Essential Oils Kit Part V

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.

HELICHRYSUM ( Helichrysum italicum ) - Italian Everlasting, Immortelle Certified Organic, Steam Distilled Blossoms, Corsica.

Its highly regenerative nature is both warm and fragrant with a slight honey-like fragrance.

Keywords: DEEP HEALING & POWERFUL REGENERATION Helichrysum is highly regenerative and one of the strongest of all the anti-inflammatory essential oils known. A sacred and gentle healing oil use Helichrysum for tissue repair and healing.

Due to its gentle nature Helichrysum may be applied neat, without the use of a carrier oil, on injured or badly bruised tissue after an accident or injury and on areas of inflammation, pain and swelling.

Note: As with any aromatic oil applied neat if you should experience a skin reaction please dilute with a vegetable-based carrier oil such as Jojoba.

Helichrysum affects all levels of your being - body, mind, and spirit and emotions.

Its capacity for healing damaged tissues comes from its ability to actively remove cellular debris from areas of bruising and injury which are then reabsorbed into your blood, resulting in removal of discoloration and less pressure on nerves with subsequent pain relief.

Through enhancing circulation of your blood, lymph and nerve supply Helichrysum acts to aid mending of broken bones and support healthy skin and tissue.

Use it to fade old scars and adhesions and heal skin tissue.

I've had consistently good results blending Helichrysum with Vetiver to relieve heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat and panic attacks!

I've heard reports that Helichrysum may help reduce the risk of stroke.

Use Helichrysum to enhance any blend for chronic pain relief, including Fibromyalgia, arthritis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Helichrysum is a very supportive and comforting oil and enhances spiritual and personal growth. Try it in a meditation blend!

Helichrysum may be beneficial for resolving old emotional scars that retain active memory loops buried deeply within the subconscious mind, as well as resolve addictions and release coping strategies that no longer serve you!

Try a synergistic blend of Helichrysum with any of the following aromatic oils: Atlas Cedarwood, Himalayan Cedarwood, German Chamomile, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Myrrh, Neroli, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Frankincense, Rose Sandalwood, Spikenard and Vetiver

Please join me for Part VI in this series of articles to learn about the next essential oil I recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit, LAVENDER ( Lavendula augustifolia ).

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 order Deluxe 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

Acne And Diet: You Are What You Eat

When it comes to things that directly impact the quality of your skin and the absence of skin blemishes, acne and diet go hand in hand.

Although there are many myths involving eating certain foods that cause break outs or make already existing acne problems worse, studies have failed to prove than any one food (including favorites like chocolate or deep fried foods) have the potential to spur on pimples, blackheads, or blemishes.

That being said, ensuring you consume a proper diet that includes all necessary vitamins and nutrients recommended for individuals on a daily basis, your skin will definitely see a benefit, as will your overall health.

Just like your health, acne and diet are directly related and can have the potential to turn your unhealthy, blemished skin into glowing, radiant skin.

To ensure your skin stays looking its best, start with your daily nutrition.

What do you eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between your usual meals?

The best way to determine if you are indeed eating a healthy diet is to write down your food intake.

Once your food choices are in writing, you may be able to see the direct impact of acne and diet.

If necessary, you may need to change you diet to include better choices like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.

A well balanced diet is important for not only your external health, but also internal health.

Furthermore, a simple change of diet can greatly enrich your life, including a gain in energy and a better clarity of the mind.

If you are having problems eating a healthy diet, consider seeing help from a doctor or a nutritionist.

These professionals will be able to ensure you are consuming the daily recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals to keep your body working in top condition.

Once you begin your new diet, you will notice immediate changes in your outward appearance and energy levels, including the quality of your skin.

Proper nutrition is the key to maintaining pristine, lovely, and glowing skin that is free from blemishes, pimples, or blackheads.

'Discover the Remedies and Treatment regarding Acne and Skin Care' at Acne Treatments That Will Work

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.

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.

City Life Really Can be Healthy and Stress Free!

10 healthy tips for living and working in a city environment
Anyone who works in London or any other bustling city knows how difficult it can be to balance a healthy lifestyle with the demands of city life. Here are 10 simple tips that are quick and affordable to help make your life healthier and more relaxed:

1.Gentle waking: waking up in the morning can be the most important part of your day. Before you get out of bed, take a couple of minutes to go over your day to come and visualize it as happy and stress free. As you do this slowly stretch your arms and legs to softly awaken the body. Gently rub your ears to stimulate the acupuncture points in that area and take a few deep, cleansing breaths to prepare yourself for your day. And don?t forget to smile! Smiling releases ?feel good? hormones and helps you start your day right.

