oil are natural conditioners.
• Eggs and olive oil conditioner.
• Coconut oil conditioner.
• Baking soda conditioner.
• Shea butter conditioner.
• Banana conditioner.
• Apple cider vinegar conditioner.

What is the main ingredient in hair conditioner?

For starters, what is conditioner? To put it simply, conditioner is a conditioning or moisturizing agent generally made up of ingredients such as silicones, oils, and emollients, as well as cationic surfactants (the scientific term for soaps or detergents, which help to wash away the oily elements).

Can we use rice water as conditioner?

Rice water can replace a commercial conditioner. massage the rice water into the hair and scalp. leave on for up to 20 minutes. rinse hair thoroughly using warm water from the tap.

Is rice water a conditioner?

Rice water, as a conditioner, repairs your hair, strengthens it, and enhances its elasticity (10).

Does hair really need conditioner?

The truth is conditioning after you shampoo is essential to having healthy, shiny hair. Conditioner smooths the hair cuticle and adds body. Avoiding conditioner makes your hair more prone to breakage, which can lead to the appearance of thinning hair.  Conditioning helps restore your hair and protect it from damage.

Home Remedies For Itchy Scalp And Dandruff Home Remedies With Causes, Tips

It can be very embarrassing when you are in the company of your friends or bosses, and then your scalp starts itching, especially if your hand goes unconsciously to ‘scratch the itch’. This can mean trouble! An itchy scalp makes it very uncomfortable to go out and continue your life normally. An itchy scalp can worsen more during the summers, due to sweat. Sweating constantly will irritate the already itchy scalp and make the condition worse. Taking regular care of hair is a must, home remedies for itchy scalp. It is important to be careful with certain habits such as smoking. Smoking effects on skin and hair not very easily reversible. Check out the complete dos and don’ts with your hair in these hair care tips from oiling, and shampooing, to conditioning for daily care. Also, henna is proven to be successful for all hair problems, henna for hair packs. Now, let’s get into home remedies for itchy scalp and dandruff home remedies. 

Itchy Scalp And Dandruff Causes:

Itchy scalp Causes:

• Sensitive scalp
• Extreme summers and winters
• Dry scalp
• Improperly removed scalp cosmetics like gels, waxes & fixers.
• Stress
• Previous injury
• Hormonal changes
• Dandruff/ seborrheic eczema
• Psoriasis
• Sun rash

Ignoring Itchy Scalp May Result In:

• Scalp sores
• Hair fall
• Skin cancer

How do you soothe an itchy scalp?

The best thing to do for itchy scalp is to nip the itchiness in the bud and take care of the problem before it takes root and spreads. By taking proper care of your scalp and hair, one can prevent more damage from happening.

But how do you soothe an itchy scalp? The good news is that you can do it with these simple things:

• Avoid excess spicy food as it causes the glands to open and can even make your head sweat, which will further increase the itching in summer.
• Don’t scratch because it will only worsen the problem. Try using soothing gels, which contain aloe vera for dandruff, to soothe the itch. You can also rinse your hair with white vinegar after shampooing your hair.
• Use an anti-dandruff shampoo that has a cooling and healing effect on your scalp such as menthol and zinc oxide that not only soothes the scalp but also prevents itching and heals the scalps.
• Moisturize your hair by using products like gels and serums, which will cool the scalp and keep it moisturized even during the heat.
• Use sun protection products to prevent any sun damage to your scalp and hair. The best preventative measure is to invest in UV protection sprays that protect the hair and don’t leave it feeling limp, greasy or oily.
• Wear a hat or scarf before stepping out as this prevents the sun’s rays from directly reaching the scalp.
• Shampoo every second day if your scalp is too oily, to prevent oil and sweat build-up.

If itching persists and increases with time, then consult your dermatologist immediately.

What Causes Dandruff?

It is associated with increased oil production and yeast. Dandruff is not contagious and does not spread on touch.

