วันเสาร์ที่ 22 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Keep your Feet Happy A Natural way to Natural Health

Summer is here and it is time to showcase those toes in a strappy sandal or sassy slide. Are your feet ready or are they in dire need of a little TLC and a major overhaul before they are shown to the world? Here are a few quick tips for keeping your tootsies healthy and beautiful:

Wear Comfortable Shoes: Allow your feet to breathe. Choose footwear that has a broad toe box, make sure the inside top of the shoe is well cushioned and has a soft bottom. Be mindful about the fitting of the shoe, it should not be tight nor loose fitted.

Care for Your Nails: Clipped, buffed toenails make your feet look and feel healthier. Apply a coat of clear or natural toned polish for an even higher gloss or, if you?re feeling festive, go for a color.

Clean Feet, Clean Shoes: Do you have to hold your nose when you remove your shoes? Closed shoes and sweat are a breeding ground for odorous bacteria. Give yourself a fresh start by making sure your feet are clean and tidy before putting on your favorite shoes.

Sit Up Straight!: Yes, your mother always told you to do this for your posture, but did you know that it also helps your feet? Stooping puts extra weight on the fore foot area, that causes corns.

Try Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is naturally good for skin and nails. Apply just a few drops of coconut oil on your feet and nails before going to bed. You can do so daily or twice a week.

Turmeric: And you thought it would just make your Indian dishes more tasty. Take a little of your coconut oil from above and mix it with tumeric powder to create a wrap. Apply to your feet once a week and wear for 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Foot Workout: Keep your feet in great shape by exercising and stretching them regularly. As we all know, walking is one of the best exercises around. However, if your schedule doesn?t permit, just take a little time to stretch them under your desk while you go about your day.

Steve Arun is an Internet Marketing Consultant for Modernsage Inc the nationally-acclaimed women?s healthy living print magazine based in Long Island, New York, is now a women?s online community. Stop by ModernSage Online Blog today for insightful articles, expert advice and an active community that cares about natural health, alternative medicine, home remedies, living well, quick healthy meals, inspiration, work and family, working from home and the essential daily dose of humor.

Holistic Approach to Health

Holistic or Holism is an approach that emphasizes the whole being, the entire structure, but looks at how each part affects the whole. It deals with life situations with the whole being in mind, while treating the individual parts that are affected and not treating just symptoms. Your problem is not like a car that gets a flat tire and you replace the tire. It is more like a shopping cart that has a bad wheel, which affects and vibrates the entire cart.

Holistic medicine attempts to treat all the systems of the being: the mind, the body, the emotions, and the spirit. The holistic approach brings balance and harmony to the entire structure by paying attention to the specific parts and systems of the body. The symptoms are analyzed to identify the existing problem/s that are affecting the parts and then treated with the whole-being in mind rather than treating only the parts that exhibit the symptoms. The Holistic Approach deals with all of the life force energy available, which includes the physical and the energetic aspects.

The human body as a whole is made up of many parts, each of which is dependent upon the other for a balanced functioning of the system as a whole. Each system is interdependent upon the other. It?s called looking at the bigger picture. Something we do that affects the whole is that we absorb, digest, and inhale toxins every day. These toxins develop free radicals (oxidation, which is rust in the body). Unless we offset the free radicals with anti-oxidants, our bodies will rust from the inside out. As we mature, our body continually changes; remove one critical molecule, or let one cancer cell become a rogue, and the entire structure changes.

From a Holistic stand-point the balance that everyone is looking for comes from: A good diet, plenty of rest, re-learning how to breath effectively, drinking good water every day, learning how to handle stress, having a good exercise program and learning how to turn your life over to a Higher Power.

Michael McCright is a Holistic Health Practitioner, educator, coach, and motivational speaker. His website: http://www.bodymindconnection.com covers a variety of health concerns. Michael is co-producer of an informative and educational DVD: ?TMJ Relief?. For information and holistic solutions regarding TMJ disorder, go to: http://www.holisticspecifics.com. ? 2005 Michael McCright ? Reprints allowed as long as copy is complete with last paragraph and copyright information.

วันศุกร์ที่ 21 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Essential Oils Kit Part II

Whether you use aromatherapy as a stand alone or as a complementary first aid treatment there are several aromatic oils I'd like to recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit. My recommendations include important details for you to consider when purchasing an oil, such as its Latin Name, Country of Origin, Method of Extraction and Part of the Plant Used. I also list the best oils to consider when creating a synergistic blend.

GERMAN CHAMOMILE (Matricaria recutita) - Certified Organic, Steam Distilled Flowers, both England and the USA grow and distill lovely oils.

German Chamomile is a lovely shade of deep blue - like Blue Tansy it can stain, so take care. Its aroma is deeply melodic and sweet. It reminds me of fresh mown hay!

Keywords: CALMING & ANTI-INFLAMMATORY As an Anti-inflammatory German Chamomile is my first choice when treating inflamed, irritated skin!

It acts as a sedative or pain reliever, for angry situations and feverish conditions including, burns, cuts, inflamed joints, migraine headache, teething pain, toothache, injuries, sprains, and swelling, as well as various aches and pains, arthritis, colic, cramps and stress related complaints.

A very relaxing and peaceful oil, German Chamomile quiets the mind and body by calming emotional feeling states. German Chamomile summons sleep and is excellent for insomnia.

Use it to relieve tension or stress-related headaches and intestinal spasms. A revitalizing and comforting tonic German Chamomile stimulates the production of red blood cells and is known to relieve aches and pains.

Good results have been reported for relieving distinctly feminine complaints like irregular menses, premenstrual tension, or menopausal upsets, as well as cystitis, rheumatic type pain and loss of appetite.

