Alternative medicines

Posts Tagged ‘natural health’

Everyone gets the occasional headache, but some headaches get so bad they won’t go away. While drugs treat the symptoms, they often ignore the underlying cause of the problem.

The worst headaches can be slow to respond to the intended effect of the medications. The stronger medications can have negative and long-lasting effects to the rest of your body when used for extended periods. They is why many people finally decide to look to other, more natural (and safer) solutions for their problem such as chiropractic.

Some Types of Headaches

When treating any type of health condition, the first and most important step is to understand what is causing the problem. Since there are many different kinds of headaches, some are more effectively treated by chiropractic than others. Headaches are often caused by

-changes in constriction of the vascular system

-tension in the muscles

-sinus congestion

These headaches can refer or radiate pain all over your head and they can feel like they’re centered in many different locations, but it is most important to realize that chiropractic seems to work best in the types of headaches that are based around muscle tension and changes to vascular flow. Sinus headaches have also had success, but they are likely to have a more complicated cause.

The three main types of headaches most often found in chiropractic offices are:

-migraine headaches

-tension headaches

-cervicogenic headaches (from the neck)

This last category sounds a bit daunting but cervicogenic simply means a headache that is caused by referred pain that actually originates within the bone or muscles of the neck.

Tension Headaches

If we become stressed, scared, or angry, your body will respond with increased muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. This reaction is called the fight or flight response, and it is the normal response to stress. If we are stressed often (as most of us are) and we can neither run or fight, the muscle tension becomes a habit.

This can lead to some imbalances in the way we hold our body, which in turn leads to more muscle tension and pain. Chiropractic treatment can relax these muscles and realign the spine’s structure to put and end to the vicious cycle of pain. Those seeking chiropractic care for tension headaches can often see a marked improvement in just a few treatments as the nerves become less irritated and the muscles begin to relax.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are caused by changes in vascular flow, which can be brought about b a variety of factors such as changes in the weather, hormonal changes, stress, even different smells or foods — just to name a few. These headaches do not always start as pain, but may begin with nausea or visual auras. The headache can be strong or weak, but most migraine sufferers experience very painful headaches.

Recent studies have shown chiropractic treatment may play a significant role in reducing the number of migraines a person has. By careful manipulation of the neck and spine, chiropractic adjustments may be able to reduce nerve irritation in the spine, thus preventing radiating or referred pain, and improve vascular flow.

Treatment

Chiropractic care centers around manipulation of the spine and neck to improve blood flow and posture. To reduce the headaches, the chiropractor will perform spinal adjustments using his hands, but may also include massage, trigger point therapy, or other types of complementary treatments to address the problem. The doctor of chiropractic will probably also include some home care recommendations such as stretching exercises and posture education to help keep things balanced between visits.

As the owner of an aromatherapy company, I get asked all the time: “How do I get started using essential oils? Well, one of the simplest and rewarding ways of doing this is getting into the “aroma” part of aromatherapy — the inhalation and enjoyment of the scent of the oils themselves. This in fact is a gateway to utilizing the whole realm of therapy available from pure essential oils. Once you get familiar with the oils and the way they smell by diffusing their aromas, you’ll be more apt to investigate the powerful medicinal aspects of aromatherapy and its many application techniques.

Diffusion of an essential oil means to distribute the oil in the air around you. Essential oils easily evaporate — more easily than water — so this is a pretty straightforward thing to do. At the same time, there are ways to get even more essential oil in the air, at a higher concentration than, say, if you just let a bottle sit open on a table. This is where an aromatherapy diffuser comes it. The diffuser evaporates the essential oil faster, using one of many possible methods (more on that in a moment). And why would you want to evaporate the oil faster? If you just left a bottle sitting open, you and your family would occasionally smell the aroma coming from the bottle; if you’d like your whole room or house to be filled with that aroma, you’d use a diffuser.

All diffusers will improve the rate of evaporation of essential oils into your surrounding space. It is important to recognize that while this may use your oils faster, there are good reasons to do this: diffusing oils so they can be smelled over a much larger space; diffusing oils in a work environment to eliminate the scents of of other activities; and perhaps the most important is sometimes diffusing high concentrations of oils such that we can absorb more oils through our respiratory systems for our health. The least expensive diffusers will use a small heating element to evaporate the oils, or a small fan which moves air more quickly over the oils for the same effect. These are usually excellent choices for a small bedroom or office. A little more high-tech are the humidifying ultrasonic diffusers, which are actually just small ultrasonic humidifiers. They do a wonderful job in small to medium environments, particularly in dry climates or during the winter with forced-air heat systems.

There are other simple, inexpensive ‘low-tech’ methods of diffusing essential oils. These are as simple as candle warmers — where a candle gently evaporates a few drops of essential oil floating on a small bowl of water above a tea-light candle (don’t forget the water! So many people report these devices burn their oils, but they’ve put them just over the heat!). A Reed Diffuser is also common, which evaporates aromatic oils through bamboo reeds and slowly into the air. Though they do most often use a synthetic dispersion agent called DPG or dipropylene glycol, which most aromatherapists will not recommend using, as at some point the diffusion process requires one breathing in its vapors.

