Natural Medications for Psoriasis and Seasonal Allergies

Psoriasis occurs in a small percentage of the general population. It is a chronic skin condition characterized by scaly red patches of skin, which are usually itchy. Stress and changes in weather/temperature are said to cause skin flare ups. There is no found cure yet for psoriasis but there are natural ways to keep it at bay.

Home Health's Psoriasis Medicated Scalp and Body Wash have good reviews from those who have used it.  The medication consists of 2% Salicylic Acid, a topical agent known to work with common skin problems, mixed with Carrot Oil, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Vera, Allantoin and herbal extracts.

For the past two to three months, I have used the product as shampoo and facial wash together with a good moisturizer from time to time. It helped in removing scales and providing some relief to redness and itchiness. However, I do not advise prolonged and continuous use of the product as it may cause some dryness in unaffected areas of the skin. (Update 2014-0221: After seeking for a second opinion from a dermatologist, I learned that my skin conditions fall under dermatitis, not psoriasis.)

Psoriasis Medicated Scalp and Body Wash is available at Healthy Options outlets and online at iHerb and Amazon.

* * *

The -ber months and the first few two months of the year bring cool winds and lower temperatures that may lead to seasonal allergies with symptoms that include sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, and watery and itchy eyes.

One naturopathic cure for allergies is Quercetin Complex. Quercetin is a naturally occurring plant pigmentation that gives fruits, vegetables and flowers their color. It acts as an anti-histamine and an anti-oxidant, as well as assists in anti-inflammatory activities. There are studies that indicate Quercetin's healing properties for heart diseases and cancer.

Suggested use is one to six capsules daily, taken between meals. So far, Quercetin has been effective in curing my seasonal morning sneezing and runny nose. I take two (2) capsules in the morning after breakfast.

Quercetin Complex is also available in Healthy Options.

Meet Nana the Banana of the Goodness Gang

GOOD NEWS! K finally gets her free plush toy from Rustan's Supermarket. Naming it "Nana the Banana," this bright yellow fella from the Goodness Gang is part of the supermarket's campaign to promote healthy eating following the "5-a-Day Rule" among its shoppers.

The 5-a-Day Rule comes from the World Health Organization's recommended serving of at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables a day to lower the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (e.g. heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers), among other health problems. By consuming five 80-gram portions of fruits and vegetables combined, one can get maximum benefits such as vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, which helps maintain a healthy digestive system.

The Goodness Gang are here to help us follow the 5-a-Day Rule.

Who's your favourite?

Mechanics

Get one (1) sticker for every PhP 300 worth of purchase in Rustan's Supermarkets plus bonus stickers for a minimum PhP 100 worth of sponsor products. Promo runs until November 30, 2013.

Sticker cards are available at Rustan's Supermarket cashiers and customer service counters or click here to download and print a copy.

Sources:

1. Rustan's Supermarket: Goodness Gang
2. NHS (UK): Why 5 a Day?

How I Ran (and Not Walked) for the Pasig River

Sweaty Selfie, I had no choice! :D

I've almost called last Sunday's Run for Pasig River the run that wasn't.

With -- read: 79,000 runners in attendance at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, there wasn't only heavy vehicle buildup at as early as 5:00 am, foot traffic was also unimaginably shoulder-to-shoulder that it took my cluster roughly an hour just to get to the starting line.

It was almost impossible to run.

But thankfully, there were tiny opportunities called spaces that allowed me to zigzag through the thick crowd, consisting mostly of students and corporate volunteers. Then there were my fellow runners from the Metrobank Group who cannot be missed in their bright green shirts. Seeing a runner or two from our Group would inspire me to go on a little faster every time the conditions seemed tough.

At points where the crowd was really thick and dense that I just had to walk with everyone else, our solidly synchronised women and men from the Armed Forces of the Philippines helped me break through.

It also helped that I kept a focused mind. My goal was not just to finish the finish line; for once, I wanted to be able to say that I have run -- and not just walked -- for the Pasig River after two failed attempts in 2010 and 2011 due to personal emergencies.

Today, I am glad that finally did. Despite the sun, sweat and stench, I made through 5k in approximately just 37 minutes.

With my colleagues at the GT-Metro Foundation

Also read:

Green and Well: 3 Things that Running Taught Me