2.Cleansing: Start your day with a large glass of warm water and the juice of half a lemon. This will gently detoxify your body and stimulate a healthy bowel movement before you leave your home.

3.Breakfast energy boost: The old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day is indeed true! Skipping breakfast can lead to poor digestion, metabolism imbalance and weight gain. A healthy breakfast of organic porridge or muesli with natural yogurt, fruit and mixed seeds and nuts is an ideal combination to keep you going throughout the morning.

4.Commuting bliss: Most Londoners commute to work either by tube or bus. This is precious time and shouldn?t be wasted! Why not use your commute to practice a daily meditation or breathing exercise that will help prepare you for your day, keep you calm, and reduce your blood pressure.

5.Keep moving: If you don?t have much time to exercise before or after work, try to include it during your day. Walk or use a bicycle whenever possible, use the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator and periodically get up and walk around for a couple of minutes while at work. Make sure you get plenty of exercise and fresh air on the weekends if your weekdays don?t allow for much.

6.Keep yourself watered: Water is vital for health and proper brain function! Try keeping a large bottle of water with you at your desk so that you can keep track of how much you are drinking. Aim for at least 8 glasses a day, more in the summer and if you are exercising often.

7.Pick me ups: Instead of reaching for that cup of coffee mid afternoon, why not try a more natural alternative such as green or white tea that has the added benefits of anti-ageing antioxidants. If you have been under stress or fatigued for an extended period of time, your adrenal glands are likely to be weak and you may benefit from licorice tea or ginseng root for an energy boost (take caution with licorice tea if you are prone to hypertension). If you?re finding it difficult to concentrate, you could try Gingko tea.

8.Healthy snacking: Reaching for that packet of crisps or chocolate bar may taste good in the moment but it will play havoc with your energy levels. If you need a snack try fresh fruit, organic cereal bars or mixed organic nuts and seeds with dried fruit. Remember that for healthy digestion, you must eat slowly and avoid reading or working on a computer as you eat.

9.Getting home: It?s important to have a separation from work and home life. Make sure that you have some quality time in the evening to relax, soak in the tub, spend time with family or friends and enjoy a wholesome and nutritious supper.

10.Bedtime: If you find it difficult to unwind in the evening why not try a natural soothing tea of chamomile, passionflower and hibiscus. This tea can be drunk in the evening or at bedtime to soothe the nerves and quiet the mind. If possible, avoid alcohol during the week, as it will make you sluggish and tired in the morning and less focused at work.

Dr Auromira Parks BA (Hons), ND, MRN, BTAA Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Bowen Therapist
Supervisor in Naturopathy, University of Westminster, London, England.
http://www.auromira.co.uk

Member of http://www.WomenWorking4Women.co.uk

Want To Feel Good Or Don't You?

Diet is very important when you are experiencing an oily skin condition. If you eat a lot of refined carbohydrates and sugar they will create more insulin that produce more hormones, which will create more sebum (oil), and in turn, will create more bacteria and more acne. You have probably heard refined sugar, especially excess sugar, is not good for you. Remember the barometer, (more about the ?Skin Barometer? in my book) if you have too much of it, it will tell you that you are doing bad things to yourself. The average person eats over 150 pounds of sugar a year. Refined Carbohydrates you want to avoid come in many forms.

When you eat refined carbohydrates they get digested and your body turns them into sugar. You do not need to add a lot of refined sugar to your diet, your body will produce what it needs naturally.

Eat foods that have the nutrients your body wants, have your body love you, not hate you. If your body hates you, you will definitely know by the way you feel after you eat something!

You need a healthy balance from the inside out to have amazing skin. What you want to do is nourish your skin, by eating well and choosing quality foods. By doing this, you could quite possibly take years off of your looks and add years to your life. I want to share with you why it is so important to choose the proper foods to nourish the skin. By eating the proper foods, it will increase your chances of succeeding. The choice is really up to you.

I discuss the importance of safe, pure and natural skin care products. I will teach you what to look for and how to read the labels of your skin care products. I also recommend an eating well diet to have healthy skin from the inside out. After reading my book you will be well on your way to beautiful skin and a natural state of well being.