The high end of aromatherapy diffusers are called cold-air nebulizing diffusers. The use nothing but a pressurized stream of air to make a fine mist of essential oil, which then evaporates directly into the air. The best of these units have a variable output control so they can be properly adjusted to the size of the room and/or the desired concentration of aroma in the air. The nebulizing diffuser has the capability of both simply diffusing oils for their aromatic effects, and to go so far as to deliver true therapy in aroma medicine. The classic aroma medicine texts show images of people placed in oxygen-style tents inhaling significant quantities of essential oil vapor to cure them of very serious infectious diseases. This effect can be created in small rooms, though it is important to have the guidance of a natural health professional before including this modality in a treatment program for yourself or a loved one. At the same time, these techniques are very worthwhile investigating, and the curing of infectious illness is considered one of the most promising medical application of essential oil therapy.

The choice of oils you can use in a diffuser is even more diverse than the kinds of diffusers available. It is really best to start with your desired reason for diffusing oils, then select your oils following this guideline. For general use, Citrus oils are very lovely, and combine very well to make your own unique scents. Try Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Orange and Grapefruit together for example. Or the “evegreen” oils all blend together well: Fir, Spruce, Pine and Juniper create a very welcoming and warm atmosphere. Floral oils can be easily blended too, as can the woods and the herbs. Once you venture outside of blending oils from the same family, you’ll want to pay a little closer attention to the ratios of each oil you use, as it’s easy to make odd smelling recipes if you just start putting in “a little of this and a little of that”! On can always use a single oil at any time, particularly if you really enjoy one, but in the long run, blends can often be more interesting to the advanced aromatherapy user.

Finally, if you’re wanting to diffuse with specific therapeutic purposes in mind, you might want find some recipes from Aromatherapists created with your needs in mind. Lavender diffused during the course of the night (in very small amounts) can significantly improve sleep — this would be considered a therapeutic application. To improve mental clarity, Rosemary has shown positive results in many studies, and is a lovely stimulating aroma. To support the immune system, some therapists recommend a blend of Rosemary, Thyme Linalool, Hyssop and Melissa. You can pick and choose among the immune supportive oils that sound best for your needs — and the essential oils from herbs also seem to easily blend well together to create a fun and healing combination.

So there is a primer on diffusing essential oils. To recap, first pick the diffuser style that will suit your needs, whether you’ll just like to smell the aromas in a smaller space, or diffuse significant quantities for health reasons. Next, you can blend one oil at a time (diffusers usually do not require one to clean them between oils, nor are the therapeutic effects significantly altered by this), by a pre-blended formula, or create your own diffuser mixture. Just be sure not to include any fixed or carrier oils for diffuser use (many massage formulas can be converted to diffuser use simply by removing the carrier oil). Start slowly, remembering that you’ll generally need less oil than you think to produce the effect you need. And welcome yourself to a whole new world of natural medicine!

The great tide of Western medicine is turning: we’ve become so jaded with the obvious inadequacies and waste of our medical institutions, with a deep feeling that “something just ain’t right”, that Natural Medicine is quickly becoming mainstream. It’s about time! When did “Conventional” medicine become “Alternative”? Now plant medicine is quickly coming back in favor — folks are trusting the beauty and grace of planet Earth, and that she has all the medicine we’ll ever need. And with that, enter Aroma Medicine. No longer do we need to feel a little odd talking about Aroma “Therapy”; while this has always really been defined as the branch of medicine utilizing the organic volatile molecules produced by plants, the term has been stigmatized in North America to some “New Age” foolishness. But researchers around the globe are telling a different story…

The body of evidence published in peer-reviewed scientific journals proclaiming the valid medical effects of essential oils is growing by leaps and bounds. Simple searches through online databases produce incredible numbers of results: Searching the site of the National Center for Biotechnology Information for the term “essential oil” yields over eight thousand results of studies involving essential oils used in aromatherapy, and “new” essential oils from plants yet to be included in modern aromatherapy’s repertoire. Consider the implications of the first result: the essential oil from Lemons prevents dementia. This is common, wonderful smelling essential oil that one can use to clean the house prevent brain damage at the same time. And this is just the tip of the iceberg; the biochemical and physiological actions of essential oils are very, very diverse.

Further down the same page is an abstract confirming the beauty of natural medicines: All the natural molecular constituents of Thyme essential oil have an additive antimicrobia effect — science and industry has a habit of extracting a single component, patenting it, and bringing it to market while forgetting to tell us that natural Thyme oil itself is even more effective. Other jaw-dropping notes about essential oils: Clove oil has the highest Oxidative Radical Absorbance Capacity of any natural substance ever tested — over 100,000, on a scale where blueberries score about 5,000 and Wolfberries are about 30,000. A large number of studies have confirmed the stress reducing effects of Lavender, going to far to show reduced Cortisol levels AND an increase in the body’s natural scavenging of oxidtive radicals — JUST FROM SMELLING the oil!

