January 16, 2010
What is Calendula Calendula is an annual plant that thrives in almost any soil but can typically be found in Europe, Western Asia, and the United States. It belongs to the same family as daisies, chrysanthemums, and ragweed. Its branching stems grow to a height of 30 – 60 cm, and it blooms from early spring until frost. The orange-yellow petals of the flowerheads are used medicinally. Calendula is known by its botanical name as: Calendula officinalis. It belongs to the Asteraceae (Daisies) family and is known by common names such as: Garden marigold, Poet’s marigold, Pot marigold and others. Calendula is probably one of the most useful of all medicinal herbs. It has valuable medicinal properties and can be used as a culinary herb and for skin care and cosmetic purposes. Applications in traditional medicine include: Eczema Gastritis Minor burns (including sunburn) Wound healing Other indications include: Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, healing, and soothing. Infusion of the petals used as lotion for skin cleansing and softening. Taken internally for poor circulation, varicose veins, ulcers, colitis, stomach cramps; also, headaches, toothache, ague, and skin problems. Said to strengthen and comfort the heart and aid in digestion. For external use, an oil is made from the flowers for skin problems and sunburn; used in ointment form to heal acne and fade old scars and for external sores, cuts, bruises, burns and rashes. Usually combined with chamomile and comfrey for a soothing ointment in cases of skin problems, burns, cuts, insect bites, stings and bruises. An infusion from the leaves is used for tired swollen feet. Flowers used in infusion form as a wash for red eye. Where does Calendula come from Calendula is native to Southern Europe around the Mediterranean Sea. It has been used by ancient Greeks, and was known to Indian and Arabic cultures before the Greeks. The botanical name comes from the Latin clandulae or calends meaning ‘throughout the months’, which was intended to emphasize the very long flowering period of the Marigold. What are the properties in Calendula Calendula is a well-known antiseptic and wound healer. It reduces swellings and bruises, relieves and heals effects of stings and bites and infected sites. The use of Calendula in natural skin care products is similar to that of Arnica, but it has a much gentler action and the additional benefit of wound healing. It can be used on all skin types and in all conditions. Its traditional uses include: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-septic, Wound healing. Known active constituents The petals and pollen contain triterpenoid esters (an anti-inflammatory) and the carotenoids flavoxanthin and auroxanthin (antioxidants, and the source of the yellow-orange coloration). The leaves and stems contain other carotenoids, mostly lutein (80%) and zeaxanthin (5%), and beta-carotene. Plant extracts are also widely used by cosmetics, presumably due to presence of compounds such as saponins, resins and essential oils. Calendula officinalis is used for the treatment of skin disorders and pain, and as a bactericide, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Use of Calendula in natural skin care products Calendula contains high amounts of flavonoids, plant-based antioxidants that protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals. As a result of it is a preferred ingredient in natural anti-aging skin care products and moisturisers formulated for dry, sensitive and damaged skin. Researchers are not sure what active ingredients in calendula are responsible for its healing properties, but it appears to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects in addition to the beneficial effects from the antioxidants. Calendula is often used in natural skincare products that address sensitive, dry, irritable skin as seen in conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and similar skin problems.
January 14, 2010
For many people, selecting the particular soap you apply on the skin will not be an important everyday decision. But if you think about it, you will find out how it should be.
Choosing a good soap that will be able to clean, pamper and renew our skin, is mild and gentle, and smells good altogether may be a little tough. However, if you invest time to do so will surely be worth it in the end.
The skin is undoubtedly precious to us, in more ways than one. One of the best ways for us to maintain it and keep it most healthy is to use only the soap that it truly deserves. It is only in using pure natural soap that our give our skin the opportunity to have the best nutrients and ingredients.
You can try reading labels of ordinary soap bars found in your favorite beauty shop or supermarket. Can you even understand what these strange sounding ingredients are and why they were put there? Chances are, you don’t. But you may have an inkling that most of these ingredients are not natural, and that might be a big probability that they will be harsh on the skin.
Lathering pure natural soap is surely luxurious on your skin. It can enrich and pamper the skin in the best way, containing only the best vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
There are a wide number of natural soap recipes widely available. This includes organic soap recipes made out of goat’s milk, citrus to lemongrass, brown sugar to honey and shea butter to olive oil. These contain very important nutrients, enzymes and amino acids which are all able to enhance the skin. These components are also very gentle not only on the skin, but on the environment at the same time.
Pure natural soap is free from harmful chemicals and possible even toxins which can quicken aging. With natural soap, you can enrich and revitalize your skin and slow down the process of aging. Homemade soaps can also prevent the occurrences of dark spots and skin thickening. It may also aid in collagen fiber reconstruction, retention of moisture and in keeping skin elasticity.
