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Posts Tagged ‘alternative health’

Consider Borage Seed Oil For Your Health

May 6th, 2011

Borage is an annual herb native to North Africa and Europe, also known as Starflower because of its blue star-shaped flowers. The oil pressed from its seeds has become a popular health supplement in recent years due to its wide variety of health benefits.

Borage oil has the highest known concentration of GLA, or Gamma Linolenic Acid. While it’s more expensive per ounce than others such as evening primrose, its GLA concentration is so much greater that borage is actually more cost effective. The primary use of the oil today is for reduction of inflammation throughout the body. It is an important remedy for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in general, and can ease the pain and stiffness experienced upon waking for many users.

The oil, whether topically applied or ingested, is converted in the body to prostaglandin E1, a hormone-like substance important to many biochemical activities. It appears that Western diets are often deficient in GLA, and many health conditions are exacerbated by this lack of prostaglandin production.

It is for this reason that borage seed oil can be used for a number of different skin complaints with great success. It provides relief from skin problems such as rosacea, psoriasis, acne, prematurely aged skin and eczema as well as it heals dry cracked skin. To obtain the maximum benefit from the oil it should become part of the diet in the form of a supplement and it should also be rubbed onto the affected area of the skin.

Respiratory illnesses such as coughs and sore throats can be treated with this oil. A gooey gel-like substance called mucilage is present in the oil and acts as a relaxant for the mucous membranes when they get irritated from coughing. The mucilage works in the same way as cough syrup and allows the mucus to come up easier.

Healthy circulation, and decreases in cases of male impotence as well as female infertility are also among the benefits from the oil’s use. The control or prevention of high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure can be achieved with borage seed, resulting in fewer strokes and heart attacks. Shiny hair and strong nails are also direct results of using the oil.

Recent studies have shown a truly wide range of benefits imparted through borage oil’s use. It has been found that the oil is good for treating and preventing a number of other conditions including menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, weight loss, ADHD, ulcers, nerve disorders, lupus, Alzheimer’s, menstrual cramping and dry eye conditions.

Finding out all about the benefits of borage seed oil justifies why it is often referred to as miracle oil. The advantages are numerous, and of tremendous benefit to the user by helping to bring relief to several different conditions. This natural and healthy oil allows those who use it to enjoy a better quality of life with much less health issues.

Therapuetic qualityessential oil have an incredible array of healing effects. Go to The Ananda Apothecary, where you’ll find a wealth of resources on aroma-medicine.

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4 Basic Types of Supplements

April 10th, 2011

Anyone who takes supplements today is taking one of the four types of various dietary supplements available today. There are many brands of products, but each nutrient fits into a specific category that is used for a particular purpose in the body. It’s wise for consumers to know the types of supplements so that they can make an informed choice about what they should take. Here are the basic 4 supplements.

Vitamins are usually the first type of dietary supplements that come to mind for most people. However, vitamins are not synonymous with other types of supplements. They are a specific type that meets certain needs in the human body. There are two kinds of vitamins: waters soluble and fat soluble. There are also 13 vitamins that the body needs to stay healthy, so understanding which these are and what roles they play in supporting good health are important.

Mineral supplements are in the second category of important nutrients for the body. Many consumers tend to overlook these, simply because they often only need to be used in smaller amounts. Calcium, however, is a macronutrient that should be taken in larger amounts because of its role in supporting healthy bones. Zinc, on the other hand, should be taken in smaller amounts, yet is important for prostate health.

Nutritional supplements are in the third category of supplements. In fact, they really are specialty supplements formulated for specific reasons such as bodybuilding, weight loss, hair loss, skin health and a number of other reasons. Some are combined with vitamins and minerals, but have additional formulations that target certain health interests.

Natural herbs that are processed into supplements make up the last category of supplements that are found today. In the last 10 years, herbal supplements and natural remedies have become very popular among those who are interested in alternative therapies. In fact, many herbs have been used by pharmaceutical companies for years to produce drugs such as aspirin from white willow bark.

Stop by SupplementsDigest.com for additional info aboutweight loss supplements and quality brain supplements for total body support.

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Benefits of Warming Up and Cooling Down

February 17th, 2011

Have you ever been so excited to start a workout that you forgot to warm up first? You are not alone – one of the most common mistakes made in exercising is to skip the beginning stretching routine.

