Health Blog

Amazing Coconut for Health and Healing

05/17/2012 08:47:00

I have written about coconut oils benefits for skin before. I have used this amazing oil in all of my whipped butters for skin care and hair care, but did you know you can use it internally for health too? I found some fascinating information in a book called Coconut Cures by Bruce Fife,ND.

The many uses of coconut oil can be attributed to these qualities;

Anti-bacterial
Anti-fungal
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-microbial/Infection Fighting An Antioxidant (protects against free-radical formation and damage)
Anti-parasitic
Anti-protozoa
Anti-retroviral
Anti-viral
Has no harmful or discomforting side effects
Known to improve nutrient absorption (easily digestible; makes vitamins and minerals more available to the body)
Nontoxic to humans and animals

Pretty amazing qualities!

One of the suggestions in this book was to try something called oil pulling with coconut oil. Oil pulling has its origins in Ayurvedic medicine dating back thousands of years. In Ayurvedic medicine it’s more of a gargling thing with sesame oil. In this case it’s more of a mouthwash type swishing with coconut oil. I have to admit it was a little like sticking a tablespoon full of butter in my mouth at first. Then it quickly became a liquid and I swished it around for 15 minutes then spit it out.

The results--my teeth felt amazing! Like I had just been to a dentist and had them cleaned and they where whiter! Crazy but true. Why would oil pulling do any of that? Well because our mouths are a disgusting place full of bacteria and disease promoting toxins. Cococunut oil has the ability (as listed above) to help with that. This also has added health benefits to your body because in cleaning up your mouth your immune system doesn't have to fight whatever is in there. This free it to focus attention on other important systems of the body.

Sounds crazy but there are too many success stories on issues ranging from sinus issues to chronic fatigue for me to argue. So I plan on sticking to this and seeing where it will take me!

If you want to learn more about coconuts health benefits check out this web site: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/index.htm

and or the book I mentioned above.

Each Individual Impacts the Field Environment

01/11/2012 11:51:00

This is a great article that I wanted to share because I think it can help all of us in our day to day lives and in our interactions with others.

http://www.heartmath.org/templates/ihm/e-newsletter/article/2009/fall/each-individual-impacts-field-environment.php

The Art of Bathing

12/27/2011 14:25:00

The Art of Bathing

Simple Recipes to Soothe Mind and Body

Article From Associated Skin Care Newsletter

From bubble baths to essential oils to Dead Sea salts, prepared bath products are designed to enhance a bathing experience, but they can be expensive. Instead of spending the extra money on special bath products, try one of these natural, simple bath recipes with ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard or refrigerator.

Epsom Salts---Add 2 cups Epsom salts to bath water.Magnesium sulfate, or Epsom salts, has been used for centuries as a folk remedy, and research now confirms its numerous benefits. The second most abundant element in human cells and a crucial component for bone health, magnesium is also needed for muscle control, energy production, and the elimination of toxins. Magnesium eases stress, aids sleep, and improves concentration while reducing inflammation, joint pain, and muscle cramps. Sulfates help to flush toxins from the body, prevent or reduce headaches, and even improve brain function.

Most American diets are deficient in magnesium. However, one of the best ways to boost dietary intake is by bathing in Epsom salts, which are readily absorbed through the skin.

Milk---Add 2-4 cups milk or buttermilk to bath water.Rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins, milk replenishes the skin, while lactic acid found in milk acts as a natural exfoliant. A member of the alpha hydroxy acid family, lactic acid breaks the glue-like bonds between the outer layer of dead skin cells. Soak in a milk bath for 20 minutes, then gently scrub skin with a loofah or washcloth.

Honey---Add 1/4 cup honey to bath water.A fragrant, natural humectant, honey helps skin attract and retain moisture. Its antibacterial and anti-irritant properties make it an ideal cleansing and soothing additive to a warm bath.

Winter Skin Solutions

11/14/2011 12:30:00

Winter weather is here again and my skin is exhibiting the signs of dry air, hard water, and lots of indoor heating. I typically have dry sensitive skin to begin with and when October arrives it begins to get worse. By February, if I’m not proactive, my skin looks like a dehydrated prune! Not exactly the look I was going for.

