Arthritis

There are several kinds of arthritis but the most common are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout. The symptoms for each condition are slightly different but they all result in pain and progressive immobility. Another common factor is that they all signify the body’s inability to eliminate toxins efficiently. There can be many different reasons as to why a person develops arthritis and even though aromatherapy is a very effective treatment for the condition, the individual’s whole lifestyle needs to be looked at.

Simple Aromatherapeutic Treatments

Add 3 drops of Fennel, Carrot Seed and Juniper (or up to 10 drops of one of the above) to the bath along with two handfuls of Epsom Salt and one of Rock Salt. Repeat this every day for two weeks. This is an excellent detoxifying treatment for all types of arthritis.

Other oils you can add to the bath include – Chamomile or Lavender (to help any inflammation), Rosemary or Lavender (for increasing mobility), Fennel or Grapefruit (for detoxifying)

Make up a massage oil by mixing 7 to 10 drops each of Lavender, Rosemary and Marjoram with 50ml of a carrier oil. Rub this into the area very gently twice a day. This will help to ease pain and improve mobility.

Apply a cold compress using a few drops of Lavender and Chamomile. This will help ease any inflammation and pain.

Apply a hot compress using a few drops of Rosemary, Marjoram or Black Pepper. This will help to reduce stiffness.

*REMEMBER!

Following any kind of heat treatment (baths, compress or massage), keep the joint moving to avoid any congestion. Also, never massage directly over a swollen joint.

Oil Safety

Fennel – use in moderation, do not use if you suffer from epilepsy or are pregnant, do not use on children under 6
Juniper – use in moderation, do not use if you suffer from kidney disease or are pregnant, do not use on young children
Chamomile – can cause dermatitis in some people (use fewer drops if you have sensitive skin
Rosemary – do not use if you suffer from epilepsy or are pregnant
Grapefruit – slightly photo toxic, therefore, do not use before sunbathing or going on a sunbed
Black Pepper – use in very small quantities as skin irritant

AROMATIP from holistic therapies spain: Rosemary is a mental stimulant and will help to improve your memory.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants as “therapy”, a way of improving a person’s health and well being. Using essential oils in a variety of ways can have a positive effect on a person’s mood as well as helping to cure physical aches and pains, and help with ailments such as Colds and Flu.

Please take into account that Essential oils are potent substances but used carefully and with respect, they are simple and safe to use. However, if you are ever unsure about a particular oil or how to use your oils you should always consult a qualified aromatherapist.

Colds

In the winter our immune systems are weaker than normal which explains why so many of us become ill with colds, coughs etc. Using essential oils regularly will actually strengthen your immune system so you will be less prone to illness and also your recovery time will be quicker. Tea Tree, in particular, is anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti viral – a must for your first aid cabinet!

Simple Aromatherapeutic Treatments

A daily hot hot bath with 8 to 10 drops of Tea Tree or Rosemary will help to combat congestion and fights infection.

Add a few drops of Lavender, Marjoram or Bergamot to a hot bath to soothe aching limbs and encourage restful sleep. Bergamot will also help to lift your mood. (Remember to always add your oils to the bath once the bath is full, not whilst the water is running as they will then just evaporate!)

Use 6 to 8 drops of Tea Tree or Eucalyptus in a burner throughout the duration of the cold. If you do this at the first sign of the cold, it may prevent it from developing at all! As an alternative, add a few drops of the above oils on a tissue for inhalation during the day.

Oil Safety

Rosemary – do not use if you are pregnant or suffer from epilepsy
Bergamot – do not use before going out to sunbathe
Tea Tree – use with caution if you have sensitive skin

AROMATIP from reiki healing spain: To find out if your skin will react to a particular oil, mix 4 drops with 10ml of carrier oil (e.g. grape seed or sweet almond) and then apply to the inside of your wrist or your elbow crease and cover with a plaster. Leave for 12 hours then remove. If there is no redness its safe to use the oil.

Introduction To A New Topic - Natural Remedies

We hope You have enjoyed our series on Superfoods. We placed the series under 3 catagories since it related not only to staying healthy and good health, but also to dieting.

Later today, we are going to start a new series on "Natural Remedies". While, many people know that natural is best, many others are wrapped up in perscription drugs thinking that chemistry will solve their problems. We may post sometime on "chemistry": but for now, we'll stick with the natural stuff.