Dandruff Causes:

Everybody experiences dandruff at some point in their life irrespective of their ethnicity, age, and gender. Anyone who has ever experienced dandruff knows how irritating and embarrassing the itchy and flakey scalp can be. Tiny white flakes on your shoulders, especially when you are wearing dark colors, are never fun. Moreover, it does not stop at just the scalp; dandruff can even spread to our ears, eyebrows, eyelashes, chest, and beard. These are dandruff causes you should be away from.

• Oily skin
• Oily scalp
• Poor hygiene
• Hot and humid or cold and dry weather
• Infrequent and improper shampooing
• Poor immune system
• Chronic illness
• Stress
• Lack of sunlight

Dandruff Preventive Tips:

1. Maintain proper hygiene at all times
2. Use the right shampoo for your hair type
3. Include probiotics in your diet
4. Shampoo at least twice a week
5. Get some sun regularly
6. Learn to manage stress effectively
7. Consult a dermatologist if the problem escalates or does not go away with normal remedies

Keep dandruff at bay with these preventive tips!

Home Remedies For Dandruff:

Luckily, for us, there are plenty of options available (both natural and medicinal) that can help you fight the flakes easily. Dandruff can be seasonal, or you can have a condition of the perennial flaky scalp. Use the following home remedies for dandruff and get rid of dandruff problems. These itchy scalp and dandruff home remedies will keep you up with daily maintenance.

However, if you’re suffering from excess dandruff, try out some chemical-free products to initially control dandruff. Else, the following home remedies are more than enough to keep your scalp healthy and dandruff free.

Neem Leaves:

Make a paste out of fresh neem leaves, apply on the scalp as a mask, leave it on for about 30 minutes, and then rinse your hair. The second way is to boil some neem leaves along with coconut oil, strain and cool the mix and apply on the scalp regularly before shampooing your hair.

Onion Juice:

Grate and squeeze onion and apply the juice on the scalp. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash your hair. Onion juice helps in reducing hair fall too.

Tea Tree Oil For Dandruff:

Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo, and you will see the effects almost immediately.

Baking soda For Itchy Scalp:

Apply some baking soda on the scalp and rinse. No need to shampoo. Your hair will be dry for a few washes, but after that, the scalp will be dandruff free and your hair will be soft and shiny.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Mix apple cider vinegar with water and spritz it on your scalp before using shampoo.

Lemon:

Two tablespoons of lemon juice and rub it on your scalp, leave it on for 15 minutes and wash with a mild shampoo.

Curd For Dandruff:

Apply curd on your hair like a mask and leave it on for one hour. Wash with a mild shampoo.

Over-the-counter prescription dandruff shampoos:

Prescribed by your doctor can also help you solve this condition.

• Pyrithoione zinc shampoos: These are anti-fungal and antibacterial.
• Tar-based shampoos: Not suitable for light-colored hair.
• Salicylic acid shampoos: These tend to leave the hair dry, and you will need to use a conditioner after every use.
• Ketoconazole shampoos: They are broad-spectrum and work very well for dandruff.

Treat skin inflammation by using hydrocortisone 1% for two to four weeks.

For Face and Ear dandruff:

Wash the areas with dandruff shampoo regularly and avoid heavily oiled hair. To treat eyelid dandruff, by applying baby shampoo daily

Cradle Cap:

Baby dandruff can be treated by frequently washing with baby shampoo. For a large number of flakes, use a toothbrush dipped in olive oil and gently massage it onto the baby’s scalp.

For dandruff which does not settle with home remedies, visit a dermatologist who can advise with what will work best for your hair.

How To Improve Concentration And Memory While Studying | How To Increase Concentration

Hard at doing well with exams? Are concentration, focus, and memory an issue? Don’t worry, here are some very useful daily activities and tips that tell you how to improve concentration and memory. Increase the reception levels and get through the exams fulfilling the purpose of it, how to increase concentration. By practicing certain things daily, here’s how to increase concentration while studying. Check out yoga asanas for all.