Making organic soaps have now been made easiest and most convenient. The process is not very time consuming or tedious. You can even use tools, equipment and ingredients that you can find at the kitchen.
There is no better time than now to start properly nourishing your skin by using pure organic soap . This may not be one of our important everyday decisions. However, choosing to go natural might just be one of the right decisions you will ever make now.
January 14, 2010
Many people have been led to believe that fat is bad for you, and that may be the case for some cooking oils. The purpose of this article is to get you up to speed on the good oils and what their health benefits are, because the truth is, your body needs it.
Good fats, what they are and how they affect our health:
Good oils are some of the natural plant based oils, such as olive oil from olives, sunflower oil from sunflowers, peanut or grapeseed oil. These are all natural oils found in nature that have a proven health benefit. They are expeller pressed, not heated so as to maintain the integrity of the oil and their anti-oxidant level.
Grape seed oil;
This oil has a mild nutty flavor and is fantastic for cooking because it does not burn as fast as regular oils and does not smoke. It would have to be almost 400 degrees before it will start to burn. Be careful though, when you heat oils it can cause them to lose some of their anti-oxidant properties.
Grape seed oil unheated is a very potent in terms of its anti-oxidant properties. Specifically, OPC which stands for “oligomeric proanthocyanidins”. These are polyphenols, a compound very high in anti-oxidants, much more powerful an OPC than Vitamins A, C and E. These vitamins are utilized and or excreted soon after digestion. Grape seed oil on the other hand can stay in the body for as long as 3 days where the body can utilize its health benefits.
Grape seed oil keeps the arteries flexible and smooth and is good for your heart. It also lowers the bad cholesterol and raises the good cholesterol. This has been proven time and time again in clinical studies. This oil is also good for your skin, hair and eyes.
Olive oil;
Olive oil is a cold pressed (not heated or treated with chemicals) directly from the olive fruit. You will see different types of olive oil namely, extra virgin, virgin, pure and extra light. Extra virgin olive oil is the best because this is from the first pressing and retains the highest level of anti-oxidants. Virgin is the second pressing, pure the third pressing and extra light the last pressing. The more pressing it goes through the less level of anti-oxidants properties it has.
Olive oil is also good for your heart and like grape-seed oil, lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol because it is a monounsaturated fat. Olive oil is excellent for the stomach and digestion. It can protect the stomach from ulcers and gastritis. In Mediterranean countries like Greece, they eat large amounts of olive oil but have a lower incidence of heart disease and stroke.
No matter what oil you use there is a risk of the oil going rancid. Don’t expose your oil to light as this will cause it to lose some of the anti-oxidant properties. Keep it closed tightly (so the air doesn’t oxidize it) and keep in a cool dark place. Note: It’s best not to buy it in a clear glass bottle. Another thing you can do to prevent oil from going rancid is open a vitamin E capsule and poor it in the oil.
The health risk of bad fat:
A bad fat is a saturated or trans fat. These fats are associated with disease. This is because they are hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. When you see these words on a label, DON’T EAT IT OR GIVE IT TO YOUR FAMILY! Oils that are hydrogenated are put through an extensive process that uses, believe it or not, soap, clay, nickel, bleach and hydrogen gas to process it. These oils inhibit the body’s ability to metabolize food and prohibit proper enzyme function. The saturated or trans fat that you eat today may not be fully metabolized for 6 weeks! Think of that for a minute. It means that for up to 6 weeks these oils are prohibiting metabolism and enzyme function for all that time. If you eat it every day, think of the future health risk.
January 14, 2010
Every time I read or hear about flu fatalities, it makes me wonder, mainly because whenever my family or I get flu, we manage to overcome it quite quick using ONLY natural remedies. Now the world is fighting swine flu and its’ warnings are all over the news, Internet and airport posters. Since my darling husband travels quite frequently, I had to figure out a way to prevent any flu virus getting near him. So, I made a preventive kit to use anytime he is about to get on the airplane. This kit contains Antiviral Essential Oil Blend that Natures Lovers produces, Vitamin C and homeopathic remedy. It works every time and he hasn’t brought any viruses back home since : In case you already caught the nasty virus, the experience can be quite unpleasant and exhausting. In this case, my suggestion is to get plenty of rest, drink enough warm liquids, stay away from sugar (which shuts down our immune system) and ask your loved one to make you a bowl of chicken soup! Another very effective tool is again to use Essential Oils of Eucalyptus, Lavender, Thyme, Myrtle, Pine and Lemon. These amazing oils help with nasal congestion, headaches, fever and cough. Essential Oils of Lavender, Thyme and Lemon promote production of white blood cells, which are essential to our immune system for fighting viruses and bacteria. Oils of Eucalyptus, Myrtle, Frankincense, Pine and Ravensara will help with nasal congestion and mucus. Usually, we pick up a virus in crowed places places like malls where ventilation is very poor; a good prevention tool would be to drop few drops of antiviral Essential Oils on a tissue and carry it with you throughout your busy day inhaling the vapors before stepping into those crowded places. Essential Oils rarely cause allergic reactions, unless applied undiluted directly to the skin or mucus membranes, therefore, it’s always better to consult with qualified aromatherapist about what oils to use. Oils of Eucalyptus, Lavender, Myrtle and Frankincense are usually safe to be used in children (over 2 y.o) and elderly. For kids smaller amount of drops for inhalation should be used. For example – adults should use 5-7 drops of essential oil for inhalation and kids should use 2-3 drops. Nevertheless, if your flu symptoms get worse go visit your doctor : Be well & stay healthy!