Although warming up is essential to staying injury-free and getting the maximum results from physical activity, it is still viewed by some as an optional part of the workout. There are several reasons why this should never be the case, and why stretching is not only performed before you exercise.

Preparation

Sudden shock to joints and muscles is never good. That is exactly what happens when you participate in any resistance based movement without the proper warm up. Since muscle fibers are smaller, they can easily tear when placed under stress, unless they are properly conditioned to absorb the resistance and benefit from it.

How do you prepare your muscles and joints? The easiest way is to do simple, yet effective stretching exercises. Depending on the goals of your workout or activity, make sure that any stretching involves all of the muscles you will be using. For example, reach above your head and extend your arms. Or, bring your legs up to your body and hold the position. These movements are quick and painless, and they can protect you from unnecessary setbacks.

Besides providing flexibility to your joints, warming up should also focus on improving your blood flow. When blood starts to increase around your muscles, they are physically prepared to expand and contract during resistance training. This is an important part of the muscle building phase in a workout. Try walking or jogging in place to really get your blood flowing and your heart pumping.

During

Instead of standing around or sitting in between sets, use the time to keep your muscles ready for the next exercise. Stretch the muscle groups that you have just worked, as well as the ones you will be working next. Keep your breathing patterns consistent and pace yourself to always maintain control of your movements.

As you become used to including stretching in your routine, you might be surprised at how noticeable the results are, both in appearance and how you feel.

After

The same type of warm up exercises can make great cool down exercises too. The point of cooling down is to ease your body back into its normal state. Take the time to stretch and give your muscles and joints the chance to wind down before just stopping the physical activity altogether. In the end, your recovery will be much more efficient and the strain on your body will be much less.

Check with your physician or personal trainer to decide which warm up and cool down exercises would be right for the exercise program or sport you are performing. By customizing the exercises, you will be helping the exact muscles and joints that are experiencing the most movements. A typical stretching routine can take about five minutes, so there is no excuse for even thinking of exercising without it.

Keep your breathing patterns consistent and pace yourself to always maintain control of your movements. Warm up and Cool down Besides providing flexibility to your joints, warming up should also focus on improving your blood flow. The same type of warm up exercises can make great cool down exercises too.

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Foods That are Good for your Eyes

February 16th, 2011

The same healthy diet that?s good for your heart and arteries can help preserve your eyes and vision.That?s not surprising. ?Vision depends on tiny capillaries that supply the retina and other parts of the eye with nutrients and oxygen,? says Monique Roy, MD, a professor at the New Jersey Medical School?s Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science. ?Keeping those arteries healthy is essential.?

As part of an overall healthy diet, several key nutrients appear to be particularly important to preserving sight as we get older.

C, E, and Zinc

A decade ago, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study reported that people given vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene, and zinc in supplements were less likely to develop advanced age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. The combination was most effective at slowing the progression from intermediate to advanced AMD, which is one of the leading causes of age-related blindness. Because of those findings, many people diagnosed with early signs of AMD today are routinely prescribed a pill that combines these nutrients.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Two other nutrients ? lutein and zeaxanthin ? are also linked to lower risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. A 2008 Tufts University study of 1,802 women 50 to 79 years old found that those who consumed the most lutein and zeaxanthin in their diets were 23% less likely to develop cataracts than those who consumed the least. Rich sources of these two compounds include kale, spinach, turnip greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid

The newest nutrient linked to better vision with age is omega-3 fatty acid, which is found predominantly in fish oil. In a study of 2,520 people, researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported in 2010 that people who consumed fish high in omega-3s fatty acids often were significantly less likely to have advanced age-related macular degeneration. Omega-3s may also protect against cataracts, according to 2010 findings by researchers at the Clinical University of Navarra in Spain.

Researchers don’t understand exactly why omega-3s may protect against eye diseases. One guess is that these healthy oils may reduce inflammation and thereby protect against cell damage.

Pills vs. Food

Although antioxidant supplements are routinely prescribed to people with early signs of macular degeneration, there’s little agreement on whether supplements will help otherwise healthy people preserve their vision. “Most of the evidence to date is very mixed,” Allen Taylor, a leading researcher at the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, tells WebMD. In one recent study, for example, a multivitamin seemed to protect against some forms of cataracts but actually raise the risk of other forms.

“By far the best way to protect your vision from age-related diseases is by eating a healthy diet,” says Kathleen Zelman, RD, director of nutrition for WebMD.

