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All About Hydrosols

12/10/2016

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Hydrosols are the co-products that result from the steam distillation of essential oils.  It is the water left over after the essential oil has been extracted.  For example, distilling lavender produces 4 liters of essential oil, and 60 gallons of hydrosol.  Veriditas hydrosols will contain anywhere between 2% and 5% essential oil and weak acids not extracted into essential oil.  They are used in French Medicinal Aromatherapy.  They are all antimicrobial, hydrating and toning.  Because they microfilter and distill the water, Veriditas hydrosols have a longer shelf life than most other hydrosols.  Keep your hydrosol out of the heat and direct sunlight.  If you see fuzzy matter in your hydrosol it has spoiled.  They should keep for six months to a year if not longer.  Melissa from Veriditas has a frankincense hydrosol that is over 20 years old that has not spoiled.  

Frankincense Hydrosol
  • Smells sweeter than the EO
  • Combine with periodontal support or gum drops to make a mouth wash
  • First Aid Kit for wounds, cuts, sores & any other skin irritations
  • Use as a base for facial masks to treat acne, rough skin, or to tighten pores
  • An expectorant, it supports the respiratory system
  • Use with the immune oils like Good Samaritan or Immune Boost to spray body, clothes & hair
  • Gentle enough for children or those with sensitive skin
  • Prepares the body & mind for prayer, yoga or meditation
  • Smokeless alternative to smudging for “clearing” spaces

Rose Geranium Hydrosol
  • The most fragrant of all Hydrosols
  • Excellent for acne & oily skin types.  Combine with Skin Clarity
  • Absorbs into the face well to restore, soften and bring balance to troubled skin
  • An adaptogen, it is excellent for hot flashes, & you can refrigerate to enhance this effect
  • Great in a bath & can be diffused

Helichrysum Hydrosol
  • Provides the most visible benefits for all skin types
  • Treats serious skin issues-mature skin, wounds, burns, sunburns, & surgery care
  • Antiaging benefits from high antioxidant content. Use with Rose Regenerative Facial Oil
  • Helps to stop profuse bleeding & is good for skin that bruises easily
  • Deeply restorative, treating rosacea and reducing redness
  • Anti-inflammatory properties make it excellent for a sport rub or to create a magnesium oil

Lavender Hydrosol
  • Balance, tone, and restore all skin types
  • Sweet, honey lavender smell
  • Great for cooking! -vinaigrettes, teas, marinades, baked goods, lemonade
  • Scent linens, hair, clothing, or furniture
  • Benefits all skin types promoting cell repair & healthy skin regeneration
  • Very cooling for sunburns & hot flashes
  • Great in a bath or can be diffused
  • Gentle enough for babies, treating colic, diaper rash & cradle cap
  • First Aid Kit for wounds, cuts, sores, & other skin irritations
  • Calming and improves sleep in people of all ages

Melissa Hydrosol (Lemon Balm)
  • Calming benefits for mind, muscles and skin
  • Great for relieving anxiety, managing ADHD, and balancing mood
  • Gentle enough for the most sensitive skin & for children
  • Use during pregnancy for morning sickness
  • Relaxes muscles in the face and softens complexion
  • Use to treat shingles, eczema, herpes, chicken pox & poison oak

Orange Blossom Hydrosol (Neroli)
  • Great for cooking, cocktails, tea, marinades-more floral/bitter but very refreshing
  • Serves as a base for earthy perfumes & smells great sprayed on hair. 
  • Nervous system tonic that helps combat stress
  • Use it as a compress for oily & mature skin
  • Astringent for acne prone or congested skin
  • Promotes hydration, tone, and cellular regeneration
  • Calms caffeine nerves by mitigating the effects of caffeine on the adrenal glands
  • Gentle enough for babies and children
  • Digestive aid that stimulates the release of bile in the gallbladder and eases heartburn
  • Enhances detoxification
  • Use with digestive massage tonic

Rose Otto Hydrosol
  • Provides the best results for restoring and regenerating the skin
  • Softens scars, especially those cause by acne
  • Excellent for dry skin and thin skin
  • Builds deep repair and restores moisture by balance PH in the skin
  • Use as a base for skin masks
  • Helps with post-partum healing as part of a sitz bath
  • Hypoallergenic-hives, allergic reactions, bites, and chemical sensitivities
  • Nourishes a broken heart and promotes the physical health of the heart
  • Substitution for rose water and can be used in cooking
  • Use on stressed skin from wind or sun burns
  • Helps to balance hormones
  • Aphrodisiac

Sandalwood Hydrosol (Australia)
  • Use as a toner for blemished or tired skin
  • Great base for men’s skin care or as an aftershave
  • It has a sweet smell that is very different from the essential oil
  • Use on mature skin or any irritated tissue to support regeneration
  • Spray on oily hair or use in shampoo
  • Treats plantars warts 
  • Beneficial for eczema & psoriasis
  • Use as aftershave on bikini line or other sensitive areas to prevent bumps
  • Can be diffused 
  • Mix with Frankincense for spiritual use in meditation, yoga, prayer


Wild Sage Hydrosol
  • Toner for oily and blemish prone skin-use to prepare face for Skin Clarity
  • Spray under arms before applying deodorant for those with strong odor causing bacteria
  • Helps stop excessive sweating
  • Supports the circulatory system and healthy veins and treats varicose veins
  • Use as a massage tonic or in baths
  • Use as a base for insect repellant or to treat rashes or pesky skin issues
  • Great for digestion
  • Can use for mouthwash
  • Smokeless alternative to smudging-makes a great gift

Ylang Ylang Hydrosol
  • Balancing for combination skin
  • Spray on linens, clothing, hair to relax body and mind
  • Used for its aroma and can be diffused
  • Sleep aid-spray on pillows
  • Calming, uplifting and combats stress

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Natural Antibiotics

9/24/2016

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The good bacteria in your gut have a significant and profound impact on your health, and maintaining a healthy microbiome is critical to whole body wellness.  As we enter the start of cold and flu season it is important to understand how prescription antibiotics can negatively impact your health.  Prescription antibiotics wreak havoc on, and devastate the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. This can have a detrimental effect on your physical and mental health. 
 
