Medical Today

Prevention
There is no way to prevent a sore throat; however, the risk of getting one or passing one on to another person can be minimized by:

• Washing hands with warm water and soap frequently.
• Maintaining a balanced life with adequate sleep, nutrition, and personal fulfillment.
• Avoiding close contact with someone who has a sore throat.
• Not sharing food and eating utensils with anyone.
• Not smoking.

Description
Sesame oil is derived from a plant species called Sesamum indicum, which is a herbaceous annual belonging to the Pedaliaceae family that reaches about 6 ft (1.8 m) in height. Sesame has been used for millennia in Chinese and Indian systems of medicine. Though often recommended as a laxative, the herb was used as early as the 4th century A.D. as a Chinese folk remedy for toothaches and gum disease. In modern times, sesame has been embraced by Western herbalists for a variety of therapeutic purposes. The oil is also used in cooking and as an ingredient in margarine and salad dressings as well as in certain cosmetics and skin softening products. Native to Asia and Africa, sesame is primarily cultivated in India, China, Africa, and Latin America. Only the seeds and oil of the sesame plant are used for medicinal purposes.

Definition
Stress is an individual’s physical and mental reaction to environmental demands or pressures.

Description
When stress was first studied, the term was used to denote both the causes and the experienced effects of these pressures. More recently, however, the word stressor has been used for the stimulus that provokes a stress response. One recurrent disagreement among researchers concerns the definition of stress in humans. Is it primarily an external response that can be measured by changes in glandular secretions, skin reactions, and other physical functions, or is it an internal interpretation of, or reaction to, a stressor; or is it both?

Alternative remedies can lessen the frequency and severity of headaches. Common treatments include:

• Acupressure. The stomach 3 and large intestine 4 points relieve sinus headaches.

• Acupuncture. A National Institutes of Health (NIH) panel concluded that acupuncture may be a useful treatment for headache.

• Aerobic exercise. Regular aerobic exercise reduces the frequency and intensity of headaches.

• Aromatherapy. Massage using the essential oils of lavender, rosemary, or peppermint relieves headache.

A variety of alternative medicines have proven to be helpful in treating depression. A recent report from Great Britain emphasized that more physicians should encourage alternative treatments such as behavioral and self help programs, supervised exercise programs, and watchful waiting before subscribing antidepressant medications for mild depression. Chocolate, coffee, sugar, and alcohol can negatively affect mood and should be avoided. Essential fatty acids may reduce depression and boost mood. Expressing thoughts and feelings in a journal is therapeutic. Aromatherapy, particularly citrus fragrance, has had a positive effect on depression. Psychotherapy or counseling is an integral component of treatment because it can find and treat the cause of the depression.