Difference between camphor and edible camphor

• Camphor is a white crystalline substance, obtained from the tree ‘Cinnamomum camphora’. It is used as medicine, insect repellent, etc.
• It has been used for long time in cooking. Now-a-days it is being widely used.
• Camphor used in cooking is ‘edible camphor’. It is also called ‘pachchai karpooram’, pachcha karpooram, pachai karpuram or pacha karpuram. Pachchai in Tamil means raw or green.
• Hindus usually burn camphor while praying to God (worshipping).
• Camphor is a main pooja (puja) item. Aarti (aarathi / Deepaaraathana / Deepa aarathana) is performed with it.
• Kan drishti (jealousy / evil gaze / Evil Eye) is believed to be eliminated by camphor.
• Dhrishti Parihaaram is said to be a measure to ward off the evil, cast by an evil eye.
• It is believed that burning camphor, when brought near any person, burns out all the negativity around the person.

Tips for good sleep / sound sleep

• Don’t use your bed for reading, writing, making telephone calls, cutting vegetables for cooking, taking snacks, watching television or making phone calls.
  
  
• Avoid seeing TV just before bed time.
  
  
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco and tea or coffee right before bedtime.
  
  
• Avoid exercises / workouts just before going to bed.
  
  
• A light massage and a warm bath before going to bed may help to have sound sleep.
  
  
• Keep regular bedtime hours.
  
  
• Sleep in a well ventilated quiet bedroom.
  
  
• If you can’t sleep well at all, consult doctor.

General computer cleaning tips

Dust is the main cause to heat up computer system. Heat makes the hardware failures. Therefore cleaning is the important part of computer maintenance. If cleanliness is maintained regularly, it will improve the cooling and the performance of computer and therefore the cost of computer maintenance will decrease considerably.

• Never place the computer on ground. Place the system and peripherals on a table or shelf specially designed for the purpose.

• Before cleaning, disconnect the system from power supply. Disconnect all cables and connectors.

• Blow air around all the hardware components by keeping the nozzle of blower at a safe distance of about ten centimeters. If compressed air is not available, use a vacuum cleaner.

• Never clean the inner components with a damp or wet cloth.

• The outer surface may be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth.

• If spray is used on the case, dry it using a paper towel.

• Reconnect all the removed cables and connectors.

• Reconnect the system with the power supply.

Home Remedies for Toothache

Sharp pain, throbbing pain, shooting pain or constant pain comes first, followed by toothache. So, taking care of teeth is very much necessary.

• Follow proper oral hygiene.
  

• Gently rub an ice cube in the area.
  

• Place a clove of garlic with a little rock salt on the affected tooth.
  

• Place a piece of onion on the tooth or gum.
  

• Put a few drops of clove oil on the trouble giving tooth.
  

• Mix a pinch of pepper powder with common salt and place the mixture on the affected portion of the tooth.
  

• Thoroughly rinse the mouth (mouth washing) with salt water (saline).

India banned smoking

From October 2, 2008 anyone smoking will be fined Rupees two hundred if found smoking at any place outside personal spaces like home and car, and open public areas like pavements and roads. The law came into effect after the Supreme Court rejected a petition of tobacco major ITC, which sought a stay on the government’s smoking ban order.

Places where you can’t smoke: Workplaces, hospitals, stations, auditoria, amusement centres, cinema halls, restaurants, bars, canteens, airports (except for smoking lounge), courts, educational institutions, libraries, banks, shopping malls, monuments, parks, bus stops, public transport.

Not listed as public places: Roads, and inside a car with windows rolled up.

The Delhi High Court has struck down the Ministry of Health’s 2005 notification banning smoking scenes. The court said the ban violated a filmmaker’s right to freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed under Article 19. “Directors should not have multifarious authorities breathing down their necks. A film must reflect the realities of life. It may be undesirable but it exists and is not banned by law”, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said. The order came on a petition filed by director Mahesh Bhatt questioning the validity of a notification under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act.

Vastu Tips

Vastu Shastra is the traditional Indian system of architecture and design of Vedic origin, applicable for all kind of dwelling areas. The Principles of Vastu date back to about 1000 years ago and constitutes the norms and specifications guarding the constructional and architectural pattern of a building. Vastu means the dwelling of humans and Gods. Following are some tips.

• The main entrance should be in the East or in the North direction. It should not be in front of the compound wall. It should not be in front of the main entrance of the opposite house.
  
• The height of the wall of the house in the North-Eastern side should be the least.
  
• If the wall of the house in the East is tall, it stalls the entry of prosperity, the Goddess Lakshmi, into the house. Therefore, it should be small in height.
  
• The Southern side of the house should be as tall and heavy as possible.
  In any room of the house the beam or column should not cross in the center.
  
• Rooms should not be triangular, oval, or round in shape.
  
• Terrace or balcony in the house should be either in the East or in the North.
  
• The slope of the house as well as the slope of the plinth should be towards East, North or North-East.
  
• Plinth should be the highest in the direction of South-West.
  
• The house should be equipped with a protective wall.
  
• The upper storey of the house should be constructed on the Southern or Western part.
  
• The cupboard in the wall should be the Southern or Western part direction of the house.
  
• Stale food, torn clothes, withered flowers, waste paper, empty bins and jars should never be stored in a house as it hinders the entrance of Goddess Lakshmi in the house.
  
• East (Purab) Pitrustaan(Manes): It should not be blocked , since it is the source of male issues.
  
• South-East (Aagneya) (Fire): Source of health, place of fire, cooking and food.
  
• South (Dakshina): Source of wealth, crops and happiness.
  
• South-West (Naryuthya)-(Earth): Source of character, behavior, cause of longevity and death.
  
• West (Paschima): Source of name, fame and prosperity.
  
• North-West (Vaayavya) (Air): Source of change, income from business, enmity and friendship.
  
• North (Uttara) Maathrusthan-This should not be blocked as it is the source of female issues.
  
• North-East (Eshanya) (Water) Source of health, wealth, prosperity and of male issues.
  

Prevent mosquito breeding

• Mosquitoes can be transmitters of dengue fever, encephalitis, malaria, yellow fever, Chikungunya, etc to humans.
  
• Mosquitoes must have water to lay their eggs. Get rid of the mosquitoes by frequently checking and removing stagnant water in your premises.
  
• So, drain water if any from old tires, jars, bottles, buckets, rain gutters, watering cans, unused tin cans etc. Turn them upside down.
  
• Change water at least once a week in fire bucket, bird bath, fountain, wading pool and plant trays to kill possible mosquito larvae.
  
• Clear any stagnant water in your air cooler unit.
  
• Loosen soil from potted plants to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water on the surface of the hardened soil.
  
• Clear away fallen leaves on roof.
  
• Empty the unused swimming pools, saunas, and hot tubs when not in use or cover them.
  
• Keep the rain drainages clean and free flow.
  
• Empty the overhead tank of house when unoccupied.
  
• Grow the special fish that eat mosquito larvae in ditches, ornamental pools etc.
  
• Mow the lawn at least once a week.
  
• Ensure windows, doors, septic tank’s air motion pipes etc are fitted with wire mesh to prevent entry of mosquitoes.
  
• Use mosquito repellents as required.
  
• Wear full sleeve shirt and full pant to avoid mosquito bite.
  
• Use mosquito net properly while sleeping.
  
• Don't dump unwanted things in storm drains or ditches.