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Castor oil is all the rage among health influencers – what you need to know about this alternative remedy

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/veronique-seidel-1542416">Veronique Seidel</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-strathclyde-1287">University of Strathclyde</a> Castor oil, which was once used by fascists in Italy as <a href="https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/remoteandruralremedies/activities/exhibitions/medicines.html#:%7E:text=Due%20to%20its%20use%20as,the%20bludgeon%20and%20castor%20oil'.">punishment</a> because of its quick-acting laxative effect, is now a weight-loss trend on TikTok. Not drinking it, but rubbing it on your belly. Influencers are also pouring it in their belly buttons and wrapping towels soaked in it around their midriff. They claim it can <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@karinawaldron/video/7333667470756072709?lang=en">melt belly fat</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjmce/video/7322670147473362207?lang=en&q=castor%20oil&t=1716463274921">help with bloating</a>. Castor oil – made from the beans of the castor plant – is an ancient medicine. References to it appear in an ancient Egyptian medical text called the <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/castor-oil-real-health-benefits">Ebers Papyrus</a> (1550BC). It was used as a laxative and to treat various skin conditions. Cleopatra is said to have <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/cleopatra-used-it-as-a-beauty-aid-now-castor-oil-is-staging-a-cosmetics-comeback/2019/07/05/2d457584-92c5-11e9-aadb-74e6b2b46f6a_story.html?itid=sr_1_4c3daa8b-2b15-41d9-9b45-f1b2af1d7cf7">used it</a> in her hair and to brighten the whites of her eyes. The odourless oil is rich in a fatty substance called ricinoleic acid that strongly stimulates bowel movements. Today, it is an approved <a href="https://dps.fda.gov/omuf/monographsearch/monograph_m007">over-the-counter remedy</a> in some countries for short-term constipation and is used for cleansing the bowel before medical examinations. However, there’s not much scientific evidence to indicate that this laxative effect is better than other commonly used laxatives, such as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3862068/">senna</a> – which has also been used for centuries. Other reported traditional uses for the oil include as a cure for sore and itchy eyes, to relieve joint and period pain, and as a means to induce labour. But, again, the evidence for these things is scant. Castor oil isn’t just imbibed, it is also widely used in skin creams, hair conditioners and other cosmetic products, such as lipsticks. It is used to moisturise, soothe irritated skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Its moisturising properties have been attributed to ricinoleic acid. As part of haircare products, it is said to help with hair loss and dandruff. But taking castor oil as a standalone product is not risk free. The main side-effects of imbibing the oil are abdominal cramps, vomiting, bloating and dizziness. Vulnerable people, such as the elderly, babies, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with liver or kidney failure should avoid taking castor oil. As should anyone with inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation. The side-effects of castor oil can also be exacerbated in people with <a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-1988-880520/html">eating disorders</a> who may choose to use the oil to lose weight by speeding up the passage of food through the gut. However, if you want to apply the oil to your skin or scalp, proceed with caution. In some people, it can trigger an allergic reaction. It is always advised to apply a small amount of pure castor oil or a castor oil-containing cosmetic product onto a small patch of skin. If there is no allergic reaction after 24 hours, then it can be assumed that the product can be applied safely to a larger area of the body. Ultimately, though, there are generally safer and better remedies out there. And rubbing it on your belly – sadly – won’t melt the fat.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/232782/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/veronique-seidel-1542416">Veronique Seidel</a>, Senior Lecturer, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-strathclyde-1287">University of Strathclyde</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/castor-oil-is-all-the-rage-among-health-influencers-what-you-need-to-know-about-this-alternative-remedy-232782">original article</a>.

Body

I can’t afford olive oil. What else can I use?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a> If you buy your olive oil in bulk, you’ve likely been in for a shock in recent weeks. Major supermarkets have been selling olive oil for up to A$65 for a four-litre tin, and up to $26 for a 750 millilitre bottle. We’ve been hearing about the health benefits of olive oil for years. And many of us are adding it to salads, or baking and frying with it. But during a cost-of-living crisis, these high prices can put olive oil out of reach. Let’s take a look at why olive oil is in demand, why it’s so expensive right now, and what to do until prices come down. <h2>Remind me, why is olive oil so good for you?</h2> Including olive oil in your diet can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and improve heart health through more favourable <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/6/1548">blood pressure</a>, <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/7/9/5356">inflammation</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0939475319302662">cholesterol levels</a>. This is largely because olive oil is high in <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/4/12/1989">monounsaturated fatty acids</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8300823/">polyphenols</a> (antioxidants). Some researchers have suggested you can get these benefits from consuming up to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1041203/full">20 grams a day</a>. That’s equivalent to about five teaspoons of olive oil. <h2>Why is olive oil so expensive right now?</h2> A European heatwave and drought have <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2024-04-27/olive-oil-alternatives-what-you-can-use-in-cooking/103761718">limited</a> Spanish and Italian producers’ ability to supply olive oil to international markets, including Australia. This has been coupled with an unusually cold and short growing season for Australian <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-08-02/record-olive-oil-price-set-to-increase-again/102675452">olive oil suppliers</a>. The lower-than-usual production and supply of olive oil, together with heightened demand from shoppers, means prices have gone up. <h2>How can I make my olive oil go further?</h2> Many households buy olive oil in large quantities because it is cheaper per litre. So, if you have some still in stock, you can make it go further by: <ul> <li> storing it correctly – make sure the lid is on tightly and it’s kept in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cabinet. If stored this way, olive oil can typically last <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6218649/">12–18 months</a> </li> <li> using a spray – sprays distribute oil more evenly than pourers, using less olive oil overall. You could buy a spray bottle to fill from a large tin, as needed </li> <li> straining or freezing it – if you have leftover olive oil after frying, strain it and reuse it for other fried dishes. You could also freeze this used oil in an airtight container, then thaw and fry with it later, without affecting the oil’s <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00217-022-04078-9">taste and other characteristics</a>. But for dressings, only use fresh oil. </li> </ul> <h2>I’ve run out of olive oil. What else can I use?</h2> Here are some healthy and cheaper alternatives to olive oil: <ul> <li> canola oil is a good alternative for frying. It’s relatively <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/canola-oil">low</a> in saturated fat so is generally considered healthy. Like olive oil, it is high in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23731447/">healthy monounsaturated fats</a>. Cost? Up to $6 for a 750mL bottle (home brand is about half the price) </li> <li> sunflower oil is a great alternative to use on salads or for frying. It has a mild flavour that does not overwhelm other ingredients. Some <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/conjugated-linoleic-acid-versus-higholeic-acid-sunflower-oil-effects-on-energy-metabolism-glucose-tolerance-blood-lipids-appetite-and-body-composition-in-regularly-exercising-individuals/6C035B5C6E9FD7C9D6D7F806ADA56983">studies</a> suggest using sunflower oil may help reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and raising HDL (good) cholesterol. Cost? Up to $6.50 for a 750mL bottle (again, home brand is about half the price) </li> <li> sesame oil has a nutty flavour. It’s good for Asian dressings, and frying. Light sesame oil is typically used as a neutral cooking oil, while the toasted type is used to flavour sauces. Sesame oil is <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.6428">high in</a> antioxidants and has some anti-inflammatory properties. Sesame oil is generally sold in smaller bottles than canola or sunflower oil. Cost? Up to $5 for a 150mL bottle. </li> </ul> <h2>How can I use less oil, generally?</h2> Using less oil in your cooking could keep your meals healthy. Here are some alternatives and cooking techniques: <ul> <li> use alternatives for baking – unless you are making an olive oil cake, if your recipe calls for a large quantity of oil, try using an alternative such as apple sauce, Greek yoghurt or mashed banana </li> <li> use non-stick cookware – using high-quality, non-stick pots and pans reduces the need for oil when cooking, or means you don’t need oil at all </li> <li> steam instead – steam vegetables, fish and poultry to retain nutrients and moisture without adding oil </li> <li> bake or roast – potatoes, vegetables or chicken can be baked or roasted rather than fried. You can still achieve crispy textures without needing excessive oil </li> <li> grill – the natural fats in meat and vegetables can help keep ingredients moist, without using oil </li> <li> use stock – instead of sautéing vegetables in oil, try using vegetable broth or stock to add flavour </li> <li> try vinegar or citrus – use vinegar or citrus juice (such as lemon or lime) to add flavour to salads, marinades and sauces without relying on oil </li> <li> use natural moisture – use the natural moisture in ingredients such as tomatoes, onions and mushrooms to cook dishes without adding extra oil. They release moisture as they cook, helping to prevent sticking.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/228788/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> </li> </ul> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-cant-afford-olive-oil-what-else-can-i-use-228788">original article</a>.