So how do you keep your skin moisturized in this dry Idaho climate? First drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated on the inside is going to show up on the outside.Second, as tempting as it may be to stand under the hot shower or to soak in a steamy bath, you need to resist. Hot water will remove your skins protective natural oils creating even drier skin.Also try using more natural soaps or shower gels that have healthy base ingredients. Healthy ingredients are the ingredients that you don’t need a dictionary to understand. I also exfoliate with a natural face and body scrub several times a week. This helps to remove any dead skin cells so that products can penetrate easily and create silky smooth skin. A good way to exfoliate is with a loofah, or sugar scrubs in the shower with natural oils are very helpful. No matter what exfoliate you choose to use, be sure not to over scrub.You just want to lightly remove dead skin, not create abrasions from scraping skin off. And finally the last, but not least, key to preventing dry winter skin is to moisturize.

After bathing lightly pat your skin dry and apply your moisturizer while you skin is still moist. This will enable it to absorb better. Use good quality moisturizers that don’t contain mineral oils,petroleum, or other toxic ingredients. Your skin is your largest eliminating organ and it does absorb harmful chemicals that are in products. So beware of what you put onto it. You could even put straight extra virgin olive oil onto your skin. Olive oil is beneficial for skin because of its fatty acids including oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids and phenolic compounds that provide antioxidant benefits. Olive oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that decrease omega 6 fatty acids while increasing omega 3 fatty acids (the good fatty acids). Shea butter is also another great natural moisturizer that contains beneficial fatty acids. Try again to make sure it’s a quality shea butter or shea body butter mixture with ingredients that you understand.

The above skincare tips should help you avoid the itchy dry skin that winter brings. It is just a matter of taking care of yourself from the inside and outside. Water is the body’s main chemical component, resulting in about 60% of our body’s weight.Our entire system depends on it, especially our skin. A good rule of thumb is to try and drink at least eight, 8oz glasses of quality water each day. Try to avoid prolonged bathing, use quality skin care for bathing and moisturizing and your skin should remain plump, smooth and supple.

The Benefits of a Facial Massage and Massage in General

09/19/2011 13:17:00

People are often surprised by how much massage is involved in a facial. The benefits of facial massage are numerous and make it a necessary component of any good anti-aging program. Your face is a complex system of nerves, tissue, blood vessels and lymph nodes. Massaging the face can help improve the appearance of the skin by allowing this complex structure to function better.

Have you ever woken up in the morning and noticed that your skin looks all puffy and swollen? One good remedy to reduce this is through facial massage.

Protein binds to water so the more protein found in the connective tissue the less water can flow out through the blood capillaries slowing the removal of waste products and producing edema (puffy look) because these protein molecules will attract more water. This is why drinking more water is also a good idea -to help flush out toxins.

With facial massage this water can be moved out through the lymphatic system, massage will also accelerate blood flow through the capillaries helping to flush out the system and reduce the puffy appearance in the skin.

Facial massage helps to improve circulation which brings more nutrients to the skin. It also facilitates toxin removal from the skin, improves elasticity and suppleness of the skin, and last but not least, improves tone, texture and color making your skin glow. The psychological aspects of massage are also numerous. Studies have shown that it helps to boost your immunity, provides relief from stress, pain, tensions, anxiety, and helps you to achieve health and wellness.

This is why a good facial massage is a necessary component to any facial. Visit us and experience a relaxing, detoxify, and age defying facial today!

Reiki and Pain Management

07/28/2011 16:39:00

Here is a wonderful article on the healing benefits of Reiki. http://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/can-reiki-help-your-chronic-pain.aspx?xid=aol_eh-pain_29-_20110725&aolcat=HLT&icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl7%7Csec3_lnk3%7C220035

I utilize my ability to do Reiki everyday and am thankful for it. It's great to find the scientific studies that back up how I feel about this healing modality.

20% off to anyone who would like to book a reiki treatment with me for the month of August!

How To Reduce Scarring and Skin Pigmentation Issues Naturally

06/20/2011 15:22:00

If you have acne scarring, discoloration, and/or wrinkles you know how frustrating it can be to get rid of them. There are numerous products on the market such as Retin A, alpha hydroxy acids, and hydroquinone creams that can be effective- but they often come with side effects. These side effects run from possible carcinogenic issues with hydeoquinone, to rashes and skin irritations with Retin A and alpha hydroxyl acids. So what can you use that doesn’t have any side effects?

Two natural oils that have some proven skin regeneration abilities are tamanu oil and rose hip seed oil. Tamanu oil has the ability to promote the formation of new tissue, this process is called cicatrization. This oil contains natural lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids, which are all easily absorbed and utilized by our skin cells for repair and rejuvenation. It also contains anti-inflammatory agents and anti-bacterial agents which make it a helpful product for acne.