Perhaps the most important effects of all are those seen in the treatment of serious illnesses. Many modern medical aromatherapists believe the greatest promise of essential oils still lay in the development of protocols for treatment of infectious disease. The MRSA “superbug”, referring to one of several strains of Staphylococcus bacteria that are resistant to the powerful antibiotic drug Methicillin, has become an overwhelming problem in the world’s hospitals. Folks go in for care of one condition, and while their immune defenses are low, they come down with an infection that’s very hard to cure (because man-made antibiotics don’t work). Enter essential oils: Pub Med is filled with studies showing the efficacy of essential oils like Tea Tree and Geranium against MRSA (particularly when combined with another potent natural antibacterial, Grapefruit Seed Extract).

And for the really big one: essential oils are showing great promise in the treatment of many cancers. Frankincense and Lemongrass are just two of the oils that have been shown anti-tumorial, and Sandalwood has been show to specifically prevent skin cancers from UVB radiation exposure. Searching for “Frankincense tumor” gives a first result of: “Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity”. The conclusion states: “Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell viability…” There are many more results like this, with a variety of oils and a variety of cancer cell lines. This is a very exiting time for natural medicine, as a combination of new extraction techniques, and faster turn around times in research facilities made lead to new, life saving protocols in the very near future (and it’s important that we as members of the world community keep voicing our opinions, and making these changes in our available medical treatments — it’s not only good for us, it’s good for the world as well, as the production of natural medicines takes SO much less energy than their pharmaceutical “equivalents”).

Essential oils offer so much more than these treatments, too! So much concentrated wellness is available to the average family taking part in the aromatherapy lifestyle. Tea Tree and Lavender (mix them 50/50 and keep a small bottle available) is perhaps the most potent antibacterial, nicest smelling and gently soothing formula for all the cuts and scrapes of childhood. Helichrysum italicum essential oil has profound healing and pain relieving effects on bumps, bruises, twists, sprains and all muscular sore spots — and it works fast. Lavender and Helichrysum are excellent for burns; use a couple drops “neat” next time you may (God forbid!) touch a hot stove and you’ll be extolling the virtues of essential oils in no time. Kids getting unruly? A belly or back rub with Roman Chamomile or Mandarin (2% in Hazelnut oil) does the trick. Try 1% Vanilla for the toddlers. You can create blends specifically for the needs of your skin to dramatically improve eczema symptoms, reduce wrinkles, make scars slowly fade, eliminate acne and athlete’s foot, and just bring a fantastic glow to your face. So many great smelling medicines from so many plants!

Sure, this can sound a little overwhelming…where, really, to start when you’re new to it all? Well, that’s the trick: just get started. Anyone in your family not sleeping well? Rub a drop of lavender on each foot at bedtime for a few nights and see what happens. Someone with athlete’s foot or other similar rashes? Mix 30 drops of Tea Tree and 30 drops of Palmarosa into a fluid ounce of Jojoba oil and massage into the area a couple times a day. Just get a simple diffuser, some Black Spruce essential oil and make your house smell like the middle of the forest. Dab a drop of Rose, Amber, Jasmine or Sandalwood oil to your wrist, rub them together and smell like heaven. It’s that easy. And these simple ideas get you ready for when you might need to tap into the serious medicine available here. Essential oils won’t be foreign anymore, and you’ll start to trust their real medicinal value. Also, there are tons of great books, and very qualified teachers. Open your eyes and heart to the world of Aroma Medicine, and you’ll be sure to find your way.

When considering going to a chiropractor about your neck pain, it is first important to keep a few things in mind. The chiropractic practice began with the intent of only working with spine and back related problems, and while many instances of neck pain may be related to back misalignment, many others are not.

Chiropractic adjustment of the neck and cervical vertebrae may carry with it some risks, so your chiropractor will perform an examination first. While very low in its risk, an improperly done neck manipulation can actually cause some problems ranging from stroke to pinching and severing major blood vessels in that area.

Most, it not all, chiropractors understand the risks involved in spinal manipulation and only perform this procedure when it’s the right treatment for the patient. A case history as well as a physical and neurological examination is done first. I would be unwise for a doctor of chiropractic to perform any treatment without doing these things first. In many cases, the dangerous manipulations are being performed by non-chiropractors and this is what puts the unsuspecting “patient” at risk.

Neck pain, headaches, and tingling or numbness in the upper extremities can be directly linked back to cervical vertebrae misalignment. The benefits of receiving a specific spinal adjustment to the neck can mean an end to a lifetime of a chronic condition. Many chiropractic patients only sought out treatment after all other more “traditional” treatments have been tried and failed.

Chiropractic adjustments can be just the thing for neck pain. Many times this neck pain may be caused by tension or posture issues which can be fixed in one or two visits with a skilled practitioner, even if it has been chronic. Because chiropractic can change, or reset the way a person carries their skeletal frame, this may also correct how they deal with the tension they carry around in their muscles and whether that translates itself into back or neck pain or not.