Food & Wine

8 surprising alternatives to popular European destinations

That’s the problem with great destinations – they become too popular for their own good. So we’ve found some alternatives that are just as good. Instead of: Croatia Try: Montenegro The yacht set have known about Montenegro’s charms for years, but the rest of the world is just getting onboard. Sitting just south of Croatia, the country shares its same gorgeous coastline, beautiful beaches and historic walled cities, but with hardly any of the crowds. It’s sat at the border of east and west for more than 400 years, so expect a fascinating cultural mix and even a unique communist legacy thrown in. Instead of: Prague Try: Brno Hard to pronounce, easy to love. The Czech Republic’s second city is a winning combination of old and new. Baroque cathedrals and historic houses rub shoulders with lively pubs, trendy cocktail bars and contemporary art museums. Plus, as with all of the Czech Republic, Brno is great value – and you won’t come across any of the UK bucks parties that seem to trawl other capitals in Eastern Europe. Instead of: Cinque Terre Try: Rapallo There’s no denying that the Cinque Terre is stunning – provided you can find a hotel in high season. Instead, head around 50 kilometres north along the coast to the charming town of Rapallo. You’ll find the same brightly coloured buildings, a 16th century castle perched above the sea and pebbly beaches lined with retro changing huts. All this for a fraction of the price. Instead of: Canary Islands Try: Azores These Portuguese islands sit around 2,000 kilometres off the west coast of continental Europe, so they’re something of a hidden gem. They miss out on most of the tacky package tours from the UK and have less of a party vibe than other islands in the Med. Referred to as the Hawaii of the Atlantic, you’ll find a landscape volcanic peaks and dramatic crater lakes while offshore there’s world-class surfing, diving and whale watching. Instead of: Florence Try: Bologna Did you know some 16 million tourists visit Florence every year? That’s a lot for a town with a permanent population of less than 400,000. The university town of Bologna gets only a fraction of that and has just as much to offer. The streets are lined with historic religious architecture, the food is incredible and the whole city seems to embrace the culture of aperitivo (afternoon cocktails with friends). We’re sold. Instead of: Berlin Try: Warsaw Berlin is considered Europe’s capital of cool, but Warsaw can give it a run for its money. The city was largely flattened in World War II and was rebuilt in a fascinating mish mash of styles that makes it unlike anywhere else in the world. Restored Gothic buildings sit alongside Communist-era concrete blocks and sleek glass towers rise from gritty laneways. It’s also home to fantastic museums covering everything from the Jewish ghettos to Chopin. Instead of: Interlaken Try: Bovec Switzerland is notoriously expensive, so the Slovenian town of Bovec is a great value alternative. It’s known as the adventure capital of eastern Europe and the surrounding Julian Alps are ideal for hiking, canyoning, mountain biking, white water rafting and skiing in winter. The best part is, they will cost around half of what they would in Interlaken. Instead of: Budapest Try: Tallinn It wasn’t long ago that Budapest was itself an ‘alternative city’, but cheap flights and the river cruise boom have pushed it up to the top of the list. The medieval city of Tallinn, capital of Estonia, sits on the Baltic Sea and is a unique mix if Scandinavian, European and Russian culture. The magnificent onion-domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is reason enough to visit, though once you’re there you’ll also love the cool design shops springing up and the very cheap (and very good) local beer. Image credits: Getty Images