Recent findings help make the case for healthy food choices. A 2010 study by French scientists, for instance, found eating more vegetables – including cabbage, broccoli, pepper, corn, or spinach – improved the condition of the retina in people with age-related macular degeneration.

Food For Eyes Two other nutrients – lutein and zeaxanthin – are also linked to lower risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Researchers don’t understand exactly why omega-3s may protect against eye diseases. Two other nutrients – lutein and zeaxanthin – are also linked to lower risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

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Realizing The Right Determinations For What To Carry Out AbOut Acne

October 29th, 2010

Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is best for your body is best for your skin. So make sure you get enough vitamins, minerals and supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts.

UV radiations are recognized to be a causal agent for skin cancer, so abide by this skin care tip without neglect. Use sun blocker to protect yourself from sun’s harmful UV radiations. You can use daylight moisturisers that have sunscreen reinforced into them.

The most common home remedy for acne is the skin oil removal through frequent washing. It is recommended that washing of the face as a part of a home remedy for acne is done only twice a day, once in the morning and later I the evening.

Then there are specialized acne skin care products that are available over-the-counter i. e. without the need of a prescription. These include products like vanishing creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these acne skin care products are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne).

The number one natural beauty tip I can give you is to take your health seriously. In Chinese medicine, we know that natural external beauty is a reflection of inner health and well being. Often, the solution to external beauty problems is an internal one. That means foods and herbs. In the case of skin problems, herbs can be use to create creams or wraps and applied directly.

Wash your face 3 times everyday with a cleanser that is meant for skin with acne. That’s what a doctor told me. Another doctor told me that the problem with many people that have pimples is that they use cleansers that are too rich for the face. That doctor recommended a soap and water regime. All natural products for acne should be non-comedogenic, meaning they do not clog the pores. To figure out if something will clog the pores, either read the label and look for the word “non-comedogenic” or find out what ingredients are in the product.

Regular exercise can help in acne cure by fighting off negative stress intensity that can come from negative confidence and depression. But avoid wearing tight nylon exercise outfits. These synthetic fabrics that tend to trap body moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your sports gear and equipment clean.

Should the pustules become a non-stop feature or grow large enough to resist covering up, you may require a trip to a dermatologist to have oral antibiotics like tetracycline or oral retiniods such as Accutaine prescribed. When you have acne covering a significant part of your face, back, trunk or neck, you need to see the doctor about how to get rid of acne – blemish marks that are severe can result from wrong treatment.

A gentle, non-soap cleanser is recommended by most dermatologists for basic skin care and acne blemish control. Salicylic and glycolic acids are used to exfoliate. Soaps, tinctures, cotton pads and creams are all sold as treatments. Retin-A, a type of vitamin A, also works this way. It is topically applied under a doctor’s supervision or taken orally.

Qualifing for the best results for natural skin care problems is simple considering the best older acne product it’s time to obtain the best remedy for your new look.

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Practical Aromatherapy: Men’s Anti-Aging Skin Care Formulations

October 1st, 2010

Most of the time you’ll find essential oil blends for skin care formulated for women. They’ll have fairly floral scents, and maybe ingredients specifically included to manage estrogen. Well, here’s a look at formulating for men; blends with deeper, mild aromas and therapeutic actions geared toward helping men keep their skin healthy and youthful.

Formulating blends for younger looking skin requires selecting oils which offer these therapeutic properties: regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative. Essential oils are really exceptional skin-care ingredients, as they offer these important anti-aging actions (several having been backed by scientific research), and are well-tolerated and easily absorbed. The essential oils are mixed into carrier oils — which are “oils” in the more classic sense. Yet even these are selected for their specific anti-aging therapeutic effects.

Certain aromatic ingredients have a very long “track record” of anti-aging use; specifically the resins of frankincense and myrrh are highly regarded for this purpose. In aromatherapy, these are available both as “essential oils” and as “CO2 extracts”; for skin care, the latter is best, as it they are most similar to the actual medicinal resin. These oils have a range of properties, including all three that most interest us. They’re also perfect from a “men’s fragrance” standpoint, with their earthy scents.

Next up are the oils that are known specifically for their regenerative and cell-stimulating effects. Helichrysum italicum and rosemary verbenone are found in nearly every “scar reduction” recipe; the features which make them so useful in these blends make them great anti-aging essential oils as well. Helichrysum is anti-inflammatory and high in regenerative “di-ketones” (the only oil in common use to have these specific molecular components). Rosemary of the “verbenone” chemotype is considered a “specialty skin care oil”, as it too has unique regenerative ketones. It is also thought to enhance skin cell metabolism, increasing the nutrients-in and waste-out processes.

