Al-Hadeeqah Holistic Awareness

The weather is warming up, flowers are blooming, and that pollen is accumulating. Soon households throughout the states will be suffering from nasal complications, irritated eyes, and scratchy throats. Prescription and over the counter medications are available to help treat the symptoms. Many come with the occurrence of the unwanted side of effects which may include drowsiness. Even if there is success with this kind of treatment, preventative actions and proper nutrition are essential to reduce complications of allergies. What is an Allergy? By definition, an allergy is a response by the immune system to a substance that it views as harmful, thus becoming sensitive to that substance. Common allergens (substances that trigger allergic reactions) are pollen, fur, smoke, and dust. The time in which many allergens become concentrated is known as "Allergy Season". This can vary from place to place as different plants pollinate at different times. Take Ragweed pollen a

A familiar sight in savory dishes, the mushroom has trecked throughout history earning a worthy place in cuisines around the globe. It was considered a "plant of immortality" by the Ancient Egyptians, who entitled it strictly for the pharaoh's enjoyment. The medicinal properties were held into account as well as its culinary purpose. In Rome, wild-foraged mushrooms were thoroughly enjoyed in the diet. Different ways of cultivating the mushrooms were introduced early in Roman civilization, around 200 BC.[ 1 , 2 ] Mushroom farming became popular in the Western world by a French gardener by the name of Chambry. He discovered the effectiveness of growing mushrooms in caves, where the humidity was high. With the abundance of deserted caves, mushrooms were grown all throughout Paris. [ 3 ] Types of Mushrooms and Their Benefits  The most recognized and used mushrooms in the US are White Buttons, Portabella, and Criminis ( Baby Bellas- which are just immature portabella mu

Hundreds of dollars are spent on acne treatments or concealers for teenagers and adults alike. Many of these expensive serums, creams, and washes fail to deliver their promising results. To make matters worse, some are filled with chemicals and ingredients that the body may view as toxins. Although there are cases of acne that require stronger treatment, many cases of acne can be controlled with proper care. What is Acne Acne is a term used to classify a skin condition that symptoms involve breakouts of pimples and bumps. Pimples are the result of dead skin cells and excess oily secretions from glands in the skin called  sebaceous glands  that can get trapped beneath the skin's surface and clogs pores. Open clogged pores lead to what we call 'blackheads'; dark clogged spots on the skin that appear black due to a reaction of the skin pigment, melanin, to oxidation. When sealed by the skin, they are white and can become infected. When infected, the inflamed pimple is fil

Belonging to the Apiaceae family (relative to parsley and fennel), the dried fruit of the caraway is a pungent spice with origins in Central Europe. It is a common sight in rye bread and meat dishes in many cuisines especially throughout Eastern Europe. [ 1 , 2 ] It has popularity in North Africa; where it is used in a common chilli paste called Harissa (recipe below) Because of its appearance, caraway "seeds" are commonly confused with anise and fennel seeds. All of these are related, with many similarities, but each offers their own set of flavor and health benefits.                                Anise Seeds                                                               Fennel Seeds      Health Benefits  Caraway is known to aid digestion by promoting regularity, carminative effects ( relieving flatulence) and detoxing the intestines. It is also has antispasmodic properties- meaning it will relax muscles and prevent spasms. This helps the intestinal mu

In the midst of our busy lives, sleep has become the least of our priorities. While staying up late and sacrificing some hours of shut-eye can be a tool for success, we must remember balance. Our bodies have rights over us and making sure to have adequate rest to function is one of them. What many do not realize that sleep deprivation can stretch beyond just fatigue and mental fog.  Some Effects of Sleep Deprivation When we lose quality sleep-time by either disturbed sleep or total deprivation, our minds struggle immensely. The response can alter a number of abilities such as making sound decisions, receiving new information (learning), lack of focus and recalling memory. ( 1 ) Lack of quality sleep can also affect your mood, causing increased irritability and even anxiety. While the mental effects of sleep deprivation are concerning enough, other areas of the body are also affected by this like the immune system. The immune system functions are suppressed by the lack of sle