A highly respected oil for over 3,000 years, German Chamomile has a long history of helping skin conditions, such as dermatitis, boils, acne, rashes, eczema and psoriasis.

It regulates the skin's natural sebum production and is outstanding for balancing dry, itchy or flaky skin conditions, as well as treating too oily or dry skin and sensitive skin types.

German Chamomile is effective when used in a carrier oil for direct application to your skin. Use it in a blend for soothing inflamed skin such as acne or barber's rash. Because of its benign nature Chamomile may be used as a remedy for diaper rash.

Try a synergistic blend of German Chamomile with any of the following aromatic oils: Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Neroli, Petitgrain, Sandalwood, or Vetiver.

Please join me for part III in this series of articles to learn about the next essential oil I recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit, Eucalyptus globulus.

Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed.

Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary and alternative health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Please consult with your physician regarding your health concerns.

KG has utilized essential oils in her energy medicine practice for more than 30 years. During that time she has facilitated healing for thousands of people suffering from personal trauma, illness and injury. Through her unique AromaTest? system KG formulates essential oil blends that heal.

Please note: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use organic, or ethically wild crafted oils whenever possible.

KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, OR USA PurePlant Essentials is her line of pure organic and ethically wild crafted essential oils. KG formulates aromatic oils for: colds and flu, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, menopause, anti-aging, skin care and more. KG's DVD & book about her AromaTest system, Your Aromatic Signature ~ How to Formulate Blends that Heal, are scheduled for release in 2006. Click to see PurePlant Essentials Menu & Essential Oils Kits: Order Pure Organic & Wild Crafted Essential Oils Kit Click to see and order Complete Essential Oils Kit. KG invites you to Subscribe to Health Mastery Ezine to WIN FREE Aromatherapy Products. To learn more visit: Subscribe To Win Contact: KG Stiles at Springhill Wellness Center, 2520 Springhill Drive Ashland, OR USA (541) 941-7315

Herbal Therapy for Acne Treatment

Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin from the scarring associated with severe acne, many dermatologists recommend that controlling problematic acne through diet, regular cleansing procedures, and herbal remedies, is the most effective way to combat the tendencies of skin that is prone to acne and acne-related scarring.

Treatments that accentuate the regulation of daily habits having to do with diet, physical exercise, mood control, and other activities, are known as holistic treatments. Holistic treatments often include herbal therapies.

Herbalists recommend the following herbal remedies for acne and scarring:

?Black currant seed oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.

?Evening primrose oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.

?Teas made from a combination of echinacea, tea tree oil, goldenseal, nettles, or calendula.

?Teas made from lavender or chamomile, to help reduce acne-causing stress.

?Chinese herbs such as cnidium seed and honeysuckle flower.

?Teas made from cumin, coriander, and fennel, steeped for 10 minutes in hot water and consumed three times a day after meals.

Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend using diet as a way to combat acne and acne-related scarring. These practitioners believe that diets high in beta-carotene help to reduce the factors that contribute to severe acne. Orange and yellow foods such as carrots, pumpkin, and cantaloupe are loaded with beta-carotene and should be a regular part of the diet of anyone suffering from acne and scarring.

Another dietary recommendation for acne-sufferers is to consume many bland foods such as oatmeal, rice, brown grains, and applesauce. These foods should be eaten instead of spicy foods and fried foods, which are believed by some practitioners to stimulate the hormones and glands that aggravate acne conditions.

A daily practice of yoga is commonly recommended as a way to increase the flow of blood to the face. This helps to flush acne-causing toxins and to provide your facial skin with natural nutrients that help to decrease the formation of acne and to heal scar tissue.

People who suffer from acne should also take care to perform some simple daily rituals that can help to reduce the occurrence of acne and scarring.

Dermatologists and alternative medicine practitioners suggest that acne-sufferers should wash the area twice daily with mild soap. Washing should be gentle. Scrubbing or grating the skin will only aggravate the condition and lead to scarring.

Hair should be washed thoroughly and regularly and should be kept away from the face and shoulders.

Acne sufferers should also avoid shaving as much as possible. When shaving, take care not to run the blade over blemishes. Always use a new blade so as not to spread infection.

Avoid wearing make-up and facial cosmetics. If you must, take care to use make-up that is hypoallergenic.

In order to prevent scarring, do not pop or squeeze pimples. Popping and squeezing pimples is tempting, but can easily cause infection and the development of unwanted scar tissue.

While many of these holistic therapies can be easily performed at home, it is a good idea to speak with your dermatologist or alternative medicine practitioner about the best holistic measures to take as a way to help with acne and acne-related scarring.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

A Healthy Way to be Sick

A person who deals with a physical condition that is beyond their control has to accept an inner depth, which is uncommon in society. If all we do is try to fit into society, we ignore the unique opportunity our illness offers. Our illness forces us beyond the socially accepted depth and allows us an inner exploration most people ignore.

I am partially blind, so it is hard for me to see my outer world. This forces me to look within and explore parts of myself that are not a normal part of society. I am legally blind looking outside of myself, but most people are legally blind looking within. If I had to choose which was worst, inner blindness would be my choice. I believe it is the cause of most of our suffering.

I have had multiple sclerosis since 1981 and I have tried every possible cure that came my way. I am on a weekly shot medication today, but I have tried several diets. I do acupuncture and massage treatments regularly and I have done several alternative treatments including Bee venom and purification methods. I benefited from these treatments; but I am still legally blind with several other symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Looking Within

Over the decades of making serious efforts to heal myself using everything that held promise, I learned a beautiful lesson. No matter who you are or what condition you are in, the silence beyond our thinking mind is an amazing resource for fulfillment. Becoming aware of that resource is what I call a healthy way to be sick.