Antibiotics do not fight viral infections like colds, flus, the majority of sore throats (only about 10% of sore throats end up being Strep Throat), bronchitis, and many sinus and ear infections.  They do not cure infections.  They do not keep you from getting sick.  They will not help you or your children feel better.  Only take antibiotics to fight bacterial infections.  Take them right away and for the entire course as they were prescribed. Do not use them as a prevention tool.  Do not save or share your antibiotics.  Do not use soaps or lotions that are antibacterial. (Finally these products have been recognized for their contribution to antibiotic resistant bacteria and soon can no longer be purchased.) The antiviral drugs created to help prevent and stop the spread of flu (influenza A) are no longer effective. According to the CDC at least 2 million people become infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria each year and that number is growing.  The World Health Organization states that antimicrobial resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.  Beyond causing antibiotic resistance, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics reduces the absorption of vitamins and damages the entire lining of the digestive tract, contributing to leaky gut. WHO reports it is an increasingly serious threat to public health that requires action across all government sectors and society. Just this year, a study from the University of Utah and the CDC found that when physicians prescribe antibiotics they choose broad spectrum ones 60% of the time.  The same study showed children receive broad-spectrum antibiotics 50% of the time, regardless of the condition.  And, an amazing 25% of the time, antibiotics are prescribed when they have no use.  This is why it more important than ever to provide you and your family with powerful, natural antibiotics that will effectively boost immune health and not destroy it.
 
Oregano
This commanding herb has antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-parasitic properties.  It contains powerful compounds called carvacrol and thymol that make it superior to prescription antibiotics that often cause horrific side effects. There are over 800 studies that reference carvacrol in PubMed.  Oregano easily fight salmonella, E. coli and other harmful organisms found in undercooked meat or contaminated water. It treats candida, yeast and urinary tract infections.  It supports the health of the upper respiratory system, making it effective not only for bronchitis and preventing the spread of virus or bacteria to the lungs, but also for sinus infections and allergies.  It kills organisms that cause skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis and can be used directly on the skin to speed healing. Most amazingly, oregano has been shown to prevent side effects to some of the world’s most dangerous drugs and medications, like methotrexate.  
 
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Societies from South America, Europe and Asia have traditionally used Grapefruit Seed Extract for its immensely powerful antiviral and antibacterial components.  It is rich in disease fighting antioxidants and phytonutrients like hesperidin, a well-studied natural immune system booster.  A recent study from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported that GSE was effective at killing over 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, and a large number of single and multi-celled parasites.  It is believed there is no other naturally occurring anti-microbial that compares. GSE breaks down the bacterial membrane, releasing the cytoplasmic contents vital to the life of the bacteria cell. Research microbiologists from the University of Georgia found GSE was vastly effective as a non-toxic disinfectant and potent enough to use as pre-surgical soap.  GSE promotes wound and scar tissue healing and topical skin infections and has antibacterial characteristics that have been proven to be as effective as topical antibacterial creams.
 
Olive Leaf
The active ingredient in olive leaf, oleuropein, eliminates viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites that cause disease.  Oleuropein is a powerful anti-inflammatory.  It helps to alleviate symptoms of the common cold, sore throats, chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. People with respiratory tract infections who take Olive Leaf extract can prevent the infection from spreading and expect a rapid recovery.  New research shows that olive leaf is neuroprotective, suppressing inflammation and lowering damage done on the brain and central nervous system from oxidative stress.  Oleuropein inhibits the enzyme xanthine oxidase that creates uric acid and causes gout.  Compounds in olive leaf inhibit growth factors in cancerous cells and disrupts their signaling pathways.  Oleuropein further suppresses an enzyme that helps cancer cells derive and store energy.
 
Silver
Silver is a natural element that can be found in whole grains, mushrooms, spring water and seawater.  Until the introduction of antibiotics, silver was used predominately by physicians to boost the immune system because of its strong antimicrobial effects. Silver has been recognized as a trace element, meaning it is essential for the maintenance of health and wellness.  Silver is also a metal and so can become toxic at certain levels.  Extremely low concentrations of silver exhibit potent health benefits, and using a colloidal silver hydrosol is safe at the recommended doses. In clinical research high populations of staphyloccus aureus, salmonella, candida, and enterococcus became undetectable within four minutes after exposure to 15-PPM concentrations of silver. Other studies have shown silver to have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against streptococcuses, pneumonia, E. coli, and shigella that is as effective as an antibiotic but without undesirable side effects and damage to the intestinal flora.  The most recent research shows colloidal silver can eradicate antibiotic resistant microbes like MRSA, the bird flu, and SARS.
 
Propolis & Manuka Honey
Bees gather propolis from leaf buds on trees and certain vegetables and combine it with wax stored in their abdomen to create a sticky substance with antimicrobial benefits used disinfect and protect the beehive.  It is an incredible immune system stimulant with powerful healing, analgesic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  Propolis has potent antibiotic properties against aggressive bacteria and harmful pathogens. Propolis speeds up recovery time and wound healing while improving feelings of vitality. Propolis contains a compound called pinocembrin, an antifungal flavonoid that also encourages healthy cell growth.  It has been clinically shown to be more effective than steroid creams in reducing mast cells that cause inflammation and inhibit wound healing.  It treats cold sores quickly and prevents against future outbreaks. A compound in Propolis reduces inflammation in the inner ear, treating middle ear infections that can lead to temporary hearing loss. It prevents the overgrowth of candida, yeast, and fungus and encourages the production of “good” gut bacteria. Propolis is currently being studied for its believed ability to hamper cancer cell growth.
 
Made from bees that pollinate the Manuka bush in New Zealand and Australia, Manuka honey is prized for its unique healing benefits.  It has up to four times the nutritional content of regular honeys from bees that pollinate flowers.  Additionally, Manuka honey has high levels of enzymes that give it potent antibacterial properties and create a natural occurring hydrogen peroxide that can be measured for medicinal quality.  This is called the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).  To get the medicinal benefits from Manuka honey you must purchase a product with a UMF 10+. Manuka honey has powerful antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that are effective against a wide range or resistant bacteria. It balances bacteria throughout the digestive system and treats SIBO. It has been clinically shown to treat and eliminate staph infections like MRSA. It also stimulates the immune system to stop the growth of Strep bacteria.
 
Goldenseal
This herb has built a reputation as an herbal antibiotic and immune system booster.  It has been used by Native Americans to treat whooping cough, respiratory infections, fever, and pneumonia.  Goldenseal also has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that soothe irritated mucous membranes around the eyes, ears, nose and throat. The alkaloid Berberine is found in Goldenseal and is effective against bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and Streptococci. Clinical studies have shown it to treat diarrhea caused by E.coli, giardia and salmonella. The anti-inflammatory properties of goldenseal reduce swelling and irritation in the mucous membranes helping to prevent allergy symptoms.  As a natural antibiotic it prevents secondary infections caused by an allergic reaction that often occur in the lungs.  This herb is used for acute conditions, and not continuously for prevention. Because of its powerful antimicrobial properties, it can be very drying on mucous membranes throughout the body and difficult on the liver.
 
