Washing the Skin with Guava Leaves

Much has been said and written about the medicinal value of various plants in the Philippines.

The Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997 which promoted and advocated the use of traditional and alternative health care modalities through scientific research and product development was signed by then President Fidel Ramos. And since then, the Department of Health has endorsed 10 medicinal plants which can be used as herbal medicines in the Philippines because of its proven health benefits. These are Lagundi (Vitex negundo), Yerba Buena (Mentha cordifolia Opiz), Sambong (Blumea balsamifera), Tsaang Gubat (Carmona retusa), Ampalaya (Momordica charantia), Niyug-niyogan (Quisqualis indica), bayabas (Psidium guajava), akapulko (Cassia alata), Ulasimang Bato (Peperomia pellucida), and Bawang (Allium sativum). Many of them are already available in commercial preparations.

One of the more popular traditional medicines is the guava, scientific name is Psidium Guajava, “Bayabas” in Filipino. This plant has been used for many generations and recognized by arbolaryos (herbalists) and those who practice natural medicine. 

Boiled, chopped or pounded guava leaves have been used and accepted as an antiseptic for wound disinfection.It helps clean off bacteria and germs found in the wound in order to prevent complications and infections. To prevent oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum infection, boiled guava leaves can also be used as a mouthwash.

As a skin wash to clean skin and help accelerate healing and prevent infection one has to boil leaves for 15-20 minutes, cool and use as a soak, a wash or a bath rinse for wounds or prickly heat or fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.

However, with the urbanization of more areas. There are lesser guava trees. Thus, the leaves aren't as readily available. Now there is Guavawash. Guavawash takes away the hassle of looking for guava trees to get their leaves. One has to just mix a Guavawash sachet in warm water. Made from guava leaf extracts, Guavawash also contains other natural extracts recognized for its skin care benefits eucalyptus for its cooling effect, lavender, known as antiseptic and for aromatherapy. lemon grass as an anti-microbial, fungicidal, mint to soothe itchy skin, rose root as an anti-oxidant and to prevent premature wrinkles.

The effectiveness of all these herbal ingredients go as far back as the heydays of the albularyo. Now, they are all found in Guavawash - a natural and convenient skin wash. Guavawash is available at major Mercury Drugstore and Watsons branches.

Pfizer Strengthens Global Campaign on Bone Health, Calls on Filipinos to ‘Love Your Bones’

It is easy, or seemingly involuntary, to take things for granted when living in today’s fast-paced world. Health is almost secondary, as work is often given high priority. But to keep the body going, one needs food and nutrients for sustenance—the same goes for the need for strong bones to ensure continuous mobility and support.

Sadly, food and bone health, although considered vital life components, are still largely ignored, be it due to poor lifestyle or lack of awareness.

To help address this growing health problem, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare (PCH) partnered with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) to spearhead the local celebration of World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) on October 20.

Aptly themed “Serve up Bone Strength,” WOD 2015 focuses on the importance of adopting a bone-healthy diet throughout a person’s lifetime to optimize bone strength. The campaign highlights the point that poor nutrition is one of the critical risk factors for developing bone-related diseases.

“It conveys the message that the first step in osteoporosis prevention begins in youth, when nutrition can help maximize our bone-building potential, and continues throughout life as we strive to maintain strong bones at older age,” explained IOF, the global organizer of WOD. A key date in the bone, muscle, and joint community agenda, WOD is an occasion when people around the globe unite to put the spotlight on the immense burden caused by osteoporosis and other musculoskeletal diseases, and the actions that can be taken to prevent and treat them. It aims to put bone, muscle, and joint health on the global health agenda.

In the Philippines, PCH has remained a solid supporter of this global movement and has advocated various activities in the past to raise awareness on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.

The Silent Disease

According to IOF, osteoporosis affects over 200 million people worldwide. Approximately one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will break a bone (also known as osteoporotic fracture) due to this silent disease. Fractures, specifically hip fractures, can cause loss of function and independence with 40% of patients unable to walk independently; 60% requiring assistance a year later; 33% being totally dependent on or in a nursing home. Moreover, hip fractures cause the greatest morbidity with reported mortality rates up to 20-24%

in the first year after a person suffers a hip fracture.