That silence is free from disturbing thoughts and fears, giving you a shelter where you are free from your illness and the struggle you are in. It is at that depth the Wisdom of your Body responds to your medication without the distractions from your thinking mind. Even when you are dealing with a chronic illness, like multiple sclerosis, there is an inner peace at that depth. In my condition, if I was to limit my focus to my superficial thinking mind, I would easily become depressed. I am forced to go deeper.

Once I was asked how do we create the ideal state of mind? My answer was: Take away everything that isn't the Ideal State of Mind. When imperfection is removed, we have what existed before we were messed up. In other words, deep within all of us is a wisdom that may not be perfect, but is free to change and evolve. The real task we all face is to learn how can we return to that ideal state of mind.

When we rely on the wisdom of the body, we learn to accept the beauty of life. Our illness or disability may limit us as we adapt to society, but that same situation has the power to force us into a wonderful self-acceptance and that is what I think is a healthy way to be sick. From that state of mind you create an inner healing environment, where you become an active partner with your doctor.

Use your thinking mind to uplift your spirits and work with your doctor and medical team. Your thoughts were not created to depress you or limit you in any way. Thinking, like the clothes you wear can be put on or taken off. Dress up to meet the incredible challenge where you consciously participate in healing. Don't go shabby to an event that is so significant.

Copyright ? 2005 Marc A. Lerner

Marc Lerner is the President of Life Skills Inc. and the author of The Life Skills Approach. He lectures frequently to patients in a health crisis and those undergoing emotional trauma, to help them harness inner resources to overcome these obstacles. For more information and a free e-book, please visit http://www.lifeskillsinc.com

5 Natural Remedies For 5 Common Ailments You Can Find In Your Kitchen

Below are just a few of the natural remedies I have tried on my husband, three sons, friends, family and myself. They really work! Open your mind to trying the herbs and spices that God has given us in their natural form. These healing remedies cannot hurt you because they are not processed into chemicals but are natural and absolutely safe to use.

EAR INFECTION:

Next time your child has an earache blend up three tablespoons olive oil with one clove of garlic in your blender until smooth. Have your child lie down with the hurt ear face up. With a cue tip or a bulb syringe put two or three drops into the ear, letting it drip down into the canal. Have a wet washcloth handy incase any of it drips down onto your child?s neck.

Make sure your child stays lying down while the oil and garlic mixture drains down into the ear canal completely, about a half hour or so. After about five or ten minutes your child will tell you that it tickles inside their ear that means it is working. Do this remedy three times a day or when your child complains of pain. The oil cleans out the earwax and the garlic heals the infection.

No more earache, no more doctors! You can now cure the common earache your self! Amazing, isn?t it?

TOOTHACHE:

Have a toothache? This solution is only temporary to ease the excruciating pain of a toothache. I know how painful a toothache can be and I ran across this old kitchen remedy years ago when it was too late to rush to the dentist.

Blend up about two tablespoons whole cloves in the blender until blended into powder form. Mix this with 1-tablespoon olive oil to make a paste. With your finger, dab directly on the infective tooth and gum area, wait 5 minutes. You will be so relieved you tried this natural remedy. Absolutely unbelievable that it really works! The properties in the clove actually numb your gums!

STOMACH VIRUS:

This remedy only works if you do it BEFORE you start to feel sick. If there is a stomach virus going around the school or in your home and you?re thinking that you might be next to get this awful virus, eat a bunch of raw garlic. Yeah, that?s right. Most people think I?m crazy when I tell them to do this but I know it works. I do it myself every time I know there is a stomach virus going around.

Eat two good sized or three small cloves of garlic every four hours and you will not get the stomach virus. Do this as long as someone is sick around you. This will only work by eating the real garlic. Taking the pill form will not work! You might smell like garlic for while but this all natural and safe remedy will also ward off any vampires coming to your home. Your spouse might not kiss you for the day either. But it sure beats getting terribly ill to your stomach for 24 or 48 hours! Garlic to your health!

ACID REFLUX:

This method is an absolute miracle cure! You will love its properties. Do you have acid in your stomach after eating? Throw away the Tums and Rolaids because they just make your acid worse in the long run. Try this. Mix 1-tablespoon powdered ginger with warm water in an 8 ounce coffee cup. Sip it down slowly. You will see that this remedy works instantly.

I call this the ginger tea remedy for acid reflux. Ginger is a safe and natural spice that can?t harm your system like those other antacids can. You will be astonished that this really works! You can also buy the whole ginger root and blend the root into a powder to get the same results. You will be flabbergasted that ginger can get rid of your acid. It?s safe, cheap and miraculous!

CONSTIPATION:

Senna Leaf Herbal Tea is so much better for you than those other over the counter medications. Senna leaf is an all-natural herb and it taste good too. I was absolutely amazed when this worked so well. Brew it like any other tea by steeping in hot water for 5 minutes. You can add honey or lemon to the tea if you like.

There are several different brands you can buy that have Senna Leaf Herb in it. I have always used ?Smooth Move? available from Wal-Mart or even your local grocery store. No matter what brand you decide to use, read the ingredients and make sure that Senna Leaf is the active ingredient. You will be relieved that you decided to try a more natural approach. You'll love this tea.

To your health!

Angie Lewis offers spiritual enlightenment tips for couples in marriage, and is the author of new release book JOURNEY ON THE ROADS LESS TRAVELED. This unique book is about love, life, marriage, addiction, temptation, and understanding the power of spiritual awareness for your marriage.

In her book, Angie reveals her own journey of overcoming addiction and battling with her negative emotions that she allowed to embrace her life and marriage.

To find out more about this new book click here, http://www.spiritual.journeybooks.4t.com/ ISBN 1413788904 Avaliable Amazon online!

