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Herbs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a serious autoimmune illness affecting the joints and bones and other organ systems of the body. Damage to tissues results when the immune system mistakes the body’s own tissue as foreign and attacks them. Free radicals are part of the cascade of effects that cause inflammation and eventually can destroy joints. While there are excellent prescription medications used to successfully treat RA, many people prefer to use an all natural approach or to supplement the standard therapies.

Many herbs have been identified as having usefulness in treating the symptoms of RA and many are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory in nature. We will look at some of these herbs and discuss their use in RA holistic care. Even though herbs and supplements may be all natural, they still can be potent and may also interact with prescription medications. An RA patient should always discuss the matter with their health care provider before adding or subtracting anything in their treatment plan, natural or otherwise. It is a mistake to assume that herbs are automatically safe and free of side effects.

Among the herbs identified as helpful in RA are: Angelica, Bogbean, Borage oil, Boswellia, Bromelain (from pineapple), Cat’s claw (Also called Devil’s claw), Chaparral, Evening primrose oil, Feverfew, Galangal, Ginger, Cayenne creams and lotions, Curcurmin (from turmeric), Pokeweed roots, Alfalfa, Gotu kola, Honeysuckle, Hops, Licorice, Lingum vitae, White poplar, Linseed, Morinda, Mustard, Oregano, Sarsaparilla, Sesame seed oil, Stinging nettles, Wild Yam, Black cohosh, Celery, Willow, Wintergreen, Yucca.

And this list, long as it is, is just part of the herbal formulary often used to control the problems associated with RA! In fact, one old remedy for “rheumatism” which was the catch-all term for all joint pain and aches was willow bark tea. Willow bark contains salicylates, compounds related to aspirin and to several current pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs. There is no question that this could have been helpful for RA sufferers.

Cat’s claw or Devil’s claw is another old and often used remedy. It is normally used in a dose of 250 mg of a standard extract taken twice a day. One small study has been done showing relief of RA symptoms when compared to a placebo. Cat’s claw must be taken with food and cannot be taken by women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant. Upset stomach is the most commonly reported side effect, but is lessened when taken with food. Cat’s claw has anti-inflammatory properties.

A widely used compound for topical pain relief is a cream compounded from cayenne pepper extracts. This reduces pain and inflammation by stimulating circulation in the area of a painful joint and is also useful for osteoarthritis. A user must be careful to wash hands carefully since the cream can burn the eyes and mucous membranes. It’s also important to note that hot packs and heating pads should not be used over areas covered with cayenne products. Many people also use this product to treat the pain from a previous case of shingles effectively. It is available without prescription.

Curcurmin is a product extracted from the yellow spice turmeric that is being studied for several medical purposes including RA pain and stiffness. Widely used in curries, turmeric is also used as it is for RA and other uses. Curcurmin has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help to fight the free radicals that play a part in joint destruction in advanced rheumatoid arthritis.

An Indian herb called Boswellia has also been shown to decrease inflammation in the body. It is taken in a dose of 150 mg three times a day. While it would take a book to list every dose and herb used for RA symptoms, it is easy to see how big a choice there is for natural products. The resources given below are a great introduction to the use of herbs in RA, and the Arthritis Foundation has published a book that is a guide to herbal therapies.

For more information visit the websites:
http://www.arthritiscures.us/common-symptoms-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/common-symptoms-for-rheumatoid-arthritis.htm
Common Symptoms for Rheumatoid Arthritis
http://www.arthritiscures.us/templar-arthritis/templar-arthritis.htm
Templar Arthritis
http://arthritiscures.us/arthritis-Rheumatoid/arthritis-Rheumatoid.htm Arthritis Rheumatoid

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Breathing For Exercise Energy: Jump Starting Your Heart

Many people will give excuse after excuse for not exercising during the day. While the number one excuse is not having enough time, the second excuse used most often is not having enough energy. Energy will remain low as long as the mind is in the avoidance mode. Once you convince yourself that exercise is fun and you WANT to do it, the exercise will return, like MAGIC! In order to jump start those energy levels, exercise breathing can help.

