Previous studies showed that depression, the most prevalent psychiatric disorder worldwide, is linked to areas of the brain shrinking in size.

But when it is paired with anxiety, the second most widespread psychiatric disorder according to the World Health Organization, one area of the brain becomes "significantly" larger.

Many people suffer from both depression and anxiety, yet most of the past studies do not account for patients with both conditions.

A new study, published by Australian National University (ANU) researchers found that over time the pairing has a profound effect on brain areas associated with memory and emotional processing.

The study looked at the brains of more than 10,000 people to find the effects of depression and anxiety on brain volume.

The study shows that depression alone causes the hippocampus, the part of the brain linked to memory and learning, to shrink. In contrast, when depression and anxiety occur together it leads to an increase in size of the part of the brain linked to emotions, the amygdala.

"We found people who have depression alone have lower brain volumes in many areas of the brain, and in particular the hippocampus”, said the study lead and Ph.D. researcher Ms Daniela Espinoza Oyarce.

"Anxiety lowers the effect of depression on brain volume sizes by 3 percent on average - somewhat hiding the true shrinking effects of depression," she said.

“This becomes even more relevant later in life because a smaller hippocampus is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and may accelerate the development of dementia."

Over the years, neuroscientists have continued digging into the relationship between the brain and mental illness to offer hope to the sufferers. According to leading mental wellbeing support organization Beyond Blue in any one year around a million Australian adults have depression and more than 2 million have anxiety.

Ms Espinoza Oyarce emphasized on the need for future studies. "More research is needed into how anxiety lowers the effects of depression, but for the amygdala, perhaps anxiety leads to overactivity."

Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Dhaka webcasted “Confluence through poems”, a recitation of poems by Rabindranath Tagore by renowned artists of Bangladesh observing death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore on Friday. 

Eminent recitation artists of Bangladesh Bhaswar Banerjee (recitation artist), Dahlia Ahmed (recitation artist), Rana Thakur (Translator), Shahdat Hossain Nipu (recitation artist), Samiul Islam Poluck (recitation artist) took part in the webcast which can be viewed at www.facebook.com/IndiraGandhiCulturalCentre/  

The expression of the artists and the rendering of the poems by the artists were much appreciated in the social media, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Saturday. 

Bhaswar Banerjee enthralled the audience with his expressive rendering of the Tagore Poems-  Moron & Chitto Jetha Bhoyshunno(English version :- Where the mind is without fear)while Dahlia Ahmed rendered captivating poems of Tagore like “Proshno, Neerjhorer Shopnobhongo”. 

Rana Thakur read the English translation of the poems read by Dahlia Ahmed. 

Poems recited by Shahadat Hossain Nipu and Samiul Islam Poluck also had a captivating effect on the audience. 

They recited Tagore poems like “Bir Purush, Africa, Nirbhoy and verses from Utsorgo”.

Also read: Stories by Rabindranath Tagore: Entertaining Drama to watch on Netflix during Coronavirus home quarantine

Mother Nature has the solution of all problems of human beings. During the pandemic situation, many health-conscious people are consuming Tulsi tea as home remedy for colds and inflammation. But Tulsi has many more health benefits to offer. Though originated in Indian Sub Continent, Tulsi has been widely cultivated in Southeast Asian Tropics. As an aromatic perennial plant, Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) belongs to the family Lamiaceae. For its versatile medicinal properties, Tulsi is adored as ‘Holy Basil, ‘Queen of Herbs’ or ‘Elixir of Life’. Read this article to know the magical health benefits of Tulsi tea.

Tulsi Tea Health Benefits

Combats Respiratory Disorders

Tulsi tea helps to relieve certain respiratory illnesses including colds, sinusitis, coughs, bronchitis, asthma congestion, flu, sore throat, etc. Its ‘antitussive’ property can aid in relieving coughs. Furthermore, Tulsi is enriched with certain oil properties that relieve congestion. The ‘Expectorant’ property of this medicinal herb can assist in relaxing your respiratory system by ejecting the phlegm. Inhaling the fresh steaming Tulsi tea before drinking can alleviate the sinus problems.

Strengthens Immune

As an ‘adaptogenic’ herb, Tulsi can strengthen the overall immune system of human body and promote wellness, but how? This herb is a natural source of Apigenin flavonoid that can assist your body-cells to eliminate waste materials. By virtue of its ‘Immune Modulator’ properties, Tulsi can boost up your immunity. What is more? Tulsi can speed up the healing process of diverse infections and wounds like mouth ulcers, keloids, acne, etc.

Read Masala Tea Health Benefits: How Can It Improve Your Immunity

Prevents Inflammation

Tulsi contains a kind of terpene like chemical compound called ‘Eugenol’ that has analgesic or pain-relieving properties. People who are suffering from fibromyalgia, joint pain, or arthritis can drink Tulsi tea on a regular basis to alleviate the pain. This herb is also rich in Ursolic acid and Rosmarinic acid that offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and even anti-aging properties.

 

Lowers Blood Sugar and Cholesterol

Tulsi is a popular home remedy for reducing the level of blood sugar. If you are suffering from pre-diabetes or type-2 diabetes, you can start drinking tulsi tea besides taking medication to control your blood sugar in a natural way. Several studies in Animal as well as human trials revealed that Tulsi may aid in preventing weight gain, insulin resistance, excess blood-insulin (hyperinsulinemia), high cholesterol, hypertension, etc.

