Health aNd Fitness Guide » Medicine

Ginger Cures

Aziz — Sat, 31 May 2008 18:31:43 +0000

Ginger is a medicine cabinet all by itself. Ginger can relieve motion and morning sickness, and calm an upset stomach when you’ve overindulged. If you’re getting over the stomach flu, either a cup of ginger tea or a glass of ginger ale can give quick relief. Ginger is loaded with anti-viral compounds that fight rhinovirus, a.k.a the common cold. But if you’re new to using ginger, do not overdo it, as it has a certain amount of heat to it. Furthermore, if you are coming down with a cold, boil a piece of fresh ginger in water for about 10 minutes and add honey to taste. Or add one teaspoon of ginger powder to one cup of boiling water, let it steep for 10 minutes and then drain it. Ginger tea, which is caffeine-free, is an ideal drink for the cold and flu season.

Insulin without needles?

Aziz — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:31:49 +0000

Injecting insulin is a daily routine for millions of diabetes patients around the world. At present, insulin can be given only as an injection, as it can be destroyed by the enzymes in the stomach. But researchers from Aberdeen University have developed an insulin pill with a coating using a novel polymer, which is not damaged by the stomach enzyme. This pill will be able to release insulin in the intestine, and can be absorbed in the bloodstream. According to Dr Colin Thompson, who presented the findings at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester, “the pill will not be available for several years and will need further testing”. This will be a welcome development for those who are scared, or have difficulty with needles, especially children and older patients.