1. Interest in the subject.
2. Yoga and meditation for long periods of concentration and memory. You’ll see basic asanas in this post, once you perfect these asanas, you can go for some fun yoga for students and some more yoga for concentration and focus.
3. How foods that you take in, can impact your mind and body and what is a healthy diet.
4. Rest, reduce exam anxiety with yoga nidra. Yoga Nidra helps you relax completely and can effectively reduce your sleeping hours. This, in turn, gives you more time to accomplish more. Here are some more tips on how to wake up early and not feel tired.
5. Techniques like Pomodoro

Multi-tasking (trying to do more than one thing at a time), loud noises, and visual stimulation (such as from a T.V.) make concentration much more difficult, and being around them or doing them too much can put you into a habit of non-attention which can be hard to break.

1. How To Create Interest And Concentrate In Studies For School Students:

The first thing is how much the subject interests you. Some subjects really bore us. Without interest in the subject or topic, it is hard to even listen to or read through it.

You need to think of the subject application-wise. From the result, where did it all start? will generate interest.

I know! Application wise?! with an uninterested subject… I faced it too.

It is hard getting backward in the process on the application level in an uninterested subject. It takes a lot of imagination to do so. Try going backward on the topic level or at an answer level.

Start analyzing how the result is approached with one previous step at a time. You generate interest, thinking of what lead to this step in every step of the process and you’ll know it.

I personally tried this reverse engineering process and it worked for me. This way your interest in the subject builds up automatically.

In the process, you’ll find:

• Logical assumptions and conclusions.
• Relevant formulas.
• Laws pertaining to the application. etc..

To be in the process of learning, you’ll need concentration. For some, the interest in the subject works completely, and for others to a certain level.

Long periods of concentration require the ability to focus for that long. Here comes the importance of meditation / pranayama. The pranayama helps you calm your mind of all nonsense and focus on what you want to do.

2. Why Yoga And Meditation To Improve Concentration:

Yoga and meditation/pranayama are not just some elderly practices that are done after you reach your 60s for your pastime. Our body needs yoga and meditation to keep in condition and work for us.

Parents should introduce yoga and meditation practices as early as possible in their lives. It should be as playing in the ground with joy. Daily yoga and meditation must be practiced, to enhance your perception and get rid of stress, anxiety. This is how to improve concentration, which is the best method to get good results.

Meditation leads to structural changes in the brain – this has been researched and studied only to confirm that the brain has the ability to modify itself if it’s trained in the right manner. A study in 2012 from UCLA found that consistent meditation helps in strengthening the connections between brain cells and a change in brain tissue so that it “folds” more. This facilitates processing information quickly, thus increasing the memory and our attention span.

Go slow with yoga when you start doing. The key is to progress into the posture by experiencing the changes in how your body and mind feel.

Yoga and meditation/pranayama will make sure your body is at ease and you can perform your activities with less friction.

Yoga For Concentration And Memory

Here’s how to improve concentration and focus. Exercises to improve concentration are very essential. Without much of various asanas, you can practice Surya Namaskar daily to start with. As I said before doing it right is more important than getting into the posture. Find out more on how to do surya namaskar correctly and check if you’re doing it right.

There is some exciting yoga for students, but here is some easy daily yoga to get used to and feel the change with yoga for beginners. After you’re through with the following simple asanas you can practice some daily yoga for concentration and focus.

Tadasana (Standing Pose) For Concentration:

This pose stretches the whole foot, especially the arch. It engages the thighs, activates the calf muscles, and strengthens the knees.

It stretches and lengthens all the long muscles of the body, while also opening the spinal, shoulder, and hip joints.

This pose strengthens the muscles of the neck, lower back, abdomen, and pelvis. Lung capacity increases and the respiratory muscles become firmer. Regular practice of this asana not only strengthens the body but also makes it flexible.

Tadasana looks like simple standing but there is a particular way to set every part of the body in the asana. Let’s get into the detailed steps of Tadasana.

Tadasana Steps:

At first, practice the tadasana with standing against the wall to maintain the correct posture, with hips towards the wall and the ankles a few inches away from it.