International Travel

4 alternatives to legal action

Legal action can be costly and time consuming. That being said, whenever you encounter legal problems there are some options around. We’ve taken a look at some of the alternatives to legal action that can see you achieve 1. Mediation This involves a trained mediator facilitating a negotiation, but not making binding decisions and is usually a good way of solving a dispute with lawyers present or not. Advantages: <ul> <li>Introduction of a third party to appraise the case and a reflective approach to disputes</li> <li>Focused on interests of parties rather than legal rights and conciliatory in nature</li> <li>It can be quick, cheap and confidential with scope for non-monetary remedies</li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li>No appropriate when a court remedy is necessary</li> <li>Rarely produces, and mediator has no power to impose binding decision</li> </ul> 2. Early neutral evaluation This is a non-binding process where a neutral party gives non-binding evaluations of the merits and flaw of a dispute in general, generally involving the opinion of a QC/retired judge. Advantages: <ul> <li>Can be useful and assist parties that need to break a deadlock.</li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li>Process is non-binding and parties can ignore an opinion they disagree with.</li> </ul> 3. Expert determination An independent third party with recognised expertise in the subject matter in dispute, assists the parties and helps them resolve the dispute. Advantages: <ul> <li>Quick, cheap and confidential and gives parties a greater knowledge of how the factual evidence is likely to be decided if the case goes to trial.</li> <li>Can be effective where the parties anticipate a specific type of technical dispute.</li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li>Expert has no power to force his findings on the parties.</li> <li>The parties may provide that the determination of the expert is final and binding upon them, but recourse to the Courts is still necessary to enforce any determination.</li> </ul> 4. Arbitration This is when the matter is determined by a professional arbitrator given power to impose a binding decision on both parties. Arbitration can, in that sense, be seen as a direct replacement for litigation. Advantages: <ul> <li>Avoids using the courts and is confidential.</li> <li>Speedier and more informal than litigation.</li> <li>Potential for limited discovery.</li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li>Costs with arbitrations potentially taking a similar amount of time to litigation.</li> <li>An arbitrator's award may only be appealed on the limited grounds of manifest error of law on the face of the award, where the question is one of the general public importance.</li> </ul> Image: Getty

Legal

Labels like ‘psycho’ or ‘schizo’ can hurt. We’ve workshopped alternative clinical terms

It is common to hear people use stigmatising, discriminatory and hurtful labels such as “psycho”, “schizo” or “totally bipolar”. Others might minimise conditions by saying they too are “a bit OCD” because they value structure and organisation. This kind of <a href="https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6963-7-97">everyday use of pseudo-clinical terms</a> can be upsetting for young people who are struggling with these conditions. Worse still, it can stop them seeking care. Clinical terms can have the same effect. For our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092099642100356X">recent research</a>, we worked with young patients, carers and clinicians to develop new mental health vocabulary that carries less stigma, but remains accurate. <h2>Mental health labels have pros and cons</h2> Labels can provide concise and understandable descriptions of clinical and theoretical ideas. Diagnoses enable patients and health professionals to follow evidence-based advice for effective care, because <a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/">best practice guidelines</a> are available for all labelled medical conditions. In other words, naming a condition is the first step towards identifying the best treatment available. Labels can also help create communities of individuals who share a similar clinical description, and reassure individuals they are not alone. On the other hand, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1925070/">labels</a> can result in <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/should-we-be-concerned-about-stigma-and-discrimination-in-people-at-risk-for-psychosis-a-systematic-review/0E3509EA0A8E19293077C2645D643350">stigma and discrimination</a>, poor engagement with services, increased anxiety and suicidal thoughts, and poorer mental health. The process of posing a diagnosis, may treat an individual’s strengths or their vulnerabilities as abnormalities and pathologise them. For example, a young person’s vivid imagination and artistic drive – strengths that allow them to produce wonderful artwork – might be recast as a sign of illness. Or their experience of growing up in poverty and disadvantage, could be seen as the cause of their mental illness, rather than environmental factors that may have merely contributed to it. As such, clinicians should seek to understand a person’s difficulties through a holistic, humanistic and psychological perspective, prior to giving them a label. <h2>New terms, changing approaches</h2> In the past decade, there have been efforts to <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(21)00478-8/fulltext">improve naming of psychiatric disorders</a>. Attempts to update psychiatric terms and make them more culturally appropriate and less stigmatising have resulted in renaming schizophrenia in several countries. Proposed terms such as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1751-7893.2010.00203.x">Si Jue Shi Tiao</a> (thought and perceptual dysregulation) in Hong Kong, and <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(13)61776-6.pdf">Johyenonbyung</a> (attunement disorder) in South Korea, have been suggested as alternatives that carry less stigma and allow a more positive view of psychiatry. These new terms, however, were generated by experts in the field. Consumers and clients within the mental health system have rarely been consulted, until now. <h2>Thoughts from those ‘at risk’</h2> Currently, “ultra-high risk (for psychosis)”, “at-risk mental state” and “attenuated psychosis syndrome” are used to describe young people at elevated risk of developing psychosis. But these labels can be stigmatising and damaging for the young people who receive them. At Orygen, new, less stigmatising ways to describe the “risk for psychosis” concept <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092099642100356X">were co-developed</a> with young people with lived experience of mental ill-health. During focus groups, former patients were asked how they would like their experiences to be termed if they were believed to be at risk for developing a mental illness. This discussion resulted in them generating new terms such as “pre-diagnosis stage”, “potential for developing a mental illness” and “disposition for developing a mental illness”. The terms were then presented to three groups: 46 young people identified as being at risk for psychosis and currently receiving care; 24 of their caregivers; and 52 clinicians caring for young people. Most thought these new terms were less stigmatising than the current ones. The new terms were still judged as informative and illustrative of young people’s experiences. Patients also told us they wanted terms like these to be fully disclosed and raised early in their care. This revealed a desire of transparency when dealing with mental ill-health and clinicians. <h2>Names have power</h2> Labels can, and should, be revisited when stigma becomes associated with them. Co-designing new diagnostic labels with patients, their carers and clinicians is empowering for all involved. Several similar projects are underway in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0920996420301572">Italy</a> and <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pcn.12423">Japan</a> to include a cultural perspective in renaming terms related to young people at risk of developing serious mental ill health. We hope to integrate and use more terms generated by young people in mainstream early intervention psychiatric services. We hope this will have a meaningful impact on young people’s mental health by allowing better access to care and less stigmatisation. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/labels-like-psycho-or-schizo-can-hurt-weve-workshopped-alternative-clinical-terms-179756" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Mind

Keep your nose out of it: why saliva tests could offer a better alternative to nasal COVID-19 swabs