Garlic
A potent antibiotic, garlic contains 100 sulfuric compounds that are powerful enough to wipe out bacteria, parasites and infection.  Hippocrates encouraged the use of garlic for treating respiratory issues, parasites, poor digestion, and fatigue. Garlic is excellent for reducing the time and severity of the common cold. Aged garlic also lacks allicin, the most significant antiviral and healing component of garlic. Garlic is one of the most potent antibacterial herbs and protects the body from allergies and chronic sinus infections. Garlic helps to break up mucous, easing congestion. Heating garlic destroys the sulfuric compounds that make it a potent immune booster. Eat or juice raw garlic for maximum and immediate benefits.
 
Echinacea
Echinacea is an incredible immune modulating herb.  It can either boost the immune system when needed, or calm wide spread inflammation.  Taking Echinacea at the first signs of a cold or flu optimize its benefits to shorten the severity and duration of illness.  It is commonly taken in Europe to prevent illness. Always take Echinacea containing both root and flowering parts as they work synergistically to support the immune system. Echinacea stimulates the lymphatic system, promoting drainage and elimination of toxins, and helps to prevent and fight potential infections by stimulating phagocytosis (the consumption of invading organisms by white blood cells). Echinacea can be used long term.
 
D-Mannose
D-Mannose is a naturally occurring sugar found in berries, peaches, apples, and other plants.  It does NOT affect metabolism or blood sugar levels like fructose because it is slowly absorbed and is not converted to glycogen or stored in the liver.  D-mannose is filtered through the kidneys and sent to the bladder where it helps promote the growth of healthy flora and prevent bacteria from staying in the urinary tract. Bacteria have tiny projections called fimbria that are made from an amino acid-sugar complex called lectin. Because bacteria cells are coated with fimbria they are literally able to stick to the inner walls of the urinary tract system.  Once bacteria have adhered themselves to the lining of the urinary tract they can no longer just be washed out with water.  D-Mannose is able to cover the lining of the urinary organs, and is enticing to bacteria, which quickly adhere themselves like Velcro to the D-mannose molecules. Lectin binds and sticks better to D-mannose than to human cells, meaning your body can detox and rid itself of bacteria once they have been coated with D-mannose. D-mannose has been shown to be more effective than cranberry alone at reducing the symptoms and length of UTI’s. 
 
Good Samaritan (Thieves Oil)
The story behind Thieves oil is widely varied and can be traced from the 15th to the 18th century.  This was a time during which the bubonic plague rampaged Europe.  Physicians walked around wearing dark robes, wide-brimmed hats, and masks with long beaks.  Scientific evidence now supports their bizarre behavior, as the beak stored dried herbs and essential oils the physicians used to protect themselves from the extremely contagious infection.  They would also douse their robes and hats with the same essential oils.  During this time the legend of a witch’s brew called “Marseilles Vinegar” developed.  This tonic was made from rosemary, sage, lavender, rue, camphor, garlic, cloves and strong wine vinegar.  This herbal medicinal vinegar was said to be used by four thieves who used it to rob the sick and dead and avoid becoming infected with the plague. French aromatherapy doctor Jean Valnet wrote a book in which he quotes archives of the Parliament of Toulouse in which the captured thieves revealed their recipe. "During the Great Plague, four robbers were convicted of going to the houses of plague victims, strangling them in their beds and then looting their dwellings. For this, they were condemned to be burned at the stake, and in order to have their sentence mitigated, they revealed their secret preservative, after which they were hanged."  Valnet created other vinegar recipes using essential oils from the original.  Richard Forthave also shows up in historical references concerning four thieves as the man who created and sold the preparation.  His tonic relied heavily on garlic and the four common herbs found in each recipe-clove, cinnamon, rosemary and lemon. Dr. John R. Christopher, a pioneer in US herbal medicine, brought the story of the four thieves and Richard Forthave to the end of last century with a garlic heavy formula he used to first begin educating people on the powerful antibiotic properties of herbs. 
 
Good Samaritan pays homage to this history and efficacy of the four thieves blend.  It combines 100% Ecocert Organic essential oils cinnamon bark, clove, lemon, eucalyptus radiata, rosemary cineol and cinnamon leaf. These oils have been researched extensively for their antibacterial activity.  The official journal of the International Society for Complementary Medicine Research showed cinnamon, clove, geranium lemon, lime, orange and rosemary to have a significant inhibitory effect against bacteria strains.  Cinnamon was shown to have the most comprehensive antibacterial agent. Scientists have shown that these essential oils and others including lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, and lemongrass can fight numerous pathogens and antibiotic resistant bacteria by weakening the cell wall of bacteria and introducing apoptosis. You can diffuse Good Samaritan in your home or work area, or sweep over your hair and clothes to help boost immunity and fight off infection.
 
Neem
75% of Ayurvedic remedies contain neem, and Indians refer to the neem tree as “the village pharmacy”. It is the most heavily researched herbal remedy in India and scientist have identified over 150 active substances in neem.  Neem is often described as a panacea for whole body health and can be used internally and topically. Neem leaves and the oil from the seed have antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiparasitic and antimicrobial effects that bacteria and other microbes are unable to become resistant to.  Neem is blood cleanser and helps to protect and restore the liver. Neem is excellent for treating all skin issues and promote wound healing. It is a potent immunostimulant that supports healthy cell proliferation and apoptosis.  It has antioxidant properties that protect the lungs.  Neem helps to regulate blood sugar and balance metabolism. 

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WON Escentuals:  Hormone Balance

9/17/2016

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​Essential oils help connect the mind and body to support healing and prevent against illness and disease.  The immune system responds best when exposed to complex and varied stimuli, and essential oils provide diverse and synergistic support.  The aromatic properties of plants are their immune and defense system made of different components that create a powerful communication system.  When you use essential oils you benefit from the immune supporting properties of amazing plants and herbs, which helps the body work more efficiently to promote health and wellness.
 
Candida, Yeast and Urinary Tract Infections
Candida is the most common type of yeast infection and can be found in the mouth, intestinal tract, vagina, and may even affect the skin.  Symptoms of candida include exhaustion, digestive issues, and cravings for sweets, brain fog, joint pain, and urinary tract infections.  Candida actually aids in nutrient absorption and digestion, but when your natural pH is out of balance, this yeast overgrows and symptoms appear.  A diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates encourages candida to grow. Other causes of candida or yeast infections include broad-spectrum antibiotics, oral corticosteroids, diabetes, and a poor functioning immune system. 
 
