All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Tips to maintain home library

Tips To Maintain Home Library

If you love books and love to collect good books and, have a good collection of books at home, then these tips can help you maintain your book collections at home. Maintaining a home library can be both enjoyable and practical. Keep your library organized and in good condition with these tips.

1. Organize by category

  • Genre/subject: Group books by genre (fiction, non-fiction, mystery, romance, etc.) or subject (history, science, cooking, etc.).
  • Author/series: If you have many books by the same author or series, consider dedicating specific shelves to them.
  • Color or size: For a more aesthetic look, you can organize books by spine color or size, though this might make finding specific titles harder.

2. Create a catalog system

  • Use an app or software (like Goodreads, LibraryThing, or a spreadsheet) to create a catalog of your books, including titles, authors, and locations. This can help you quickly find books and track what you own.

3. Regular dusting and cleaning

  • Dust shelves and books regularly to prevent dust buildup. A soft cloth or feather duster works well. Keep the library area well-ventilated to prevent mildew and mold.

4. Protect books from sunlight and moisture

  • Place shelves away from direct sunlight to avoid fading or warping. Use curtains or UV-protective window film if necessary.
  • Ensure the room is not too humid; use a dehumidifier if needed to maintain the right humidity levels.

5. Use proper shelving

  • Invest in sturdy bookshelves that can hold the weight of your books. Consider adjustable shelves to accommodate different book sizes.
  • Ensure that heavier books are placed on lower shelves to prevent toppling.

6. Regularly weed out books

  • Periodically review your collection to decide which books you want to keep, donate, or sell. This helps maintain space and allows for new additions.

7. Label sections

  • Use labels or small tags to mark different sections or categories, especially if you have a large collection.

8. Use bookends and dividers

  • To prevent books from falling over on half-filled shelves, use bookends or dividers. These also make the shelves look neat.

9. Consider a reading corner

  • Create a cozy reading nook with comfortable seating, good lighting, and a small table for coffee or notes. This encourages regular use of your library.

10. Personalize your space

  • Decorate with items that reflect your personality, such as framed quotes, small plants, or memorabilia related to books and authors.

11. Implement good lighting

  • Ensure your library has adequate lighting. Use adjustable lamps for reading areas and indirect lighting for the bookshelves to avoid glare and direct exposure.

12. Avoid overcrowding

  • Avoid stuffing books too tightly on shelves, which can damage the spines. Leave some space for airflow and easy removal of books.

If someone borrows books from you, make sure you get your book back. In this smartphone era, not everyone likes to read books as articles are readily available on fingertips. However, there are many books that are not readily available and out of print and you might be the owner of many of these books. Moreover, good books are like friends, you keep them lifelong.

Image credit: Image by Free Fun Art from Pixabay (Free to use under pixabay license)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 13, 2024
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Crocodile pose for relaxation

The Crocodile Pose A Gentle Restorative Yoga Pose Helps To Relax Entire Body

The Crocodile Pose, also known as “Makarasana” in Sanskrit, is a gentle restorative yoga pose that primarily focuses on relaxation and breathing. The key benefits of performing the Crocodile Pose are:

1. Relieves stress and anxiety: The Crocodile Pose encourages deep, diaphragmatic breathing, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety levels.

2. Supports respiratory health: This pose helps open the chest and lungs, which can improve breathing capacity and help with respiratory issues like asthma or bronchitis.

3. Eases back pain: By lying flat on the stomach, the Crocodile Pose gently stretches and relaxes the muscles in the lower back, relieving tension, and discomfort. It is especially beneficial for people who suffer from mild lower back pain.

4. Improves posture: Regular practice can help improve posture by aligning the spine, reducing hunching, and strengthening the back muscles, which can correct postural imbalances over time.

5. Enhances circulation: This pose can improve blood circulation by encouraging the body to relax and allowing for better oxygen flow throughout the body.

6. Soothes the nervous system: It is calming for the nervous system, which can aid in reducing symptoms related to anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue.

7. Aids in digestion: The gentle pressure on the abdomen can help stimulate the digestive organs, aiding in digestion and relieving bloating or discomfort.

8. Relieves fatigue: Practicing this pose can help alleviate both mental and physical fatigue, providing a sense of rejuvenation and calm.

Steps to perform crocodile pose:

  1. Start by lying on your stomach.
    • Find a comfortable flat surface or yoga mat.
    • Lie face down on your stomach with your legs extended straight back and feet hip-width apart. Let your toes point outward slightly.
  2. Position your arms.
    • Fold your arms in front of you, placing one palm on top of the other.
    • Rest your forehead on your arms, ensuring your neck and shoulders are relaxed. Alternatively, you can rest your chin on your hands if that feels more comfortable.
  3. Adjust your legs and feet.
    • Allow your legs to relax and your heels to fall outward. Slowly fold and bring your one knee on the side like touching your chest (see picture)
    • Relax your entire body, releasing any tension in your back, shoulders, and hips.
  4. Focus on your breathing.
    • Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths.
    • Inhale deeply through your nose, expanding your abdomen, and exhale slowly, releasing any tension. Feel your belly pressing gently into the floor with each inhale and releasing with each exhale.
  5. Hold the pose.
    • Stay in this position for 2 to 5 minutes or longer, depending on your comfort level.
    • Use this time to relax completely, focusing on your breath and letting go of any stress or tension.
  6. To Release the pose
    • Slowly bring your arms back down to your sides. Release the leg down.
    • Repeat the pose with the other leg and stay for 2 to 5 minutes.
    • Gently roll onto one side and rest there for a few breaths before pushing yourself up to a seated position.