For the present, this new series will be based mostly on natural oils to use for various ills.
After this new series, we'll be posting on some other natual ways to be more healthy such as vinegar, honey, and cinnemon to name a few.

We hope you find our new series helpful.

Superfoods for Super Skin

It’s been said we are what we eat, and that sentiment definitely holds true when it comes to our skin. It’s our body’s biggest organ, and it deserves all the nutritional TLC we can give it. So take a look at what you’ve been feeding yourself, and therefore feeding your skin.

One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A, and probably one of the best sources of it is low-fat dairy products. It could be said the health of our skin depends on vitamin A. Low-fat yogurt is not only high in vitamin A, but also acidophilus, the "live" bacteria that is good for intestinal health. Turns out, it may also have an impact on the skin, since it aids in digestion. Other good sources of vitamin A include cod liver oil, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy vegetables, and fortified breakfast cereals.

It’s important to also make sure you’re eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums. The benefits of these foods for healthy skin are plentiful. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits can protect the skin cells, so there is less chance for damage. This in turn guards against premature aging, and keeps skin looking younger longer. Other fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants include artichokes, black, red, and pinto beans, prunes, and pecans.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are essential to your skin. Include salmon, walnuts, canola oil, and flax seed. EFAs keep cell membranes healthy, and allow nutrients to pass through.

We also need healthy oils, which contain more than essential fatty acids. Eating good-quality oils helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking and feeling healthier overall. Look for oils that are cold pressed, such as olive or extra virgin oil. We only need about two tablespoons a day of healthy oils, so use wisely.

Selenium plays an important role in the health of skin cells. Turn to foods like Whole-wheat bread, muffins, and cereals; turkey, tuna and brazil nuts for this important nutrient. Recent studies show that if selenium levels are high, even skin damaged by the sun may only suffer minimal, if any, damage.

Choosing the whole grain versions of complex carbohydrates can have a significant effect on insulin levels. Processed and refined sugars can cause inflammation that may ultimately be linked to skin break outs.

Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, and it protects the membrane of the cell. It may even help prevent or reduce skin cancer risks.

Water plays such an important role in your overall health, and it has a profound effect on your skin’s health as well. Well-hydrated skin is healthy and young-looking. It also helps move the toxins out of your system so they have less chance to do damage.

Superfoods for Healthy and Natural Conception

In both the female and male body, the balance of hormones has to be just right for conception to occur and for pregnancy to proceed. Nutrients that are in excess or that are in depletion can throw off balance and disrupt the pregnancy process. When we can choose whole foods for our diet, we are increasing our chances of obtaining the most nutrients we need. Whole foods include fruits, fresh vegetables, unrefined grains, beans, nuts, seeds, eggs, and small whole fish. It’s important to make sure you’re choosing healthy whole superfoods that have an abundant supply of each of the following vitamins and minerals.

B-complex vitamins need to be replenished all the time, as they are water soluble and passed out of the body with urination. Vitamins B6 and B12 are particularly important for fertility and hormonal function. Fortified cereals, fortified soy-based meat substitutes, baked potatoes with skin, bananas, light-meat chicken and turkey, eggs, and spinach are all great sources of B6 and beef, clams, mussels, crabs, salmon, poultry, soybeans, and fortified foods have healthy amounts of B12.

Folic Acid, also known as folate, is essential for the production of genetic material in conjunction with vitamin B12. The body cannot store Folic Acid so it must be replenished regularly. It is found naturally in dark green leafy vegetables, apricots, avocados, carrots, egg yolks, liver, melons, whole grains, and yeast's.

Zinc is an essential component of genetic material and plays an important role in the fertility of men (affecting sperm count) and women. Zinc is vital to healthy cell division, so healthy zinc levels are essential at conception. Zinc occurs naturally in oats, rye, almonds, pumpkin seeds and peas.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) work on every system of the body and are essential for healthy hormone production. EFA's can prevent blood from clotting inappropriately which can be helpful to women who have suffered from recurrent miscarriages (if clotting was an issue). They are primarily found in fish oils.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant. Low vitamin E levels can be a cause for subfertility in men and women. Found in wheat germ cereal, sunflower seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, brown rice, eggs, milk, organ meats, soy beans and sweet potatoes.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, helpful to sperm production and may play a role in healthy ovulation. Vitamin C is essential to the normal healthy functioning of many systems in the human body. Excellent sources include blackcurrants, raw red peppers, guavas and citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits. Other good sources include strawberries, kiwifruit, broccoli and Brussel sprouts.