Besides contributing in the maintenance of ‘stable’ blood sugar levels, Tulsi tea can improve your metabolism and help your body in processing carbohydrates and fats more efficiently. Some research on animals show that Tulsi can lower the level of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL) in blood. However, more human trials are necessary to get established results.

Read Coronavirus Tips: Immunity Booster Herbal Teas to Prevent Infection.

Prevents Stress and Anxiety

During the Coronavirus pandemic, many people are experiencing tension due to diverse issues like illness, career, relationships, etc. A simple change into diet can contribute to alleviate stress. Tulsi is bestowed with ‘Ocimumosides A’ and ‘Ocimumosides B’ compounds that can fight stress and maintain the secretion of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine in your blood.

In addition to these, the habit of drinking Tulsi tea can not only help your body in balancing the stress hormone ‘cortisol’, but also minimize your stress-level. Thus, adding Tulsi tea in regular diet, you can avoid various pushing factors of depression and keep anxiety at bay.

Improves Dental, Oral and Eye health

The multidimensional health benefits of Tulsi will continue surprising you. As a natural mouth freshener, Tulsi is capable of destroying harmful bacteria and germs developed inside your mouth area. Drinking Tulsi tea every day, you can get cleaner teeth, hygienic oral health and fresher breath. Additionally, Tulsi carries an antioxidant carotenoid called ‘Lutein’ that can improve eye health.

Read Easy Homemade Summer Drinks to Beat the Heat and Increase Immunity.

Treats Gastronomical Illness

Holy Basil or Tulsi can naturally promote stomach health through reducing stomach acid, improving mucus secretion, boosting mucus cells, strengthening mucus cells, etc. For this blissful medicinal property Tulsi tea can be useful as a home remedy in treating indigestion, ulcers, vomiting, gastric pain, stomach cramps, intestinal parasites, etc. Tulsi can also prevent stress-induced ulcers. Furthermore, consumption of Tulsi tea can soothe stomach-ache causing from kidney stones.

How to Drink Tulsi Tea

Those who admire organic tea will certainly enjoy the mesmerizing aroma and exclusive flavor of Tulsi tea. Depending on the preparation style Tulsi tea can taste a bit peppery to astringent. To augment the flavor, Tulsi leaves can be combined with other kinds of organic tea leaves such as black tea, green tea, or white tea. To get additional health benefits, you can brew an herbal blend of Tulsi tea with other organic ingredients like turmeric, lemon, ginger, etc.

How to prepare Tulsi tea? First, boil 1 cup of water. Then add Half teaspoon of dried Tulsi leaves, or one teaspoon of fresh tulsi leaves, or one-third teaspoon of Tulsi powder to the hot water. Now let the blend steep for several minutes. After that remove the leaves or strain the tea. You can add honey and/or lemon juice at desired quantity to enhance the flavor.

Read Vitamin C: Where to Found and How Much to Consume.

 

Side Effects of Tulsi tea

Tulsi may affect the fertility of men and women. So, people who are trying to conceive ought to abstain from consuming Tulsi in excess amount.  Especially, the breast-feeding mothers are recommended to avoid drinking Tulsi tea.

You can experience nausea, diarrhea, or similar kind of illness when you start consuming Tulsi as tea or in other dietary form. Therefore, the best practice would be starting with limited quantities and then slowly increasing the amount of consumption over the course of time.

Tulsi may cause blood clotting in a slow pace. This is why patients are asked to keep away from eating or drinking Tulsi for minimum of two weeks prior and following any medical surgery.

Tulsi properties can interfere with your pharmaceutical drugs. So, if you are currently taking medications for treating any chronic or acute medical condition, you need to consult with your doctor before adding Tulsi tea in your diet.

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Read Zinc: Health Benefits, Food Sources and Daily Requirements.

A new study says US communities that made using face masks in public compulsory saw a decline in the spread of coronavirus.

After five days of mask mandates, the daily coronavirus growth rate slowed by just under 1 percent, while after 21 days, it slowed by about 2 percent, according to the study, reports Xinhua.

Researchers from the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Iowa College of Public Health reported the study result in the journal Health Affairs.

Between April 8 and May 15, governors of 15 US states and the mayor of Washington, DC signed orders to place mask mandates in public. The researchers studied changes in the daily county-level COVID-19 growth rates between March 31 and May 22.

They also projected the number of averted COVID-19 cases with the mandates for face mask use in public by comparing actual cumulative daily cases with daily cases predicted by a model if none of the states had enacted the public face cover mandate at the time they did.

Read Also: No ‘silver bullet’ to combat Covid-19 pandemic: WHO chief

The model estimates suggested that 230,000-450,000 cases may have been averted by May 22 due to these mandates.

The US is currently the worst coronavirus affected country in the world with 4,717,568 confirmed cases and 155,469 deaths.

Coronavirus cases were first reported in China in December last year. The World Health Organization declared it a pandemic in March.

The race for developing a vaccine is on but it is unclear when it will be available. Health experts suggest maintaining personal hygiene, washing hands regularly with soap and running water or alcohol based substance, wearing masks in public and maintaining physical distance from others as measures to curb the virus’ spread.