Saliva is one of our biggest foes in the COVID-19 pandemic, because of its role in spreading the virus. But it could be our friend too, because it potentially offers a way to diagnose the disease without using invasive nasal swabs. Our research review, <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/10/5/290">published in the journal Diagnostics</a>, suggests saliva could offer a readily accessible diagnostic tool for detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and might even be able to reveal whether someone’s immune system has already encountered it. COVID-19 testing is a crucial part of the pandemic response, especially now countries are gradually lifting social distancing restrictions. This requires widespread, early, accurate and sensitive diagnosis of infected people, both with and without symptoms. Our review looked at the results of three different studies, in Hong Kong, the nearby Chinese mainland city of Shenzhen, and Italy. All three studies found SARS-CoV-2 is indeed present in the saliva of COVID-19 patients (at rates of 87%, 91.6%, and 100% of patients, respectively). This suggests saliva is a potentially very useful source of specimens for detecting the virus. Saliva <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041202031254X">spreads the SARS-CoV-2 virus</a> via breathing, coughing, sneezing, and <a href="https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25769/rapid-expert-consultation-on-the-possibility-of-bioaerosol-spread-of-sars-cov-2-for-the-covid-19-pandemic-april-1-2020">conversation</a>, which is why guidelines suggest we maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres from one another. We also know <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7094991/">SARS-CoV-2 can survive in tiny droplets of saliva</a> in an experimental setting. Saliva is an attractive option for detecting SARS-CoV-2, compared with the <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-seeing-a-doctor-getting-tested-faqs#diagnosis">current tests</a> which involve taking swabs of mucus from the upper respiratory tract. Saliva is easy to access, which potentially makes the tests cheaper and less invasive. Saliva can hold up a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19726214">mirror to our health</a>, not just of our mouth but our whole body. For this reason, saliva has already been widely investigated as a diagnostic tool for chronic systemic diseases, as well as for oral ailments such as periodontal disease and oral cancers. But less attention has been given to its potential usefulness in acute infectious diseases such as COVID-19, perhaps because researchers and clinicians don’t yet appreciate its full potential. What a mouthful When we get sick, much of the evidence is present in our saliva – from the germs themselves, to the antibodies and immune system proteins we use to fight them off. Saliva also contains genetic material and other cellular components of pathogens after we have broken them down (for the full biochemical breakdown of the weird and wonderful things in our saliva, see pages 51-61 of our <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/10/5/290">review</a>). Saliva is also hardy. It can be <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=High-yield+RNA-extraction+method+for+saliva">stored at –80℃ for several years with little degradation</a>. This means it would be relatively straightforward to track the progression of COVID-19 in individual patients, by collecting saliva at various times during the disease and recovery. Saliva tests from recovered patients could also tell us if they have encountered the disease for a second time, and how strong their immune response is. However, there is no research yet available on using saliva to monitor immune responses. This will be well worth investigating, given the pressing need for a reliable and cost-effective way to monitor the population for immunity to COVID-19 as the outbreak continues. Could saliva testing replace nasal swabs? An ideal saliva test would be a disposable, off-the-shelf device that could be used at home by individuals, without exposing them or others to the risk of visiting a clinic. One drawback with the research so far is that it has involved small numbers of patients (each of the three studies we reviewed involved no more than 25 people), and there is little published detail on exactly how these studies collected the saliva – whether from the mouth or throat, whether by spitting, drooling or swabbing, and whether collected by the patient or by a clinician. Nevertheless, based on the modest amount of research done so far, saliva looks like a promising candidate for COVID-19 testing. More research is now needed, in larger groups of people, to learn more about how to confidently test for SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva of both symptomatic and non-symptomatic people. Earlier this month the US Food and Drug Administration <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/08/health/fda-coronavirus-spit-test.html">approved the sale</a> of saliva-based COVID-19 test kits that will allow people to collect their own samples and send them to a lab for analysis. A reliable test would offer a cheaper, less invasive and potentially even more accurate way to detect the virus, which would also reduce the risk posed by routine COVID-19 checks to both patients and front-line medical professionals. Written by Pingping Han. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/keep-your-nose-out-of-it-why-saliva-tests-could-offer-a-better-alternative-to-nasal-covid-19-swabs-138816">The Conversation.</a>

Legal

Why it's never too late to explore alternative and holistic medicine

With the growing popularity of alternative and holistic medicine, you may be wondering if it’s something you should try. Science is showing that alternative medicine is a great way to maintain your health and relieve chronic pain. Many types of alternative treatments can also help to keep relieve certain medical conditions and they can often be used in conjunction with your current treatment plan. Here’s why it’s never too late to explore alternative and holistic medicine, no matter what stage of life you’re in. <h2>Reasons to consider alternative and holistic medicine</h2> There are many reasons to consider making the switch to alternative and holistic medicine. First, it may help you manage your medical expenses by reducing your need for expensive prescription medications. With alternative therapies, you may even be able to reduce the frequency of your visits to your conventional doctor. Generally, alternative care focuses on one-on-one appointments that are much more personal than seeing a conventional doctor. Alternative practitioners usually treat the patient holistically, which means they work to improve physical symptoms, their underlying causes, and your mental health. <h2>Types of alternative medicine to try</h2> There are several forms of alternative and holistic medicine that can be very helpful at any stage of life. Here are some you may want to consider: <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"> <h3>Herbal and Nutritional Supplements</h3> </li> </ul> Many people are familiar with herbal and nutritional supplements and they can be very helpful for a variety of conditions. Herbs can often be used in conjunction with or in place of certain prescription medications. Nutritional supplements may also help to prevent diseases that become more prevalent as you get older, including diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. In fact, <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol-lowering-supplements/art-20050980">experts at the Mayo Clinic</a> report that dietary supplements can even be used to lower your cholesterol levels. <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"> <h3>Chiropractic Care</h3> </li> </ul> Chronic back and neck pain are a major issue for people of all ages. Conventional treatments often involve medications that have harmful side effects or even invasive surgery. As you age, the risk of surgery and anesthesia increases, especially if you have kidney or liver problems, so trying alternative treatments first only makes sense. Chiropractic care is a hands-on therapy that involves manipulating the spine and joints to realign the body. It can be a safe and non-invasive way to get relief for neck and back pain, headaches and chronic pain issues. <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"> <h3>Acupuncture</h3> </li> </ul> Acupuncture has been used to treat maintain health, treat a variety of diseases, and treat chronic pain for centuries. <a href="https://www.yinovacenter.com/">The Yinova Center acupuncture in New York City</a> recommends acupuncture treatments for people of all ages who want to relieve pain or treat medical conditions without pharmaceuticals or invasive treatment. The treatment works by encouraging the release of certain chemicals into the bloodstream by inserting ultra-fine needles into the skin. Acupuncture is also great for relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"> <h3>Massage Therapy</h3> </li> </ul> Massage therapy, much like acupuncture and chiropractic care, is a type of hands-on, safe, and non-invasive alternative medicine. Massage is great for improving circulation and relieving pain. It’s especially beneficial for people who can’t be active due to certain medical conditions. Massage can also be extremely beneficial for reducing stress. It’s a very relaxing experience and the health benefits can be boosted by the addition of certain essential oils. For example, peppermint and lavender essential oils are extremely helpful for relieving headaches, relaxing muscles, and reducing stress. <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"> <h3>Naturopathy</h3> </li> </ul> <a href="https://www.lifestylephysicians.com/six-incredible-benefits-of-naturopathic-medicine">Naturopathy</a> is a form of lifestyle medicine that focuses on restoring the physical, psychological, and structural balance of the patient. They focus on using the healing powers of nature, such as sunshine and fresh air, to improve the health of the patient. Naturopathic physicians utilize a variety of therapies depending on the patient’s needs, which may include nutrition, herbs, acupuncture, massage and much more. Although naturopathy isn’t as mainstream as some other forms of alternative medicine, it has been successfully used to reduce the symptoms of fatigue, stress, headaches, chronic back pain and more. <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"> <h3>Yoga</h3> </li> </ul> While it’s true that yoga isn’t technically a form of medicine, it is an alternative therapy that has significant benefits as you age. If you struggle with joint pain, arthritis, balance issues, or stress, yoga can be especially beneficial. Practicing yoga regularly will improve your balance and stability by strengthening your muscles and improving your flexibility. It can also lower your blood pressure and improve your heart healthy by <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25177555">reducing oxidative stress</a>, which is one of the leading risk factors of heart attacks. <h2>Choosing an alternative healthcare provider</h2> If you decide to give alternative medicine a try, be sure to talk with your doctor first. Certain nutritional or herbal supplements can interfere with prescription medications and there may be other things to consider as well. Your doctor will know what’s safe and what isn’t, depending on your current health condition. When choosing an alternative healthcare provider, be sure they are properly licensed to work in your state. Ask for recommendations from friends and family to see if they have any recommendations. It’s very important that you’re comfortable talking to the practitioner that you choose because alternative medicine is very personalized. <h2>Final thoughts</h2> Alternative and holistic medicine can be a safe and effective way to complement your current healthcare regimen at any age. As acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care all become more mainstream, they are more likely to be covered by your health insurance as well. If you want to improve your health without pharmaceuticals or invasive treatments, these therapies are certainly worth trying. Donna Maurer is a content creator and a former writer for an alternative medicine clinic.