Iron aids in the production of red blood cells and carries oxygen around our bodies. The body can lose iron through periods, childbirth or blood loss (including blood donation). Leafy green vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat, poultry, and soy food products are all good sources of iron.

Vitamin A is an antioxidant essential at conception for the developing embryo. Natural sources include carrots, tomatoes, cabbage and spinach.

Superfoods To Help You Manage Menopause

Including these superfoods in your diet can help to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, maintain your memory power, and prevent osteoporosis. These superfoods are delicious to eat, easy to prepare, and super-good for you!

Tofu is an alternative protein source to meat. Along with other soy products, tofu can be beneficial for lowering your cholesterol and preventing heart disease. Soy products like tofu may also decrease the side effects associated with menopause, including the dreaded ‘hot flashes.’

Navy beans are loaded with fiber, which can help reduce your risk of color and other forms of cancer, as well as relieve the symptoms associated with diverticulosis. Women need 30 grams of fiber each day, so include them in your favorite chili recipe, or try them as a side dish alternative to pasta or rice.

Packed with calcium, yogurt can help prevent osteoporosis. It has also been shown to boost your immunity and help with weight management. Additionally, yogurt contains high amounts of good bacteria such as acidophilus, which helps to prevent yeast infections and urinary tract infections. It also contains protein, which may help your body battle the fatigue and weariness that follows a hot flash.

As we age, we sometimes find ourselves forgetting things or feeling as if we’re in a fog. If you find this to be the case, grab for the blueberries the next time you’re shopping for groceries. Recent studies show they may actually help with short-term memory loss. They’re also loaded with antioxidants. Pair them with some low-fat plain yogurt for a top-notch way to protect both your brain and your bones.

Avocado also contains antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which can help to protect your vision and skin, which can suffer as we age. The monounsaturated fat found in avocados has also been shown to improve the condition of hair and skin. They’re great on a turkey sandwich, or mash up a few ripe ones and whip up a quick side of guacamole to have with some low-fat baked tortilla chips.

And as always, it’s important to make low-fat and low-sodium choices when menu planning. These do nothing to help alleviate the symptoms brought on by menopause, and are unhealthy options at any age, but especially as we grow older. Avoid smoking or alcohol, and get plenty of rest, and you’ll soon find your menopause symptoms are easily managed.

Superfoods that Fight Depression

We’ve all had the blues once in while. But when they happen on a more frequent basis, it becomes cause for concern. But there are ways to adjust your diet to help stabilize your mood. It’s imperative to eat meals at regular intervals in order to keep your serotonin levels in check, a chemical in the brain that has a calming effect. Good nutrition is your best defense for managing depression.

Carbohydrates are linked to serotonin production and lack of carbohydrates may cause changes in your mood. Here are more food ideas to help you combat depression and kick those blues.

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon and mackerel are always a great choice for dinner. Omega-3 fatty acids also help prevent heart disease and stroke and may help prevent some cancers. Plus, salmon contains selenium, an important antioxidant mineral. Be sure to choose wild salmon at the grocery store or local fish market, since it contains more omegas than farmed, or Atlantic, salmon.

A recent study indicated that people who suffer from depression also have lower levels of the antioxidant vitamin E. So, though oil is high in fat and should be consumed in strict moderation, canola oil is rich in vitamin E. It’s a healthier alternative for sautéing foods and vegetables.

Dark green vegetables like spinach and peas are high in folate, a key player in the production of serotonin. They’re also an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. Fresh is always the best option, as canned versions tend to have lower nutritional value. Legumes are also high in folate and protein and low in fat, and are an excellent option for those who are vegetarian or meat-restricted diets.

Chickpeas are rich in fiber, iron, and vitamin E. For a simple snack, combine a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas with some minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and olive or canola oil in your blender or food processor. Add salt, pepper and other spices as you wish. The resulting hummus makes a healthy and hearty vegetable dip.

Chicken and turkey are both rich in vitamin B6, which plays a role in serotonin production in the body. They are both a good source of selenium and other vitamins and minerals, too.

And please, if you’ve been dealing with the symptoms of depression for a while, please contact your doctor to discuss available treatment options and medication that may be available to you.