1. Stand with the feet hip distance apart grounding the feet. Lift the energy from the ground up towards the torso.
2. Gently extend the spine maintaining the natural curve, by tucking the tailbone down towards the earth and the pelvis in towards the body.
3. Roll the shoulders up towards the ears and drop them down towards the hips. Focus on the breath.
4. Inhale; raise the arms up towards the sides, with the shoulders touching the wall, and the palms facing forwards, stretching and extending the torso.
5. Exhale; bring the arms down. Repeat 5 to 10 times; relax.
6. Inhale; raise both the arms up towards the ceiling with the palms parallel, make sure the shoulders are pressing down towards the hips.
7. Exhale; bring the arms down towards the body. Repeat 5 to 10 times; relax.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose) To Relieve Stress For Better Concentration

Backbends are very good for relieving stress. Students experience stress with long hours of sitting while studying. The camel pose relieves the pain in the lower back. With regular practice, Ustrasana helps you strengthen your back and shoulders and help you concentrate better.

Ustrasana Steps:

1. Kneel on the yoga mat and place your hands on the hips. (You may place a cushion below your knees to ease your way into the pose.)
2. Your knees should be in line with the shoulders and the sole of your feet should be facing the ceiling.
3. Inhale; draw in your tailbone towards the pubis as if being pulled from the navel.
4. Simultaneously, arch your back and slide your palms over your feet till the arms are straight.
5. Do not strain or flex your neck but keep it in a neutral position.
6. Stay in this posture for a couple of breaths.
7. Exhale; slowly come back to the initial pose. Withdraw your hands and bring them back to your hips as you straighten up.

Pranayama For Concentration

To channel prana and control the mind, we have to transform the activity of the body, breath, and senses to perform activities as we want.

Meditation is the most powerful of all concentration enhancement techniques if you’re looking for how to improve concentration. Learn a few simple meditation techniques and practice them at least five minutes daily such as ujjayi pranayama, kapalbhati pranayama, and bhastrika pranayama.

Trataka (Concentrated Gazing)

This is a cleansing technique of yoga for concentration and focus to clear eyes and mind. Healthy eyes are the first thing to look at. Because weak eyes or eyesight constitute many problems such as headaches, eye pain, distraction due to stress in the eyes, etc…

Items Required:

• Candle
• Table
• Bolster or a yoga mat

Arrangement:

• Place the bolster or the yoga mat on the floor and sit on it with a cross-legged posture.
• Place the table arm distance away.
• Light the candle and place it on the table.

Procedure:

1. Focus on your breath and gaze at the flame without blinking as much as possible.
2. Gradually increase the gaze at the flame without blinking to 60 seconds.
3. Close your eyes and visualize the flame at the point between the eyebrows.
4. Steps 1 and 3 are a cycle, repeat the cycle two more times.
5. After three cycles are completed, sit with eyes closed and focus on breath till it gets normal.

Benefits:

When Practiced regularly, this technique enhances single point focus.

Precautions:

Not suitable for people with psychic problems.

3. Healthy Food For Peaceful Mind To Concentrate Better:

Take a food break rather than eat with a book in hand or while working at your desk because that’s likely to lead to mindless eating in an inappropriate quantity

With junk food, antibiotics, irregular eating patterns, and stress, our bodies are being set up for a sluggish digestive system, which in turn slows down the rest of your bodily processes.

You are what you eat!

Avoid food with too much spice or sugar and reduce the intake of fried and junk food. Include more fresh fruits and vegetables, juices, and salads in your diet.

Foods That Improve Memory | Brain Boosting Diet

Some of the foods your brain benefits from are:

Nuts

Almonds have vitamin E and magnesium; walnuts have manganese and copper.

Just eat 15-20g of plain nuts a day (a handful), preferably soaked, to reduce phytic acid and not more. Eating more nuts may increase phytic acid production and cause serious gastric issues.