Angie Lewis counsels couples and writes a monthly newsletter where she reveals her secrets on how YOU can stay happily married for life! Subscribe to get your FREE monthly newsletter so you can stay happily and forever married! http://www.heavenministries.com/

5 Natural Remedies For 5 Common Ailments You Can Find In Your Kitchen

Below are just a few of the natural remedies I have tried on my husband, three sons, friends, family and myself. They really work! Open your mind to trying the herbs and spices that God has given us in their natural form. These healing remedies cannot hurt you because they are not processed into chemicals but are natural and absolutely safe to use.

EAR INFECTION:

Next time your child has an earache blend up three tablespoons olive oil with one clove of garlic in your blender until smooth. Have your child lie down with the hurt ear face up. With a cue tip or a bulb syringe put two or three drops into the ear, letting it drip down into the canal. Have a wet washcloth handy incase any of it drips down onto your child?s neck.

Make sure your child stays lying down while the oil and garlic mixture drains down into the ear canal completely, about a half hour or so. After about five or ten minutes your child will tell you that it tickles inside their ear that means it is working. Do this remedy three times a day or when your child complains of pain. The oil cleans out the earwax and the garlic heals the infection.

No more earache, no more doctors! You can now cure the common earache your self! Amazing, isn?t it?

TOOTHACHE:

Have a toothache? This solution is only temporary to ease the excruciating pain of a toothache. I know how painful a toothache can be and I ran across this old kitchen remedy years ago when it was too late to rush to the dentist.

Blend up about two tablespoons whole cloves in the blender until blended into powder form. Mix this with 1-tablespoon olive oil to make a paste. With your finger, dab directly on the infective tooth and gum area, wait 5 minutes. You will be so relieved you tried this natural remedy. Absolutely unbelievable that it really works! The properties in the clove actually numb your gums!

STOMACH VIRUS:

This remedy only works if you do it BEFORE you start to feel sick. If there is a stomach virus going around the school or in your home and you?re thinking that you might be next to get this awful virus, eat a bunch of raw garlic. Yeah, that?s right. Most people think I?m crazy when I tell them to do this but I know it works. I do it myself every time I know there is a stomach virus going around.

Eat two good sized or three small cloves of garlic every four hours and you will not get the stomach virus. Do this as long as someone is sick around you. This will only work by eating the real garlic. Taking the pill form will not work! You might smell like garlic for while but this all natural and safe remedy will also ward off any vampires coming to your home. Your spouse might not kiss you for the day either. But it sure beats getting terribly ill to your stomach for 24 or 48 hours! Garlic to your health!

ACID REFLUX:

This method is an absolute miracle cure! You will love its properties. Do you have acid in your stomach after eating? Throw away the Tums and Rolaids because they just make your acid worse in the long run. Try this. Mix 1-tablespoon powdered ginger with warm water in an 8 ounce coffee cup. Sip it down slowly. You will see that this remedy works instantly.

I call this the ginger tea remedy for acid reflux. Ginger is a safe and natural spice that can?t harm your system like those other antacids can. You will be astonished that this really works! You can also buy the whole ginger root and blend the root into a powder to get the same results. You will be flabbergasted that ginger can get rid of your acid. It?s safe, cheap and miraculous!

CONSTIPATION:

Senna Leaf Herbal Tea is so much better for you than those other over the counter medications. Senna leaf is an all-natural herb and it taste good too. I was absolutely amazed when this worked so well. Brew it like any other tea by steeping in hot water for 5 minutes. You can add honey or lemon to the tea if you like.

There are several different brands you can buy that have Senna Leaf Herb in it. I have always used ?Smooth Move? available from Wal-Mart or even your local grocery store. No matter what brand you decide to use, read the ingredients and make sure that Senna Leaf is the active ingredient. You will be relieved that you decided to try a more natural approach. You'll love this tea.

To your health!

Angie Lewis offers spiritual enlightenment tips for couples in marriage, and is the author of new release book JOURNEY ON THE ROADS LESS TRAVELED. This unique book is about love, life, marriage, addiction, temptation, and understanding the power of spiritual awareness for your marriage.

In her book, Angie reveals her own journey of overcoming addiction and battling with her negative emotions that she allowed to embrace her life and marriage.

To find out more about this new book click here, http://www.spiritual.journeybooks.4t.com/ ISBN 1413788904 Avaliable Amazon online!

Angie Lewis counsels couples and writes a monthly newsletter where she reveals her secrets on how YOU can stay happily married for life! Subscribe to get your FREE monthly newsletter so you can stay happily and forever married! http://www.heavenministries.com/

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 20 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Using All Natural Cure For Acne Treatments

The skin condition known as acne affects individuals of all ages and can be both physically and emotionally painful.

For individuals with sensitive skin or who do not want to use pharmaceuticals to treat their condition, consider using a natural cure for acne instead.

These great alternatives to harsh creams, lotions, or facial washes are a great way to clear up and protect your skin in addition to helping your budget.

Prescription medications can put quite a dent into your budget, so use a natural cure for acne to save some cash while healing your skin in the mean time.

Look to your kitchen cupboard for great treatments or visit your local whole health store for unique treatments that can clear up your skin in a flash!

A great alternative way to clear up your unsightly skin blemishes is to work to prevent the blemishes instead of clearing them up after the fact.

Use a natural cure for acne to prevent the condition and develop fantastic skin.

Consider using regular facials using fresh and fabulous products to maintain your skin?s health.

For instance, consider using egg whites for a facial masque to clean out your pores and cleanse your skin.

If your pores are clean and free from debris, you will tackle acne from the source and enjoy glowing, healthy skin.

Also, use a mixture of oatmeal to use as an exfoliating method to rid your skin of dead cells.

Another way to clear up embarrassing blemishes is to change your lifestyle habits.