We’ll also select one or more oils with high levels of anti-oxidant and rejuvenative nutrients. These oils have a deep reddish-orange color, indicating the presence of these vitamin-like compounds: carrot root, whole rosehip and whole sea buckthorn. While these can be found as “carrier oils”, it is the “CO2 extracts” of these plant parts that are best for our men’s anti-aging formulation. They’re a very concentrated extract, providing an incredible concentration of carotenoids and polyphenols.

And no “men’s” skin care formula would be complete without sandalwood essential oil. In addition to being a soft, relaxing aroma, it’s very balancing and protective at the same time. Sandalwood balances skin oils (helps both “too oily” and “too dry” become “normal”), and has even been shown to protect against skin cancers.

All these essential oils and extracts are measured into the base of your formula, the “carrier oils”. The base of these anti-aging recipes is 1/3rd each rosehip seed, tamanu and argan. Even without the essential oils, using these three oils together would be truly exceptional skin care. Each of these has been evaluated for youth-enhancing skin care effects; we blend them together because they each have unique properties which synergize when combined.

On to the mixing! This is really, really easy. And you can make several ounces at once, enough to last a couple of months (store everything over one ounce in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them). These essential oil quantities are given for each ounce, so increase according to your final volume. For normal-to-dry skin: eight drops frankincense OR myrrh “CO2″, six drops rosemary verbenone OR helichrsyum, six drops sandalwood and sixteen drops rosehip “CO2″. Yes, it sounds so simple, but this, in the three base oils, is a downright excellent formula for anti-aging skin care.

For men with skin prone to acne breakouts, remove all rosehip from your formulas; it can exacerbate over-oily acne conditions. You may consider adding a little spike lavender to your recipe if you feel a little extra antiseptic support could be useful. For those with sensitive skin a few drops of lavender is an excellent choice.

Feel free to modify further! The only caution to heed is that it’s easy to use too much essential oils in your formula. Only four or eight drops seems like so little, yet if you use too much, you’ll find you can make your eyes water with the intensity. Imagine essential oils acting almost like signaling agents — just a little bit of them tells your skin cells what to do, and in this case, it’s to give you a healthy, smooth, youthful glow (yes, men can glow too)!

Visit the website for more on essential oil research, Lavender essential oil and more.

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Nattokinase – A Case For Excitement

September 13th, 2010

The Japanese love it while the world hates it. As for the baby boomers, they go on to live a little longer.

Why am I so exited about Nattokinase? Well for one thing, you don`t have to brave eating Natto, the fermented soy beans in their gooey, stringy state, to get the same health benefits that the Japanese have been enjoying for centuries.

It is contained in convenient capsule form to consume with ease. But getting back to the main issue. The proteolytic enzyme, extracted from the fermented soy beans, is my first choice of nutrient to take for the cardiovascular system. It will help keep my ageing arteries and heart in peak condition as long as I can last out.

Does the mention of blood clots give you the jitters? Most people would say yes. Just like me, baby boomers in their millions are taking steps to supplement as an aid to their systems, giving support to the health of their ailing bodies and cardiovascular network. An age group that does not need to wait for the go-ahead from researchers or scientists because they already know that herbal and nutritional methods that have been used since time immemorial, can assist in healing and helping the ageing body to keep healthy.

What though is the connection between this nutrient and blood clots?

During the ageing process, our natural production of the plasmin enzyme starts to diminish. The important role the plasmin serves is to break down fibrin, the matter used to give blood platelets their stickiness. This is a very susceptible condition to be in, leaving us exposed to a higher risk of a blood clot materializing, which in turn can lead to heart attack or stroke due to the blocking of oxygen to these vital organs.

Here is where Nattokinase comes to our aid. This powerful enzyme is indeed a literal saver of lives because it takes on the role of the lost plasmin from our bodies, possessing the power to break up thrombus, another name for blood clots, by breaking up the fibrin.

Yet there is more to it`s remarkable action. It has shown the power to lower high blood pressure. The benefits of this are duplicated because lower blood pressure means a lower risk of clots. The reason being that the force caused through High blood pressure damages blood vessel walls. Doctors have saw the results of this when hardening has occurred around bends, curves, and obstruction sites in arteries, yet absent on straight stretches.