If you are concerned about whether chiropractic is right for you, you can set up a consult with a chiropractor or consider seeing your general practitioner first if you know of something in your personal medical history that you think might be a problem. He or she can help determine if chiropractic care is right for your problem, or if other treatment options would be more suitable for your problem. You can also seek out the help of friends, family members, or co-workers that have had a good experience with a chiropractor.

The chiropractic doctor may determine that a radiographic examination (x-ray) of the neck and maybe the entire spine after performing an examination. The chiropractor may then recommend treatment that includes massage, heat, cold therapy, ultrasound, and electric stimulation in addition to the spinal adjustments. The additional therapies complement the main treatment; the spinal adjustment.

Probiotics are valuable microorganisms that when eaten help reinstate the healthy bacteria in your intestinal organs. There are numerous foods that come loaded with Probiotics, like yogurt, and eating these daily should be sufficient, but if you have intestinal trouble you can also take supplements.

Probiotics are great at solving and avoiding problems like irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and diarrhoea as all of these occur after the healthy bacteria in our gut has its equilibrium and PH levels distressed. Probiotics can also help avert allergies in children as well as stop vaginal and urinary infections in women.

While it may seem non-productive to add more bacteria to our system, our body already has more than a hundred trillion microorganisms in it that are in fact helping it stay fit. These help absorb our food and aid in blend.

These bacteria also help our immune system function by keeping our gut at a PH level that is not conducive to outside bacteria, thus killing these as they enter our body. At the same time, these will help kill any bacteria that survive, helping us stay healthy.

Clinical trial outcomes have shown that introducing Probiotics into our diet can treat diarrhoea, with about 60% of patients showing indications of progress after taking Probiotics. They can also assist people with Crohns disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotics are also recommended to people who have ulcers.

Probiotics also aid in controlling the PH level of the urogenital area. Taking antibiotics, using spermicidal medicine or birth control pills can destroy the strong bacteria that live here, making women prone to troubles like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Probiotics can help repair the PH levels to this area.

The biggest reason why our bodys healthy bacteria are killed is because we either accept too much antibiotics orally, or through our food supply. Antibiotics do not identify that there are good bacteria in our body, and they slay every bacterium they come across, upsetting the balance in our body. This makes us vulnerable to more sickness. While we may think that we only take antibiotics as medicine, we also consume a lot of antibiotics in our normal food supply as most poultry is encumbered with antibiotics to prevent the animals from getting ill. This is why it is suggested that people eat organic food.

You can find Probiotics by either talking to your consultant, or by going to your local health store. Most health supplements are not subjected to strict testing by government health establishment, so you may not make out of the other things that are mixed in with it, and that can perhaps cause other issues. The easiest way is to incorporate yogurt into your daily schedule as this is not rubbish and is a low cost way of getting your daily measure of Probiotics.

Probiotics are a trouble-free solution to your stomach problems, so it is always a healthier idea to try and introduce these to your system before going to a consultant.

Some children see doctors for every sniffle and cough yet are never really well. Have you ever wondered why that is?

Simply put, medications are suppressants that dull symptoms without getting to the root cause of a problem. They also compromise the body’s ability to digest foods and ward off the next illness or infection because the intestinal flora is also destroyed, the good body bacteria, everytime medications go in.

These small children will see life as a series of doctors visits, yes but more than that. They will never get well. Intermittently they will be well enough and then the next round of sniffles will come and off they may be rushed for more meds. Their reality will be a life of sore throats, runny noses, diarrhea that goes into constipation, inability to enjoy food, allergies, headaches, lethargy, apathy, maybe early onset arthritis, and on the list goes. So what is the answer?

First of all colds and influenzas, bacterial or viral, are messages that the body needs rest and is out of balance. That will never be corrected by medication. Medication is a suppressor of the symptoms only. In a tough spot, and on occasion, they are needed. A childs life should not be endangered; however, a parent must be equipped with the internal fortitude, enough fresh juice, Vitamin C and Homeopathic Remedies to carry through the most ordinary of situations: colds, influenza, and allergies.

I’ve raised three children, and it is a tough call between letting a fever break and calling the doctor; however, a fever is how the body burns out infection. That is its Internal and Higher Intelligence. When parents study the healing capabilites of the body and support that function, they will weather the tide of simple colds and influenzas much better equipped.

Parents should be vigilant when a child is ill with severe fever to see how high the temperature actually is. Cool compresses and cool baths are better than continual aspirins which dull the fever’s ability to burn the infection.

Vitamin C, maybe Ginger, Chamomile or Dandelion & Echinacea tea with stevia or honey will soothe and assist the body to do its job. Sometimes recurring symptoms are a cry for love and attention so give it when a child is sick and again when theyre well. Fresh, hand squeezed, or organic bottled juices are the best thing for sick children. Rest is imperative, and if I can go on record, even from computers and televisions at close range. Those transmissions at close range are detrimental to the immune system.