Body

3 alternative romantic fiction authors that will heat up any beach trip

There’s no better way to escape the stresses than to put your reading into “romance” gear. For summer relief, try instead the question of the heart versus the mind. That is the core problem of much of my very favourite, intellectually inspiring fiction. Chick lit is out, I’m afraid: an avowed literary snob, I like my dilemmas of desire served up in rich, fulsome English, with slowly unravelled plots and textured characters, not two-dimensional patriarchal fairy tales dished up in elementary school grammatical structures (hides under the table). Current favourites are George Gissing’s <a href="https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/odd-women">The Odd Women</a> and an assortment of Margaret Drabble, the queen of 1970s British letters, and pretty much anything by Iris Murdoch. George Gissing For the tensions and irrationalities of romantic feeling, The Odd Women (1893) is superlative. What it does so brilliantly is take one of the burning sets of issues of the day – women’s rights, particularly in relation to marriage – and pits its intellectual and ideological propositions against the anarchic, intrusive power of dawning love. Let me lure you further. The book’s main characters are two vehement feminists, the excellently named Rhoda Nunn, and her partner in crime, the angelic yet forceful Mary Barfoot. Together – they live together, too – they seek to save single, or “odd” women from the desolate dregs of the old maids’ job market by training them up as clerks on typewriters. Suddenly, Rhoda finds herself in an odd position. An avowed spinster, determined to practice what she preaches, she is also of “strong and shapely” figure and “handsome” feature. So when Mary’s sexy cousin, Everard, begins visiting the house on return from his relaxed bachelor travels around the Orient, he takes an interest in her. Rhoda’s position is the following: “I am seriously convinced that before the female sex can be raised from its low level there will have to be a widespread revolt against sexual instinct.” Catnip for Everard who – as stubborn as Rhoda – begins a woo that is hard to resist, seeming to fall not only for Rhoda but for women’s equality, too. The delicious yet unexpected conclusion to this story is head and shoulders above your usual romance fare, the work of a master stylist who never abandons humour, even as he makes you cry. Margaret Drabble Drabble, 80 years later, gives a softer but equally crystalline gender-aware portrait of relationships. In <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/books/97/10/19/home/drabble-oates.html">The Needle’s Eye</a> (1972), reserved Simon Camish goes to a dreadful supper party and is offended by the guests’ vulgarity. But then rough-skinned, makeup-free, and self-dispossessed heiress Rose walks in, and with her genteel delicacy of manner and genuine modesty, immediately entrances Simon, himself married to a minor heiress he can’t stand. Simon gets involved in Rose’s divorce saga; desperate to play the legal knight in shining armour (he is a lawyer) to Rose’s sensitive yet deeply stubborn damsel in distress. Both reveal astonishing integrity of character as Rose is buffeted with extreme violence for rejecting social expectations by insisting on being poor. But if you’re feeling anxious, I recommend <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/may/15/the-millstone-the-crucial-1960s-feminist-novel">The Millstone</a>, Drabble’s 1965 peach about an adorable unmarried scholar of Elizabethan verse who gets pregnant the first time she has sex, and never tells the father, who she worships from afar. It’s both soothing and sad. The father is a BBC radio announcer, and she merely switches on the radio when she wants to feel reassured by him, which is a lovely bit of romance. It is a very slim book, but it’s perfectly formed: a story of an intelligent, liberated woman leaving the man out while falling in love with the baby everyone told her not to have on any account. Happy ending? Unclear. Like real life, in which convention, rationality and deep emotional drives do not always mesh? Definitely, but sweeter. Iris Murdoch Iris isn’t for everyone. But I have loved her ever since a friend handed me <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/books/98/12/20/specials/murdoch-prince.html">The Black Prince</a> (1973) on a rainy holiday in Sicily. Cowering on a deserted beach, I found myself intrigued and amused as ageing author Bradley becomes increasingly caught in a cat’s cradle of deadly desire, starring a striking assortment of women with men’s names such as Christian and Julian. Booker Prize-winning <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2009/feb/10/iris-murdoch-sea-booker">The Sea, the Sea</a> (1978) also completely bewitched me: once more, a story of explosive obsession ripping through the reserve of an otherwise orderly, if arrogant, English life of letters. And currently I’m savouring <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/books/98/12/20/specials/murdoch-sandcastle.html">The Sandcastle</a> (1957), about a middle-aged Surrey schoolmaster, Bill Mor, who falls ill-advisedly in love with the deliciously named Rain Carter, a nymph-like portrait painter hired to capture the retired headmaster. The parched school grounds, the doe-like yet strong Rain, the prudish ferocity of Mrs Mor and their children’s spectral games cast a magic spell, just as Murdoch – I assume – intended.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/61549/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Written by Zoe Strimpel, Doctoral researcher, History, University of Sussex. Republished with permission of <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/three-alternative-romantic-fiction-authors-that-will-heat-up-any-beach-trip-61549" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.

