When & How To Do Your Pregnancy Test!

What is a pregnancy test and how does it work?

Pregnancy tests are designed to tell if your urine or blood contains a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is produced right after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. This usually happens but not always about six days after fertilization. If you're pregnant, levels of hCG continue to increase rapidly, doubling every two to three days.


What types of pregnancy tests are available?

Two main types of pregnancy tests can let you know if you're pregnant: urine tests and blood tests.

Urine tests can be done at home or in a doctor's office. Many women first choose a home pregnancy test (HPT), about a week after a missed period. Home pregnancy tests are private and convenient.

These products come with instructions. Follow them closely for the most accurate results. After testing, you can confirm results by seeing your doctor, who can perform even more sensitive pregnancy tests.

Blood tests are done at your doctor's office, but are used less often than urine tests. These tests can detect pregnancy earlier than a home pregnancy test, or about six to eight days after ovulation. But with these tests, it takes longer to get the results than with a home pregnancy test.

Two types of blood pregnancy tests are available:

A quantitative HCG test (beta hCG) measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood. It can find even very low levels of hCG. Because these pregnancy tests can measure the concentration of hCG, they may be helpful in tracking any problems during pregnancy. They may also be used to rule out a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy or to monitor a woman after a miscarriage when hCG levels fall rapidly.

A qualitative HCG test simply checks to see if hCG is present. It gives a "yes" or "no" answer to the question, "Are you pregnant?" Doctors often order these tests to confirm pregnancy as early as 10 days after a missed period. However, some of these tests can detect hCG much earlier.

8 Uses Of Banana You Might Never Have Imagined

Banana is a delicious, nutritious, and filling fruit, rich in potassium, iron, vitamin C and more – we all know that. But here are some amazing facts and uses of banana and its peel you might have never have known or imagined before.

1. Banana can be used as a good face pack

Does it seem like the so-called “natural” products you buy don’t feel very natural? Try banana crush as a face pack and experience a really natural way to treat your skin, making it super supple and soft. Leaving banana pulp on your face and skin for ten to twenty minutes before washing it off can help your skin to be well moisturized and can fight off the tiny wrinkles that may appear in the later years. You can also try making a mask with 1/4 cup of yoghurt, two tablespoons of honey and a medium sized banana to have a natural skin care mask.

2. Freshen your plants

Is your plants looking dull and dusty lately? Maybe the leaves need a good wiping. Don’t throw away the peel of banana after you eat the fruit, because here is an amazing use of banana peel – you can rub off the dust on the leaves with the banana skin to make your plants look good, clean and fresh.

3. Use the banana to fight aphids

Dried or cut up banana peels buried deep in soil can make the aphids attacking your garden to run off. Remember not to bury a full banana or a whole, intact banana peel as this aphid repellent could backfire by attracting other pests like raccoons and squirrels who would love to dig it up for a treat.

4. Polish with Banana Peel

Believe it or not, there is a natural alternative to regular, foul-smelling shoe polish. Banana peels can impart the best shine to your dusty shoes as well as your silverware. Banana peels do work magic in cleaning off the dust and giving your leather and metals an extra shine without using any chemicals. Just rub it on and wipe it off with a clean cloth.

5. Banana fertilizer

Banana peels, just like the fruit, have loads of potassium in them. So swap your store-bought “potassium-rich” garden fertilizer with a natural potassium mulch made from banana peels. Dry out your peels in the sun or indoors during winter and powder those to get one of the best natural treats for your garden plants without harming the soil.

6. Banana composting

If I have more bananas than I know our family can eat, I cut them into inch-size chunks, freeze them, and then add them to smoothies as needed. What to do with all the peels, though? They can go directly into your compost pile and contribute to the natural compost formation. Drop them deep in the pile and be patient. The thicker parts may take a year or two to disappear.

7. Tenderize your roast

Banana leaves or peel can be used while roasting meat so as to tenderize the morsel and allow it to cook well. You can also add a ripe peeled banana to the roasting pan the next time you are finding it hard to roast a meat, to get a well cooked but juicy meat roast.

8. Have more birds and butterflies in your garden

Who does not like the garden to be full of fluttering and colorful life? Place a good ripe banana with a few holes poked through it in your backyard to attract birds and butterflies. Feel the lovely life all around your house and give a warm feel to your garden with the banana treat. But hey, don’t forget to bury it in the compost pile before sunset as it can also attract nocturnal creatures like bats and raccoons if left to stay.

Cinnamon As A Natural Health Remedy

Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices in the world, and medicinal properties that have found in essential oils of its bark have unique healing qualities.