Rose hip seed oil is high in vitamin C, as well as GLA (omega 6 acids) that are great for anti-aging. This oil has a high level of linoleic acid (47.4%) and linolenic acid (33%) this helps to renew tissue and to reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles and stretch marks. While both of these oils are very moisturizing they absorb quickly so you aren’t left with a greasy feeling. I have mixed these two oils- 50/50 -as people have reported Tamanu oil as being too drying and rosehip as too moisturizing. The end result has worked wonders for my skin. Tamanu is a nut oil so if you are allergic to nuts this wouldn’t be the oil for you. I recommend an allergy test before applying this oil to your face. Put a small amount on the skin behind your ear and wait 24 hours. If you notice any redness or irritation please discontinue use.

There some great scientific studies backing the claims of skin rejuvenation behind these oils. In 2002 a study was published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. In this study participants that had visible scars applied Tamanu oil every day for a period of 9 weeks. The overall size of these scars decreased by an average of 2.8 mm length and 1.2mm in width. This oil has also been featured on Dr. OZ . http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/natural-cures-pt-1

Rosehip seed oil’s skin healing properties was first documented by a team of researchers in Chile in 1983. In this study the oil was applied to 180 patients over a two year period. These participants had surgical, traumatic and post burning scars as well as premature aging. The end results were a reduction in both scarring and aging.

From my own personal use I can attest the skin renewing properties of both of these oils! I have 1 oz bottles available on my products page. This cold process organic tamanu and organic rosehip seed oil mixed. $12.00

Digestion Issues

05/29/2011 15:10:00

Digestive complaints are commonplace in our society today. This could be attributed to a diet of processes foods laden with preservatives, hormones, artificial coloring etc. Stress and sedentary lifestyles also contribute to digestive problems. Scientific research shows that 80% of your immune system can be attributed to your digestive tract. I am one of the many suffers of digestive problems. This tends to get really annoying when as a family, we are trying to decide on a restaurant to eat at, or on a meal to prepare at home.

I am gluten intolerant, have soy sensitivities, dairy issues, and any red meat also upsets my stomach. All of these limitations make meal time a challenge. Raw foods tend to be what I can eat without any issue. I substitute milk with coconut milk, almond milk, eat goats cheese (of all things!) rice, lots of fruits and veggies, nuts, and fish. I didn’t always eat like this, because I didn’t know I had any allergies to food at all. I just knew that I didn’t feel well after eating.

Over 100 million Americans also suffer from some form of digestive complaint. I see an amazing acupuncturist who helps with this issue, as well as a great nutritionist. The truly wonderful part of all of this is I now don’t have daily stomach upset. I may not be able to eat everything I would like to (I really miss pasta and French bread) but I also don’t feel terrible. I had gotten so used to feeling a certain way that it seemed normal until the pain was finally gone. Digestive issues frequently go unnoticed because they aren’t considered serious. These symptoms might be bloating, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. This can eventually lead to more serious health issues if left unchecked (remember 80% of your immune system is digestive).

A few things that I have found helpful in my own digestive journey are: the help of the nutritionist and acupuncturists that I see, my fabulous friend who kicks me off the couch to exercise weekly, Reiki for stress relief, and good books on the subject. One such book was Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body’s Natural Ability to Heal Itself by Alejandro Junger.

This book has a program to follow for up to 21 days. The purpose of this program is to give your digestive track a chance to rest , thus allowing your body the energy to repair and restore its other systems. We managed to get through 15 days of this program. It was difficult at first. This program begins with an elimination diet where you can not eat dairy, most meats, soy products, coffee, alcohol, peanuts, and the list goes on. You can have either a smoothie or juice for breakfast and one for dinner. They also have some great cold soup recipes that you can do for dinner if you prefer. Lunch is the largest meal consisting of things like salmon with a spinach salad and lemon for dressing. The book also recommends that if you are hungry, you may have a small mid-morning snack and late afternoon snack.The snacks are things like a handful of nuts or an organic apple. Lots of filtered water is consumed throughout the day. Supplements that help your body to detoxify are also suggested, as well as probiotics, and herbal teas. Again it wasn’t easy at first, but it has definitely made all of us more aware of our day to day food choices. We all felt better having done it and lost a few unwanted pounds too. Not everyone has to go through such an extreme diet to feel better. You could start with simple changes like drinking more water and eliminating soda, or eating more fruits and vegetables daily. If you suspect that you do have food allergies or sensitivities, stop eating that food for a few days and see if you notice any improvements. Then reintroduce the food and see how you feel.