The normal practice of doctors is to prescribed ACE inhibitors to keep your blood vessels dilated. Nattokinase serves as an efficient substitute, working in the same way by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzymes that cause your arteries to constrict.

So then, does this enzyme not sound impressive to you too? Are you still repelled by the thought of sticky, gooey stuff that you would run a mile from? Hardly! Your excitement is bound to grow after considering the evidence. All credit to the Japanese, this enzyme convinces us that our blood vessels can stay the coarse along with our other organs.

Want to find out more about high blood pressure natural care, then visit Jamesina Goulbourne’s site on how to choose the best nattokinase for your needs.

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Treatments for Anti Aging Are More Than Superficial

September 8th, 2010

Are you interested in retaining your youthful appearance? Most people are trying to fight the aging process and maintain their beauty and young appearance. A whole industry has sprung up called anti aging. Anti aging is a broad category targeting all aspects of maintaining your health and beauty. Most people are familiar with cosmetic companies offering a whole range of anti wrinkle creams and ointments. On the other side is cosmetic surgery where your appearance can be changed by skilled doctors. In between is a whole host of other products and services targeting the fight against the aging process. Aging is a complex issue that is just in the beginning of being understood. What is known is that skin is just the superficial layer and the muscles and tissues below the surface need treatment as well. Now, massage chairs are offering massage therapies to help the fight against aging.

Aging occurs at many levels within the body. Some are biological and some are environmental. Science is furiously studying the biological causes and at some point may have some breakthroughs. Environmentally aging is influenced by the levels of stress and your commitment to exercise. Stress puts the body on high alert. The body is ready for action with the muscles tense and the major organs prepared to support the body. Exercise or more appropriately the lack of exercise makes the body less able to withstand the forces of nature put upon us. Both of these factors start to show the wear and tear on the body via the skin.

We seem to come under stress from everywhere. Some of caused by external factors like our boss. Some of it caused by internal factors like us wanting to achieve something. Both of these causes come from mental stress. We put pressure on ourselves that is the product of our thoughts. As we think these thoughts, our body reacts as if it is under physical stress from harm. The body mobilizes itself to prepare for a fight or to run away. The major organs kick into overdrive and the legs and arms are activated for action. Trouble is we have no physical action. The stress causes chemicals to be released in our bodies, but they are not given a physical release. This can cause higher levels of toxins in the body to build up.

OK, we get to the meeting, we save the day and all is good and right in the world. Well, almost. What about the accumulated stress in our bodies? That really didn’t go anywhere did it? No it is still in our bodies. How do we get that out? Massage therapy is an effective technique to help flush out toxins. But massage therapy also helps reduce stress. Massage therapies such as shiatsu, Swedish and others have been shown to reduce stress, increase awareness and induce relaxation. These treatments are all available in the best massage chair brands today. I certainly age slower when I am relaxed then when I am stressed!

What is the relation between the process of stress and anti aging to counter act this process? The major organs support the body to either fight or flight. This mobilizes the feet and hands for action. Reflexology massage is geared to reverse this exact process. The hands and feet have certain points that are related to the major organs via meridian lines. Reflexology massage stimulates these trigger points to calm the major organs and induce relaxation. This helps to reduce the reactions to stress and to help induce whole body relaxation.

Unfortunately stress is ongoing and continuous. It has become a part of modern life. To counteract this ongoing barrage of stress, your anti aging treatment must also be ongoing. Regular and frequent massage therapy is just such a treatment. The removal of the waste products of stress is an important factor in keeping the body healthy and to fight the ongoing battle with the aging process. To receive ongoing massage therapy, massage chairs are the most convenient and economical method. They offer in home convenience and can be used at any time. Keep yourself healthy and retain your youthful look with a massage chair recliner.

Find out how massage chairs assist you to stay fit and look younger. We offer a vast choice of the top brands from Sanyo, Omega, and Panasonic. Peruse our anti aging massage chair reviews, features and so much more. We show massage chairs by massage therapy with our Massage Chair Comparison for your perusal.

