Dionysus Facts – More about the Greek God

In Greek mythology, Dionysus was known to be the god involved in harvesting grape. This same was also true when it comes to wine, and the process of winemaking itself. His name is also involved in ritual madness, needless to say. This was also the case with theatre and ecstasy. Indeed, there were so many things that may be related to the said god. All of these are Dionysus facts that will stay true for quite a long time. He was worshipped way back in 1500C to that of 100BC. This was undertaken mostly by Mycenean Greeks. There were old scripts which were then inscribed with his very own name.

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The descriptions and earlier images of Dionysus were all meant to depict the bearded, mature male. He was always known for being a robed with a fennel. This was staff tipped with its very own pine-cone. But then, such image change. He was then perceived as sensuous, beardless, semi-naked, and even naked. He was looked at as an androgynous youth. This really changed the way he was being looked at. In literature, he would always be defined and described as man-womanish, or womanly for that matter.

He was a demi-god for he was a son of a mortal named Semele, and the god Zeus. He could also be considered a semi-device, semi-hero for that matter. Indeed, Dionysus would always be the God of the Vine. There were instances when he was called Bacchus. Demeter and Dionysus, both the Goddess of Corn, were also seen as supreme deities. These were true and they had been playing such role towards the earth. Of the two, Dionysus was the youngest. There was a little known fact about him though. He just suddenly came to the place so that Demeter can be worshipped.

In Eleusis, Demeter and Dionysus were always being worshipped. This was a town, a little one, beside that of Athens. Ever since, Dionysus was taken as a happy god. This was true as far as the harvest was concerned. However, this may change whenever the season of winter comes. He languished apparently. This occurred with the rest of the world actually.

There was a belief saying that the aforementioned god was the very last god to ever reach Olympus. He was a combination of both because he was born with fire, and then nursed and nourished with rain. His birth would always correspond to the grape development. This was the time when heat ripens the said fruit and then the water has kept it alive.

When he reached his adulthood, the god was able to wander the entire Earth. Men were taught the vine culture this way. A tenfold of festivals were also held. This was done as an honor to Dionysus. In art alone, Dionysus will always be represented as an art. He came with a beard, which makes him a full grown person. He may sometimes be compared to a beast, only young for that matter. All of these are some of the facts that can be learned about Dionysus.

Fun Facts about Abraham Lincoln – What you do not know about

Abraham Lincoln will always be an important icon in the history. This will never be erased. His name will be uttered now just from now, but for the coming generations. Needless to say, a ton of biopic has been released with the aim of featuring fun facts about Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln, the 16th president of America, has been talked about a lot. A tenfold of movies has been made about him. This makes learning more about him a way easier job than the usual.

A Closer Look at Abraham Lincoln

It may be surprising to know that Lincoln has been enshrined in the Hall of Fame of wrestling. This sounds weird – right? Do not get this wrong though. He is not in any way a material for WWE, however, his long limbs made him a real accomplished wrestler when he was still young. Surprising, isn’t it? He was only defeated once in his entire wrestling career. This was true over almost 300 matches he participated in. There were reports where Lincoln talked about this. He expressed this little smack in the ring. According to the biography written by Carl Sandburg, the whole crowd of onlookers was once challenged by Honest Abe. This was a way for him to dispatch an opponent.

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Prior to the assassination of the mentioned US president, he devised a Secret Service. Yes, this was done only hours before he was even killed. This was done way back in April 14, 1865. It was during this time when Lincoln took charge in signing the legislation to create the US Secret Service. During that very evening, Ford’s Theater was then given a shot. It is true that this Secret Service was only established earlier. However, it might have saved the life of Lincoln. This was assumed because the original mission of such law enforcement agency is for the currency counterfeiting to be combatted. There was a widespread reality of this and so that was the intention. However, it was only in the year 1901 when it was put into realization. Quite late for two other presidents were already killed. This served as a sign for the group to be commanded in protecting their commander-in-chief instead.