Exercise breathing is like a warm up for the lungs. It gets the body moving and the lungs working in a similar way to how they will be working during the fitness routine. Once the lungs are moving briskly, the heart will kick in and the energy levels of the body will rise.

If you have ever noticed during an exercise routine that after the first 10 or 15 minutes, the exercise does not seem so hard and the energy levels needed to continue are there you understand the forces behind exercise breathing. There are four steps to breathing for energy and they are:

* Take deep breaths. Kind of like stretching the lungs, you want to begin your exercise breathing with long inhales and slow exhales. These will warm up the lungs for the volume of oxygen they are about to experience. These slow breathing exercises should be repeated for 10 to 15 repetitions.

* Rate your energy level. As you are deep breathing, mentally rate your energy level. This will give you a guideline by which to compare your energy level after the breathing exercise. As you slowly breath in and out, notice any changes in energy level. Toward the end of the warm up, you should feel a bit more energized than before you began.

* Moving to abdominal breathing. Now you will move the breathing exercises to the abdomen. As you breath in, fill the abdomen with air and do not move the shoulders. This is all about the tummy. Count the amount of seconds it takes to fill the tummy and exhale at the same rate. You want to breathe in and out just deep enough to not become dizzy from the process. We are not filling a balloon here, just warming up the body. Continue this exercise for three minutes.

* Rate your energy level again. After the three minutes, there should be a marked change in energy level. Your lungs are now warm and ready to move to the music of exercise. This practice can be used at any time during the day when you need a boost of energy, but especially when you are too tired to exercise. These tips can be repeated as a cool down after exercising.

Breathing is the ideal way to give your body back that little spark it needs to move on with the daily exercise routine. Life is all about balance and when we balance our workouts to include our entire body, they will help us to become a healthier person all around for now and tomorrow.

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Breathing For Exercise Energy: Jump Starting Your Heart / Author : http://www.webwire.com

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Your Cosmetic Questions Answered

It is not quite as old as dirt but most certainly some of it comes from dirt. What is it? It is cosmetics and it is a multi-billion dollar a year industry that has people craving more and more colors, varieties and products to enhance their already natural beauty. But have you ever wondered what cosmetics really are or what they are made of? Perhaps you have always wondered what shade fit you best but were afraid to ask.

Well… this article is for you. In this article we will cover some of the basics of cosmetics such as the history, which is as rich and diverse as the colors, as well as some of the more popular questions where cosmetics are concerned. Before you know it you will be a make-up and skin care aficionado and will be itching to get to the store to try out new colors, textures and styles of cosmetics.

What types of cosmetics are there?

The basics of cosmetics are the skin care protection lines such as bath products. There are bath salts, bath gels and soaps. Then there are skin protections such as body lotions.

Next up are the hair care products such as gels and hair coloring. The most familiar use of the term ‘cosmetics’ comes to us in the form of make-up for which there are mascaras, lipsticks, foundations, blushes and many, many more types.

What are some of the more popular brands?

The most popular brands of make-up are the ones you find in retail stores and shopping stores such as Wal-Mart, Target and Walgreens. These are the ones that most people come into contact with on a daily basis. They are relatively inexpensive and most people can afford them without breaking the bank. Some manufacturers include Revlon, Cover Girl, and Almay.

Are cosmetics tested on animals?

Yes, some cosmetic companies still test on animals as a way to test whether or not the cosmetics are safe to use on humans. The testing labs test for skin irritation, eye irritation, toxicity, phototoxicity and mutagenicity.

If you want to ensure that your make-up is not used to test on animals, you need to check out the company’s website and the packaging. Most will say that their products are not tested out on animals.

What is the deal with Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter shades?

The Spring, Winter, Summer, Fall business is simply color pallets that are grouped together in shades of warms or cools that look best on a person depending on their skin tone. Someone with red hair and pale complexion may look better with more earthy tones of Fall whereas a brunette with medium skin tone might look good in Winter color tones. It really depends on your skin color and your hair color.