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Choosing And Using Essential Oils To Treat Acne

September 7th, 2010

Acne breakouts, both “teenage” and adult, is due to a combination of factors including the proliferation of bacteria, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance. Teenage acne also involves a temporary overproduction of skin oils, as well as a thickening of the skin — factors which lead to further inflammation and conditions for bacterial growth. Using essential oils for treating both teenage and adult acne is a smart choice, as you can create a blend of oils which address every aspect of the condition. Here we’ll look at creating a blend that does just this, by selecting from groups of oils with the desired effects (be aware that several oils will have multiple properties) and basing them in therapeutic carrier oils (which actually have been successful at treating acne themselves).

First examining the antiseptics, the choice for many people is tea tree essential oil. It has been the gold standard of topical antiseptic essential oils. It is readily available, inexpensive, and actually “proven” effective. A recent study was produced comparing the efficacy of tea tree to oxybenzone, the most popular over-the-counter active ingredient for acne treatment. A 5% tea tree formulation was found to be as effective as a 5% benzoylperozxide preparation, without side effects (benzoylperoxide can cause drying and peeling). Tea tree can be used at much higher concentrations if desired, as it will not produce the peeling and drying action of oxybenzone. Some people find they can use it “neat” (undiluted) without side effects, though it’s crucial you test a very small amount to see if this is both safe AND effective for you personally. Other popular antiseptic essential oils in acne blends include geranium and palmarosa — you can combine one or more of these in your formula, which may result in greater therapeutic activity.

Then there’s the important balancing of sebum secretion. Green myrtle essential oil is actually both balancing and a potent antibacterial. Like tea tree, it has been suggested as a treatment all by itself, and may work better for may individuals. If you’re seeking a single oil for direct application, consider experimenting with myrtle and tea tree — finding the one that works best for you. Myrtle will work synergistically with tea tree in an overall acne treatment blend.

Somewhat less potent of an antibacterial, but perhaps a more important oil for sebum balance and overall skin health is rosewood. You’ll find rosewood included in a great many skin care formulas, and is an especially good choice for adult acne care. If you choose rosewood for your blend, look for one from a sustainable source, or from a location other than Brazil, such that it’s not from wild-grown trees in the Amazon rainforest.

To summarize a few other highly-regarded oils for acne-care blends: Lavender essential oil may be the most commonly used essential oil in all of skin and hair care. It is thought to synergize — or tie together — all other oils in a formula. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and wound healing actions. Spike lavender, sort of a cross between sage and lavender, is a more potent antiseptic, if you feel you need something stronger in that respect. Myrrh has been used for skin care for thousands of years, with an excellent combination of antiseptic and healing actions. Sandalwood, too, is a soothing, protective, and balancing oil to include in adult-care formulas where the skin may be dry.

You may find other sources discussing the use of citrus oils, particularly lemon and bergamot. While these oils can be highly effective, their topical use on the face doesn’t make sense due to their photo-toxicity. Once applied, they will make that area of the skin hyper-sensitive to sunlight for the next day or two. As there are so many other excellent choices, use of citrus oils for acne care should be avoided altogether.

As mentioned, essential oils can be dabbed (not rubbed!) directly on pimples. However, for treating any area — and limiting future outbreaks in that area — you’ll want to create a blend of oils in a carrier. While there are many choices, the best are oils that have their own therapeutic activity. The two most well-known are coconut and tamanu nut oils; both are naturally antiseptic, and have been used by some individuals to successfully treat acne alone. Equal parts of these oils will create a simple, effective base to which you’ll add your essential oils.

Creating you blend is a simple process: chose up to 4 essential oils and measure them into an empty bottle. Create a blend with a total of around 5% essential oil concentration: 1 milliliter, or 20 drops, of essential oil in each ounce is a 3% concentration — 7 drops of essential oil in each ounce is 1%. This means you can use around 35 drops total (from a standard glass eyedropper) of essential oils in each ounce of base. You may want to measure the number of drops per ml using a measuring pipette.

On to the recipes! These are the number of drops of essential oil in one ounce of carrier. To make two ounces, simply double the number of drops. So for your base, mix equal parts of virgin coconut, tamanu and grapeseed oils (or just tamanu and coconut, if you don’t mind the thickness). For teenage acne, use 14 drops each tea tree, spike lavender and myrtle. For adult acne with oily skin, use 9 drops each myrtle, tea tree, rosewood and lavender. For adult acne with dry to normal skin, use 7 drops each tea tree, spike lavender, rosewood, myrrh and sandalwood. Please feel free to adjust these recipes, depending on your intuition and the oils you have on hand. Using 3 or more of any of these essential oils together in the carrier oils mentioned should produce effective results for nearly any acne condition.