Fruits

Fruits are rich in natural sugars and have fiber. They have vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost immunity and help in all our body functions.

• Bananas
• Dates
• Currants
• Figs
• Olives
• Grapes

Vegetables

• Lettuce
• Parsley
• Garlic
• Avocado
• Carrots
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes,
• Plums
• Asparagus
• Radish
• Broccoli
• Lemon
• Sprouts.

You can also check these 7 nourishing brain foods.

Few More Brain Boosting Foods

• Omega 3 rich foods such as fatty fish could boost mental capacity and memory. Though it is tiny, the flaxseed is mighty, packed with powerful brain boosting supplements, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
• Yogurt to prevent memory loss in the long term. A diet rich in yogurt can prevent loss of memory. This is because yogurt is rich in B12 vitamins. B12 stops the brain from “shrinking” with the onset of old age.
• Blueberries are packed with anti-oxidants that age-proof your brain, preventing the onset of diseases. Anti-oxidants function as scavengers in the body, clearing away harmful free radicals that cause deterioration and aging. These are believed to stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, keeping the mind fresh.
• A cup of milk with unsweetened cereal every morning will give you at least 25 percent of your daily intake of Vitamin D, a nutrient that has been shown to affect your brain’s inflammatory response, keeping your mood swings in check and your temperament on an even keel.
• Don’t forget to drink enough water. It is essential to keep the brain and body working. It hydrates, reduces stress and keeps one healthy.
• Herbal tea and green tea are good substitutes for caffeine as it relaxes the brain and induces mental alertness. Caffeine is a stimulant and too much of it can induce a feeling of edginess and nervousness.
• Juices too make great brain food just like fruits and vegetables, besides the hydration benefit.

4. Effective Study Tips During Exams | How To Improve Concentration:

Here are some effective study tips for you to be active with ease and concentrate at your best.

Start with a healthy and simple homemade breakfast, preferring idli to Pongal and vada or a bowl of multi-grain porridge with fruits, nuts, or banana milkshake, an egg scrambled and wrapped in a chapati, or a multi-grain sandwich.

It is better to have home-cooked meals. Avoid skipping meals or eating out. Sipping one or two cups of coffee could help in concentration but more than that, it will dehydrate, make one sluggish and reduce sleep hours.

Lakshmi Vijayakumar, psychiatrist and founder of SNEHA, said, excessive stress is not good. “A certain amount of stress is good. But excessive stress will diminish capacity, cognition, memory, and performance. It will result in a lack of sleep, leading to poor concentration and loss of ability to remember,” she said. All reading should be completed 15 days or a month before the examination, she said.

Take Enough Rest To Improve Concentration And Memory:

Your brain may just need a break. Studies suggest that sleep has a huge impact on learning and memory. This is why a person who suffers from sleep deprivation has trouble concentrating and focusing on the tasks at hand. Tip: Next time you feel like you’re losing concentration, take a short nap.

It was important to take breaks in between studies, he observed. “Exercise or play games. In fact, watching television for some time is not a bad option. It is important to keep stress away by doing something other than academics,” he said.

• When you lose sleep, it’s harder to focus and pay attention. This affects school performance and job productivity.
• Lack of sleep slows your reaction time
• sleep feeds creativity, synthesizes new ideas, and leads you to “ah-ha” moments. Research shows that we need good sleep to feed our high-level, innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• As you sleep, memories are reactivated, connections between brain cells are strengthened, and information is transferred from short to long-term. Without enough quality sleep, we can become more forgetful. Studies suggest that sleeping shortly after we learn new information helps us retain and recall that information later.

5. Pomodoro Technique

Research says that sitting for too long is not good for you. In fact, they say sitting is the new smoking. Yes, sitting in one position for too long, especially for more than an hour can be very unhealthy. It causes physical and mental inertia. When you take a break every hour, you actually recharge your mental faculties and facilitate blood circulation in your legs and brain.

Each work session (called a Pomodoro) is typically 25 minutes long, and the short and long breaks usually last 5 and 20 minutes respectively.

