Rosemary often steals the headlines when it comes to strengthening hair health and stimulating hair growth. For decades, this aromatic herb has received praise for its ability to thicken hair and ward off thinning. And while rosemary certainly gets its due, there may be another herb that stands a better chance of improving hair health: ginseng. This age-old root is prized for its widespread benefits for health but has become part of the hair care regimen as a result of its strong influences on encouraging hair growth and scalp wellness.

For ages, ginseng is used as an effective adaptogen: this plant enhances general wellness, decreases stress, and boosts mental functioning. Newer research has shown another excellent advantage of ginseng: its promotion of hair growth. Most people have heard of ginseng in the Chinese traditional healing practices, but only over the last decade have researchers started to analyze it on a deeper level and look into its hair-related impacts. As it turns out, this humble root may hold the key to not just healthier hair, but more voluminous, thicker locks.

While genetics undeniably play a significant role in hair loss and thinning, factors such as stress, diet, scalp health, and circulation are all contributing elements that can exacerbate these conditions. This is where ginseng comes into play. It enhances the circulation of blood on its scalp, hence becomes fundamental in hair development and stimulating healthy growth in nourishing the scalp. That more blood flows into it thus enables the strong transport nutrients to the follicle site.

Recent studies have proven that ginseng is a potent herb that promotes hair growth. Red ginseng extract may significantly enhance hair growth, according to a study conducted in the Journal of Medicinal Food. It is crucial for those individuals who experience hair thinning or alopecia because such a discovery opens up a new window of possibilities through natural, herbal interventions.

Active ingredients of ginseng, especially ginsenosides, are considered to play a crucial role in this process. Ginsenosides enhance blood circulation towards the scalp, thereby stimulating hair follicles and increasing keratin production. The latter is a protein responsible for hair strength and structure. Moreover, the mentioned compounds inhibit the action of 5-alpha reductase, which causes male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. This helps ginseng in reducing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that is responsible for hair loss.

Also Read: This Surprising Chilled Item Can Give You Shiny, Smooth Hair

Other Benefits of Ginseng for Hair Health

Aside from promoting hair growth, ginseng also offers a variety of other benefits that can help in creating a healthier scalp and stronger hair. Here are some reasons why ginseng should be part of your hair care routine:

1. Antioxidant Protection

Ginseng is full of antioxidants, which protect your hair from free radicals with harmful oxidative effects. In other words, these little molecules bring about oxidative damage, hair breakage and thinning, and unnatural aging of hair. All these problems are neutralized by powerful antioxidants in Ginseng from the inside hair cells outwards.

2. Keeps the Scalp Healthy

Ginseng has natural antimicrobial properties that keep the scalp clean and healthy. This is important in keeping conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and folliculitis away from the scalp, thus impeding hair growth. A clean and balanced scalp ensures that hair follicles are not obstructed to create an optimal environment for hair to grow.

3. Hydration and Nourishment

Another property that is being provided by ginseng is to balance the scalp's natural oils. With fatty acids, it hydrates the scalp without getting greasy, making it ideal for people with both dry and oily scalps. This moisture balance will prevent hair breakage and split ends.

4. Stress Reduction

Stress is one of the most significant causes of hair loss, and ginseng is known to have an adaptogenic property. That is, it will make your body capable of resisting the effects of stress much more effectively. Ginseng would indirectly lead to a healthy scalp, as less stress would impact the body. This indirectly minimizes the chances of hair thinning due to the effect of stress factors.

How to Use Ginseng for Hair Health

If you want to add ginseng to your hair care process, then there are different ways through which you can do that. Many companies now create hair care products with added ginseng extract: shampoos, conditioners, hair masks- all of it. Thus, you'll be using ginseng without doing much.

Others prefer direct application of the ginseng-infused oils right on the scalp. However, pure ginseng oil can be quite strong, and blending it with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil is suggested for the best results. Just apply this mixture to the scalp and massage it very gently to stimulate blood circulation and nourish the roots of the hair. The oil should be kept for an hour before it should be washed off the oily hair.