Tips for performing crocodile pose:

  • Find comfort: Use a folded blanket or towel under your chest or pelvis for added comfort if needed.
  • Avoid strain: If you feel any strain in your lower back or neck, adjust the position of your arms or legs to find a more comfortable angle.
  • Use support: If your lower back feels uncomfortable, you can place a pillow or bolster under your hips for support.

Image credit: photograph by Akshay Gupta Makarasana (Crocodile Pose) – PixaHive License CC0

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Yohimbine for Erectile Disfunction from Corynanthe yohimbe

Yohimbine for Erectile Disfunction from Corynanthe yohimbe

Yohimbine is derived from Pausinystalia johimbe (Corynanthe yohimbe) has been used to treat ED, but it is considered less effective than prescription medications like vardenafil. It is available in various forms, including dietary supplements, but its use is subject to regulations and potential side effects. Furthermore, the effectiveness of yohimbine can vary, and its use should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Vardenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors are prescription medications, and their use should be supervised and prescribed by a healthcare professional to ensure they are appropriate and safe for the individual. While plant-derived remedies like yohimbine may be available without a prescription, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider before using any medication or supplement to address issues related to ED.

Image credit: https://www.britannica.com/plant/yohimbe-tree

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 12, 2024
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Quinine Antimalarial Drug from Cinchona

Quinine Antimalarial Drug from Cinchona

Quinine is used to treat malaria, although it is less commonly used today due to the development of other antimalarial drugs. It was originally derived from the bark of the cinchona tree Cinchona spp. which is native to South America. Quinine has historically been used to treat malaria and remains an important anti-malarial drug even today.

While quinine was traditionally extracted from cinchona bark, the increasing global demand for anti-malarial drugs has led to the development of synthetic or semi-synthetic methods for producing quinine. These methods are often more efficient and cost-effective for mass production, ensuring a stable supply of this vital anti-malarial medication.

The use of quinine for malaria treatment should be supervised and administered by healthcare professionals. Quinine has been replaced by other anti-malarial drugs like artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) due to concerns about quinine resistance and potential side effects, but it is still used in certain cases.

Image credit: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Artemisinin for Malaria from Wormwood Plant

Artemisinin for Malaria from Wormwood Plant

Artemisinin and its derivatives are used in the treatment of malaria. Artemisinin is a powerful and effective anti-malarial medication derived from the sweet wormwood plant, Artemisia annua. It has played a crucial role in the treatment of malaria, particularly drug-resistant strains.

Artemisinin and its derivatives, such as artemether and artesunate, are key components of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which are the recommended treatments for malaria by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO). The use of ACTs has been vital in addressing the global problem of malaria, particularly in regions with a high incidence of drug-resistant malaria parasites.

The original extraction of artemisinin from the sweet wormwood plant was a significant development in the fight against malaria, mass production of artemisinin is now often carried out through semi-synthetic or synthetic methods to meet the global demand for anti-malarial treatments. These methods are more efficient and cost-effective, ensuring a stable supply of this life-saving medication.

Image credit: Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Vinblastine and Vincristine for Cancer from Vinca

Vinblastine and Vincristine for Cancer from Vinca

Both Vinblastine and vincristine are chemotherapy medications derived from the Madagascar periwinkle plant, Catharanthus roseus, which is also known as the “vinca” plant. These drugs are part of a class of compounds known as vinca alkaloids.

It is essential to understand that the extraction and purification of vinblastine and vincristine from the vinca plant is a complex and resource-intensive process. As such, these medications are typically produced in pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities using synthetic methods and precursors. This approach allows for more efficient production and consistent quality while avoiding the overharvesting of the Madagascar periwinkle plant.

Vinblastine and vincristine are used in the treatment of various cancers, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and certain types of solid tumors. Their use is administered under the supervision of healthcare professionals and is part of comprehensive cancer treatment regimens.

Image credit: Vengolis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Paclitaxel for chemotherapy From Yew Tree

Paclitaxel for chemotherapy From Yew Tree

Paclitaxel, also known by the trade name Taxol, is a chemotherapy medication used to treat various cancers, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancer. It is derived from the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia).

While paclitaxel was initially sourced from the bark of Pacific yew trees, the extraction process was both resource-intensive and posed a threat to the survival of these slow-growing trees. To address this issue, researchers developed a more sustainable and economically viable method of producing paclitaxel.

Today, paclitaxel is primarily produced through a semi-synthetic process using precursor compounds, and its production is conducted in pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. This method ensures a stable supply of the medication without the need to harvest copious quantities of yew trees. Paclitaxel is an important chemotherapy drug used to treat various cancers, including ovarian, breast, and lung cancer, and its use is supervised and administered by healthcare professionals.

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/vi/photo/679719 (CC by 0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Digoxin For Heart Condition from Foxglove Plant

Digoxin For Heart Condition from Foxglove Plant

Digoxin is a medication used to treat heart conditions, particularly congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. Digoxin is derived from the foxglove plant, Digitalis purpurea. It is part of a class of drugs known as cardiac glycosides. While digoxin has been used for many years to treat heart conditions, its use is subject to strict medical supervision because of its potential for toxicity.

Digoxin is a potent medication, and its use can be associated with side effects and toxicity, especially if not dosed or monitored carefully. It is used in the treatment of certain heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure and certain arrhythmias, and is typically prescribed by cardiologists and used under their supervision.

Due to the potential risks and variability in the content of active compounds in plant-derived medications, it is essential to use digoxin only as prescribed by a healthcare professional and to follow their instructions closely. Self-medication or the use of plant extracts is strongly discouraged in this context.

Image credit: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you