January 14, 2010
Depression affects all too many members of our population and now with the economic recession, I am certain that the numbers of depressed people among us are just going up. We all know about the commonly prescribed anti-depressants like Paxil and Zoloft, but did you know that there’s an herbal remedy that’s been shown to treat mild to moderate depression that’s available at your local pharmacy? That’s right, St John’s wort or hypericum, is the most widely known herbal treatment for depression and in some countries, like Germany, it is commonly prescribed for mild depression, in children and adolescents. According to the Cochrane Review, a key resource in evidence-based medicine, the available evidence suggests that the hypericum extracts tested in the included trials are superior to placebo in patients with major depression; are similarly effective as standard antidepressants; and have fewer side effects than standard antidepressants. St John’s Wort was tested in a double-blind study of 105 patients diagnosed as having neurotic depression or temporary depressive mood. The subjects were then divided into two groups and monitored over a period of four weeks, with one group given 300mg of St John’s Wort extract, three times daily, and the other group was given a placebo. The results showed that, after 4 weeks, 67% of the Hypericum group had responded positively to the treatment without any adverse side effects whereas only 28% of the placebo group showed any signs of improvement. Pretty incredible evidence for St. John’s Wort, huh. What about Major depression, you ask? Yup, it’s good for that too. In fact, an analysis of 29 clinical trials with more than 5000 patients conducted by Cochrane Collaboration concluded that extracts of St. John’s Wort were superior to placebo in patients with major depression. St. John’s Wort had similar efficacy to standard antidepressants and the rate of side effects was twice lower than for newer SSRI antidepressants and five times lower than for older tricyclic antidepressants.
January 14, 2010
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer as well as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American men. A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test has been shown to detect prostate cancer in its earliest stages. Even though cancer screenings are very important they are just one health concern when it comes to the prostate. As men get older, the prostate may become a source for many other problems that can, but not necessarily always, include cancer. Since the symptoms of some prostate conditions often mimic cancer, many men who learn they have a problem often immediately assume the worst. Therefore, it is important to understand the prostate and how potential changes might affect your health. Additionally, it is good to know what natural supplements you can take to ensure your prostate ages healthfully.
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland found only in men just below the bladder and around the urethra, which functions as part of the male reproductive system. Throughout life the prostate continues to grow larger, but only after it becomes too large do problems begin to occur. The most common problem for men under fifty is prostatitis (inflamed prostate). This can cause a burning feeling during urination as well as frequent urination. It may be a sign that your body is fighting an infection, which can usually be treated with the use of an antibiotic. Nonbacterial prostatitis, on the other hand, does not respond to antibiotics and requires other forms of treatment. Men over fifty suffer most frequently from prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although older men are more at risk for prostate cancer, BPH is much more common. This issue occurs when the prostate becomes so enlarged that it squeezes the urethra, causing problems in urination, urinary tract infections, and in worse case scenarios kidney damage. However, prostate cancer will affect one out of ever six men over the course of their lifetimes, making it the most serious prostate problem, causing 27,00 deaths this year alone.
Prostate problems such as BPH are usually treated with prescription drugs, which often lead to unpleasant side effects such as mild dizziness, sleep problems, decreased sex drive, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fainting. For those people who don’t want to experience these side effects, there is a natural safe alternative available: saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is the best known of prostate-supportive herbs coming from palm tree berries. However, it does not work for all men or those with extreme cases of BPH. The prostate gland also needs zinc, which is hard to find in a typical diet. By adding zinc supplements to your daily regimen, you can easily stabilize hormones and possibly prevent prostate problems.
A great natural solution that comes risk-free and can help with a large range of prostate health issues is epilobium, which contains properties that have supported prostate health for centuries. Epilobium is a small willow herb used in traditional medicine for the treatment of prostate disorders and valued for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Because traditional use and modern research have proven that epilobium may help with BPH and prostatitis and has shown promising results for inhibiting cancer cell growth, it’s a great choice for prostate health.