Visit Mike Selvon portal to learn more about cosmetics. Your feedback is much appreciated at our skin care blog where a free gift awaits you.

Your Cosmetic Questions Answered / Author: MIKE SELVON

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New Treatment for Fibromyalgia (FMS)

Fibromyalgia is also called as FMS. Fibromyalgia is a disorder classified by the presence of chronic widespread pain and tactile allodynia. The disorder is not directly life-threatening. While fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles, its cause is currently unknown. Fibromyalgia is a clinical syndrome defined by chronic widespread muscular pain, fatigue and tenderness.

Fibromyalgia affects predominantly women (over 80 percent) between the ages of 35 and 55. The degree of symptoms may vary greatly from day to day with periods of flares. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points places on your body where slight pressure causes pain.

Fibromyalgia is agreed upon as one thing—a disease entity or a painful entity. In fact, fibromyalgia really is a calamity. Tender points are places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms or legs that hurt when touched. Every muscle in their body shouted out in pain. Treatment programs are most effective when they combine patient education, stress reduction, regular exercise, and medications. In addition, they felt devoid of energy as though someone had unplugged their power supply. The pain is biological, psychological, and social. It affects all parameters, including even a spiritual or religious component. Many medical conditions can cause pain in different areas of the body, mimicking fibromyalgia.

Cause of fibromyalgia
Genetics
Sleep disturbances
Dopamine abnormality
Changes in muscles metabolism
Abnormal levels of Substance P in their spinal fluid
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
abnormal sleep architecture
heightened sensitivity
fatigue
sensitivity to noise and temperature
mood changes
musculoskeletal pain
Environmental change
physical problems
memory problems
anxiety and depressive
irritable bowel syndrome
Diagnosis for Fibromyalgia
However, blood tests for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) values can differentiate these diagnoses from fibromyalgia. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made purely on clinical grounds based on the doctor’s history and physical examination.

Treatment for Fibromyalgia
Medication, while important, is not the only treatment. Patient education, exercise, self-management skills and alternative therapies help treat fibromyalgia symptoms.

Low doses of sedating antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline and trazodone) have been used to reduce the sleep disturbances that are associated with fibromyalgia.
Considering nontraditional treatment options for your fibromyalgia pain.
Some topical remedies ar used for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Current studies indicate the best pharmacologic treatment for treating pain (and improving disrupted sleep patterns) is low doses of tricyclic compounds including cyclobenzaprine and amitriptyline .
Muscle relaxants, anti-epileptics (such as Neurontin and Lyrica) and other drug categories may be prescribed as well. Each issue of the Fibromyalgia Network Journal contains information about new treatment options, as well as advice about how to make use of existing medications to minimize fibromyalgia symptoms.
Prevention for Fibromyalgia
Schedule time to relax each day. Deep-breathing exercises and meditation will help reduce the stress that can bring on symptoms.
Do exercise regularly.
Stress reduction might include simple stress modification at home or work, biofeedback, relaxation tapes, psychological counseling, and/or support among family members, friends, and doctors.

New Treatment for Fibromyalgia (FMS) / Author: Sander Bel

Sander Bel writes articles for depression treatments. He also writes for home remedies and anxiety depression.

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Aromatherapy and its Benefits

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that makes use of the body’s sense of smell to help boost your mood, relieve stress as well as encourage better health. Aromatherapy uses volatile liquid plant materials called essential oils, and other compounds from plants for the purpose of healing.

Various fragrant substances are used during aromatherapy sessions, such as aromatherapy soy candles, and each smell can produce a different result. For example, peppermint and eucalyptus scents are often used to help stimulate the body for people who are feeling sluggish. Lavender and chamomile can have the opposite effect as it helps a person relax.  Lemon and rosemary are effective at revitalizing a tired body.

Our sense of smell is very powerful.  In fact, the body can distinguish around 10,000 different scents!  As a scent is inhaled, the smell travels across the olfactory nerves located inside the nose and then up into the part of the brain that controls our moods, our memories and our ability to learn. This area is called the Limbic System and when stimulated it releases endorphins, neurotransmitters and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals. In other words, aromatherapy triggers various responses in the body.
 
