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Sunscreen: a must have item this summer

   Subscribe To Our Feed Sun 28 Jun 2009

As the temperature rises, swimming suits and shorts come out of the closet, flip flops get dusted off, and all thoughts of winter are left behind. Summertime means yards work outside, days at the beach, and outside fun with the family. However, the intense summer sun can cause skin damage and cancer, so using sunscreen is a daily necessity, especially during all those outside activities.

The purpose of a sunscreen is to block the harmful UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. This radiation damages all skin types, from those who are fair to those who have a dark complexion or tan easily. In fact, a reliable sunscreen is necessary even on a cloudy day because the cloud layer does not block this radiation. All sunscreens carry a Sun Protection Factor or SPF. The SPF rating shows how the product performs in protecting against UVB radiation. Wearing a sunscreen of SPF 15 daily will help prevent the sun’s damaging effects. It is recommended to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. During the summer most people flock to the beaches, so some sunscreens are designed to be water-proof or sweat-proof.

Most of the sunscreens available on the market block damaging radiation through a concoction of different chemical ingredients. These products are normally in the forms of creams or sprays. Once sunscreen is applied onto the skin, the chemicals work to both reflect and scatter the radiation, or absorb it. In recent years, there have been many questions raised about the safety and effectiveness of these chemicals. Some scientists claim these chemicals produce free radicals, which actually increase skin damage and the risk of skin cancer, rather than lowering it. Another concern is that these synthetic chemicals may accumulate in the human body, and can actually reach the blood stream by being absorbed through the skin. Since the goal of using a sunscreen is to protect the body, and not harm it, many consumers have turned to using organic sunscreen to protect their families.

Organic sunscreens, like Weleda, use a combination of naturally occurring herbs, plant proteins, and minerals to provide sun protection. Some organic sunscreens are infused with vitamins to benefit your skin. Different types of organic sunscreens are available including creams, sprays, and powders which all carry appropriate SPF ratings. Organic powder sunscreens are mineral based, and are perfect for everyday protection. Minerals commonly found in organic sunscreen are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. One advantage of choosing the organic sunscreens over the chemical ones is they reduce the risk of skin irritation. Those with sensitive skin will especially benefit from the skin soothing properties of organic ingredients.

Before you hit the beach this summer it is imperative you remember to apply a quality sunscreen. The varieties of organic and chemical based sunscreens are endless. Choose a sunscreen that is good for your skin, has an appropriate SPF rating, and is designed for your activity. Using this must have item now, will benefit your skin for years to come.

Learn Why Herbal Aromtherapy Can Be Your Alternative Medicine

   Subscribe To Our Feed Fri 26 Jun 2009

Herbal aromatherapy promotes healing by using ingredients that are profusely present in the natural world. From stress management to tension alleviation and the corresponding treatment for pains and aches and much more, herbal aromatherapy aids in dealing with these issues.

There are some ready made packs noted as herbal hugs that are widely used in herbal aromatherapy applications. Representing the perfect replacement for electric heating pads or the unpleasant ice bags, most therapists recommend these hugs for pain relief and stress reduction because they can be held cold in the freezer or heated in the microwave.

All family members can benefit from the advantages of herbal aromatherapy. Children’s sleep without interruption and reduction in the chances of their having nightmares can be aided by vaporizing some essential oils in their rooms. Moreover, when someone in the family has a cold, inhalations with herbal aromatherapy essential oils such as eucalyptus, chamomile or pine extracts leads to the cleaning of the superior respiratory tract, reducing the level of the inflammation at the level of the soft membranes. Two other respiratory conditions that herbal aromatherapy treats are asthma and cough with the mention the essential oils for such cases should be recommended by a specialist.

Additional herbal aromatherapy relieves have an energising and rejuvenating impact on the body calming migraines and common headaches as well as re-balancing the positive energies in the system. Many people are enticed by the gains of herbal aromatherapy over conventional drugs. Aside from the easement for certain sicknesses, one also sticks to a healthier life style that involves the use of gentle remedies that are a lot safer and definitely inexpensive. Talk to the health care supplier about the possibility to replace some of the pain-relief drugs you frequently take with some herbal aromatherapy extracts and see how they work for you.

When you also ask for a herbalist’s opinion you have the advantage of getting professional advice about which plants go best for a certain condition. Because not everybody demands herbal aromatherapy simply for stress alleviation or mood enhancement, instructions on the blends and recipes are more than received. Moreover, a herbalist will further guide you in the direction of a meticulous and responsible choice of aromatherapy items in the sense that you will buy only quality essential oils and thus be safe from the aggression of perfuming chemicals.