Cinnamon is a small tree found in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam and Egypt. The two most popular types of cinnamon are the Ceylonese and Cassia. Ceylonese cinnamon is sweeter and softer than Cassia, and can be easily ground into powder.

Processing cinnamon is done by drying the bark of the tree and rolling it into cinnamon sticks called quills. The extremely high anti-oxidant activity in Cinnamon is the reason for it being capable of providing numerous health benefits.

The various health benefits of cinnamon are:

Lowers Cholesterol: Studies have found that ½ teaspoonful of cinnamon every day lowers cholesterol levels. It also reduces the “LDL” (bad) form of cholesterol and fights fatty acids in the blood.

Reduces Blood Sugar Levels: Several studies have pointed towards cinnamon being responsible for increasing insulin resistance, thus reducing body weight and arresting risk of heart disease.

Preliminary results from studies have indicated that cinnamon has anti fungal, antibacterial, and anti-parasitic properties

, which makes it an effective agent for fighting vaginal yeast infections, oral yeast infections, stomach ulcers and head lice.

Fights Cancer: In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of Leukemia and Lymphoma cancer cells.

Excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron and calcium: The combination of calcium and fibre can help to remove bile, which prevents damage to colon cells, which in turn prevents colon cancer. Fiber can also help with the relief of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Eases menstruation cycles: Cinnamon has also been found useful for women’s health, as it helps in providing relief from menstrual cramping and other feminine discomforts.

Breastfeeding: It is also believed that cinnamon aids in the secretion of breast milk.

Headaches and migraines: Headache due to exposure to cold can be cured by applying a thin paste of powdered cinnamon mixed in water.

Pimples and Blackheads: Cinnamon helps in removing blood impurities and it is often recommended for pimples.

Immune System: Honey and cinnamon paste is good for boosting the immune system and increasing the longevity of an individual.

Essential Oils For Acne And Oily Skin

Many of us suffer from acne or oily skin problems, and often we use cleansers or moisturizers to get rid of them. Most of the times, these cleansers or moisturizers contain artificial compounds which give temporary relief, but in a long run damage our skin. Contrary to popular belief, however, good quality essential oils or fatty oils could be a perfect alternative for these types of problems.

treatment of acne or oily skin, special attention must be given when choosing moisturizers or creams. Most moisturizers cause a severe drying effect on the skin, which can actually increase problems. Due to the popular belief that one should not use oils in case of acne or oily skins, most people tend to stay away from oils. The truth is, that the skin need oils and wax, especially when it comes to treating our skin with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Some essential oils like those listed below, could help solve your acne and oily skin problems.

Essential oils for skin problems: Acne is generally caused by excessive production of skin’s natural oils. Cosmetics and skin care products which damages and dehydrate your skin should be avoided. Using a blend of extra virgin oil and any other organic oil could be very helpful for the skin. Blending may require some time, as different people have different skins.

Essential oils for oily skins: The best essential oils for oily skin are bergamot, cedar wood, cypress, frankincense, lavender, lemon and sage. Ylang-ylang, lemon, peppermint and cypress are also very helpful in combating oily skin.

Lavender oil can be used directly on the skin, while the rest should be used in a blend with other carrier oils.

Essential oils for Acne: Geranium, lavender, chamomile, rosewood, sandalwood, eucalyptus, and frankincense oils have been found to be very effective in treating acne. These oils must be blended with carrier oil before being applied to skin. Facial steam baths are also a great way to combat problems like acne.

10 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Common kitchen items like herbs, spices, vinegar etc., can easily relieve some common ailments in a natural way. Apple cider vinegar is one such item which has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It has many uses and treats several disorders of the body. You can find some of it uses below.

Bladder infection and burning sensation- Make a mixture of one half teaspoon each of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of warm water. It helps to acidify the urine and prevent bacterial growth.

2. If you want to improve your memory, consume a teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar in a cup of water, 3 times a day before meals.

3. For insect stings or mosquito bites -Make a paste with equal amounts of baking soda and apple cider vinegar, and apply it on the stings.

4. Using a mixture of apple cider vinegar with sea salt can be effective in treating sprains.

5. To ease the pain of varicose veins you should apply apple cider vinegar directly to the affected area.

hair spray with apple cider vinegar and rosemary oil or lavender oil. This spray also works like a repellent for bed bugs.

7. Apple cider vinegar is effective in treating Heartburns. Drink a cup of warm water mixed with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

8. Add ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to the final rinsing water while laundering your baby’s cloth diapers. This makes them soft and can help preventing diaper rash.

9. To cure bloody nose- Add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to one cup of cool water and apply this compress to the base of the neck and to the top of the nose.

sore muscles, sun burn and itchy skin- Add one cup of apple cider vinegar to your bathing water .