Aromatherapy also works by absorbing the essential oils that have been extracted from plants, fruits, herbs and flowers into the blood stream. This method is perfectly safe and if you’ve ever rubbed a fragrant lotion, cream or ointment into your skin or received a massage, you’ve already indulged in this type of aromatherapy.

Fragrances used in aromatherapy are many and are commonly added to:
 
- Lotions
- Inhalants
- Gels
- Candles
- Bath salts
- Vaporizers
- Perfumes, and
- Room sprays

Aromatherapy oils extracted from naturally occurring materials are unlike synthetic fragrances and perfumes which can cause allergies and irritation. Essential oils are safe to use for every one and evidence of its use has been found as far back as Ancient Egyptian civilizations.

Benefits of Aromatherapy

You don’t have to pay someone a fortune to do it - it is something you can learn to do at home

Many people seek out professional massage therapists or visit expensive spas for their aromatherapy sessions. While this is a great way to indulge if you can afford to, it’s easy to learn how to do aromatherapy right in the comfort of your own home. ? All you need are some candles, essential oils or bath oils and a burner or diffuser. ? You will also want to find a comfortable space for your aromatherapy session where you can totally relax.

There’s nothing unhealthy about it - Aromatherapy is a completely natural approach that will improve your health.

Aromatherapy is a great alternative to other treatment options such as prescription medications and caffeine. When used properly, there are no or very few side effects.  Some of the side effects that can emerge are due primarily to a person’s sensitivity to certain ingredients that they might have an allergic response to. Most people are aware of their particular sensitivities so you can easily avoid those.

Aromatherapy is great for alleviating minor discomforts before they become a big deal!

While aromatherapy isn’t going to cure a major illness, it is very effective at:
 
- alleviating minor aches and pains in joints
- improving the functionality of the immune system
- relieving the symptoms of menstrual cramps
- improving your skin tone
- relaxing muscles (something you can do every day if you want)
- lowering blood pressure
- clearing congestion
- improving circulation to the scalp which helps reduce dandruff and helps promote healthy hair growth
- relieving tension that causes headaches, and
- improving sleep

For more information about essential oils go to The Reference Guide for Essential Oils http://www.diffuserworld.com/detail.aspx?ID=93

Aromatherapy and its Benefits / Author: Cathy Taylor

Occupation: Marketing
Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 27 years experience. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creativecommunications@cox.net or by visiting www.howtoconquermenopause.com www.everythingmenopause.com, and www.everythingandropause.com
http://www.everythingmenopause.com

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Skin Surgery Options and Treatment

The skin is susceptible to many diseases, discolorations, and growths. It may also be damaged by excessive exposure to the sun and the effects of aging. In most cases, skin problems requiring dermatologic surgery can be addressed in the dermatologist’s office or in an outpatient setting, usually under local anesthesia, with minimal pain, and low risk of complications. There are different types of skin surgeries enumerated below.

Types of Skin Surgery
Skin biopsy - Skin biopsies are performed to help with the diagnosis of your skin condition. Sometimes, different skin conditions can look similar to the naked eye so additional information is required. This is obtained by looking at the structure of the skin under the microscope after the cells have been stained with special coloured dyes.
Excision of skin lesions - A common reason why skin lesions are excised, is to fully remove skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma. If the cancer is not cut out it may spread to the surrounding skin and to other parts of the body (metastasise).

Curettage & cautery - Curettage and cautery or electrosurgery is a procedure in which your dermatologist scrapes off a skin lesion and applies heat to the skin surface.
Skin grafting - A skin graft consists of skin taken from another part of the body and applied to the site where skin is missing. This might follow surgical removal of a skin cancer or a burn. A skin graft is thus a skin transplant. Skin grafts are performed by surgeons (including plastic surgeons) and by some dermatologists.
Mohs microscopically controlled excision - Mohs Micrographic Surgery, an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer, offers the highest potential for recovery—even if the skin cancer has been previously treated. This procedure is state-of-the-art treatment in which the physician serves as surgeon, pathologist and reconstructive surgeon.