Try to get the fever under control a bit even if youve decided to take the trip to the doctors office. Now that weve covered some warm and cozy alternatives to the habitual running to a doctors office, lets go back to reminders why we want to have the courage to teach children how great their body is designed.

You want to try everything you can to get well with healthy alternatives and a healthy ongoing lifestyle first because your child will be full of wonder at life. Make your home a fortress of health, from water to herbal teas and fresh juices, echinacea, goldenseal, dandelion, vitamin C (always) herbal teas for children, tuck away organic bottled juice (if you don’t juice yourself) and make homemade soups. They will be bright minded and not dull witted. They will have courage and find their own inner strength. They will have faith in life and lifes processes. They will be a success in life. They will be spiritual BEINGS with a healthy intestinal tract.

Every child is different. Some have more energy, others inquisitive, creative, inventive, and then some may be ill. Building the system with fresh fruits and vegetables, getting the mineral and enzyme count up, will help immeasurably. Remember that medication destroys the integrity of the intestinal tract to absorb nutrients and after continued use the child is more depleted and now has candida yeast overgrowth and compromised gut or leaky bowel syndrome. So, if they must be on medication to live, continue your quest for their recovery naturally also.

As every child is unique, every instance is different. If you have a child that needs medications to stay alive then make sure they get probiotics, vitamins and minerals. So often it is the letting go of harmful habits which make the biggest difference. Help your child stay addiction free from: sugars, soda, simpe carbohydrates with no nutritional value, like chips, fries, etc. Remember that everything in nature is colorful, not white. Anything white is dead. So throw out all your white sugars, flours, breads. You’ll feel great about it! And, you’ll raise a family of champions.

I am a Nutritionist and Naturopath but I have taken my children and myself to the doctor, only when necessary and not that often. Being balanced is the key. Doctors are necessary and so is thoughtful self care.

Stay healthy. Ellen Valentine, NC http://www.valentinewellness.com http://www.babynurserybeddingonline.com

by Helen Stevens

The anti-bacterial action of essential oils may be their most studied effect, in-part because these are simple experiments to perform. Place a piece of filter paper saturated with an essential oil in the center of a petri dish and watch the growth, or lack of, bacteria around the paper. The larger the area where bacteria do not grow, the stronger the action of that particular essential oil inhibiting that particular strain of microbe. This test, known as an Aromatogram, was popularized by French scientist Paul Belaiche. Through extensive research, large tables of data now allow aromatherapists to quickly find the most efficacious oils once the infecting species of bacteria is known. But you don’t have to be a scientist to make use of this information – there are many simple, effective means for using essential remedies for yourself and your family and children as part of a holistic natural health program for your household.

Each single, pure essential oil consists of several, sometimes hundreds of distinct natural chemicals. Essential oils derive their antimicrobial effect from their unique chemical makeup. It turns out that nature has been doing a remarkable job of therapeutic blending. Many of these have antimicrobial activity, and show synergistic effects; blends of the chemicals – as found naturally in the oils – can be more potent than any individual chemical alone. Studies have often shown that combinations of essential oil components are more effective against bacteria than any single isolated constituent. Think of this the next time you might reach for Bactine or some iodine tincture – the formulations nature has made herself will likely work better, and will most assuredly smell nicer.

It is important to consider your application for the safest and most effective result. Applying an Oregano formulation may be the best solution for a case of nail fungus, yet a recipe containing this oil is much too intense for use on soft tissue of any kind, particularly for children and those with sensitive skin. You can even easily mix an antiseptic with a soothing/pain relieving oil to improve the overall effectiveness. Here are a few well-regarded oils for home use, and some methods of application: Tea Tree, Lavender, Oregano, Geranium, and Lemon.

Tea Tree essential oil is known throughout the world for its protective properties against infections. The leaves have been used for centuries to heal wounds and skin infections by indigenous Australians. Tea Tree is a must for every natural first aid kit, both for the home and for the traveling family. One of the safest and most effective ways of controlling minor infections is the immediate intervention action of Tea Tree. The oil is well tolerated, and cases of irritation by this oil are almost unheard of. A drop on the gauze before applying a bandage can keep the reddening indication of infection from children’s cuts and scrapes. Also for the young ones, Tea Tree can be diluted to 5% in any carrier like Jojoba oil or Aloe Vera for a gentle topical antiseptic.

Lavender is the most versatile essential oils in use today, and in fact began the modern medical aromatherapy revolution through its quick healing of burns by a French cosmetics chemist. The cooling aroma disperses heat and inflammation and brings relief from pain, spasms, and general unrest. With its calming and balancing properties, the oil is exceptionally supportive of relaxation and rest. Lavender imparts this action in healing wounds as well; for healing unbroken skin such as burns, apply Lavender ‘neat’ to the wound several times a day; insect bites also get a ‘neat’ treatment. For cuts and scrapes, keep a equal mix of Lavender and Tea Tree on hand for the best all-purpose antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving solution. Moms will really appreciate the synergy of the antibacterial nature of Tea Tree and the soothing effects of Lavender.