Aromatic Medicines of the Old and New Testament

   Subscribe To Our Feed Wed 24 Jun 2009

Humans have treasured essential oils for their medicinal and sensory properties for thousands of years. As concentrated, precious substances, the oils and resins from aromatic plants have played important roles in healing therapies and religious worship across the globe. The effort required to reduce large masses of plant matter into oils made these liquids extremely special commodities in early civilizations. Nowhere in literature is this more apparent than in the Bible. In both the Old and New Testaments, essential oils were prized as symbols of wealth, healing, generosity and faith. From the use of cedarwood and hyssop for physical healing in the book of Leviticus, to Mary of Bethany anointing of Jesus’s feet with her life savings of spikenard in the book of John, essential oils played, and continue to play, an important role in the spiritual lives of Jews and Christians.

The distillation process for essential oils is a relatively new phenomenon that requires a still and a large amount of water to steam out the essential oils. Most likely, the oils we read about in the Bible were infusions of plant material into other more common oils. This, however, does not reduce their potency or their cultural and historical significance. Frankincense, myrrh and the other oils of the Bible were held in high esteem and difficult to obtain. Regardless of their distillation process, creating an aromatic oil has always been a labor-intensive project.

The Bible lists approximately one dozen oil-creating plants by name, including aloes (also known as sandalwood), cinnamon, cedarwood, cypress, frankincense, galbanum, juniper (broom tree), hyssop, myrrh, myrtle and spikenard. It is not clear whether these plants were all used as aromatic oils during Biblical times, or whether they were used in their raw herbal form, yet a strong tradition of using these plants for healing and anointing is apparent in the many references found in the Old and New Testaments. Different resources list various numbers of Bible passages related to using these plants, and there are many opinions on whether all of the plants mentioned are the same plants we know them as today. Regardless of the wide range of opinions on the exact historical uses of these plants, it is important to note that these oils continue to be highly valued in modern aromatherapy and herbal healing, even in light of modern science.

The aromatic plants of the Bible reflect the dryness of the Middle East. These plants can survive harsh climates and little rainfall. Fortunately for humankind, this unforgiving environment has given birth to many of aromatherapy’s most well-loved plants. The oils of the Bible come from a variety of plants, most of which are hardy, desert-dwellers. Cinnamon is a bark from an aromatic tree that curls once it is removed and dried. Sandalwood, cedar, cypress and juniper are also all trees or shrubs found in the Mediterranean region. Historically, they were used for wood as well as medicine, aromatherapy and incense. Frankincense, myrrh and galbanum are resins derived from the barks of trees. They are often burned directly, also used in incense and retain their aromatic qualities for a long period of time. Modern aromatherapy often uses frankincense and myrrh for their abilities to connect us to higher planes of awareness. The frequently mentioned hyssop is an aromatic plant with purple flowers that is widely cultivated for use in cooking and herbal medicine. Myrtle, a flowering short tree or shrub, is a common aromatherapy plant as well that grows wild in these dry climates. Finally, spikenard, also called nard in the Bible, is a plant that is native to the Himalayan region of Asia. It was imported to the Middle East and used as an expensive perfume.

The Old Testament contains the most references to healing plants. One of the first of these plants to be mentioned in the Bible is cinnamon. In Exodus 30:23-29, God instructs Moses to create an anointing oil made from myrrh, cinnamon, cassia, cane and olive oil. He advises Moses to place the oil on all the implements used for worship in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, the portable alter created for worship during the Israelites’ 40-year journey in the desert. Through being anointed, the objects became transmuted into sacred vessels. The act of anointing objects and people with precious oils is carried throughout the Old Testament and can be found in the New Testament as well.

The birth and death of Jesus both contain references to aromatic oils as offerings. Matthew 2:11 recounts the arrival of the magi at the time of Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem. Following a guiding star, these kings arrived where Mary had just given birth and offered the baby frankincense and myrrh, oils which are still used today to induce spiritual awakenings. During Jesus’s life, he was anointed with oil of spikenard on two different occasions, once by a woman who broke a jar and poured it over his head and once by Mary of Bethany. Mary, who had purchased the spikenard with her life savings, anointed Jesus’s feet and rubbed the oil in with her hair. In each instance, the bestowal of oils were a gift of great worth.