Books

The healthy alternatives to coffee

Most experts agree that if you’re in good health, having moderate amounts of coffee (1-2 coffees) a day can actually help promote wellness. However, for some people with health issues, the high caffeine content in coffee may mean they have to abstain from their morning brew, swap to decaf, or find an alternative. Others just want to reduce their dependency and find another more natural way to get that energy boost. The good news is there are now some delicious and healthy alternatives to coffee on the scene. We ask nutritionist Gemma Clark which healthy beverages can easily be swapped out in place of coffee as your new morning must-have. Chai latte Sipping this flavourful beverage can help you feel warm on a rainy day. However, the spices in chai also pack a powerful health punch, says Clark. “Cinnamon can reduce sugar cravings, while cloves, another spice found in chai, is antimicrobial and can help ease digestive issues,” she says. For the healthiest option, find one brewed from real spices and with little or no sugar, suggests Clark. Matcha green tea latte While a matcha latte does contain caffeine (about 34mg per serve), it also boasts impressive healing properties. “Matcha is made from powdered green tea leaves that are dense in phytonutrients and contain high levels of antioxidants,” Clark says. Since you are consuming the actual powdered tea leaves, rather than just an infusion, your daily cup of matcha has the antioxidant levels of 10 cups of brewed green tea. “These antioxidants act like the waste removal systems of your body preventing cell damage and helping our livers identify disease-causing toxins to eliminate them,” says Clark. Dandelion Coffee Coffee lovers may fall for the slightly bitter aftertaste of this nutty brew that can be made creamier by adding in your favourite milk or milk substitute. “It’s also free of caffeine,” says Clark. Dandelion coffee is nutrient-rich, containing B complex vitamins as well as vitamins A, C, D, zinc, potassium and iron. “This nutrient-rich mix makes it a popular drink often prescribed by naturopaths as a calming agent and it can be a good anti-inflammatory as well,” says Clark. Turmeric latte (Golden latte) Turmeric is being hailed as a wonder nutrient because of its strong anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin, the key anti-inflammatory agent in turmeric, works on the molecular level to reduce inflammation, promote circulation and reduce cholesterol. “A lot of disease states such as Alzheimer’s disease stem from inflammation, where your body is trying to correct an imbalance. Having a daily dose of turmeric as a drink can help give your body a much-needed anti-inflammatory boost,” says Clark. Hot cacao (Healthy hot chocolate) This irresistible drink has all the taste of a hot chocolate without the sugar and fat. Hot cacao is made from the raw superfood cacao powder, which is one step between the unprocessed cacao bean and processed coco powder. Cacao is packed with magnesium, a mineral that is used in many key bodily processes. “It helps our bodies convert food to energy, helps us make neurotransmitters and is very important for our muscles and movement,” says Clark. Hot maca drink Maca is a root vegetable that comes from Peru, where it is known as the Peruvian ginseng because it is thought to increase energy and vitality. Its powdered form has a strong caramel taste that, when made into a drink by adding hot water or milk, makes for an earthy, warming treat. But more than a great taste, maca is full of amino acids, B vitamins and healthy fatty acids. “It’s often used to treat hormonal problems but it can have a very individual effect on each person, so it’s best to check with your naturopath if it’s right for you,” Clark recommends. Beetroot latte This bright red drink is sure to turn a few heads at your local café. It’s essentially an almond or coconut milk latte but with beetroot powder or juice mixed into it. Nutritionists sing the praises of beetroot because of its high vitamin A and C content and its ability to promote blood circulation. Written by Dominic Bayley. Republished with <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/the-healthy-alternatives-to-coffee.aspx">Wyza.com.au </a>

Beauty & Style

7 DIY alternatives to your favourite beauty products

If you haven’t got loads of cash to splash on your beauty routine (or just want some more natural options) try making your own products at home. You’ll know exactly what’s in them, can avoid any harsh chemicals, and you’ll save a few dollars in most cases too. 1. Baking soda Just when you thought this was just for cleaning the house, you find out that you can use baking soda mixed with coconut oil to make a natural toothpaste. 2. Avocado Lather it in your hair or all over your face, leave for 10 minutes and then rinse off. The good fats in avocado add shine to hair and restore moisture to skin. 3. Coconut oil Use melted coconut oil as a moisturiser for dry skin or cracked lips, or even use it on cotton balls to remove makeup. 4. Cinnamon oil If you want fuller lips without the injections, head to the health food shop to pick up some cinnamon oil which does the trick on a non-permanent basis. 5. Egg white A bit like avocado, you can use egg as a hair mask or a face mask. Just be sure to use the freshest eggs you can to avoid the omelette-style smell the next day. 6. Tea It’s not just good to help you sleep; chamomile tea makes a great foot soak too! Add a few bags to a small basin of warm water and allow to steep for ten minutes before soaking your feet in there. 7. Coffee Make your own body scrub to use in the shower by combining equal parts used coffee grounds, sugar and coconut oil. Mix in a bowl and apply to wet skin, scrub well and leave on for five minutes before rinsing off. Be careful though, it makes the shower floor slippery! Have you got any other products from the kitchen that you use in your beauty routine? We would love to hear your ideas in the comments.