When more serious antibacterial action is necessary, natural medicine professionals turn to Oregano essential oil. Oregano’s use in day-to-day applications are relatively limited due to its extreme potency – it should not be used topically except under the advice of a qualified practitioner, and then only in low dilutions for a limited period of time. Oregano is being studied extensively, however, for its potential use as a natural, effective antibiotic – particularly as many dangerous bacteria become resistant to pharmaceutical preparations. Oregano capsules are available at many health-food stores, and may be of use for systemic infections such as of the candida fungus or other bacteria; if you feel you or a family member could benefit from such immune system support, consult a qualified medical professional for advice.

Also a highly-regarded antimicrobial, but with gentler action and scent, Geranium essential oil is a very worthwhile addition to the home medicine chest. Geranium has exceptional healing properties for the skin, creating balance between oily and dry states, and is useful for both over-oily and over-dry conditions.. A non-drying, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and general tonic, Geranium is described in the aromatherapy literature as a cure for acne, general dermatitis and eczema. Geranium essential oil is one of the few that has been used successfully against the MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) bacteria in laboratory studies (see Pub Med for research abstracts on this suject). Geranium may also be used as a local antiseptic for small wounds; there are many Geranium varieties available, though the oil produced in Egypt may be the most potent antimicrobial, with a brilliant sweet and herbaceous aroma accompanying its healing effects.

Lemon essential oil is a powerful antiseptic and bactericide that performs many tasks around the house, as well as for your health. Lemon has a tonic action on the lymphatic system and a stimulating action on the digestive system, additionally providing relief from insect bites and tension headaches. Use this pleasant antimicrobial blend with confidence to clean counter tops, windows, and door handles: two drops each of Lemon, Pine, and Eucalyptus Radiata essential oils in four ounces of distilled or spring water. Keep a spray bottle of this solution handy for your day-to-day cleaning; it’s not only an effective antiseptic, but its aroma will bring a smile to your face.

This is but a sampling of the antiseptic and antimicrobial essential oils available. They are easy to use, and offer a excellent means of bringing natural medicines and cleaners into your life. Many oils have specific action against certain microbes; if you or child or other loved one needs more directed treatment, seek the advice of a licensed or degreed natural health professional, and consult a doctor to ensure the safety of any complimentary essential oil application. There are many excellent books available by reputable authors – ‘Advanced Aromatherapy’ and ‘Medical Aromatherapy’ by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, and any of the books by Valerie Worwood are worth investigating to further your knowledge in the practical application of essential oils. These books cover the safe use of essential oils in general, and specific conditions you’ll want to be aware of when delving deeper into aromatherapy. In selecting essential oils over synthetic preparations, you’ll find great satisfaction making the natural choice for yourself and your family.

About the Author:

The author has made available much information about aromatherapy, such as using lavender and other pure essential oils.

Pelvic floor muscles encompass a sheet of muscles that offers support or base to the underside section of your body identified as tummy. Pelvic floor muscles offer safety to all your pelvic organs such as bladder, uterus, and back passage.

Pelvic floor muscles are regularly uncared for, and on the basis of this rationale they happen to become weak which further leads to inconvenience. Some of the foremost basis for the weakness of pelvic floor muscles incorporates lack of corporeal activity, old age, pregnancy, too much twisting at the time of bowel movements, or menopause in case of women.

Though, some of the most vital signs of feeble pelvic muscles may comprise of soreness in vagina, leaching of urine while minor coughing, sneezing or even a giggle, augmented need of going to bathroom, or even an unexpected need to go off to the washroom. Apart from these talked about symptoms; there might be some other signs which may point towards weak pelvic floor muscles.

Some of the ways to prevent your pelvic floor muscles from becoming weak or to keep them strong are mentioned below.

If you wish to keep strong pelvic floor muscles, you must primarily stop constipation. You can accomplish this by consuming an impartial diet, taking foodstuff rich in fibres, fruits, and vegetables etc. also, you must at least take in 8 to 10 glasses of water or fluid on daily basis to stop constipation.

Make sure you follow proper bowel movements on regular basis. If you suffer from cough, make sure to get it treated from your doctor immediately as too much coughing may also strain out your pelvic floor muscles. Also, abstain from smoking as it is also a major cause of weakening the pelvic muscles.

Some other ways to keep your pelvic floor muscles strong and to prevent them from becoming weak include keeping your weight in control. Being overweight can result in putting more pressure on the pelvic muscles which can consequently result in their becoming weak. If even you are overweight, make sure you lose some weight as it is also observed that women who lose some weight have also noticed improvement in their symptoms regarding the pelvic muscles.