Be sure to drink at least eight full glasses of water each day in order to ensure your skin is well hydrated and glowing.

Also, change your diet to incorporate more healthy eating options, including fresh fruits and vegetables.

This will not only directly affect your skin, but it will also affect your entire sense of health.

Furthermore, exercising on a regular basis will work to flush any toxins out of your system so that these toxins are not sent directly to your skin and show up in blemishes.

These great alternatives are perfect for any individual who is not interested in using medications, but still want to enjoy perfect skin.

'Discover more articles and information regarding acne and skin treatments', find some Acne Alternative Treatments

SkinCare or SkinPoison?

Your skin is a living organ. It breaths, drinks and carries topically applied substances through to the rest of your body. Caring for your skin is like eating. We have become very concerned about what we eat in recent years - this is very good. But, an idea that is only beginning to bloom is that you eat through your skin too. What do you want your body to eat? This question needs to be considered when choosing your skincare and bath products.

Currently, the personal care industry has no regulation. This is very unnerving, especially when the FDA Office of Cosmetics and Colors states that ?a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from the FDA?

Manufacturers are allowed to twist their claims, by exaggerating or even outright lying. With this slack industry, it becomes nearly impossible for the consumer to know for sure what they are getting. Labels like ?organic?, ?cruelty-free? and ?hypo-allergenic? can have little to no meaning. Manufacturers can even hide behind an organic label without disclosing all of their chemical ingredients.

The Environmental Protection Agency states that 89% of 10,500 ingredients commonly used in personal care have not been adequately evaluated for safety. Among these ingredients are carcinogens, penetration enhancers, allergens and harmful impurities that can cause cancer, inhibit fetal growth, cause nerve damage, disrupt hormones and cause other severe reactions.

So what?s a pampering bath loving soul to do? Educate yourself, read labels, shop from companies who have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics (that?s us, close to the bottom of the list), and keep your eyes out for our next personal care article.

Ivy Mills has been researching chemical sensitivity and natural alternatives for over five years and has brought her knowledge to the marketplace in her company, Valhalla Essences. Her personal experiences have fed a passion to help others with the same problem. Ivy welcomes others to share their stories and experiences on her blog, Peaceful Power.

วันพุธที่ 19 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Why Organic?

?Beauty is a glorious gift of nature.? Homer

What you put on your skin is absorbed through your skin. To be more precise, the skin absorbs approximately 60% of any substance applied to it. Hence the success of trans-dermal skin patches prescribed by physicians to deliver medications.

Unfortunately, most of the skin care products mass produced for the market today, even those claiming to be `all natural? and/or `botanically based? products, contain harsh, toxic and even possibly carcinogenic ingredients that actually contribute to disorders of the skin and accelerate the aging process.

There is a growing concern from consumers about the ingredients in the personal care products they use daily. In a recent study by the US General Accounting Office (GAO), 125 ingredients found in cosmetics are suspected of causing cancer. Twenty ingredients have been implicated in causing birth defects. Twenty ingredients may cause adverse neurological symptoms, such as headaches and convulsions. Most of these toxic chemicals are so inexpensive that they are used in extremely high concentrations in many personal care products.

These toxic chemicals provide no benefits or nutrients to the skin. They are the inexpensive alternatives employed to achieve the ?feel? or ?slip? to the skin that occurs naturally using pure, nutritious, essential oils and vegetable oils. The chemicals used to replace the nutritious components are used in significant concentrations in most skin care products. Their only purpose is to increase the profit margins for the manufacturers. The health of the consumer is completely disregarded.

The trend for natural products is growing because the educated consumer is now demanding these for face and body care. Making the decision to use only natural products is easy. Incorporating this decision into your everyday life becomes more difficult as you try to practice it. It is nearly impossible to find completely natural and organic personal care products on the commercial market. It is offensive to see large numbers of chemically laden personal care products lining the shelves of natural health and food markets. Marketed as ?Natural?, these products contain harmful synthetic chemicals; however, few of us have the time to peruse the ingredient lists of our moisturizer, deodorant, body lotion and any of the other products we apply daily. We trust that the products sold in these ?natural health stores? are safe for the entire family, and so we believe the advertised claims on the bottles of shampoo, lotion, facial care, etc.

According to industry estimates, on any given day a consumer may use as many as 25 different cosmetics and personal care products containing more than 200 different chemical compounds. If a product claims to be organic and /or natural, its ingredients should be easily recognizable as natural components. Also, the ingredients should be listed in descending order with the most prominent factors listed first.

Nature offers all that is needed for healthy, radiant and beautiful skin.

?In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.? Aristotle

Pamela Cronan-Maddox, an ovarian cancer survivor is the visionary and president of The Alchemist?s Apprentice, http://www.alchemistsapprentice.com The online apothecary is dedicated to providing the finest 100% natural and organic skin care and body care products for the entire family. Visit The Alchemist?s Apprentice for all your personal care product needs.

Detoxification and your skin

Learn to help your body glow from the inside out. Nourish it with foods that are pure and natural. Remove harmful substances from your diet and you will notice a difference in the way you look and feel.

What is detoxification?

Detoxification is the process of removing toxins or poisons. We all know that toxins are harmful and cause damage, potentially even death if taken in certain levels. Living cells, whether in plants or in the body, are constantly in the process of bringing nutrients and fresh substrates in while eliminating by-products and waste that is not useful to the organism. Therefore, detoxification is a natural, ongoing process in our bodies.

Keeping your body healthy requires maintaining all of its systems in good working order. Minimizing the amount of toxins you take into your system is one way that we can detoxify our bodies. Benefits of detoxification may include increased energy and improved health, better breath, reduced allergies, and potentially fewer aches and pains.