“We at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare support the IOF in its advocacy to inform the people about osteoporosis and the fact that it can be prevented,” says Dr. Egbert Dorado, senior medical manager at PCH. “We echo IOF’s key message: Adequate intake of the right nutrients contributes to bone health at all ages, and is a first step in osteoporosis prevention. For those who already have osteoporosis, a bone-healthy nutrition should be part of their treatment and rehabilitation program.” Three of the major nutrients that help optimize bone health are: calcium, vitamin D, and protein, with recommended daily allowances varying throughout life.

“Regulating calcium levels in the body promotes better bone mass density (BMD), alongside improving muscle performance and balance. Taking a calcium supplement with adequate levels of Vitamin D3 also helps maximize calcium absorption,” adds Dr. Egbert. While proper nutrition works, it is also important to have a holistic approach to osteoporosis prevention and management.

“It is indeed crucial to build strong bones early in life by following a healthy diet as it is the key ingredient in helping a person achieve peak bone mass, and maintaining it throughout life. But it is equally important to avoid other modifiable risk factors including sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and alcohol use,” explains Dr. Egbert.

Osteoporosis is an incurable disease, but controlling its risk factors and complying with treatment regimens where prescribed can ensure a mobile, independent, and fracture-free life.

For more information on osteoporosis and World Osteoporosis Day 2015, visit www.worldosteoporosisday.org, follow IOF on Instagram (@worldosteoporosisday) or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/worldosteoporosisday), or subscribe to its YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/iofbonehealth).

BITTERGO: Decrease Your Risk of Diabetes

Diabetes, the 8th leading cause of death in the Philippines, is painful to endure in so many ways. The physical and psychological agonies that diabetic patients have to bear are simply overwhelming. Lifetime medications, kidney dialysis that requires at least three sessions per week, regular checkups and insulin injections are just some of the mandatory requirements to manage diabetes. Aside from the ever-present worry of keeping healthy, financial considerations are also astronomical. Diabetes is certainly not a disease to take on lightly. As the folks always say, ‘masakit sa bulsa’. We certainly agree. 

At least P3,000 is needed for a single session of dialysis which must be sustained thrice a week, about P800 for a shot of insulin, and top up other maintenance drugs needed. That costs about at least P9,000 per week—all for the management of diabetes, and not for cure. Indeed, diabetes is a costly disease.

Given all these expenses, what would be the best ways to avoid diabetes? Just avoid eating more than you can consume and exercise frequently. It is also important to quit vices like smoking and drinking alcohol beverages. All these healthy measures may lead you to a diabetes-free life. Another thing to help keep your diabetes at bay? BitterGO – a combination of different vegetable extracted sought out by ATC Healthcare International Corp. and fit into one convenient capsule. To boost more of your resistance against diabetes and a food supplement that regulates blood sugar - BitterGO. 

BitterGO is an all-natural food supplement that helps in preventing diabetes as it contains four healthy ingredients that are beneficial in managing the blood sugar level in the body. One of its contents is ampalaya, known worldwide for its anti-diabetic properties and is recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) as a medicinal herb. Other components of BitterGO are medicinal herbs like banaba, luyang dilaw and garlic, which is present only in BitterGO. 

Regular intake of BitterGO may help in lowering blood sugar levels, managing frequent urination, handling excessive sweating, reducing blurred vision and tingling sensation in the extremities, stimulating the pancreas, spleen and liver to intensify absorption of food in the gastrointestinal tract, purifying blood and in maintaining good and clear skin.

For only SRP P7.50 per capsule, you can free yourself from the worries of diabetes with the help of BitterGO. Take BitterGO daily and stay better, not bitter! BitterGO is available at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide.

SIX TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE AND SECURED DURING UNDAS

Leaving for the All Saints’ Day weekend? Leave your home safe and secured with these helpful tips...

As Undas approaches, families are once again getting ready to either visit their departed loved ones at the cemetery for a couple of hours, or go home to their provinces for a few days. Either way, observing Filipino All Saints’ Day traditions entails leaving your home alone, which makes it vulnerable to break-ins and burglary. If you’re planning on leaving your home for quite a long time, here are a few tips from MyProperty.ph to keep you worry-free and your home protected from any harm or danger.