After Lincoln was killed, there was a desire by robbers to steal his corpse. Do not get this wrong. He was protected by the Secret Service with all their might. However, there was a gang in Chicago that tried to snatch the body of Lincoln from his very tomb. This was a bit easy for them because it was only sealed and protected using a single padlock. This was to be undertaken in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, that in Springfield, Illinois. They devised their scheme of course. They planned to have the corpse and ask for a ransom amounting to $200,000. This was a way for them to release the counterfeiter of the gang from that of the prison. There were agents though that support the disruption of the operation. This was changed. Lincoln was then encased to a cage made of steel and was entombed even under 10 feet composed of concrete.

TCM Herbal Treatment for Cold and Flu: Medicinal Herbs Induce Sweating to Relieve Chills and Fever

In traditional Chinese medicine, the common cold and flu are believed to be caused by an external pathogen that enters the body through the skin. This can happen if the body’s defenses are run down, leaving it vulnerable to invasion.

Sweating, or diaphoresis, is a natural therapy used for acute diseases such as cold or flu. Treatment with diaphoretic herbs stimulates sweating to drive the pathogen out, eliminating the cold or flu while it is still in the early stages. This process is known in TCM as “releasing the exterior.” The two categories of diaphoretic herbs are warming and cooling diaphoretics; both have a spicy or pungent flavor and contain volatile oils.

Treating Wind-Cold Symptoms of Cold and Flu with Warming Diaphoretic Herbs

At the earliest signs of a cold or flu, the invading pathogen is still located near the surface. This stage of illness is known in TCM as External Wind-Cold. Symptoms include:

  • mild or no fever
  • strong chills
  • aversion to wind and cold
  • body aches and stiff neck
  • no thirst
  • no sweating
  • runny nose with watery clear or white mucus

External Wind-Cold is treated with warming, stimulating diaphoretic herbs that induce sweating by increasing the circulation of the capillaries of the skin. Here is a list of some Chinese and

Western warming diaphoretic herbs:

  • Angelica (Angelica archangelica) Du Huo
  • Cinnamon Twig (Ramulus cinnamomum cassiae) Gui Zhi
  • Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Hu Sui
  • Ginger root (Zingiberis officinalis) Sheng Jiang
  • Ledebouriella (Radix ledebouriellae divaricatae) Fang Feng
  • Sage (Salvia officinalis)
  • Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Treating Wind-Heat Symptoms of Cold and Flu with Cooling Diaphoretic Herbs

If the cold or flu has progressed past the initial stages, the condition is then known as External Wind-Heat, and cooling, relaxing diaphoretic herbs are indicated. Symptoms of External Wind-Heat include:

  • fever
  • mild or no chills
  • aversion to heat
  • thirst and desire for cold drinks
  • body aches and headache
  • sore throat
  • some sweating
  • nasal congestion with thick yellow mucus

External Wind-Heat is treated with cooling diaphoretic herbs that act by relaxing the surface and opening the pores, enhancing the body’s natural sweating response. Here is a list of some Chinese and western cooling diaphoretic herbs:

  • Burdock (Arctium lappa) Niu Bang Zi
  • Chrysanthemum flower (Chrysanthemum moriflorium) Ju Hua
  • Elder flower (Sambucus nigra) Shu Chin Shu
  • Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
  • Mulberry leaf (Morus alba) Sang Ye
  • Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
  • Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

How to Treat Cold and Flu with Natural Sweating Therapy

Whether using warming or cooling diaphoretic herbs, the following steps are used for sweating therapy:

  1. Drink a cup of hot infusion (tea) made with the appropriate herbs.
  2. Go to bed and wrap warmly with blankets.
  3. Allow to sweat for 10 to 20 minutes. (Sweating for extended periods can cause exhaustion.)
  4. Sponge off with lukewarm water.
  5. Change to dry pajamas, change sheets if necessary, and cover to stay warm.
  6. Eat some nourishing soup, such as chicken broth or miso, or rice porridge.
  7. Drink room temperature water.

Contraindications: Burdock should be avoided with symptoms of diarrhea; Cinnamon twig should be avoided by women who are pregnant.