Laser Skin Resurfacing - A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can selectively transfer its energy into tissue to treat the skin. The laser makes it possible to change tissue without making an incision. So a surgeon can treat birthmarks or damaged blood vessels, remove port wine stains, and shrink facial “spider veins” without major surgery.
Photodynamic therapy - Applying a chemical called aminolevulinic acid to the skin and exposing the skin to a special light source.

Topical chemotherapy - Applying a chemical such as 5-fluorouracil, diclofenac sodium, or imiquimod to destroy pre-cancerous growths and some cancerous lesions.
Radiation therapy - Using x-rays to destroy tissue in certain types of skin cancer, as well as in selected individuals for whom surgery is not possible.
Dermabrasion - Removing the outer layers of skin and softening irregular edges. After the skin is frozen with a spray medication, a high-speed, rotary abrasive wheel is used.
Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) Applying or spraying liquid nitrogen onto the skin to freeze and destroy the tissue.

Precautions and care for Skin Surgery
Your skin growth will be removed surgically in the office and sent for microscopic examination to be certain it has been completely removed. Unless otherwise instructed, please eat normally and take all regularly prescribed medications.
After surgery, most patients may resume their usual activities; sometimes, there are temporary restrictions on sports, dancing, or other physical activity.
Aspirin makes people bleed more easily, and we prefer that patients not take it for seven days before surgery and for two days after surgery.

If you are taking aspirin, or a medicine containing aspirin, on your own, please stop it for seven days before surgery.
Antibiotics - People who have had hip replacements, have artificial heart valves, or who have mitral valve prolapse often have to take antibiotics before dental procedures.
In the medical literature, most studies show antibiotics are not needed before and after skin surgery. The best thing to do is to check with the doctor who has implanted one of the above devices or the doctor who sees you for this problem.

Stitches (sutures) are used to close the wound after surgery. The type of stitch we use depends on the surgery and your skin. Stitches that need removal are usually taken out 7 to 14 days after surgery. Stitch removal and takes only a few minutes.

 Rachel Broune writes articles for Laser skin surgery . He also writes for makeup tips and skin care and diseases.

Skin Surgery Options and Treatment / Author: Rachel Broune

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History of Aromatherapy

“Aromatherapy” word comes from two words: “Aroma”, meaning fragrance, and “Therapy”, meaning treatment. Aromatherapy had been around for 6000 years or more. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient egyptians all used aromatherapy oils. The history of Aromatherapy dates back at least to 4000 BC. Aromatherapy probably began before recorded history, when man discovered that certain plant aromas had soothing, healing effects when they were crushed in the palm of the hand or burnt on the fire. Tribes that had little contact with modern man until quite recent times retained the knowledge of the uses of plants in their areas.

Aromatherapy, as it is practiced today, began with the egyptians, who used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants which were used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as well as embalming. The Chinese may have been one of the first cultures to use aromatic plants for well-being. Their practices involved burning incense to help create harmony and balance. Aromatherapy has also been used for many centuries in India. Greeks borrowed many healing and relaxation techniques from the Egyptians. They used herbs and aromatherapy oils for medicines and cosmetics.

The Greeks continued the use of aromatic oils and used them medicinally and cosmetically. Asclepius (circa 1200 BC) is the first known physician in history who experimented with herbs and plants in his surgeries. The invasions of South America by the conquistadors brought about the discovery of more medicinal plants and aromatic oils. The Aztecs were well known for their plant remedies and the Spanish were amazed at the wealth of medicinal plants found in Montezuma’s botanical gardens. The North American Indians also used aromatic oils and produced their own herbal remedies.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that scientists in Europe and Great Britain began researching the effects of vital oils on bacterium in humans. Essential oils are really expensive to develop, some more then than others, payable to the labour intense procedure and the amount of the plant required to develop the oil. Aromatherapy continues to increase in popularity throughout the southwestern reality and beyond. From the later 20th century and on into the 21st century, there is a growing revival to utilise much normal products including vital oils for curative, cosmetic and fragrant welfare. The consumption of vital oils never ceased.