Another option is to create a nourishing ginseng hair mask. Combine ginseng powder with olive oil to create a mask that you can apply to your scalp. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. This mask not only nourishes the scalp but also helps to repair damaged strands and improve overall hair health.

As with any hair care regimen, consistency is key when using ginseng for hair growth. To see the best results, these ginseng-based products should be used two or three times a week. One must be patient while using ginseng; hair growth is slow and gradual. If one suffers from hair thinning and scalp problems even after consuming ginseng, a visit to a dermatologist or trichologist to determine the underlying conditions will be advisable.

Whereas rosemary has long been the darling of herb enthusiasts claiming to help your hair grow, ginseng has emerged as one of the most powerful tools in the quest for healthy, thick hair. Through its properties of enhancing circulation, feeding the scalp with nutrients, and stimulating growth, ginseng proves to be an excellent remedy for people looking to get healthier-looking hair. Whether you use a commercially available product or make your own DIY treatments, you can enjoy great long-term benefits from ginseng when added to your hair care routine. The good news? It's completely natural and very effective as it supports the overall health of your scalp while fostering thicker, fuller hair.

Active ginseng components in cognitive impairment. Oncotarget. 2018

Antifatigue effects of Panax ginseng. PLoS One. 2013

Tobacco use remains a global epidemic and one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. Despite a strong desire among many users to quit, relapse rates remain alarmingly high. A new study by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, suggests that yoga could be a valuable tool in helping people quit tobacco.

Yoga Shows Promise for Tobacco Cessation

To evaluate the effectiveness of yoga in tobacco cessation, researchers led by Dr Gautam Sharma, Department of Cardiology and Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research, AIIMS, conducted a meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to September 2024.

The review included adults aged 18 years and older who used any form of tobacco, excluding vaping products. Participants were randomly assigned to yoga either as a standalone intervention or alongside conventional cessation treatments.

The primary outcome assessed was the 7-day point prevalence abstinence (7PPA), a standard measure of smoking cessation. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, depression, anxiety, and mood states.

The findings suggest that “yoga may serve as a moderately effective intervention for tobacco cessation, with an estimated effectiveness of around 50 per cent”, the team said in the paper.

Also read: Yoga May Boost Fertility And Hormonal Health In Women With PCOS

How Yoga May Help People Quit Tobacco

Researchers found that active yoga styles such as Hatha, Vinyasa, and Iyengar yoga improved abstinence rates by helping reduce stress, depression, and negative emotions often associated with tobacco withdrawal.

Pranayama, or yogic breathing exercises, was found to reduce cravings and negative affect, making it easier for participants to cope with withdrawal symptoms.

The review also highlighted the importance of addressing psychological factors linked to tobacco addiction, including perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress—all of which are known contributors to relapse.

While some studies reported stronger psychological benefits than others, overall evidence suggests yoga may support emotional well-being during the quitting process.

Yoga and Tobacco Addiction

Also read: Yoga Shows Promise for Anxiety Relief And Seizure Control In Epilepsy, Claims Study

Researchers believe yoga may help manage tobacco addiction through several biological mechanisms.

Nicotine stimulates nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the brain, triggering the release of neurotransmitters that produce pleasurable and rewarding effects. During withdrawal, stress-related hormones increase, leading to anxiety, cravings, and emotional discomfort.

Yoga appears to counter these effects by shifting the body from a state of sympathetic nervous system dominance ("fight or flight") to parasympathetic dominance ("rest and digest").

Read More: India Launches New Yoga Protocols To Fight Diabetes, High BP, Asthma

This shift may reduce activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, lower cortisol levels, and decrease stress hormone production, helping individuals better manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

The team also noted that controlled breathing techniques can significantly influence emotional regulation, with voluntary breath control accounting for substantial variations in emotional states such as anger, fear, and joy.

India alone has more than 270 million active tobacco users. Given the widespread use of smokeless tobacco in the region—and the limited effectiveness of standard cessation medications for these users—yoga could offer an accessible, culturally familiar, and low-cost complementary approach, the researchers stressed.