The Pomodoro technique was proposed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s to minimize distractions that affect the workflow of workers, thus reducing their productivity.

This refers to a time management technique used to increase the productivity of people at work. It involves the breaking up of work into a number of sessions with sufficient short and long breaks in between the sessions for adequate rest.

Take Away

Try and start working with the simple steps such as:

• How to concentrate while studying; by dealing differently with the concepts.
• A simple tadasana, yoga for concentration (when done correctly, you can feel that your body is much more alert than before)
• Trataka, pranayama for concentration (makes you look at things clearer),
• Simple food changes during examination time that act as supplements to improve concentration.
• Sufficient rest to revive your brain to focus and concentrate better.

Finally, the Pomodoro technique to manage your time through windowed concentration.

Does yoga help concentration?

You’re aware of the benefits of yoga for fitness, but practitioners also use yoga for concentration—it’s been shown to improve focus, attention, and memory. … Researchers have found that yoga can greatly affect neural patterns in the brain, which can improve your ability to concentrate and focus.

How does yoga sharpen concentration?

Yoga and other forms of moving meditation integrate physical movement with breath awareness and focused attention.

Which Mudra is good for concentration?

The intention of the Gyan mudra is to improve your concentration and sharpen your memory. This is a great mudra to use when seeking to gain knowledge. Try holding this mudra while meditating for insight into your life or a specific issue.

How long is trataka?

Going through all the steps of tratak should last 10 to 30 minutes

Can you blink during Tratak?

‘Trataka’ otherwise known as ‘yogic gazing’, is an ancient meditation practice, that also serves as a ‘kriya’, or cleansing process, of the eyes.

In bahiranga trataka you gaze steadily at a single object without blinking, until the eyes sting or begin to water.

Should we wash eyes after Tratak?

Palming or cupping the eyes is practiced after completing the practice of Trataka. However, it is recommended to wash the eyes by taking drinking water (room temperature) in one palm and dipping the eye into it for a few seconds.

Is Tratak good for students?

There are various types of Tratak Sadhanas. The one most suitable for students is Madhya Trataka in which we concentrate on the flame of a candle or lamp.

How can I increase my concentration level?

There’s no one answer for how to improve focus, but the following tips can help.

• Eliminate distractions.
• Reduce multitasking.
• Practice mindfulness and meditation.
• Get more sleep. 
• Choose to focus on the moment. 
• Take a short break. 
• Connect with nature.
• Train your brain. 

How can I focus on studying?

How to Stay Focused While Studying

• Create a suitable study environment.
• Set clear, precise goals.
• Create a study schedule.
• Along with a study ‘ritual’
• Don’t forget: Share your study schedule with friends and family.
• Block out all possible distractions.
• Try the Pomodoro Technique. 

How can I increase my focus naturally?

Train your brain.

• Playing certain types of games can help you get better at concentrating. Get your game on. Brain games may not be the only type of game that can help improve concentration.
• Improve sleep.
• Make time for exercise.
• Spend time in nature.
• Give meditation a try.
• Take a break.
• Listen to music. 

How can I focus on myself?

Over time, you might begin feeling drained even a little lost. Focusing on yourself isn’t selfish.

To get started with self-care:

• Make time for physical activity.
• Add mood-boosting foods to your diet.
• Give meditation a try.
• Write or draw in a mood journal.
• Read a book.
• Aim to spend 2 hours in nature each week. 

How many hours should I study?

So, for example, if your course is three hours long two days per week, you should be studying 12-18 hours for that class per week. If your class is an hour-long once a week, you need to study that material 2-3 hours per day. Many experts say the best students spend between 50-60 hours studying per week.

Why can I not concentrate?

Being unable to concentrate can be the result of a chronic condition, including: alcohol use disorder. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) chronic fatigue syndrome. 

Which is the best time to study?

Most of the students prefer to study in the early morning, generally from 4 or 5 AM in the morning as the brain is more likely to concentrate. It could be the best option for students who have more stamina early in the day.