 Get information on hair styles tips and hair trends in our hairstyles magazine, including sections dealing with shag hairstyles.

History of Aromatherapy  / Author: Juliet Cohen

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Healthy Tips For Eye Care

Prevention is better than cure .This is applicable for eye health too. Eye care is better than eye cure. So do take good care of your eyes. This can be done by taking in lot of vitamins especially vitamin A into your diet. Other diets that are rich in minerals are also good to eyes .Some of the exercises can also ensure good eye health .

Eat lots of green, leafy veggies, says Lylas Mogk, M.D., an ophthalmologist who practices in Livonia, Mich. These include kale, collard greens and spinach, which are rich in lutein, an antioxidant that research shows may help preserve eye health and deter the risk of macular degeneration. Wolfberries, which are rich in zeaxanthin, also may be beneficial.

To protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, you need to make sure your regular glasses and sunglasses have 100% UV protection. “That is completely separate from any tint. The fact is that you can have clear lenses with UV coating that will protect you from the harmful rays of the sun,”

We can benefit from Vitamins A, E, and C for overall eye health care. Vitamin A may help reduce risks of night blindness and cataracts. For people who have Vitamin A deficiency, this deficiency has been implicated in blindness and corneal ulcers .For reducing the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, Vitamin E plays an important role.

Pressure in glaucoma will be reduced when you take Vitamin C and it also helps slow age related degeneration and provides resistance to cataracts. Vitamins are rich source of antioxidants and they can help in eye health care because antioxidant helps fight the effects of oxidation that contributes to the destruction of healthy tissues and is strongly implicated in macular degeneration

Deficiency of vitamin A can lead to nightblindess, xerophthalmia including dryness of eyes and corneal ulcer formation leading to blindness.

Vitamin A helps to prevent the progression of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) which is the leading cause of blindness in the world.

Smokers and those consuming alcohol need extra vitamin supplement as tobacco prevents absorption of vitamin A and alcohol depletes it from the body. However smokers should avoid beta carotene supplement as it increases the risk of lung cancer in them.

Food sources: Carrot, mango, sweet potato, papaya, cod liver oil, liver, beef.

Another way to relax your eyes is to place sliced cucumber on the eyelids while you are relaxing in a bath tub.

Try taking short breaks after long hours of working. It is better to do few small eye exercises like blinking eyes several times, rolling the eyeballs while keeping your eyes closed.

Try looking at a distant object in your office or somewhere outside after long working hours. This would help you in improving your eyes focus.

Don’t keep your eyes focused in one place for a sustained period of time. Change your focus. Look up out a window periodically when you’re doing close work, to give your eyes a break. Sustained contraction of the eyes can also lead to a contraction of your upper body and neck. Don’t stare continuously without breaks, as that causes tension on the visual system, and can contribute to vision problems.

 Read about Diet and Recipes and Upload and Share Videos, Photos. Also read about Triphala Internal Cleanser

Healthy Tips For Eye Care / Author: peterhutch

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Just Right: Storing and Serving Draft Beer

If you’ve been drinking beer for any amount of time you are probably aware of draft beer. People around the globe enjoy the cold sudsy beverage that comes from a keg and out of the beer taps. When stored and served right, it is a tasty and refreshing way to enjoy a cold beer. However, some problems can arise that can definitely take away from the quality and taste of your favorite beverage.

The most important factor in proper draft care is the temperature of the beer. The proper temperature for storage and serving draft beer is 38 degrees Fahrenheit. If the keg falls above or below 38 F, the appearance, freshness, and most importantly, taste can be affected. Draft beer is kept at this temperature so that it can maintain the carbonation level that it has while it is being made at the brewery. It does not matter whether it is a domestic or imported beer or if it is pasteurized or not; the temperature must remain between 38-40 degrees.

If a keg gets too warm, the beer will foam up while it is still in the container. This happens because the pressure applied by the beer tap handles is not enough to keep the carbonation in the beer. This can lead to wasted beer and wasted profit. Once a keg has lost pressure and the carbonation in the beer is gone, it affects the taste, making it more bitter, and the appearance of the beer, making it appear clouded.