Also, you should abstain from performing certain kinds of exercises as some exercise patterns may put pressure on your abdomen resulting in weak pelvic muscles. It is recommended not to do sit ups (included in aerobics or yoga) with straight legs as it increases pressure on the pelvic muscles. Furthermore, you should also avoid doing step aerobics if your want to protect your pelvic floor muscles form becoming weak. Instead, you can do certain pelvic floor exercises to keep your pelvic muscles strong. Pelvic muscle exercise may also improve your certain problems such as the urgent need of going to the bathroom and leakage of urine etc.

If you want to keep your pelvic floor muscles physically powerful, you should also keep away from lifting heavy things. Even if you have to lift anything by bending your knees, make sure to keep your back straight whilst doing this to keep away from putting strain on your pelvic muscles. It is also sensible for mothers that they right away start pelvic muscle movements subsequent to giving birth to their babies to keep and build up power in pelvic muscles to keep away from potential problems.

New methods of essential oil extraction are entering the mainstream of aromatherapy, offering new choices in oils never before available. With the new labels of ‘CO2′ and ‘SCO2′, along with the traditional ’steam’ and ‘hydro’ distillations, ‘absolutes’, and ‘cold pressing’, a little education for the aromatherapy enthusiast can go a long way in essential oil selection. Is one process better than another? Does one produce a nicer smelling oil, or one with greater aromatherapeutic value? It turns out that essential oil production, like winemaking, is an art form as well as a science. The value of the newer processing methods depends greatly on the experience of the distiller, as well as the intended application of the final product. Each method is important, and has it’s place in the making of aromatherapy-grade essential oils.

Steam and Hydro-Distillation

Steam distillation, the most common method of essential oil production, involves the flow of steam into a chamber holding the raw plant material. The steam causes small sacs containing essential oil to burst. The oil is then carried by the steam out of the chamber and into a chilled condenser, where the steam once again becomes water. (Hydro-distillation is a similar process where the plant material is boiled, with the resultant steam being captured and condensed). The oil and water are then separated; the water, referred to as a hydrosol, can be retained as it will have some of the plant essence. Rose hydrosol, for example, is commonly used for it’s mild antiseptic and soothing properties, as well as it’s pleasing floral aroma.

A number of factors determine the final quality of a steam distilled essential oil. Aside from the plant material itself, most important are time, temperature and pressure, and the quality of the distillation equipment. Essential oils are very complex products; each is made up of many, sometimes hundreds, of distinct molecules which come together to form the oil’s aroma and therapeutic properties. Some of these molecules are fairly delicate structures which can be altered or destroyed by adverse environmental conditions. So, much like a fine meal is more flavorful when made with patience, most oils benefit from a long, slow ‘cooking’ process.

The temperature of the extraction chamber should be maintained within a reasonable range, lest some components of the oil be altered or destroyed. This also applies to the chamber pressure. The essential oil of Lavender flowers, for example, should not be processed at over 245 degrees and three pounds per square inch. Tougher conditions will result in a harsh scent – more chemical than floral.

High temperatures and pressures are often used to produces large quantities of oil in a short period of time. The oils are often destined for use in cosmetic and food products, but can sold as essential oils for use in aromatherapy. These oils will be less expensive, though they are of limited therapeutic value.

What are Absolutes?

Some plants, and particularly flowers, do not lend themselves to steam distilling. They are too delicate, or their fragrance and therapeutic essences cannot be completely released by water alone. These oils will be produced as ‘absolutes’ – and while not technically considered essential oils they can still be of therapeutic value. Jasmine oil and Rose oil in particular are delicate flowers who’s oils are often found in ‘absolute’ form. Jasmine oil, in fact, is only found as an absolute, whereas rose is available in both an ‘otto’ (an expensive steam distilled form) and an absolute.

The processing of an absolute first involves the hydrocarbon solvent extraction of a ‘concrete’ from the plant material, a semi-solid mixture of typically 50% wax and 50% volatile oil. The concrete is again processed using ethyl alcohol (the same alcohol found in beer, wine, etc.) in which the wax is only slightly soluble. The volatile plant oil separates into the alcohol and this mixture is removed. The alcohol is then evaporated and the result is an almost pure plant extract – depending on the care taken in the evaporation process, sometimes 2% or less of the ethyl alcohol may remain. The use of solvents in the extraction process notwithstanding, absolutes can have incredibly deep and complex aromas.

CO2’s and SCO2’s – Using Carbon Dioxide as a Solvent

The most modern technologies are Carbon Dioxide and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide distillation. Both methods involve the use of carbon dioxide as the solvent which carries the essential oil away from the raw plant material – though the gas essentially acts as the steam in steam distillation. The only difference between the two are the temperatures and pressures used – though neither uses a temperature greater than 87 degrees. With release of the pressure in either process, the carbon dioxide escapes in its gaseous form, leaving the essential oil behind.