If you are among the millions of people who suffer from digestive issues maybe these things can be helpful to you.

Here is to all of us experiencing healthy and happy eating this Memorial Day weekend. Remember to give thanks to those who have served and who continue to serve!

Charles Raymond is the acupuncturist I see:

http://web.mac.com/yeungfeng/Acupuncture_Center_of_Boise/Acupuncture_Center_of_Boise.html

And Jenny Calla is the NTP

http://www.nutritionfabb.com/About_Us.html

Kerrie Bernauer Wood- personal trainer who will whip you into shape http://physiquefitness.homestead.com/index.html

Natural Handcrafted Soaps

05/24/2011 08:24:00

You might think that soap is soap and it doesn’t matter what kind you use, if it all gets you clean. But if you have any skin issues you may have discovered this really isn’t the case. I have had reactions to soaps since I was a child. As soon as I began using handcrafted soaps I discovered it was actually the soaps that I had been using that was the problem. And when I looked at the ingredients in most commercial soaps I began to understand why.

First let’s start with how soap is made. All soaps are made from oils and fats that react with sodium hydroxide (lye). These are a combination of solid fats like coconut oil, palm oil, and oils like olive oil, safflower oil, and soybean oil. In some commercial soaps they also use animal fat (sodium tallowate), usually from rendered beef fat.

I guess I should be thankful it was beef fat and not the fat from another animal - does anyone remember the movie Fight Club? Scary thought! Okay back to the process of how soap is made…. as these fats react with the lye they begin to saponify and thicken like pudding. This reaction of fats, oils, and lye mixing, is what makes soap. The fats used in soap making contain glycerin as part of their chemical makeup (both animal and vegetable fats contain from 7% - 13% glycerin). Glycerin is highly "hygroscopic" which means that it absorbs water from the air. A lot of commercial soaps take the glycerin out of the soap. I’m not sure why they do this. The only thing I can think of is that by removing the glycerin they are possibly creating a harder soap with a longer shelf life because it doesn’t attract moisture and it won’t dissolve in water as quickly. But by taking the glycerin out of the soap it makes it more drying to skin. Add that to the chemicals, dyes, and perfumes that are often in commercial soaps and its no wonder my skin reacted with rashes, hives and dryness.

By sharp contrast natural handcrafted soaps contain natural oils like coconut, palm and safflower (no animal fats) the glycerin is left in making them more moisturizing, herbs, no artificial colorings, and pure essential oils. Natural oils are very moisturizing, have antioxidants and skin nourishing abilities. Once I made the switch to natural soaps my skin was no longer a dry itchy mess and I discovered something else, my skin stopped breaking out as well. That could be attributed to the lack of animal fat. This ingredient, because of its high fat content, has been known to cause eczema and blackheads. Not exactly the combination for healthy skin that most of us are seeking. Sodium Tallowate (or animal fat) that is often used in commercial soaps can also be found in crayons, wax paper, paints, and more. Considering where else this specific ingredient is used makes it one that you probably don’t want to use on your face and body.

Soon after I started using handcrafted natural soaps I decided to make my own. This would allow me the opportunity to create soaps for specific skin types. I combine specific herbs, clays, and essential oils to create handcrafted soaps that are both soothing and helpful to specific skin issues. The oils used are coconut oil, palm oil, and safflower oil. No harsh chemicals, artificial colorants, fragrances, or animal fats! I love creating new soaps and trying out different combinations to produce different results. If you think you skin would be happier with a natural handcrafted soap please visit our product page to see what we have to offer. In an effort to be more environmentally friendly I package all of our soaps in a biodegradable paper made from craftspeople in Nepal. Not only is it biodegradable but it also contains 16 different herbs—so plant the paper and create your own herb garden! Both your skin and the earth will be happier for it.

Soak up the Sun-Safely

05/16/2011 16:07:00

As the season changes and the sunshine leads us outdoors to enjoy its rays, the use of sunscreens increases. And that often leads to the question of what type of sunscreen to use. There is an ongoing debate in the scientific community regarding safe sunscreens. Is a chemical sunscreen safe or should I look for a physical sunscreen? And what is the difference anyway?