Today, the oils of the Bible are frequently used in aromatherapy for healing physical ailments, connecting with spiritual or meditative states and even as offerings in religious contexts. Many of these oils have been used in unison, such as frankincense and myrrh, for thousands of years. Their widespread cultivation and our appreciation for their medicinal qualities have traversed the globe as Jews and Christians have continued to respect and use these rare oils. While aromatherapy as it is practiced today is a relatively new field of medicine, the use of medicinal oils is actually as old as civilization itself. By learning how these plants were used during Biblical times, we can connect to traditions that have recognized the relationship between humankind, the plant world and spiritual awakening.

What to Look for When using Organic Skin Care Products

   Subscribe To Our Feed Wed 24 Jun 2009

People have been using natural ingredients for centuries because the healing properties have had a positive impact on their health and well being. Because of the changes in our environment that have resulted in an accumulation of toxins in our air, soil, and water, more people are now choosing organic products to improve their health. One way of embracing a healthy lifestyle is the use of organic skin care products.

Organic skin care products are all natural, chemical and preservative free, and do not negatively impact the environment. Natural organic properties in the skin care products help to decrease the signs of aging, rejuvenate and replenish the skin with vitamin and minerals, and naturally moisturize leaving the skin smooth and soft, helpful for those with very sensitive skin.

Organic skin care products are better for the environment because they are made without pesticides, synthetic preservatives, chemicals, mineral oil, animal by-products, artificial colors and fragrances, and other toxic substances. When choosing an organic skin care product it is important to read the label. They should state they are 100% vegan, cruelty free, and do not contain any chemicals and additives. Natural ingredients to look for include rosemary, sage, seaweed extract, honey, vitamins and minerals, apricot, coconut oil, mango, herbal plant extracts, avocado, distilled water, safflower oil, pure spring water, witch hazel, bee pollen, hazelnut oil, pink grapefruit, papaya, and aloe vera.

Synthetic ingredients that will tell you that the product is not organic include:

Petrolatum/Paraffin/Mineral oil: As byproducts of crude oil, mineral oil blocks the skins absorption of vital vitamins and essential nutrients. It also blocks dirt and debris from exiting the skin. Any mineral oil derivative can be filled with cancer causing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH’s.) Mineral oil derivatives include: Liquidum paraffinum, Paraffin oil, and Paraffin wax.

Parabens: These are harmful chemicals. Look for the prefix methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl. They are petroleum-based and can cause skin irritation and other reactions. Parabens are thought to alter estrogen levels and there is a concern that they increase the risk of breast cancer. Types of parabens include: propylparaben, methylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, ethylparaben, and benzylparaben.

Phthalates: These are chemical substances that can seep out of plastics. They are toxic, carcinogenic, and have been associated infertility.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate: These are chemical foaming agents that have been linked to such health conditions as PMS, menopausal symptoms, cell membrane damage, and immune system damage. They may also be linked to an increased risk of cancer such as breast cancer.

Isopropyl alcohol: This product dries the skin and can cause premature aging of the skin. FD&C Color Pigments: These substances are full of heavy metal salts that penetrate the skin. As synthetic colors made from coal tar, studies have revealed these substances as being carcinogenic.

When you research the chemicals found in manufactured skin care products, it is easy to see why so many people are turning to organic skin care products. Studies have revealed that up to 60% of what we apply to our skin may be absorbed into the bloodstream. If you are using non-organic skin care products, it is important to note the impact of toxic chemical on your body.

Organic skin care is an eco-friendly choice that is healthy for the planet and your skin. To ensure healthy skin care and overall good health, it is wise to replace your current chemical skin care products with organic products. Your skin will appreciate the dose of good health.

Quality Essential Oils - Basic Information Regarding Quality Essential Oils

   Subscribe To Our Feed Tue 23 Jun 2009

Did you know that there are thousands of companies selling essential oil products? That makes it harder and harder to be certain you have selected a quality essential oil product. Determining if it is a real essential oil and not a synthetic oil can be difficult. Companies creating low grade essential oils or base oils or calling fragrance oils ‘Aromatherapy Oils’, is one way they get around the “pure” part.

Only high grade therapeutic essential oils are used in Classical Aromatherapy. So it is important that you know what you are buying. Use your senses to evaluate the essential oil. Smell and texture and viscosity are all small parts of grading quality essential oils. Unlike base oil, essential oils are volatile substances which may not feel like oils at all. Extremely concentrated extracts contain many of the plant’s chemical makeup.