Carbon dioxide methods have significant advantages. There are no solvent residues left behind, and the resultant product is perfectly pure. There is no heat applied to the plant material or essential oil to alter it in any way. The oil produced is very accurate with respect to the original state of the plant. The CO2 methods also are the most efficient, producing the most oil per amount of plant (one of the reasons for the high cost of essential oils is the low yield of oil from most plants – one ton of Rose petals produces less than 1 pound of oil, for example). The efficiency of CO2 extraction is particularly important when rare species are involved, such as Indian Sandalwood – less of the plant is needed to produce an equivalent amount of oil.

Cold Pressing

Finally, there is the ‘cold pressing’ of citrus oils from the peels of fruit, as is done with Bergamot oil, Orange oil, Lemon oil, and the like. This method involves the simple pressing of the rind at about 120 degrees F to extract the oil. Little, if any, alteration from the oil’s original state occurs – these citrus oils retain their bright, fresh, uplifting aromas like that of smelling a wonderfully ripe fruit.

Is there a Best Method?

CO2’s, with some obvious advantages, are not always the best choice for a particular need. They still are the most expensive, despite their higher yields. The resultant product differs slightly compared to one produced another way – the oils produced by steam distillation of some plants may sometimes be found to have a more agreeable aroma. Patchouli oil, for example, seems to benefit from the steam distillation process by becoming a little warmer and richer. Many other essential oils are quite effectively produced via steam distillation, with little alteration from the original plant state. Oils from other plant species do seem more ‘complete’ with CO2 processing, with Frankincense oil and most of the ’spice’ oils being good examples where a little something special is present in the aroma. This likely translates to greater therapeautic properties.

Producing essential oils of aromatherapeutic grade is skill requiring years of experience. It takes the work of a dedicated artesian at every step, from growing and harvesting to fine-tuning the distillation process, to produce a truly fine oil. The making of a fine essential oil relies far more on knowledge and experience than it does on the particular extraction method. There are, however, legitimate reasons to select one distillation method over another – some plants simply require a particular process to produce a fine oil, and the oil needed for a particular application may only be made by one process. In the end, as is often the case in aromatherapy, your own sense of smell can tell you which oil will work best for you.

Studies show that most people nowadays are finding it hard to stick to a healthy diet. In fact, approximately two – thirds of all the adults in the United States of America suffer from obesity and are overweight. Most diet industries offer solution to this by introducing ‘instant’ weight loss treatments and supplements. However, fitness supplements that are ‘all-natural’ can serve as a healthier alternative when it comes to improving overall wellbeing on a long-term basis.

Benefits of Using Stemulite

Stemulite is an all-natural formula made with stem-cell agonists, amino acid derivatives and other ingredients that can help promote healthy cell functioning and tissue growth. Ingredients such as acetyl (L-carnitine) and alpha lipoic acid offer several benefits for those with an active lifestyle, or anyone looking for ways to improve their health. Key benefits of adding Stemulite to a nutritional program include:

The right amount of sleep. People who have trouble in sleeping can benefit from Stemulite as this natural relaxant promotes deep sleep. In the course of sleeping, the cells and muscles rejuvenate. Superior source of energy level and stamina. Stemulite is important in turning up the metabolic activity of the body. It also enhances the body’s normal cellular functioning. Muscle tissue and fiber repair. Stemulite’s daytime and nighttime formula can rejuvenate muscle tissue and fiber. In the same manner, it blocks accumulation of more fats as it provides muscle strength and increases metabolism at the cellular level. One positive side effect is losing weight naturally. Youthful skin and body. Stemulite energizes the body and heats up metabolism to burn fats. Oxidative damage and risks are also reduced thereby giving the skin and body a youthful appearance. Finally, Stemulite helps in the advancement of cell repair and growth through deep sleep. This gives the body a stronger feeling on the following day.

Increasing the Metabolism with Stemulite

Nowadays, many people seem to be disheartened to find out that fad diets and weight loss programs do very little in achieving their goal. No matter how much exercise and dieting one goes through sometimes is not enough to shake off those extra pounds. Rebalancing the levels of hormone and blood sugar to a healthier state, on the other hand, plays a critical role in losing weight. It can happen with proper supplementation. Stemulite, for instance, offers the key to former dieters’ battle with appetite and unstable blood sugar levels. Aside from a consistently high energy level, Stemulite allows the body to heat up metabolism leading to weight loss the natural way.

Achieving a healthy metabolism is possible with these Stemulite ingredients:

Alpha-lipoic acid. ALA is a powerful antioxidant that allows metabolism to work better and enhances healthy cell functioning. L-carnitine. This essential amino acid derivative turns up metabolic processes and helps repair muscle tissues and cells. Bodybuilders and athletes use L-carnitine because of its fat-burning potential. Quercitin. This chemical nutrient has been shown to prevent risks brought about by muscle damage and oxidative stress. As an anti-inflammatory, it also addresses complications associated to diabetes.

A healthy diet and consistent exercise routine are important for weight loss, but supplementation is often necessary to keep blood sugar levels stable, promote a healthy metabolism and encourage healthy cellular repair after a workout. Most people cannot achieve this from even the world’s healthiest diet, so Stemulite supplements may be a valuable addition when developing a quality nutrition program.