Changing your diet is the first defense against candida or any yeast overgrowth. Eliminate any foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates and alcohol that feed candida.  Replace these items with organic vegetables high in fiber that will help satisfy your body’s cravings for sugar like sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, all forms of squash, zucchini, rutabaga, and pumpkin.  However, the majority of the vegetables you eat should not be high in starch or sugar, and should be steamed. These vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, leafy greens, asparagus, artichokes, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, bell peppers, and okra. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes the foods you eat should be warm and nourishing, and any cold foods should be kept to a single serving, or once per day.  Top your salads with coconut oil and apple cider vinegar.  Coconut oil contains lauric acid and caprylic acid which can be used internally and topically to kill candida.  Apple cider vinegar and other fermented vegetables contain live enzymes and probiotics to help balance out the beneficial bacteria and fungus in your digestive system.  Acidic foods like lemon juice, unsweetened cranberry juice, kimchi, and sauerkraut all contribute to raising pH levels in the body, naturally balancing out your body.  The only fruits you should eat when treating an overgrowth of yeast are berries because of their high fiber content, however these should be kept to a minimum.  Switch any sweeteners to stevia, maple syrup or honey and use sparingly. 
 
Urinary tract infections (UTI) can occur in the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, which are all a part of the urinary system.  Women are at a greater risk than men for developing a UTI because of their anatomy, and they most commonly occur in the lower urinary tract or bladder.  UTI’s are uncomfortable, painful, and can become a chronic issue if they are consistently treated with antibiotics.  Common symptoms are pressure and swelling in the pelvis, frequent and painful urination, a constant urge to urinate, and you may see blood in the urine.  If a UTI has spread to the kidneys you can experience back pain, fever, chills, nausea, and even vomiting.
UTI’s are caused by bacteria that find their way to the gastrointestinal tract and some of the causes may surprise you.  Sugar feeds bacteria that cause UTI’s, and high levels of sugar in your blood create an environment in the urine that is ideal for bacteria to thrive and multiply. Wiping back to front after going to the bathroom introduces bacteria to the urethra.  If you have lots of sex you need to pee afterwards to help wash away bacteria that may have moved from the vagina to the urethra.  If you hold your pee for too long bacteria are able to easily grow in the bladder.  If you don’t drink enough water, bacteria are not flushed out and are able to attach themselves to the wall of the urinary tract.  Prescription antihistamines actually make you pee less, make you more susceptible to building up bacteria. The dyes and chemical fragrances in toilet paper, sanitary napkins, and tampons can irritate the vagina and urethra, making these areas more susceptible to infection. 
  
Essential Oils for Candida, Yeast & Urinary Tract Infections
Marjoram is an analgesic, and will help alleviate the pain and discomfort of urinary tract infections.  With potent fungicidal, antiseptic, antiviral and antibacterial properties, it effectively helps balance the body from yeast overgrowth and detoxes virus and bacteria that cause infections.  It can replace tea tree as an antiseptic. Marjoram can be diffused, added to a hot bath, or used topically and can used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Thyme Linalol is gentle enough to use on the skin while still retaining strong antimicrobial benefits.  It is effective against the bacteria that cause candida and yeast infections.  Thyme linalool can be diffused in small amounts, use topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Myrrh has antimicrobial, antiviral and astringent properties. A whole body tonic, myrrh boosts the immune system to help balance good and bad bacteria. Myrrh can be diffused, used topically and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Rose Otto is an essential oil tonic for the female reproductive system.  It is used in the treatment of candida, yeast and urinary tract infections and helps the body detox.  Rose is calming to the nervous system, which can help alleviate pain associated with infections.  Rose can be diffused, added to a hot bath, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Tea Tree is antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial and is a tonic for boosting whole body health.  It stimulates blood circulation and the immune system to fight infection. Tea Tree can be diffused, added to a hot bath, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Melissa has sedative properties that help alleviate pain and discomfort from candida, yeast and urinary tract infections.  It is a whole body tonic, strengthening the immune system and providing antibacterial and antifungal properties.  Because Melissa can be irritating to the skin, it must be highly diluted in lavender essential oil for topical use-1 drop Melissa per 100 drops of lavender oil.  It can be diffused in small amounts, and used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures. 
Helichrysum is a potent anti-inflammatory that stops swelling and reduces pain. It has fungicidal properties that are very effective at treating candida and yeast overgrowth.  Helichrysum can be diffused in small amounts, added to a hot bath, or used topically.
Thyme thymol and Oregano are potent antimicrobials. They stimulate the immune system and possess strong antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.  Because they can be irritating to the skin, they must be highly diluted in lavender essential oil for topical use-1 drop Thyme thymol or Oregano per 100 drops of lavender oil. They can be diffused in small amounts and used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.  They should be used for acute conditions only as they can become toxic to the liver. 
 
Irregular Periods, Painful Periods & PMS
Irregular and/or painful periods are very common, and most are related to lifestyle and the health of your endocrine system.  Intense body building or physical training, crash dieting or restricting calories, a diet low in protein or calcium, drinking high amounts of caffeine, and chronic stress all contribute to irregular periods.
 