For more on the therapeutic value of essential oils, and the many ways to employ these oils such as in aromatherapy and essentia oil diffusers, visit The Ananda Apothecary online.

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Blend Your Own High End Formula For Anti-Aging Skin Care

August 10th, 2010

Sometimes we get lured in to thinking we need to spend big bucks on fancy skin care creams to protect our skin from aging. And while many of these products are wonderful, you can make your own highly effective anti-aging formulas with essential oils and therapeutic carrier oils. Essential oils and their “carrier oils” are well-known to have many therapeutic properties for skin care. Here’s a look at how the oils do their job, and how to easily blend your own highly effective and inexpensive formulas at home.

Aging is really a degradation of the structures within each cell, so that each structure becomes less able to do its job over time. There’s two main biological actions going on all the time in our skin cells that contribute to their aging: inflammation and oxidation. The external factors creating these actions are just what you’d expect: over-exposure to UV radiation (sunlight), exposure to environmental pollution, and exposure to less-than-healthy things you eat and drink.

What happens when UV radiation strikes our skin is that oxidative radicals are formed, which begin to damage our skin until they’re “quenched”. Essential oils are known to be some of the strongest natural antioxidants on the planet. Sea buckthorn oil was examined as a potential agent for Russian astronauts to protect their skin from UV exposure. Myrrh essential oil has one of the highest ORAC values known of any natural substance, and has long been a component of blends for mature skin.

The latest research is now pointing to inflammation, rather than oxidation, as being the greatest factor contributing to aging. While a little temporary inflammation is actually healing, chronic inflammation is not. Inflammation wreaks havoc on the internal structure and activity of our skin cells and, like oxidation, leads to permanent damage. Yet again, essential oils to the rescue! Several oils are used primarily for their ability to halt inflammatory processes in the skin. The two most popular for this application are German chamomile and blue tansy. It is the blue pigmented molecules in both of these that imparts their cooling, anti-inflammatory activity. Several other oils have similar properties, and in our blend we’ll use these in addition to German chamomile.

Essential oils are not applied to the skin at full strength however, no matter how effective they are. Instead, they’re blended at relatively low concentrations into seed and nut oils called “carrier” oils. The carrier oils have important, complementary therapeutic properties of their own. They too contain antioxidants, along with other nutrients and anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids. Carrier oils even when used by themselves keep our skin soft, moisturized and protected. When combined with essential oils, they become real therapeutic medicine.

Now that we’ve got a little background, how do we go about creating our blends? First, gather all your tools and containers. The blends are best mixed and stored in cobalt blue or amber glass bottles, and if the bottles have a dropper top or pump top, it’ll make it easier to dispense the blend when your done. Also, you’ll want to know the volume of your bottle(s) in ounces, as you’ll use them for measuring.

You’ll start by filling each bottle up most of the way with carrier oils, then adding your essential oils drop by drop. Always be sure to leave enough space at the top to add your essential oils. All these measurements are for making one ounce of formula — you can simply multiply the numbers if you’re making two, four, or more ounces.

Your carrier oil base will be made of one-third each virgin coconut (you’ll need to warm this for it to become liquid — it will stay liquid once blended with other oils), evening primrose OR hempseed, and argan OR rosehip seed. We’ve included a couple choices here: both evening primrose and hempseed are high in essential fatty acids that are very nutritive to your skin. Both argan and rosehip seed have been documented to actually reverse the signs of aging in the skin. Whichever you choose, fill your bottle up about 9/10ths of the way with your combination of carrier oils.

To this bottle, add the following: 24 drops sea buckthorn essential oil (also found as CO2 extract — not the “cold-pressed” oil), 7 drops myrrh essential oil (or CO2 extract), 7 drops German chamomile, and 7 drops lavender. For extra care for mature skin, you can optionally add 7 drops frankincense. Put the cap on and invert the bottle several times to mix (it’s better to not shake the bottle, as this can blend oxygen into the oils which can degrade it faster). You’re good to go! Apply this wonderful mixture to your face, and any other part of your body you wish, at least once per day. If your bottle is only one ounce, you can store it anywhere. Larger amounts can be stored in the refrigerator for several months. Be consistent, keep using it, and you’ll really help your skin maintain its youthful qualities.

The author is a great fan of Ananda Aromatherapy, a source for world-class bulgarian rose oil, and educational tools like an essential oil use chart are available on this site.

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