While the results are encouraging, researchers also cautioned that larger and more standardized studies are needed.

Every day, hospitals care for patients whose survival depends on a simple yet irreplaceable resource—donated blood. A mother experiencing severe bleeding after childbirth, a child with thalassemia requiring regular transfusions, a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy, or a victim of a road traffic accident may all rely on timely access to safe blood.

Despite medical advances, blood remains unique. It cannot be manufactured or artificially replicated. It can only come from healthy individuals who choose to donate. This makes blood donation one of the most vital contributions a person can make to healthcare and society.

It is important to understand that the impact of a single donation extends far beyond what most people imagine.

One Donation, Multiple Patients

When a person donates whole blood, it is separated into components—red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Each component serves a different purpose. Red blood cells carry oxygen and are essential in treating anemia and blood loss. Platelets help control bleeding and are critical for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Plasma contains proteins and clotting factors required for managing bleeding disorders.

Because these components can be used independently, a single donation has the potential to benefit multiple patients with different medical conditions. One act of donation can therefore support several lives.

Why Blood Supply Must Be Continuous

A common misconception is that blood is needed only during emergencies or disasters. In reality, the demand for blood is constant. Patients with chronic conditions such as thalassemia require regular transfusions throughout their lives. Cancer treatments, major surgeries, organ transplants, complicated pregnancies, and trauma care all depend on a steady and reliable blood supply.

Unlike many medical resources, blood components have limited shelf lives. Platelets can only be stored for a few days, and red blood cells have a defined storage period. This means blood stocks must be continuously replenished. A stable blood supply cannot be created overnight—it depends on regular and voluntary donations throughout the year.

The Importance Of Voluntary Donors

The safest and most reliable blood supply comes from voluntary donors who give blood without expectation of reward. However, maintaining this supply is an ongoing challenge. It requires not only recruiting new donors but also encouraging previous donors to return.

Many individuals who donate once do not return, often due to lack of awareness, time constraints, or fading motivation. Yet every regular donor begins as a first-time donor. A positive first donation experience plays a key role in building long-term commitment.

Hospitals, workplaces, and community organizations play a crucial role in promoting donation through awareness campaigns, outreach programs, and well-organized blood donation drives. Sustained engagement is essential to ensure that donors remain connected to this life-saving cause.

What Motivates People To Donate

Blood donation is not just a medical act—it is a powerful expression of social responsibility. Most donors never meet the individuals they help, yet they donate willingly to support someone in need. This anonymous act of giving reflects compassion, empathy, and a shared sense of humanity.

People are motivated to donate for many reasons. Some are driven by altruism and the desire to help others. Others are influenced by personal experiences, community values, or encouragement from family and peers. Awareness campaigns and social engagement can also play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards donation.

Understanding these motivations is important because it helps design more effective strategies to encourage both first-time and repeat donors.

Addressing Common Concerns

Despite its importance, many eligible individuals hesitate to donate due to fear or uncertainty. Concerns about pain, weakness, or safety are common. However, blood donation is a carefully regulated process conducted by trained healthcare professionals.

Donors undergo screening to ensure that the procedure is safe for both themselves and the recipient. The donation itself takes only a short time, and most people can resume normal activities soon afterward. Efforts to improve donor comfort and reduce anxiety have further enhanced the overall donation experience.

For many first-time donors, the greatest takeaway is a sense of satisfaction and pride in having contributed to saving lives.

Every First-Time Donor Matters

One of the greatest challenges in maintaining a stable blood supply is ensuring a continuous flow of new donors. As regular donors age or become ineligible, new volunteers are needed to sustain the system.

Encouraging first-time donors is therefore critical. With the right experience and awareness, a first-time donor can become a lifelong contributor, potentially helping dozens of patients over the years. Simple follow-up communication and continued engagement can significantly improve donor retention.

Families, educational institutions, workplaces, and healthcare providers all have a role to play in encouraging individuals to take this first step.