1. Keep it to yourself...

If you will be leaving your home for more than a day, avoid letting other people, espcially strangers, know. The more people who are aware that your home is left unattended, the bigger the possibility of somebody invading your house. Also, refrain from mentioning your leaving on social media sites or blogs.

2. But let a trusted friend or neighbor know

While it is a good practice to keep your going away on the down-low, it would be a good idea to let somebody that you fully trust know so they can keep an eye on your house. They can get the mail, newspapers, and package deliveries for you instead of letting them pile up at your gate or doorstep. Unclaimed items out in the open are a sign that nobody is at home. They can also open the lights during nighttime and turn them off during the day. It will give an impression that the house isn’t unoccupied.

3. Keep your expensive and luxurious stuff out of plain sight

Store all your valuable things—expensive stuff such as gadgets, electronics, jewelry, and even your new plasma TV—where they cannot be easily seen from the window. If you don’t have a safe in your home, you may store them in cabinets with locks, which are preferably obscured, or deposit them at your bank.

4. Set up your devices

In case you don’t have somebody that you trust to look after your house, there are a few gadgets that you can get from the hardware store to help you keep your home thief-free. Equip all entry points with sound alarms that give off a loud, shrilling sound to alert people close by that a door or a window has been opened. Install an electrical timer switch that you can configure to switch on certain electronics in your home, such as the lights or radio during a period of time to give an impression that somebody is at home. A battery-powered radio kept switched on while you are away also helps. If you want more protection and you have the extra budget for it, have a CCTV camera installed so you can monitor your home while you’re away.

5. Unplug and disconnect

Remove all electric plugs from their sockets to avoid overheating. This also lets you save energy and money, while it keeps your home safe from potential electrical damage or even fire.To be even surer, switch off your main electrical box before leaving. That is, if you don’t have an electrical timer switch set-up. Also, disconnect your gas stove’s tube from the main gas tank and cut off the water supply to ensure utmost safety.

6. Check and triple check

Before leaving your house, check, double check, and triple check that you’ve done all of your preparations to keep your home safe and secure and that all of your safety devices are working. 

Make sure that all of the entry points to your house are properly locked. And after exiting your home and locking your door, check everything again from the outside.It may all be hard work, but if it is your security and safety that’s on the line, it will be worth it. 

You know what they say: it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Western Digital Announces Acquisition Of SanDisk

Western Digital® Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC) and SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Western Digital will acquire all of the outstanding shares of SanDisk for a combination of cash and stock. The offer values SanDisk common stock at US$86.50 per share or a total equity value of approximately US$19 billion, using a five-day volume weighted average price ending on October 20, 2015 of US$79.60 per share of Western Digital common stock. If the previously announced investment in Western Digital by Unisplendour Corporation Limited closes prior to this acquisition, Western Digital will pay US$85.10 per share in cash and 0.0176 shares of Western Digital common stock per share of SanDisk common stock; and if the Unisplendour transaction has not closed or has been terminated, US$67.50 in cash and 0.2387 shares of Western Digital common stock per share of SanDisk common stock. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

The combination is the next step in the transformation of Western Digital into a storage solutions company with global scale, extensive product and technology assets, and deep expertise in non-volatile memory (NVM). With this transaction, Western Digital will double its addressable market and expand its participation in higher-growth segments. SanDisk brings a 27-year history of innovation and expertise in NVM, systems solutions and manufacturing. The combination also enables Western Digital to vertically integrate into NAND, securing long-term access to solid state technology at lower cost.

The proposed combination creates significant value for both SanDisk and Western Digital shareholders. Western Digital brings a successful track record of M&A with a number of acquisitions over the last several years helping to fuel innovation, create value and strongly position the company to capture higher-growth opportunities. In addition, Western Digital's operational excellence, coupled with the recently announced decision by China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) allowing Western Digital to integrate substantial portions of its WD and HGST businesses, is expected to generate additional cost synergies.

