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.

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/