Essential Oils to Regulate Menstruation & Ease Symptoms of PMS
Rose Otto is an emmenagogue, stimulating the secretion of hormones that bring on menstruation, especially for those with obstructed or irregular menses.  It helps alleviate PMS symptoms of cramps, nausea, fatigue, and depression.  Rose Otto can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Melissa has sedative and antispasmodic properties that help relieve painful cramping and calm the body.  It will ward off feelings of sadness, boost mood, and increase feelings of joy and warmth.  Melissa is an emmenagogue that treats both PMS and menopausal irregularities. Because Melissa can be irritating to the skin, it must be highly diluted in lavender essential oil for topical use-1 drop Melissa per 100 drops of lavender oil.  It can be diffused in small amounts, and used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures. 
Roman Chamomile has a soothing and calming effect on the mind and body.  It relieves cramps and spasms associated with painful periods.  Roman Chamomile can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Clary Sage is an amazing essential oil tonic for the female reproductive system.  It is an emmenagogue, a nervine and a sedative, helping to regulated periods, treat symptoms of PMS, and calm the body.  It soothes digestive issues associated with PMS. Clary sage brings on feelings of euphoria and helps protect the body against physical, mental and emotional stress.  Clary Sage can be diffused and used topically.
Myrrh helps stimulate the function of the digestive system and the nervous system, helping to alleviate gas, bloating and fatigue associated with PMS. A whole body tonic, it helps reduce inflammation and stimulates blood circulation. Myrrh can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Marjoram has strong antispasmodic and analgesic properties, making it the go-to essential oil for painful periods and PMS symptoms.  It is very good for relieving headaches and mental fatigue. Marjoram strengthens and tones the nervous system, helping to prevent anxiety, depression, dizziness and other nervous system disorders.  It supports digestion and can help with bloating. It is also an emmenagogue helping to clear and regulate menses. Marjoram can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Lavender nourishes and restores the nervous system and adrenal glands and is a tonic for anxiety, migraines, headaches, depression and heavy emotional stress.  It helps treat a variety of skin issues, particularly acne associated with PMS.  It helps relieve back pain and cramping. It supports blood circulation and digestion.  In French medicinal aromatherapy lavender oil is a common carrier oil for other essential oils and blends, particularly those that can be skin irritants.  Lavender can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Peppermint is very helpful for digestion and treats a broad range of issues associated with the entire digestive tract. It can quickly reduce the pain from headaches and migraines.  It is an antispasmodic and analgesic, relieving PMS related cramping and pain.  It increases blood circulation and reduces mental fatigue. Peppermint can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Rosemary stimulates blood flow and supports the production of red blood cells to help regulate menstruation.  It has some light diuretic properties to help reduce PMS water weight.  It is an analgesic and helps relieve pain from headaches and migraines.  It supports digestion to relieve bloating and constipation. It also supports skin health.  Rosemary can be diffused in small amounts, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Anise is a relaxant and antispasmodic. It stimulates the production of hormones and gives the nervous system and brain a boost to improve metabolism, energy and alertness.  It has sedative properties to treat anxiety, stress, depression, anger, and PMS related mood swings.  Anise can be diffused in small amounts, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Basil and Fennel both have strong antispasmodic properties and are very effective at treating painful cramping from PMS. They can be diffused in small amounts, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
*An emmenagogue is an herb or essential oil that stimulates blood flow to the pelvic and uterus to stimulate menstruation.  Other emmenagogue essential oils include juniper berry, angelica, ginger, jasmine, yarrow, frankincense and fennel.
 
Heavy Periods, Endometriosis & Fibroids
Heavy periods, endometriosis and uterine fibroids are often due to low levels of progesterone, high levels of estrogen, and mild to moderate hypothyroidism. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue is not fully shed during menstruation and begins to build up in the uterus.  It increases the risk of uterine fibroids and breast fibroids. Endometriosis and fibroids in the uterus or breast can be caused by other factors beyond hormone imbalances. X-rays and exposure to low doses of radiation increase the risk for fibroids, especially sensitive breast tissue.  Drinking too much caffeine increases estrogen, which trigger the growth of fibroids.  Consuming 500 mg of caffeine daily produces 70% more estrogen during the menstruation cycle.  Consuming red meat also double the risk of developing uterine fibroids. Symptoms of uterine fibroids include excessive menstrual bleeding, abdominal pain, bladder infections, painful intercourse and infertility.  Breast fibroids are more common and feel like moveable, rubbery nodules.  For some women they can be fast growing or occur in clusters and be painful to the slightest touch.   Reducing caffeine intake, eating a vegetarian diet high in raw, cruciferous vegetables, and increasing fiber all help to reduce circulating estrogen, body congestions, and the risk of developing fibroids.
 
Essential Oils for Menorrhagia and Hormonal Imbalance
Clary Sage helps balance hormones and reduces excess estrogen. It increases low testosterone levels to support libido.  Research has shown that clary sage can reduce cortisol by 36% and improve TSH levels to support thyroid function and healthy adrenal glands.  Clary Sage can be diffused and used topically.
Vitex interacts directly with the pituitary gland helping to increase the production of progesterone, rid the body of excess estrogen and keep hormones balanced throughout menopause. German gynecologists regularly use vitex essential oil as a treatment for endometriosis. Vitex can be diffused, used topically in high dilutions with lavender as the carrier oil, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures. 
Thyme thymol encourages the production of hormones, helping to increase low progesterone. It also stimulates the liver for healthy hormone metabolism and balance. Because Thyme thymol can be irritating to the skin, it must be highly diluted in lavender essential oil for topical use-1 drop Thyme thymol per 100 drops of lavender oil. It can be diffused in small amounts and used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.  Thyme thymol should be used for acute conditions only as it can become toxic to the liver. 
Rose Geranium supports adrenal health and hormone balance by stimulating the glands of the endocrine system.  It has an incredible ability to boost mood and mental functioning.  Rose Geranium can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Rose Otto is a strong tonic for the entire female reproductive system. It helps to tone and purify the uterus, helping to delay menopause and treat menorrhagia, inter-period bleeding, and uterine fibroids.  It encourages a balance of hormones, in particular progesterone and estrogen, and supports healthy liver function for optimal hormone metabolism. Rose Otto is uplifting and promotes a youthful appearance. Rose Otto can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Lavender nourishes and restores the nervous system and adrenal glands and is a tonic for anxiety, migraines, headaches, depression and heavy emotional stress. It encourages hormonal balance, and protects against high cortisol levels. Lavender can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Frankincense is a potent anti-inflammatory, and is effective at lowering cortisol levels and improving thyroid function. It prevents the early onset of menopause.  It boosts the function of the immune system and lymphatic system, helping to prevent and treat breast fibroids. It is a tonic for the uterus and regulates the production of estrogen, helping to prevent and treat uterine fibroids and other cyst formations. Frankincense can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Lemon supports immune system function and increases the production of white blood cells to help support breast and uterine health. Lemon contains d-limonene, a powerful terpene with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against cancer and support a healthy metabolism. It stimulates and supports the liver for healthy hormone metabolism.  Lemon can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
 
Infertility
The struggle to get pregnant is physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting and can be a long and frustrating process for many women.  Regulating menstruation, improving hormone function and balance, cleansing and toning the uterus, and managing stress all contribute to increasing fertility. 
 