Wastes leave the body in the form of gases, solids, and liquids. Carbon dioxide is the gas that we exhale. We excrete other waste from the body after it accumulates in the bladder and in the bowels.

Other organs that play a major role in detoxification include the:

- skin

- liver

- kidneys

- lungs

Blood also plays a critical role in the detoxification process. It carries dissolved gases like carbon dioxide to the lungs, and then it is traded for oxygen through respiration. Both the liver and kidneys help to detoxify the blood by removing wastes and sending them to the urine. In the form of stool, unused solids are carried away.

Benefits for your skin via detoxification

Your skin is a barrier but it is not impermeable. Just as products that you use on your skin are able to enter your body through this physical barrier, toxins are also able to leave your body through the skin. Free radicals and UV light in the environment also damage the skin which over time cause it to show signs of premature aging.

How can detoxification help your skin? By minimizing the number of chemicals in your body, you help you body to function more efficiently. Eating well is one way to maintain healthy skin with a smooth texture, elasticity, and a proper level of moisturization. Skin complexions troubled by acne and imperfections can also benefit from the inside out with detoxification methods. For example, vitamin A reduces the amount of sebum produced by the skin cells and therefore pores are less likely to become blocked.

Ways to detoxify your body

Some of the best ways to detoxify include:

- eating a balanced diet

- juicing organic fruits and vegetables

- exercising regularly

- exfoliation

- using organic products for personal hygiene

Before trying any detox method always be sure to check with your doctor. People with serious medical conditions should also consult a doctor as these methods are not recommended. Pregnant women should not try these methods.

Eating a balanced diet

Nutrients in foods contain many elements that can help your body and especially your skin to remain in good condition. When your body is ?happy? and ?efficient?, through detoxification, it will show on the outside.

Your skin needs:

- essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) found in oily fish and flax seeds

- antioxidants vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene to retaliate against the damaging effects of UV light and free-radicals

- minerals zinc and selenium to build tissues and heal wounds. Find these minerals in foods like seafood, nuts, grains, and vegetables

- vitamin B6 to balance hormone levels, particularly for women that have pre-menstrual break-outs

- vitamin A to help reduce sebum levels on the skin

- potassium to help maintain elasticity, water to maintain hydration and flush toxins from the body

- water to maintain hydration and flush toxins from the body

Juicing organic fruits and vegetables

Have you ever tried freshly squeezed juice? It is delicious and nutritious. You get a truckload of vitamins, enzymes, and minerals. The enzymes contained in vegetables and fruits help to digest your food so try drinking these natural cocktails with meals.

One important thing to remember is that you should always start with organic fruits or vegetables. Because most fruits and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides, using non-organic products means that you will be ingesting harmful pesticides too. Keep these toxic chemicals away from your cells in order to maintain their proper functioning.

Exercising regularly

Oxygen is vital to life. Incorporating exercise into your lifestyle brings this element into your body and skin. Studies at the University of Wisconsin have shown that oxygen reduces the effects of free radical damage and premature aging.

Sweating encourages the release of toxins from the skin. Working up a good sweat during your exercise program will help in the detoxification process. You could also try saunas and steambaths to encourage the excretion of toxins.

If you are not currently exercising choose something that you enjoy doing. Walking is a great way to increase your heart rate and pump oxygen through your lungs. Other ideas include yoga, swimming, cycling, and running. Whatever you do, choose an activity that you will be motivated to do on a regular basis.

Exfoliation

Shedding skin cells is a continual process. Dead skin cells sit on the uppermost level of the epidermis and they make the skin look dull and less healthy. Our clothes play a big part in helping to remove cells on a daily basis. By sloughing off dead skin cells from time to time, you can stimulate the skin renewal process. Try any of the following methods once a week to naturally exfoliate your skin:

- briskly towel off after a shower

- use an organic scrub during your shower

- use a washcloth during your shower

- use a loofah (Important: keep it dry when it?s not in use to minimize bacterial count)

Using organic products for personal hygiene

Decreasing the number of synthetic chemicals entering your body through your food and personal products is yet another way to help detoxify. Modern research at the Herb Research Foundation found that the skin absorbs up to 60% of the chemicals in products that it comes into contact with directly into the bloodstream. This means that chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens, are entering your body and potentially causing unnecessary harm.

The next time you need to stock up on personal hygiene products, look for alternatives to the chemically items offered in most stores. Using organic products decreases the number of preservatives and chemical additives your skin comes into contact with and therefore, that may enter your body.

References:

- www.meriam-webster.com, accessed October 26, 2004.

- www.detox.org/skin.aspl, accessed October 26, 2004

- www.saga.co.uk/healthnews/article/D2164785-92E3-11D6-B8AC-00508BAEC55C.asp?bhcp=1, accessed Oct. 26, 2004.

- Farley, Josephine. Organic beauty: look and feel gorgeous the natural way. Dorling Kindersley, London, 2001, page 66.

- http://www.naturalcosmetics.ca

Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences.

You may use this article but any modification or publication of this article for fiancial gain must be approved of by the author. The author's name, Lori Stryker and her company's name, The Organic Make-up Company, needs to by noted when used.

Healthier Living and Organic Farming

A large part of organic agriculture involves the health of the soil and the ecosystems in which crops and livestock are raised. Foods certified as organic must be produced using growing methods that minimize soil erosion and that maintain or enhance the fertility of the soil. All the chemicals in the world can't nourish a garden as well as healthy organic compost.

Look for natural and organic alternatives to chemical fertilizers, such as the use of compost. Natural fertilizers, compost and organic materials encourage native earthworms. The soil's organic matter contributes to good soil structure, and water-holding capacity. Improve the soil with organic matter and fertilizers to develop the best soil for growing seeds and plants.