If the keg gets too cold it causes the carbonation found in the beer to remain there until the customer consumes it. The result is overfilled beer glasses and a lower yield of beers per keg. Also, if temperature drops too much without the pressure from the beer tap handles being changed, the beer may become over carbonated. This will result in foamy pours.

Temperature can be maintained with a little care. To properly measure a keg’s temperature you must place a thermometer in liquid with the keg. This is important to do to maintain proper temperature. A keg can go from 38 degrees to 48 degrees in as little as four hours. On the other hand, it can take up to ten hours for a keg that measures 48 degrees to be cooled down to 38 degrees. This is a serious matter in a business or party situation!

One way to prevent improper temperature is make sure that your keg refrigerator is well maintained and sealed properly. A poorly sealed cooler can warm the keg by several degrees over a relatively short period of time. When storing kegs, avoid keeping other items in the same cooler as the beer. Having other items in the same refrigerator can lead to people opening the door and affecting the temperature of the keg.

One must consider temperature when receiving a keg from delivery as well. A keg that has ridden around in a delivery truck for several hours is more than likely going to be several degrees warmer than when it came from the warehouse. The bottom line is that with a little care and attention draft beer can always be good all the way from the bottom of the barrel until it comes bursting forth in a golden frothy spray out of the beer tap handles.

Just right: storing and serving draft beer / Author : Michael Usry

Michael Usry is a top affiliate with beertaps.com, a website for household draft beer accessories and a site that has authentic German imported beer steins.
http://www.beertaps.com/

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Proper Care for Your Beer Glasses and Steins

For many beer drinkers, there’s nothing better than hearing that pop that comes with cracking open a fresh beer can. But is there an even better way to enjoy our favorite beers? Of course there is, the use of beer glasses and beer steins. Drinking from beer glasses and steins has a number of advantages over drinking your favorite beer right from the bottle or can, and it seems that people the world over are realizing this more and more.

A glass or stein not only improves the taste and aroma of the beer, it improves the entire beer drinking experience. When a brew flows from the beer taps, the right choice of beer glass is essential in bringing out the maximum tastiness of the beer, but how do you continue to have a great drinking experience every time once you’ve selected your ideal container?

There are a few simple things that a caring connoisseur can do to ensure that they get the most out of their beer each and every time:

1. Whatever glass you choose, use them only for beer. Residue from other drinks may stay on or in the glass, affecting the appearance and taste of the next beer.

2. When washing beer glasses or beer steins, use hot water and a soft cloth and rinse by hand. Avoid using soap; the residue left on the glass can affect the head of the beer and therefore the taste. If you have to use soap, rub the glass with table salt to remove any soap residue and let the beer glasses or beer steins air dry before putting them up for storage.

3. When storing your glasses or steins, avoid putting them in the refrigerator or freezer. Overly chilled beer takes away from the taste by numbing the taste buds and inhibiting the full aroma to be released. A frozen glass adds to this problem by numbing the lips and mouth as the consumer drinks. It can also weaken the strength of your glasses, leading to chipped edges and lips. Then you’ll just have to throw the mugs away and get some more.

 4.Avoid beer glasses that are opaque in color. The breweries carefully formulate the color of the beer and it is essential in the overall experience of drinking it. The Samuel Adams recently released a special glass that brings out the full color of their variety of flavors of beer. This is an example of how more and more people and breweries are catching on to the beer drinking experience

5. Use your own judgment and go with what you find to be your own preference. If you’ve got a sweet disposition for German beer steins , who’s to say that you won’t enjoy an American lager from it? Don’t get too caught up in the pomp of beer drinking, it doesn’t require the snobbery of being a wine connoisseur; It’s just good old beer drinking. So tip it up and enjoy a cold one every time.

Author: Michael Usry

Michael Usry is a top affiliate with beertaps.com, a website for household draft beer accessories and a site that has authentic German imported beer steins.
http://www.beertaps.com/

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