Essential Oils to Boost Fertility
Vitex increases luteinizing hormone levels to support ovulation.  It also assists in the production of milk after birth. Vitex can be diffused, used topically in high dilutions with lavender as the carrier oil, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures. 
Thyme thymol improves progesterone levels to help treat PCOS and infertility. Because Thyme thymol can be irritating to the skin, it must be highly diluted in lavender essential oil for topical use-1 drop Thyme thymol per 100 drops of lavender oil. It can be diffused in small amounts and used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.  Thyme thymol should be used for acute conditions only as it can become toxic to the liver. 
Clary Sage helps the body regulate hormones and balances the ratio of progesterone to estrogen.  It improves male infertility by treating hormone imbalances and impotence. It is a nervine and can have a significant effect on mood and feelings of joy. Clary Sage can be diffused and used topically.
Fennel used during the first part of the menstrual cycle normalizes menstruation and encourages normal hormone function.  It has a strong estrogenic effect, helping to regulate and improve reproductive cycles.  Fennel can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Myrrh contains phytoestrogens and works by cleaning obstructions in the womb and bringing on consistent, healthy menstruation. Myrrh can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Ylang Ylang invigorates the reproductive organs and encourages hormonal balance. It helps the body drive away feelings of depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. It is an aphrodisiac, helping to improve romance and your sexual life. Ylang Ylang can be diffused and used topically.
Rose Geranium has a significant effect on balancing the endocrine system to increase hormone function.  It works quickly to improve mood and create a positive outlook. Rose Geranium can be diffused, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
Sage brings on regular menstruation by activating estrogen and balancing hormones.  It provides relief for depression, mood swings and fatigue.  Because sage can be irritating to the skin, it must be highly diluted in lavender essential oil for topical use.  You should not diffuse sage.
Anise helps stimulate the production of hormones to regulate menstruation and improve ovulation. It has sedative properties to treat anxiety, stress, depression, anger, and mood swings.  Anise can be diffused in small amounts, used topically, and can be used therapeutically in medicinal honeys or tinctures.
 
Medicinal Honeys & Tinctures
The following recommendations apply only to Veriditas ECOCERT organic essential oils. We cannot vouch for the quality of other companies’ essential oils.  Most essential oil brands on the American market should never be taken internally, as many contain pesticide residues and are not 100% pure, certified organic oils.
With this in mind, the recommended amount for internal use depends on which essential oil you’re using and its quality. The best rule of thumb, however, is to START WITH ONE DROP. You can always add more to taste, or as needed.
Each of the Veriditas oils below may be mixed with the following “carriers” for ingestion: 2 oz. water/juice, 1 tsp. honey, 1 sugar cube, or 1 tsp. olive oil.
 
Safe Guidelines for Daily Drops
  • 1-10 drops per day: Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange
  • 1-5 drops per day: Lavender, Peppermint, Tea Tree
  • 1-2 drops per day: Anise, Basil, Bergamot, Cardamom, Cinnamon Bark, Cocoa in Jojoba, Cypress, Eucalyptus Radiata, Fennel, Rose Geranium, Jasmine Absolute, Jasmine in Jojoba, Lavender Reserve, Lemon Verbena, Lemongrass, Lime, Neroli, Oregano, Pine, Ravintsara, Rose Absolute, Rose in Jojoba, Rose Otto, White Rose, Rosemary Cineol, Spearmint, Thyme Linalol, Thyme Thymol, Vanilla in Jojoba, Ylang Ylang
 
How to Make Your Own Oregano Oil
What you need:
  • 1 ounce dropper bottle
  • Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Veriditas Oregano Oil – 67% carvacrol (the active constituent)
What you do:
  • Drop 30 drops of oregano oil into a 1oz bottle. Fill 1oz bottle with olive oil leaving room for the dropper. Shake well before each use.
  • Take 20-30 drops of mixture 1 to 3 times per day. For children under twelve take 5-10 drops of mixture 1 to 3 times per day.
  1. This is for times when you are feeling like you are getting sick or you are sick. Not for ongoing consumption.
 
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Women's Health WON "0" WON

9/10/2016

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From heavy or irregular periods, to urinary tract infections and yeast infections, to sex drive and fertility, the female body can be complicated.  Many women walk away from the doctor’s office frustrated and exhausted with unanswered questions, symptoms that are easily dismissed, infections that keep returning, and prescriptions that often do more harm than good.  There are nutritional supplements, herbs, probiotics, and enzymes that can effectively address yeast infections, urinary tract infections, irregularities within the menstrual cycle, fibroids, breast health, and bone health.
 
Candida or Yeast Infections
Candida is the most common type of yeast infection and can be found in the mouth, intestinal tract, vagina, and may even affect the skin.  Symptoms of candida include exhaustion, digestive issues, cravings for sweets, brain fog, joint pain, and urinary tract infections.  Candida actually aids in nutrient absorption and digestion, but when your natural pH is out of balance, this yeast overgrows and symptoms appear.  A diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates encourages candida to grow. Other causes of candida or yeast infections include broad-spectrum antibiotics, oral corticosteroids, diabetes, and a poor functioning immune system. 
 
Changing your diet is the first defense against candida or any yeast overgrowth. Eliminate any foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates and alcohol that feed candida.  Replace these items with organic vegetables high in fiber that will help satisfy your body’s cravings for sugar like sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, all forms of squash, zucchini, rutabaga, and pumpkin.  However, the majority of the vegetables you eat should not be high in starch or sugar, and should be steamed. These vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, leafy greens, asparagus, artichokes, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, bell peppers, and okra. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes the foods you eat should be warm and nourishing, and any cold foods should be kept to a single serving, or once per day.  Top your salads with coconut oil and apple cider vinegar.  Coconut oil contains lauric acid and caprylic acid which can be used internally and topically to kill candida.  Apple cider vinegar and other fermented vegetables contain live enzymes and probiotics to help balance out the beneficial bacteria and fungus in your digestive system.  Acidic foods like lemon juice, unsweetened cranberry juice, kimchi, and sauerkraut all contribute to raising pH levels in the body, naturally balancing out your body.  The only fruits you should eat when treating an overgrowth of yeast are berries because of their high fiber content, however these should be kept to a minimum.  Switch any sweeteners to stevia, maple syrup or honey and use sparingly. 
 
There are many antifungal herbs and taking one or two of these powerful herbs as you change your diet can help the body quickly reduce yeast overgrowth and eliminate symptoms.  These herbs include oregano, goldenseal, garlic, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf, and pau d’arco.  You can use these herbs fresh in your cooking, in tea, or you can find them in capsules and tinctures for supplementation.  Crystal Star makes a product called Candida Balance that provides a complex formula of antifungals, and herbs that will help boost the immune system and restore your adrenal glands to support energy levels and a feeling of wellness.
 