Beauty & Style

Cheaper alternatives to popular meals

Looking to save a few dollars in the kitchen? These dishes will taste just as good as the originals. 1. Filet mignon One of the most expensive cuts of steak around, filet mignon is known for being tender and full of flavour. But if you’re on a budget, there’s a neat hack that makes any cut of steak taste like a million dollars. Put your steak in a baking tray and cover the entire surface (yep, all of it) with coarse grained salt. Leave it to marinate for at least an hour, then rinse it thoroughly and pat completely dry with paper towel. Voila! A tender, juicy, salt-aged steak worthy of filet mignon. 2. Indian curries Meat is generally what nudges the price of a meal up, so going vegetarian could save you plenty. Indian is one cuisine that is almost better when it’s meat-free. Experiment with masala, rogan josh and pilau using just chick peas, lentils and seasonal vegetables. Plus, you can usually just chuck everything in the one pot and let it bubble away, so you’re saving time as well. 3. Lamb cutlets Lamb cutlets are often eye-wateringly expensive – think upwards of $35 a kilo, which gets even worse when you consider how much of it is bone. Swap them out for lamb forequarter chops, which are usually less than $15 a kilo. You can grill them in much the same way as cutlets, though the meat can be a little tougher so slow cooking or marinating beforehand is a great option. 4. Spaghetti marinara A spaghetti dish full of seafood is delicious, but can also be pricey to make. But here’s a little secret – if you are cooking seafood (as opposed to serving it fresh) then frozen works just as well. You can pick up frozen marinara mix for much cheaper than the fresh stuff and the taste will be exactly the same. You can also scale your dish down and just go for a prawn pasta, as small frozen shrimp are usually very good value. What’s your favourite meal to enjoy on the cheap?

Money & Banking

Expensive attractions with cheaper alternatives

You don’t need to spend big to get a million dollar experience. BridgeClimb vs Pedestrian walkway Many people (Sydneysiders included) don’t realise that there is a pedestrian walkway running alongside the road on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It offers stellar views over the harbour and Opera House, is completely safe and doesn’t cost you a penny. Start from the stairs near the pylons at either end and don’t forget your camera. The Shard vs Sky Garden If you want a view of the London, there’s no need to pay the £20+ fee to get to the top of The Shard. Instead, head to Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street, just across the River Thames. It’s an incredible space that spans three storeys and gives uninterrupted 360-degree views across the city, complete with landscaped gardens and open observation terraces. Entry is free – you’ll just need to book a ticket online before you go. MOMA vs The Bronx Museum of the Arts (and others) The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (better known as MOMA) has a suggested admission price of US$25. Jump on the subway and head to the Bronx, an up and coming neighbourhood that’s also home to a seriously cool museum. In fact, there are a dozen or more New York museums that you can see for free, so get your fix of arts, culture or history without having to pay a thing. Hong Kong Philharmonic vs Street concerts in Wan Chai To see some of the best musicians in Hong Kong, you don’t necessarily have to pay big bucks to sit in the concert hall. The Wan Chai district is known for its lively restaurants, historic buildings and buzzing nightlife, but a few nights a week it’s also the spot for free outdoor concerts. Composer, performer and music activist Kung Chi-Shing organises free performances on different nights of the week outside some of the district’s most famous buildings. It’s an immersive, raw, authentic experience that money can’t buy. Hundertwasserhaus vs Kawakawa toilet block Bet you didn’t expect to see a toilet block on this list, huh? Iconic Austrian-born architect Friedensrieh Hundertwasser has created hundreds of buildings around the world, but the Hundertwasserhaus apartment block in Vienna is his most famous. If you can't afford the plane fare, head over the pond to New Zealand’s Bay of Islands and visit the most famous toilet block in the world. In 1998 he redesigned the small toilet block in this remote rural community, the only building he ever designed in the Southern Hemisphere and a bona fide international icon. Have you experienced any of these attractions?

International Travel

5 bizarre alternatives to burial and cremation

Back in the day, there were only two options when it came to dealing with death – you could be buried, or you could be cremated. These days, however, it’s a different story. From being turned into a diamond to having your ashes grow into a beautiful tree, here are 5 bizarre yet incredible alternatives if the “normal” methods sound a little dull. 1. Become a diamond A number of companies offer people the opportunity to have their (or their loved one’s) hair or ashes turned into beautiful, sparkling diamonds in a range of cuts and colours, so you can be with your loved one even in death and shine forever. 2. Grow into a tree Thanks to special biodegradable urns, you can “plant” your loved one in their favourite place and watch a beautiful tree grow from their ashes – a great option for nature lovers and those wanting to give back to the earth. 3. Fireworks Want to go out with a bang? You can – literally. If you’re not a fan of the idea of being trapped in an urn, you can scatter your ashes in style by having them fired into the sky in a glorious firework display – the perfect send-off for the vibrant, bubbly, colourful person in your life. 4. Be pressed into a vinyl record A US company called And Vinyly (what a pun!) has come up with a way for you to share your favourite song long after you’re gone – by having your ashes pressed into a working vinyl record. The ashes do interfere with the sound, but the “pops and crackles” you’d hear would simply be your loved one’s own stamp. 5. Become part of a reef Ideal for seafarers, surfers and lovers of the ocean, Reef Ball Australia’s “Rest in Reef” service allows you to have your remains become part of an eco-friendly, artificial reef so you can literally become one with the ocean. Have you ever heard of (or used) any of these services before? What would you like to be done with your remains when you pass? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Caring

5 alternatives to famous romantic spots

Nothing kills romance faster than a crowd. Here are some great alternatives to well known spots for lovers. Moorea, French Polynesia You’ve probably heard of Bora Bora, Moorea’s more famous sister. It’s popular with celebrities for honeymoons or romantic breaks, which means that lots of other couples have it top of their romantic hit list. Moorea is just as beautiful, but less crowded, a little more laid back and more reasonably priced. Live out your tropical island fantasies on a quiet little beach with not a celebrity in sight. Annecy, France Paris is the city of love. That means it’s also full of lovers. The city has had to go so far as to remove the famous ‘love locks’ from bridges before they collapse. Instead, try Annecy, a medieval gem in the southeast of France. Narrow streets and charming canals wind their way through the old town that’s peppered with fabulous restaurants and romantic little wine bars. Legend has it that if you share one kiss on the Pont de Amours bridge you’ll be together for life. <img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/27591/image__498x245.jpg" alt="monterey"/> Monterey, California Don’t leave your heart in San Francisco. Instead, head south to Monterey and the rugged Pacific coastline around Big Sur. You’re spoilt for choice with unspoilt beaches, dramatic cliffs and the best sunsets in the country. Cutesy couple activities include horseriding on the beach, sea kayaking (watch out for dolphins), sailing tours and winery visits. You can even stay at the most romantic hotel in the USA, the Spindrift Inn. Budapest, Hungary Dark, moody and gothic, Budapest is all about sophisticated seduction. Divided down the centre by the Danube River, the city is a mix of architecture ranging from baroque to belle epoque to art nouveau that sparkle with twinkling lights after dark. Spend the afternoon in one of the city’s famous ornate coffee houses before an indulgent dip in Szechenyi Baths, the city’s oldest thermal baths. Then put on your finest duds for a performance at the fairytale opera house. <img width="500" height="334" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/27590/shutterstock_429060613_500x334.jpg" alt="kyoto japan" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Kyoto, Japan Kyoto is so beautiful that you will fall in love no matter who you’re travelling with. In spring the city is sheathed in a cloud of bubblegum pink cherry blossoms and in autumn the trees turn fiery, dramatic shades of red and orange. Walk hand in hand around the impossible serene gardens and lakes of the Golden Pavilion or explore the dinky streets of Gion, lined with tiny restaurants and bars seating just a handful of people. There’s even the Sagano Romantic Train that takes a slow, steam-powered journey through the beautiful scenery to the west of the city. Have you visited any of these romantic spots? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d love to hear from you. Related links: <a href="/travel/international/2016/09/10-stunning-shrines-and-temples-to-visit-in-kyoto/">10 stunning shrines and temples to visit in Kyoto</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/08/magical-french-region-of-alsace/">France’s Alsace is like something from a fairy-tale</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/08/10-of-the-most-enchanting-churches-in-france">10 of the most enchanting churches in France</a>