The availability of nutrients from organic fertilizers depends on their breakdown by soil organisms, which in turn depends on weather and soil conditions. Their nutrients are not available to plants until the organic matter has decomposed. In reality, you can't have a good organic garden without a good composter.

The use of disease resistance must be emphasized within an organic program. In current organic production systems, growers are not permitted to use conventional synthetic organic fungicides in their disease management program. The national organic program rules prohibit the use of conventional pesticides, petroleum, or sewage-sludge-based fertilizers, bioengineering or ionizing radiation and synthetic substances. But, there are several general things any organic gardener can do to beat those pests naturally.

Many believe that organic foods contain a higher level of nutrient minerals and much lower levels of heavy metals. As a result, the industry has understandably grown from experimental garden plots to large farms with surplus products sold under special organic labels.

Today, organic foods are available at supermarkets and farmer's markets, in restaurants and through mail-order suppliers, even here on the web.

Example - http://www.organic-items.com

Buying organic will insure that the food products you consume contain no genetically modified organisms, and are free from irradiation.

Purchasing locally grown, organically produced fruits, vegetables and meat assures you of having the very best food available for your family's table. Buying hemp, organic cotton and recycled products like home furnishings, baby clothes, and natural beauty products aid conservation of natural resources. Growing organically takes more time, requires more knowledge and skill, and, for now, costs more.

Francesca Black works in marketing at Organic Items http://www.organic-items.com and Aromatherapy Blends http://www.aromatherapy-blends.net leading portals for organic products and natural excercise.

วันอังคารที่ 18 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Healing Your Body

Are you ready to be healthy and full of vibrant energy? Would you like some ideas about how to heal your body?

During many years as a psychotherapist, I discovered fascinating insights into the emotional causes of disease and accidents. I have also developed powerful processes that have helped people heal themselves and maintain their health and safety.

For example, Sunny, a young man in his early twenties, was diabetic from the time he was twelve years old. When he came to see me he was almost daily going into diabetic shock. I have a favorite saying, ?Close your eyes and see clearly.? So I said, ?Sunny, close your eyes and imagine that you are really small and traveling inside your body to the place where you store all your tension.? It was no surprise to either one of us when Sunny ended up in front of his pancreas. He said, ?My God, what a mess. There?s a lot of junk in there.?

In the course of his counseling sessions, Sunny became aware of and overcame all the negative emotional issues that were ?stored? in his pancreas. By the eighth and final session, Sunny reported that he was feeling great and his pancreas looked very healthy. He said, ?It?s amazing, Helene, I?m taking less than one-half of the amount of insulin I needed when I first came to see you. I realize that I almost killed myself by way of diabetic shock because I couldn?t cope with all the emotional pain with my family and a broken relationship.?

Another example of the connection between the mind, the emotions, and the body is thirty-five-year-old Cindy. She had no relief from her constant vaginal yeast infections no matter how much she treated the condition with the medication from her doctor. In her counseling process, Cindy found out that her yeast infections were actually serving her by preventing her from being sexual. When confronted with the idea, Cindy admitted to herself that she was afraid to be in another sexual relationship because she always got too emotionally involved, and then felt deeply hurt if it ended. Cindy?s infection cleared up when she trusted herself to avoid another relationship until she was confident that she would not be devastated if it did not last.

Tom, a forty-three-year-old businessman, finally came into the office when his wife threatened to leave him. However, he was still resistant and insisted that he was fine, he had no problems. Meeting him on his level and at his comfort zone, I said, ?Tom, let?s be logical. You are telling me that your childhood was fine, and that you have no issues to resolve. The reality is that you are struggling with your career, having serious problems with your wife and daughters, and you have been warned about the beginnings of heart problems.?

?Let?s take the analogy of an automobile. If your car isn?t running properly do you believe that nothing is wrong or do you open up the hood and fix it? Obviously, Tom, your life is not running well, which means you have to deal with the issues in your unconscious that are causing you problems. In a sense you need to pick up your hood.?

Tom realized that I had a point. He finally loosened his tie, and was willing to regress back to his childhood. To his surprise, he uncovered an incredible amount of pain. Tom had succeeded in blocking his painful childhood; but because of his denial, he was heading for disaster. It was amazing to see this logical, machine-like person transform into a feeling human being as he expressed his fears, his deep hurts, shame, anger, and grief. As a result, Tom began to feel so good about himself that he began to watch his diet, exercise more and improve his relationships with his family. I will never forget when he happily told me about the wonderful report he had received from his doctor.

The case of Sarah is another example of how important it is to listen to your body and constructively express your feelings. Sarah, a forty-seven-year-old woman, was suffering from recurring cancer. Previously, the doctors had succeeded in removing a malignant tumor from her throat and Sarah seemed to be doing well. However, six months ago they discovered a growth in her back.

During the first counseling session, Sarah was able to express her anger, shame, and fears?something she never did. She was a people pleaser, someone who always had a smile on her face. Sarah always tried to make everyone happy, even if she hurt herself in the process. When Sarah returned the following week, she told me that she was able to cut her pain medication in half. After another session, in which she released intensive emotional pain, she was totally free of physical pain.

Needless to say, Sarah was very optimistic about her recovery. However, Sarah called me one day very upset. She was feeling pain in her throat where the first tumor was removed. I reassured her that the doctors succeeded in removing the growth, the symptom, but the emotional cause was still not resolved. In the next session, after Sarah released her issues about being afraid to speak up, about communicating how she really felt, the pain in her throat disappeared.