The cell walls of candida and other types of fungus are made mostly of fiber.  There are enzymes that can digest this fiber, breaking down the cell wall and killing the yeast.  It is impossible for candida and yeast to develop an immunity to enzymes as they are capable of doing with herbs and antifungal drugs.  This makes enzymes the most effective treatment for candida or yeast overgrowth.  Candex by PureEssence is the original plant based, fiber digesting enzyme supplement and has been clinically proven to work swiftly to help detox the body.  Their powerful formula is one of the most imitated products in the supplement industry.  It does not contain any antifungal herbs, so is safe for those with a compromised liver.  Enzymedica, one of the most respected enzyme supplement companies, makes a product called Candidase Extra Strength that combines fiber digesting enzymes and antifungal herbs to help balance the yeast population in the gut and the body’s pH levels.  One of our most popular products for yeast and urinary tract infections is RAW Probiotics Vaginal Care by Garden of Life.  This is the perfect product for any person who has gone through rounds of antibiotics trying to treat their infection.  You need healthy fungus and bacteria to maintain the health of your urinary tract and vagina, and taking repeated doses of antibiotics obliterates the microbiome and actually prevents you from healing. RAW Probiotic Vaginal Care replenishes the body with 38 different probiotic strains specific to urinary tract health and vaginal health while also providing the fiber digesting enzymes to help detox yeast overgrowth and restore balance. 
 
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections (UTI) can occur in the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, which are all a part of the urinary system.  Women are at a greater risk than men for developing a UTI because of their anatomy, and they most commonly occur in the lower urinary tract or bladder.  UTI’s are uncomfortable, painful, and can become a chronic issue if they are consistently treated with antibiotics.  Common symptoms are pressure and swelling in the pelvis, frequent and painful urination, a constant urge to urinate, and you may see blood in the urine.  If a UTI has spread to the kidneys you can experience back pain, fever, chills, nausea, and even vomiting.
UTI’s are caused by bacteria that find their way to the gastrointestinal tract and some of the causes may surprise you.  Sugar feeds bacteria that cause UTI’s, and high levels of sugar in your blood create an environment in the urine that is ideal for bacteria to thrive and multiply. Wiping back to front after going to the bathroom introduces bacteria to the urethra.  If you have lots of sex you need to pee afterwards to help wash away bacteria that may have moved from the vagina to the urethra.  If you hold your pee for too long bacteria are able to easily grow in the bladder.  If you don’t drink enough water, bacteria are not flushed out and are able to attach themselves to the wall of the urinary tract.  Prescription antihistamines actually make you pee less, make you more susceptible to building up bacteria. The dyes and chemical fragrances in toilet paper, sanitary napkins, and tampons can irritate the vagina and urethra, making these areas more susceptible to infection.  Luckily, there are some amazing supplements that can help prevent and treat UTI’s quickly and effectively. 
 
Taking cranberry in capsule form can lower your risk of a UTI by 50%.  Cranberries contain A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs) that prevent bacteria from attaching themselves to the wall of the bladder.  Do not attempt to prevent UTI’s by drinking cranberry juice.  Besides containing high amounts of sugar that feed bacteria, cranberry juice does not have the concentrations of PACs necessary to support bladder health.  You need at least 36 mg of PACs to reduce the adhesion of bacteria to the walls of the urinary tract.  D-Mannose is a naturally occurring sugar found in berries, peaches, apples, and other plants.  It does NOT affect metabolism or blood sugar levels like fructose because it is slowly absorbed and is not converted to glycogen or stored in the liver.  D-mannose is filtered through the kidneys and sent to the bladder where it helps promote the growth of healthy flora and prevent bacteria from staying in the urinary tract. Bacteria have tiny projections called fimbria that are made from an amino acid-sugar complex called lectin. Because bacteria cells are coated with fimbria they are literally able to stick to the inner walls of the urinary tract system.  Once bacteria have adhered themselves to the lining of the urinary tract they can no longer just be washed out with water.  D-Mannose is able to cover the lining of the urinary organs, and is enticing to bacteria, which quickly adhere themselves like Velcro to the D-mannose molecules. Lectin binds and sticks better to D-mannose than to human cells, meaning your body can detox and rid itself of bacteria once they have been coated with D-mannose. D-mannose has been shown to be more effective than cranberry alone at reducing the symptoms and length of UTI’s. 
 
Irregular, Painful or Heavy Periods, Endometriosis and Fibroids
Irregular and/or painful periods are very common, and most are related to lifestyle and the health of your endocrine system.  Intense body building or physical training, crash dieting or restricting calories, a diet low in protein or calcium, drinking high amounts of caffeine, and chronic stress all contribute to irregular periods. 
 
Crystal Star makes a product called Female Harmony that contains herbs to help balance hormones, support adrenal health, and address symptoms of PMS.  Dong Quai helps to balance estrogen, bringing on delayed menses and easing menstrual cramps.  Damiana helps to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety that deplete the adrenal glands.  It helps balance hormones and increase energy levels.  Burdock Root helps to cleanse the liver and reduce inflammation to improve hormone metabolism.  It also helps with PMS bloat, and sore breasts.  Jiaogolan is an adaptogen that helps the body heal from chronic physical, mental or emotional stress.  It helps to stabilize blood sugars and mood and reduces PMS fatigue.  Nettle supports the entire female reproductive system.  It helps to regulate menstrual flow and reduce PMS bloat.  Sasparilla helps to balance progesterone, ease PMS symptoms, and increase physical and mental energy.  Red Raspberry is one of the best herbs to promote the health and function of the female reproductive system.  Naturally high in magnesium, potassium, iron, and B vitamins, it helps regulate menstruation and is a uterine tonic.  Oat Straw helps to relax the nervous system, allowing the adrenal glands to rest and repair.  It is rich in absorbable calcium, helping to regulate menstruation, and provides B vitamins for energy. Seaweed is high in bone building, mood stabilizing minerals.  It supports thyroid health to balance hormones.  Ashwagandha is a powerful and nourishing adaptogen that encourages hormone balance, reduces high levels of cortisol, restores energy, and helps eliminate difficulties with sleeplessness.  Maca is rich in absorbable iodine to boost thyroid function and energy.  It helps to balance hormones, increase libido and stabilize moods.  Hawthorn helps to relieve feelings of intense anxiety or panic, calm the heart, and provide a sense of wellbeing.  It can help ease PMS digestive issues. Angelica is an emmenagogue, a type of herb that stimulates blood flow and brings on delayed menses.  It reduces low blood sugar attacks, cramping and bloating, and eases PMS digestive issues.  Yellow Dock Root is rich in herbal iron to help build blood and ease iron problems associated with menstrual flow.  Rose Hips are rich in vitamin C, helping nourish fatigued adrenal glands and boost immune health.  It is beneficial for stomach cramps, headaches, and sleep issues associated with menstruation.  Rehmannia is a blood tonic specific for anemia and menstrual irregularity.  Chamomile helps soothe nerves for PMS stress, tension headaches and indigestion. Licorice is an adaptogen that helps regulate cortisol and encourages the adrenal glands to rest.  It has an estrogen-like effect on the female body, supporting healthy menstruation and fertility.  Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory, helping restore optimal health.  It supports digestion and eases nausea.  Dandelion supports liver detoxification and breast health.  It helps reduce water retention and swelling during PMS.  Fennel Seed promotes menstruation, increases libido, decreases bloating, and increases the flow of breast milk.  Cinnamon Bark has high levels of manganese, which help alleviate symptoms of PMS such as mood swings, cravings, irritability, and depression. 
 