A Gift That Saves and Sustains Lives

Blood is more than a medical resource—it is a gift that cannot be bought, manufactured, or stored indefinitely. It represents hope, survival, and the generosity of one human being towards another.

Behind every successful surgery, every recovering patient, and every saved life, there is often an unseen donor whose contribution made that outcome possible.

A single donation may take only a few minutes, but its impact extends far beyond a single individual. It supports families, strengthens healthcare systems, and builds a culture of care and compassion within communities.

The message is simple: if you are eligible, consider donating. Your one unit of blood may help many—and could make the difference between life and loss for someone in need.

Extremes of heatwaves and ozone pollution are intensifying, increasing heart- and lung disease-related deaths in India, according to a new study.

Heatwaves are associated with heat stress, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and cardiovascular strain, while ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant linked to heart and lung diseases and increased mortality.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, found that surface ozone levels reach 85–110 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) in northern India during heatwaves—far exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 70 μg/m³.

The study found that heatwaves significantly intensify exposure to toxic ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant linked to heart and lung diseases and increased mortality.

“In 2024 alone, ozone exposure during heatwaves was associated with 15,615 deaths from ischemic heart disease and another 10,898 deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” said researchers Parambat Sangeetha of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies and Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath of IIT Kharagpur in the paper.

Overall, ozone exposure during heatwave conditions was associated with more than 26,500 deaths in 2024, according to the study published in npj Clean Air. Before heatwave conditions, ozone exposure was linked to 490 deaths from ischemic heart disease and 342 deaths from COPD.

Why Ozone Levels Rise During Heatwaves

Surface ozone is not released directly into the atmosphere. Instead, it forms when sunlight triggers chemical reactions among existing pollutants—a process that accelerates during periods of extreme heat.

“Ozone is very harmful, while NO₂ (nitrogen dioxide) and HCHO (formaldehyde) directly damage the respiratory system,” the authors said.

How the Study Was Conducted

For the study, researchers combined two decades of temperature records from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) with satellite observations and global weather datasets to track ozone levels and the gases responsible for its formation.

Heatwaves between 2004 and 2024 were identified using standard temperature thresholds. The team identified 188 heatwave events over the two-decade period, with the most severe years—2010, 2016, 2019, and 2024—occurring after strong El Niño episodes.

The Western Himalayas recorded the sharpest long-term increase in ozone levels, exceeding WHO guidelines by 115 percent in 2024.

The researchers concluded that “coupled heat–ozone extremes are intensifying, requiring urgent integrated climate–air quality policy action.”

Regions Most Affected

Severe heatwave conditions predominantly affect:

• Jammu
• Rajasthan
• Gujarat
• Madhya Pradesh
• Punjab
• Haryana
• Chandigarh
• Uttar Pradesh
• Delhi
• Himachal Pradesh
• Vidarbha
• Maharashtra

The heatwave belt often expands further into:

• Uttarakhand
• Odisha
• Chhattisgarh
• Bihar

Impact on Lung and Heart Health

The study noted that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity, and air quality.

Dr. Amit Kumar Mandal, Senior Director of Pulmonology at Paras Health, explained that extreme heat combined with pollution places significant stress on multiple organs.

“People often think heatwaves only affect the skin or cause dehydration, but when extreme heat combines with high pollution levels, the body starts functioning as if it is constantly under attack,” he told HealthandMe.

“The lungs are forced to work harder to filter hot, polluted air, while the heart simultaneously struggles to regulate body temperature. This invisible overload can quietly trigger inflammation, breathing distress, sudden BP fluctuations, and cardiac strain, even in people who otherwise consider themselves healthy.”

Warning Signs to Watch For

The expert noted that early symptoms are often subtle and may go unnoticed. Common symptoms seen during heatwave and pollution episodes include:

• Persistent tiredness
• Irritability
• Disturbed sleep
• Headaches
• Chest heaviness
• Unusual breathlessness

How to Reduce Health Risks

Recommended precautions include:

• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours
• Wearing light cotton clothing
• Using masks in polluted areas
• Maintaining proper indoor ventilation.