"This transformational acquisition aligns with our long-term strategy to be an innovative leader in the storage industry by providing compelling, high-quality products with leading technology," said Steve Milligan, chief executive officer, Western Digital. "The combined company will be ideally positioned to capture the growth opportunities created by the rapidly evolving storage industry. I'm excited to welcome the SanDisk team as we look to create additional value for all of our stakeholders, including our customers, shareholders and employees."

"Western Digital is globally recognized as a leading provider of storage solutions and has a 45-year legacy of developing and manufacturing cutting-edge solutions, making the company the ideal strategic partner for SanDisk," said Sanjay Mehrotra, president and chief executive officer, SanDisk. "Importantly, this combination also creates an even stronger partner for our customers. Joining forces with Western Digital will enable the combined company to offer the broadest portfolio of industry-leading, innovative storage solutions to customers across a wide range of markets and applications."

Western Digital and SanDisk's complementary product lines, including hard disk drives ("HDDs"), solid-state drives ("SSDs"), cloud datacenter storage solutions and flash storage solutions, will provide the foundation for a broader set of products and technologies from consumer to datacenter. Both companies have strong R&D and engineering capabilities and a rich base of fundamental technologies with over 15,000 combined patents issued or pending worldwide.

Toshiba has been a long-term strategic partner to SanDisk for 15 years. The joint venture (JV) with Toshiba will be ongoing, enabling vertical integration through a technology partnership driven by deep collaboration across design and process capabilities. The JV provides stable NAND supply at scale through a time-tested business model and extends across NVM technologies such as 3D NAND.

Steve Milligan will continue to serve as chief executive officer of the combined company, and the company will remain headquartered in Irvine, California. Upon closing, Sanjay Mehrotra is expected to join the Western Digital Board of Directors.

Led by a seasoned management team, Western Digital has a strong track record of integrating acquisitions to create value. The company expects to achieve full annual run-rate synergies of US$500 million within 18 months post-closing. The transaction is expected to be EPS accretive on a non-GAAP basis within 12 months of the transaction close. Pending the closing of the transaction, Western Digital expects to continue paying its quarterly dividend and plans to suspend its share buyback program.

The transaction will be financed by a mix of cash, new debt financing and Western Digital stock.  In connection with the transaction, Western Digital expects to enter into new debt facilities totaling US$18.4 billion, including a US$1.0 billion revolving credit facility. The proceeds from the new debt facilities are expected to be used to pay part of the purchase price, refinance existing debt of Western Digital and SanDisk and pay transaction related fees and expenses. If SanDisk's cash balance falls below certain thresholds at the time of transaction close, the merger agreement provides for an adjustment to the mix of cash and stock consideration.

The transaction is subject to approval by SanDisk shareholders and, in the event that the Unisplendour transaction does not close, Western Digital shareholders, receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the third calendar quarter of 2016.

BofA Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan are acting as lead financial advisors to Western Digital and will provide committed financing for the transaction. Also, Credit Suisse is acting as a financial advisor and providing committed financing, and RBC Capital Markets is providing committed financing. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and Baker & McKenzie are acting as legal advisors to Western Digital.

Goldman Sachs is acting as the exclusive financial advisor to SanDisk. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as the exclusive legal advisor to SanDisk. 

Urbanista: A Tribute to Urban Lifestyle

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” 

Urbanista came out of a vision to glorify the urban lifestyle and create products that make life better for modern people in urban developments. We design for life in motion. Every product in the Urbanista portfolio is developed to serve a need for the target group - the Urbanistas. Within the tight portfolio, the offering is wide. The retail environment shall clearly show the most relevant product for each consumer. The Urbanista products are meant to be life companions. Therefore they are developed with design and colors in focus. The products should not only enhance the life of the Urbanistas with the functions, but also the looks. 

Urbanista is launching in the Philippines, really soon!

Familiarize yourself with the different Urbanista earphones: 

SAN FRANCISCO

Balanced for music and talk Why compromise? If you’re looking for earphones for both music and phone calls, you’ve finally found them. For the everyday use for, suitable for anyone. 

