South Korean and US Troops Are Getting Ready for Possible North Korean Attack

Troops of both South Korea and United-states have started military drills in case of a North Korean attack. No less than 56,000 South Korean soldiers and 30,000 US troops are training in South Korea and abroad. They say it’s purely defensive but North Korea sees it from a different angle and says the drills are a rehearsal for invasion…

You will see here mainly photographs of South Korean soldiers in action but also photos of civilians who took part in the trainings.

South Korean and US Troops Are Getting Ready for Possible North Korean Attack

Troops of both South Korea and United-states have started military drills in case of a North Korean attack. No less than 56,000 South Korean soldiers and 30,000 US troops are training in South Korea and abroad. They say it’s purely defensive but North Korea sees it from a different angle and says the drills are a rehearsal for invasion…

You will see here mainly photographs of South Korean soldiers in action but also photos of civilians who took part in the trainings.

Health Benefits of Clove Oil

he health benefits of clove oil can be attributed to its antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, aphrodisiac and stimulating properties. The oil is used for treating a variety of health disorders including toothaches, indigestion, cough, asthma, headache, stress and blood impurities.

Clove is an evergreen tree, which produces a flower bud that has numerous medicinal properties. It is often referred as clove bud. Clove bud has a shaft and a head and hence it has the Latin name clavus meaning nail. Clove was extensively used in the ancient Indian and Chinese civilizations and it spread to other parts of the world, including Europe, during the seventh and eight centuries.

Clove is rich in minerals such as calcium, hydrochloric acid, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamin A and vitamin C. The health benefits of clove oil include the following:

• Dental Care: The most prominent use of clove oil is in dental care. The germicidal properties of the oil make it very effective for relieving dental pain, tooth ache, sore gums and mouth ulcers. Clove oil contains the compound eugenol, which has been used in dentistry since numerous years. Gargles with diluted clove oil help in easing the throat. The characteristic smell of clove oil helps removing bad breath. As a result, clove oil is added to numerous dental products and medications, including, mouth washes, and tooth pastes. Dentists also mix clove oil with zinc oxide and prepare a white filling material as a temporary alternative to root canal.

• Infections: Due to its antiseptic properties, clove oil is useful for wound, cuts, scabies, athlete’s foot, fungal infections, bruises, prickly heat, scabies, etc. It can also be used insect bites and stings. Clove oil is very strong in nature and hence should be used in diluted form. Further, it should not be used on sensitive skin.

• Skin Care: Clove oil is often recommended for skin care, especially to acne patients.

• Stress: Clove oil is aphrodisiac in nature and hence serves as an excellent stress reliever. It has a stimulating effect on the mind and removes mental exhaustion and fatigue. When taken internally, in appropriate amounts, it refreshes the mind. Clove oil also induces sleep and is helpful to insomnia patients. It is useful for treating mental problems such as loss of memory, depression and anxiety.

• Headache: Clove oil when mixed with salt, and applied on the forehead, gives a cooling effect and helps in getting relief from headache.

• Respiratory Problems: Clove oil has a cooling and anti inflammatory effect, and thereby clears the nasal passage. This expectorant is useful in various respiratory disorders including coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and tuberculosis. Chewing a clove bud eases sore throats.

• Earache: A mixture of warm clove oil and sesame oil is a good remedy for earaches.

• Indigestion: Clove oil is effective in stomach related problems such as hiccups, indigestion, motion sickness, and flatulence. Hence, clove one of the important spices added in Indian dishes.

• Nausea: Clove oil is helpful in case of nausea and vomiting and is often used for pregnancy related vomiting.

• Blood Circulation: Clove oil is increases your body metabolism by increasing blood circulation and reducing body temperature.

• Blood Purification: Clove oil also helps in purifying the blood.

• Diabetes: Along with blood purification, clove oil also helps in controlling the blood sugar levels and hence is useful to diabetics.

• Immune System: Both clove and clove oil are useful for boosting the immune system. Its antiviral properties and ability to purify blood increases your resistance to diseases.

• Premature Ejaculation: Research has indicated that clove can be useful for treating premature ejaculation. Further research needs to be carried out to confirm these results.
• Cholera: It is believed that clove oil is useful for treating cholera.

• Sty: Clove and clove oil is a very effective home remedy for treating sty. Sty is an inflammation on the eyelash and is a very irritating condition. Sty is not only painful, but also causes difficulty in the proper functioning of the eye.

Other benefits of clove oil include the following:

• Cosmetics: Clove oil is often added in cosmetic creams and lotions. It is a good massage oil providing relief from pain and stress.

• Clove Cigarettes: Usage of clove in making cigarettes is a new trend all over the world. Traditionally, clove was added in cigarettes in Indonesia. Smokers (wrongly) feel that the numerous health benefits of clove would nullify the ill effects of smoking. Flavoring Agent: Along with its digestive properties, clove oil is added in food items due to its flavor. It is added in many Indian dishes, pickles, sauce, spice cakes, etc.

• Soaps: Due to the characteristic aroma, soothing effect and antiseptic properties, clove oil is added in making soaps.

• Perfumes: Clove oil is also used in making perfumes.

Many people believe that clove oil is useful in preventing and treating cancer. However, the American Cancer Society clearly mentions that there is no scientific evidence on the curative properties of clove oil. It is also claimed by many that clove oil is useful in treating viral hepatitis.

One should be careful while using clove oil. Clove oil is strong in nature and hence should be diluted before application.

Clove oil blends well with many essential oils including basil essential oil, rosemary essential oil, rose oil, cinnamon essential oil, grapefruit essential oil, lemon essential oil, nutmeg essential oil, peppermint essential oil, orange essential oil, lavender essential oil, geranium essential oil, etc.

Scientists pinpoint top eight cancer signs

Are you coughing up blood or having difficulty while swallowing? Go for a medical check-up, as scientists say they could be among the eight symptoms most closely linked to cancer.

Researchers at the Keele University in UK also suggested the age at which patients should be most concerned by the symptoms, which include blood in urine and anaemia.

The other symptoms they highlighted included rectal blood, coughing up blood, breast lump or mass, difficulty swallowing, post-menopause bleeding and abnormal prostate tests, the BBC reported.

The scientists, who examined 25 previous studies for their research, found that the symptoms gave a one in 20 or higher chance of turning out to be cancer.

Although this still represents a relatively low chance of anyone with the symptom having the disease, they said that any suspicion of cancer can mean that the patient is sent for tests more quickly, in order to catch the disease as early as possible.

The scientists also found that if the patient was below the age of 55, there were only two signs which reached the 'one-in-20' threshold -- a rectal prostate examination which gave abnormal results and a breast lump.


After 55, but only in men, there was evidence that difficulty swallowing could be a sign of oesophageal cancer, while blood in the urine was highlighted as a particular concern for men and women aged over 60.

Dr Mark Shapley, who led the research, said: "GPs (general practitioners or doctors) should audit their management and reflect upon these cases as part of their appraisal to improve quality of care.

"There should be more open public debate on the level of risk that triggers a recommendation for referral by a GP."

Professor Amanda Howe of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "It's useful to see these well-known 'red flag' symptoms and signs validated in primary care research, and reinforces the importance of encouraging patients to discuss worrying symptoms early with their GP."

However, a spokesman for Cancer Research UK said these were by no means the only potential warning signs for cancer.

"The particular symptoms this study has highlighted are already thought of as important potential signs of cancer, but there are more than 200 different types of cancer, which cause many different symptoms.

"So if you notice an unusual or persistent change in your body it's important to get it checked out. When cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is often more likely to be successful."