I have noticed that certain emotions will be blocked in specific areas of the body. For example, clients often realize that they are angry when they have upper or lower back pain, headaches, tightness in the base of the skull, or jaw pain. I often find fear blocked in the abdominal areas, sadness stuffed in the sinuses, or the sides of the back of the neck. The feeling of responsibility causes tension in the shoulders. Hurt and deep sadness often explains the tightness in the center of the chest or in the heart.

I have also found the body to be very literal. Some examples are: tension in the throat deals with the fear of speaking; problems in the eyes relate to not wanting to see something; hearing problems often correspond to the desire not to hear.

It may be hard to believe, but I have discovered that our unresolved emotions can also cause our accidents. In fact, every time a client had an injury, they were always able to uncover the reason it happened. For example, Tonya, a very attractive twenty-one-year-old, had a scar on her forehead from a serious car accident.

I said, ?Tonya, imagine that you are up in the sky and looking down at the collision. Now tell the Tonya in the car why she had that accident.? She replied, ?Tonya, you had that accident because you felt guilty about having so much more than your family members and your friends. You are prettier, smarter, and more successful, and you don?t appreciate all that you have.?

We are all very powerful beings. We have the ability to create our illness or accidents as well as our health and safety. In order to be healthy and full of vibrant energy, we need to understand that our physical bodies are expressing our thoughts and feelings. When we listen to what our bodies are telling us, when we constructively express our emotions and resolve our issues, we can take an active part in healing ourselves and experience optimum safety, health, and happiness.

(Excerpts from the booklet, e-book & tape, ?Healing Your Body?)

?1997 by Helene Rothschild, MS, MA, MFT, Marriage, Family, Therapist, author and speaker. www.helenerothschild.com

HELENE ROTHSCHILD, MS, MA, MFT, is a Marriage, Family Therapist, intuitive counselor, author, teacher, workshop facilitator, and speaker.

She offers empowering telephone, internet, and in-person healing sessions for all issues including: healing your body, relationships, career, prosperity, weight loss and parenting. Helene developed her own unique process, HART: Holistic and Rapid Transformation, which goes right to the core. She teaches HART classes and independent studies.

She is the author of Personal Success ~ an interactive online self-help program, many articles (free articles) and over 85 inspirational and self-help books, booklets, e-books, tapes, posters, and cards--close to a million have been sold worldwide.

Helene has appeared numerous times in the media (including international CNN), and hosted her own local radio and television shows.

All of her educational materials, classes and services support her mission of helping people to feel more loving, peaceful, fulfilled, healthy, happy, and empowered.

http://www.lovetopeace.com

Why Mind Over Matter Matters

Okay, so you made the decision to improve your health. You?re taking your vitamins, you?ve given up smoking and junk food, and you?ve decided to buy a juicer to take advantage of the health benefits of juicing. All good things. And, according to the latest studies, all things that may help in cancer treatment and prevention, as well as the treatment and prevention of a host of other ailments, including heart disease, asthma, allergies and high blood pressure. But, don?t overlook one important element in helping your body stay healthy.

Your mind.

That?s right, your mind. It?s called the Mind/Body connection. In a nutshell, what you believe in your mind can influence things in your body.

It?s known that anxiety can make any illness worse. Anxiety can make pain feel worse, lower defenses that allow a cold virus to take hold, and can aid in raising your blood pressure. Sometimes the simple act of relaxing can do wonders for your health. That?s all part of the mind/body connection.

You?ve heard of the ?placebo effect? haven?t you? That?s when you get better thinking you?re taking a certain medication, only to find out you were really taking a sugar pill. In almost all studies of medications, there?s a certain percentage of people who improve taking the placebo. Why? Because they thought they were taking the real thing. They expected to feel better and they did.

Now, am I saying you can conquer any illness just by thinking yourself healthy? No. And, if you have any symptoms that concern you, you should see a health-care professional. But, using the power of positive thinking, belief and relaxation techniques in conjunction with healthy eating and modern medicine can certainly help with the treatment of any disease. It can lower anxiety, which can help improve any anxiety-related illness. It can ease nausea in cancer patients, which can help with certain procedures. It can lessen the effects of pain.

One way to increase positive belief is with hypnosis or self-hypnosis. Hypnosis allows you to get to that deep state of relaxation where you bypass the critical beta mind. Once in a relaxed trance state it?s good to imagine or visualize your body as perfectly healthy, and repeat positive affirmations to yourself about your body being in perfect health.

How does one get into a trance state? One way, of course, is to see a hypnotherapist who will use techniques to hypnotize you. Another way is to hypnotize yourself using self-hypnosis. The simple version is this: Sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and begin actively imagining your body relaxing. Take several deep breathes, breathing in relaxation and exhaling any tensions. Start with your feet and imagine them as deeply relaxed. Work your way up your body, imagining that every breath you take brings the relaxation up into the rest of your body. Take your time. It?s not a race. When you?re through actively imaging your body relaxed, take yourself even deeper and imagine yourself going down an elevator, or a staircase, imagining every step down you?re getting even deeper. I use a staircase of 21 stairs and count down. You can use any number you like. When you?ve reached 0 tell yourself you?re in deep sleep, and tell yourself that every time you go down the staircase in your mind you will be deeply relaxed. At this point you imagine your body as healthy, while repeating your affirmations to yourself. Then, when you?re through, just count yourself up and out from 0 to five, telling yourself to open your eyes, and that you?re wide awake and alert.

Your self-hypnosis session needn?t be long - 5 or 10 minutes will do. But, practiced daily will certainly help in relieving tensions and anxiety that can weaken your health.

And, remember, don?t throw away the juicer or the vitamins. Juicers and vitamins and walking and eating healthy, as well as regular medical checkups, are all part of staying healthy. Remember, it?s called the mind/body connection.

Shari Hearn, is a writer and certified hypnotist in Southern California. You can visit her juicing website at http://www.myjuicer-reviews.com.