Really we should begin with what types of sunscreens are most effective at protecting us from the sun’s harmful rays. The best choice is a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply, and are considered the chief culprit behind wrinkling, leathering, and other aspects of "photo aging." UVB rays are the rays that cause burning. Physical sunblock reflects, scatters, and blocks the ultraviolet radiation, where as chemical sunscreens absorbs the radiation into your skin (A, B, or both in combination) and converts it into long-wave radiation.

There have been several scientific studies on the potentially harmful ingredients in chemical sunscreens such as, Avobenzone parsol 1789, Oxybenzone Benzophenones, PABA, and more. These studies suggest these ingredients may be endocrine disrupters, skin irritants, and potentially cause free radical damage. An endocrine disruptor will either mimic or block hormones and disrupt the body’s normal hormone functions. Skin irritants cause rashes, hives, and dermatitis, and free radical damage can lead to skin damage (think age spots, discoloration, etc) and pre-mature aging. Canada, Australia, and Europe regulate sunscreen ingredients to only allow the use of three specific active ingredients since 1997. These are Avobenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. The United States does not impose any restrictions on chemicals used in sunscreens at this time.

So which type of sunscreen is best? The best sunscreen is to be covered, with a hat, a shirt, or any clothing that covers your skin and limits your sun exposure. But as that is not always practical, I would suggest a mineral based sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays without any harmful chemicals. This type of physical sunblock does not absorb any radiation from the suns rays, but rather deflects any of these harmful rays. Zinc oxide receives the highest rating for both UVA and UVB protection from the EPA. It has been shown to be very well tolerated by most with no skin irritations (hence its use in baby diaper ointments) Zinc oxide covers 290 to 380 nm of sun’s rays. UVB ranges from 290 to 320 nm. UVA ranges from 320-400 nm so it pretty well covers almost all of the UVB and UVA spectrum.

I like sunscreens that also contain skin nourishing oils and butters. As these are helpful in reducing the free radical damage. Here are a few amazing oils and butters that I have discovered in my personal research.

Soy bean oil: strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It has high levels of genistein, which studies show to be the most potent anti-oxidant against UVB rays and may provide some defense against symptoms of skin aging. The high polyphenol content also provides powerful anti-oxidizing punch.

Rice Bran oil: Rice bran oil contains several components that exhibit antioxidant properties. These include gamma-oryzanol, tocotrienols, tocopherols, and squalene. Gamma-oryzanol is effective in absorbing ultraviolet light, thereby inhibiting a number of adverse effects attributed to exposure to sunlight.

Avocado oil: vitamins A, D, and E, lecithin, potassium, beta-carotene, essential fatty acids that absorb into skin and protect it.

Raspberry Seed: is an extremely potent antioxidant. Studies have also demonstrated powerful anti-inflammatory qualities and broad spectrum UV protection. It has exceptionally high levels of alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, vitamin A, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In a study done on the properties of Red Raspberry Seed Oil, the oil showed absorbance in the UV-B and UV-C ranges suggesting that it may be useful as a broad spectrum UV protect ant in skin care formulations (Oomah et al, 2000).

Shea butter: vitamin E, vitamin A and cinnamic acid .Shea butters ingredients increase the healing of wounds and improve scars. It is commonly used in the treatment of eczema, rashes, burns, and severely dry skin. Several studies have revealed that Shea butter has UV anti-erythemic activity, which helps tissue cell regeneration and softening of the skin.

Coco butter: contains a high amount of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that help to nourish and protect skin.

My daughter is a fair skinned girl that turns from white to red --with no tanning in between. She is also extremely sensitive to any chemicals. Because of this I have played with creating my own sun protection for her using the above ingredients. And the results have been great! No sunburns, no skin rashes. I don’t know what the SPF rating is as I don’t have a lab to measure it, but again this girl burns, never tans, and she hasn’t gotten a sun burn using this yet. Because of this I think I have found our families best sunscreen.

I am in production mode and will have this product up on the products page soon available for sale--or you can call 407-2260 or email me @ massagesolutions1@yahoo.com .

This cream is formulated in an oil and wax base (no water) thus enabling it to be naturally quite water resistant. The ingredients include organic soy bean oil, rice bran oil, avocado oil, red raspberry seed oil, wild crafted shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, zinc oxide 10%.The active ingredient is mineral zinc oxide, and the base is made entirely of oils, butters, and waxes. This is a very moisturizing cream as well and a little goes a long way!!

2 oz. ~ $10.00

4 oz. ~ $18.50

Some other commercially produced sunscreens that contain great ingredients to try are Badger and BurnOut, or visit http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/ .

Happy Sunning!