International Travel

5 energising alternatives to coffee

By Erin Young, founder of <a href="http://www.zengreentea.com.au/" target="_blank">boutique Australian tea company Zen Green Tea</a> that specialises in premium matcha green tea powder. A steamy mug of coffee in the morning is a perfectly acceptable practice and delivers caffeine in moderation that most people can easily process. With the hustle and bustle of modern living it seems people are reaching for the coffee pot time and time again throughout the day and they are starting to notice the unwanted health effects including mineral deficiency, disrupted sleep and high cortisol levels. 1. Water A large number of people do not know that a major symptom of dehydration is fatigue. Often when you are feeling tired, have a head ache or cannot concentrate you are actually just dehydrated. Most people do not drink their daily recommended level of two litres of water per day and only drink when they are thirsty which is a symptom that usually appears last after fatigue. Without sufficient hydration, bodies can experience more muscle soreness, the need for longer recovery times and less desire to push oneself – in short, dehydration can make you feel less motivated to achieve at any activity. One study of athletes found after limiting fluids for 15 hours, 92 per cent felt tired, had lapses in memory and difficulty concentrating. When dehydrated, the fluid loss causes a drop in blood volume, which makes the heart work harder to push oxygen and nutrients through the bloodstream to the brain, skin, and muscles. 2. Matcha green tea When you drink matcha you receive an incredibly high level of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals as well as a long and steady release of caffeine which, unlike coffee, does not leave you with the “jitters”, energy slumps or sleepless nights. With matcha, the caffeine is absorbed and released slowly by the body over a period of six to eight hours. This means that it provides a sustainable energy boost without the rapid 30-minute spike, slump, and jitters associated with coffee. In addition, teais the only plant that makes the amino acid theanine. Theanine is known for its ability to increase alpha waves in the brain and promote calmness and alert concentration, giving drinker a “Zen” state. Controlled experiments have shown that theanine has a positive effect on the mind and improves memory by increasing dopamine levels. Additionally, the alpha brain waves increase 40 minutes after a person consumes theanine, making this a great drink for students or professionals. You can buy matcha tea from the <a href="http://www.zengreentea.com.au/" target="_blank">Zen Green Tea website</a>. 3. Green smoothie/juice Introducing more greens into your diet can often see a dramatic boost in your energy levels from all the nutrients and antioxidants. Start your morning or afternoon with a green juice – kale, cucumber, celery, parsley, mint and half a green apple and you’ll notice your energy levels rising as well as other great effects including glowing skin. For an added energy kick you could add in a superfood supplement like spirulina, barley greens or matcha green tea powder. 4. Turmeric tea Turmeric tea has been used for hundreds of years in India for its <a href="/health/mind/2015/12/health-benefits-of-turmeric/" target="_blank">many health benefits.</a> Known for its strong taste and golden colour, the vitamins in turmeric tea not only support energy levels — there are even studies to suggest turmeric can strengthen your immune system. 5. Dandelion root coffee Dandelion root coffee is a popular solution for those who love the taste of coffee but are looking to reduce their caffeine consumption. This “coffee” is actually a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea made from the root of dandelion flowers — it contains calcium and magnesium, which are both needed in energy production. What’s your favourite beverage to drink of a morning? Let us know in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/health/mind/2016/06/trick-to-make-you-a-morning-person/">The 4 tricks guaranteed to make you a morning person</a> <a href="/health/body/2016/06/herbal-remedies-to-beat-insomnia/">3 herbal remedies to beat insomnia</a> <a href="/finance/insurance/2016/06/10-foods-to-help-you-get-to-sleep/">10 foods to help you get to sleep</a>

Body

12 hilariously honest alternate titles for books

We’ve all read classics by Shakespeare, Fitzgerald and Dr. Seuss, but did you ever stop and think, “there’s got to be a more accurate title for this book”? Well, one man did, and has taken it to the next level. In his book Never Flirt with Puppy Killers: And Other Better Book Titles<a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/never-flirt-with-puppy-killers-dan-wilbur/prod9781449478063.html" target="_blank"></a>, Dan Wilbur has given hilariously honest alternate titles to the books he was forced to read in high school. Flip through the titles above and see if you can guess what they are before reading the list below! <ol> <li>The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath</li> <li>Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr Seuss</li> <li>To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee</li> <li>The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger</li> <li>The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald</li> <li>Hamlet by William Shakespeare</li> <li>The Odyssey by Homer</li> <li>Moby-Dick by Herman Melville</li> <li>The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein</li> <li>Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf</li> <li>As You Like It by William Shakespeare</li> <li>Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond</li> </ol> Have a go for yourself! Tell us in the comments below, what book would you rename with an honest title? Related links: <a href="/entertainment/books/2016/06/best-books-of-2016-so-far/">Best books of 2016 so far</a> <a href="/entertainment/books/2016/06/6-perfect-winter-reads/">6 perfect winter reads</a> <a href="/entertainment/books/2016/06/the-10-most-beautiful-libraries-around-the-world/">The 10 most beautiful libraries around the world</a>

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12 hilariously honest alternate titles for books