Features:

• Ergonomic design

• Suitable for music and talk

• Handsfree with mic

• Value for money

OSLO

For simplicity seekers Made in a classic but revamped earphone design. Soft rubber ring around the earbud to create comfort and good fit. 

Features:

• Recognized design

• Fits most people

• Handsfree with mic

RIO

For the urban athlete With Rio, we´re raising the bar for how really good sport earphones should sound, feel and cost. The GoFit silicone wing guarantees an ergonomic and secure fit even in the most challenging and wet circumstances. The sound is optimized with clear sound and strong bass to boost your performance with your favorite beats.

Features:

• GoFit silicone wing which fits securely in your ears.

• Water resistant (IPX5)

• Handsfree with mic

• Light construction

BOSTON

For freedom seeking athlete. At the gym or in the street. Every beat, clarity without compromise. Urbanista Boston sport earphones with Bluetooth gives you the freedom to really move.

Features:

• Wireless Bluetooth connection.

• GoFit silicone wing fits securely in ears.

• Water resistant (IPX5).

• Light earbuds.

• Handsfree with mic.

IBIZA

For uncompromising music lovers In the studio. At the concert or club. Urbanista Ibiza high performance earphones make you feel as if you were really there. Every note, precision without compromise.

Features:

• Heavy bass with uncompromising clarity.

• Ergonomic design with GoFit for secure fit.

• Handsfree with volume control and mic.

MIAMI

For the expressive music lovers Miami is a classic foldable mid-size headphone that comes in several vibrant colours. The frame’s flexibility, the soft headband and ear pads allow the headphones to rest comfortably on your ears. The Urbanista logo, carved from aluminum.

Features:

• Comfortable, foldable & affordable

• Strong bass and clear sound

• Handsfree with mic

COPENHAGEN

For the design devotees The Urbanista crown jewel. Made in brushed aluminum in a style as sharp and fresh as your own. These premium mid-size headphones carry music with dashing clarity and tonal accuracy that’ll make your listening experience a treasure trove of musical enjoyment.

Features:

• Unique and exclusive aluminum design

• Supreme audio clarity with dynamic bass

• Soft headband with enclosed adjustability

• Handsfree with mic

What ever your lifestyle is, there's always an Urbanista product that's perfect for us Urbanistas on the move! To know more about their products, you could always check out: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanistaLifestyle

Philippine Payroll Software to Help Businesses Grow

 If you are working, one of the most important element for you is receiving your salary accurately and on time.  Is there a Philippine payroll software that can actually do that especially now that businesses is facing greater challenges locally and regionally?

With the advent of the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN integration businesses would have to compete not only with local companies but also with competitors in the ASEAN region not only with their products but with their employees as well.  This is the main reason why businesses should already be upgrading their system and looking for ways to improve business processes.

Payroll is one of the most important business process but most of the time the way that it is being done is mostly overlooked. In 1999, Mustard Seed Systems Corporation developed an in-house Payroll software – Philippine Payroll Software out of its own need to improve its payroll system.

Fast forward to 16 years, the Philippine Payroll Software had been used by more than 2,000 companies in the Philippines.  The basic version with a single (1) use licence and allows a maximum of 100 employees is already equipped with the following:

• ·       Updated Government Tables
• ·       Complies with RA 9504 New Tax Law
• ·       Diskette Submission: Bank, SSS, PHIC, Pag-ibig, Alphalist
• ·       Computes 13th month pay, bonuses, and quit claim
• ·       Prints Payslip, Journal Entries for Integration to Accounting System
• ·       Free Biometric Timekeeping Device (model H5)
• ·       Free 1day Training for 1 person (MSSC Training Center)
• ·       Free PRIORITY SUPPORT! Email support and updates within Dec 2015
• ·       At a cost of just Php25,900 you do not just get the payroll software but you also get a FREE Biometric Timekeeping Device that will enable you to work with your payroll system more accurately.

Philippine Payroll Software is perhaps one of the most recommended payroll systems in the Philippines coming with a basic, standard, professional and enterprise versions. For more information regarding this payroll system you can visit http://mseedsystems.com/product/payroll-pro-2/. 
You can also call +63(2)535-SEED / 63(2)535-7333 or e-mail sales@mseedsystems.com