Unfortunately, many essential oils on the market today are mixed with different fillers of differing quality. These fillers are less expensive. So it helps the seller but when added to the essential oil it produces an essential oil product of lesser quality but similar aroma. Back in the days of ancient Egypt most essential oils were graded with a complex numerical system that is still in use today. Even then they recognized the supreme importance of high grade and pure quality essential oils.

It helps if you know what you are doing and what you are looking for. Otherwise some dealers may take advantage of the fact that most people do not know what real myrrh or jasmine smells like. That makes it easy for them to mix in lower quality and less costly oils and sell an inferior product. They may also use a base oil for mixing that is a lower grade and further jeopardize the content in the essential oil container. Some dealers will use synthetic substances for mixing too.

Sometimes these low quality essential oils are sold by street vendors or in flea markets or at fairs. Paying special attention to the essential oil bottles ingredient label. If an ingredient label is not present, you should walk away. One simple thing you can observe is what the container is made of. If it is plastic, it is not high grade essential oils. You want quality essential oil to be in dark glass bottles when you buy it.

Exercise caution with any essential oil if you plan to use it on the skin. Pleasing smell does not guarantee the essential oil is “pure” or of high quality. The ingredients on the label must state “pure jasmine” or “pure myrrh”.

Always work with a recognized producer and dealer. Choose natural essential oils. or organically produced essential oils when possible and when you are considering different brand names. Another, a wise choice is to purchase undiluted essential oils so you can mix it yourself, which affords you the assurance that you know what is being blended with it

Finally, look for steam distilled essential oils, because this extraction process requires water instead of chemical solvents. Remember better brand names of essential oils are more expensive, but the reason is that their quality is worth it.

What Is Aromatherapy?

   Subscribe To Our Feed Mon 22 Jun 2009

Aromatherapy was first developed through the use of various kinds of natural plant extracts and essences to help improve a person’s well being. Typically, aromatherapy blends would contain pure essential oils, which are yielded from different plants. Roots, flowers, barks and peels are distilled or cold preserved in order to get the oils used in aromatherapy. Of course, they make sure that the process doesn’t do anything to change its purity.

Since ancient times people have long since practiced the use of aromatherapy to help them care for their mind, body and soul. But aromatherapy was first introduced to the modern world by a chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse who became interested in the idea of healing ones body through the use of various essential oils. He was the first to use the technique of distilling plants to produce these oils. He was also the first, in the modern world, to learn about the healing effects of these oils.

Stress reduction through the use of aromatherapy is widely accepted. It can relieve discomfort and anxiety as well as feelings of pain, like a headache, and helps the body relax. There are various kinds of aromatherapy oils and each and every one of these oils has a specific effect on the mind and body. Thus, the person has to choose the appropriate one for whatever it is they are feeling.

Aromatherapy products are not simply limited to oils. In fact, there are all sorts of aromatherapy products out there including candles, body salts, creams, shampoos, lotions and even aromatherapy perfumes. It just goes to show how popular these products are and how many people are looking for ways to help relieve the stress they are feeling the homeopathic way.

The most popular aromatherapy scent would be lavender and this comes at no surprise at all. Lavender is the most effective when it comes to relieving stress and many salons as well as spas mix it with their products to help their clients relax and feel more comfortable. Aromatherapy has an effect on a persons mood and emotions which is why many service oriented businesses, such as the ones mentioned above, always have them handy.

The use of aromatherapy is so effective that hospitals use it to help patients relax and put their minds at ease. In fact, even the staff themselves uses it to relieve stress. These help would them concentrate on their tasks better instead of being bothered by various aches and pains throughout the day. After all, in a hospital, the top priority would be the patients and how they are feeling. Besides, it would be less stressful for everyone if the patients are feeling nice and comfortable.

Aromatherapy acts on the central nervous system which reduces any feeling of anxiety and even depression. It gives the person a sense of inner calm as it signals the part of your brain which controls the way you feel. The oils that are used on the body also find their way to the bloodstream via the skins pores. From there, it would travel until it reaches your brain and gives you a relaxing sensation.

For many, aromatherapy is the simplest as well as the most affordable way to relax. Light up a candle, an incense stick or soak yourself in a bath using aromatherapy salts and oils. Whichever aromatherapy product you use, the results would remain the same. You’ll have a calmer, clearer mind and a totally relaxed body which is free from tension and any form of stress.

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