Evening Primrose Oil provides essential fatty acids and has been shown to help balance hormones, reduce inflammation, promote and regulate menstruation, and treat PMS. Taking 500 mg of Evening Primrose oil twice daily helps to treat hair loss associated with hormone imbalances, boost fertility and ensure a healthy pregnancy, and is beneficial for those who suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome. Essential fatty acids also help metabolize hard, clogging saturated fats that contribute to fibroid growth.
 
Heavy periods, endometriosis and uterine fibroids are often due to low levels of progesterone, high levels of estrogen, and mild to moderate hypothyroidism. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue is not fully shed during menstruation and begins to build up in the uterus.  It increases the risk of uterine fibroids and breast fibroids. Progesta Care cream by Life-Flo supplies 20mg of natural progesterone to balance hormones and reduce estrogen dominance.  Progesterone will help treat hot flashes, vaginal dryness, improve memory, and reduce PMS symptoms, mood swings, and sleeplessness. Women’s Best Friend by Crystal Star contains a blend of herbs that help tone the reproductive system, ease heavy blood flow, and address endometriosis and uterine fibroids.  Goldenseal Root is a powerful anti-microbial that reduces pain and swelling in the entire ovarian-uterine area.  Jamaican Dogwood is one of the strongest non-narcotic herbal painkillers and is especially helpful for menstrual pain, nerve pain, back pain, cramps and spasms.  Bladderwrack is a seaweed used to treat menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) and increase iodine levels to support thyroid health.  Arame is also a seaweed, that combined with Bladderwrack boost lymphatic drainage and releases congested wastes.  Red Raspberry acts as an astringent to strengthen the uterus and help it relax to normalize bleeding.  Cramp Bark is specific to reducing menstrual cramping and spasmodic pain.  Ginger helps reduce inflammation and increase circulation for the ovarian-uterine area. Hawthorn helps to relieve feelings of intense anxiety or panic, calm the heart, and provide a sense of wellbeing.  Dong Quai is a phytohormone contain herb that helps reduces excess estrogen by binding to estrogen receptor sites.  It is a blood and liver tonic that is used to treat menorrhagia. Sasparilla Root has mild progesteronic activity that helps to reduce excess estrogen.  It also cleans impurities from the bloodstream.  False Unicorn is specific for female reproductive and fertility issues, ovarian cysts and helps to regulate menstruation.  It is a uterine and liver tonic.  Peony Root has antispasmodic and sedative properties that help ease menstrual cramping and irregularity. Rehmannia is specific for female reproductive problems and is effective at regulating excessive bleeding and interperiod bleeding.  Uva Ursi helps to reduce bloating and fluid congestion.  Blessed Thistle is a bitters herb that stimulates liver activity and hormone metabolism.  Protease is an enzyme that dissolves abnormal tissue and cleanses the blood. 
 
Endometriosis and fibroids in the uterus or breast can be caused by other factors beyond hormone imbalances. X-rays and exposure to low doses of radiation increase the risk for fibroids, especially sensitive breast tissue.  Drinking too much caffeine increases estrogen, which trigger the growth of fibroids.  Consuming 500 mg of caffeine daily produces 70% more estrogen during the menstruation cycle.  Consuming red meat also double the risk of developing uterine fibroids. Symptoms of uterine fibroids include excessive menstrual bleeding, abdominal pain, bladder infections, painful intercourse and infertility.  Breast fibroids are more common and feel like moveable, rubbery nodules.  For some women they can be fast growing or occur in clusters and be painful to the slightest touch.   Reducing caffeine intake, eating a vegetarian diet high in raw, cruciferous vegetables, and increasing fiber all help to reduce circulating estrogen, body congestions, and the risk of developing fibroids. Diindolymethane (DIM) is a supplement that contains compounds from cruciferous vegetables like indole-3-carbinol.  DIM protects the body from xenoestrogens, and balances the ratio of good and bad estrogens, pulling the body out of “estrogen dominance”.  DIM helps to protect the body from hormone dependent cancers and lower the risk and occurrence of uterine and breast fibroids and endometriosis.  DIM encourages the activity of natural killer cells, accelerates the death of cancer cells by promoting apoptosis, and has been shown to depriving growing cancers of their blood supply.  Calcium-D-glucarate is also derived from cruciferous vegetables, oranges, apples, and grapefruit.  It has liver detoxifying and anti-caricinogenic properties that are extremely beneficial for breast health and against breast cancer.  Calcium-D-glucarate increases metabolic efficiency and supports the body in removing excess estrogen, carcinogens and other tumor promoting agents.  It has been shown to be safe even when taken at high doses of 3000-4500 mg a day with the standard dose being 500-1000 mg per day.  Fibro Defense by Crystal Star contains herbs that help balance estrogen levels for both breast and uterine health and support liver detoxification.  Ginger promotes circulation and reduces inflammation.  Pau d’Arco Bark is a powerful anti-inflammatory that supports detoxification, fights cancer, and is antiviral and antifungal.  Goldenseal Root is a powerful anti-microbial that reduces pain and swelling in the entire ovarian-uterine area.  Wild Mexican Yam helps to increase DHEA levels and balance hormones.  Watercress is a source of DIM and sulforaphane, another sulfur compound that inhibits the progression of cancer cells. Burdock helps to purify the blood from toxins, and support detoxification of the lymphatic system.  It also contains arctigenin, phytochemical clinically shown to kill cancer cells.  Dandelion supports liver detoxification and breast health. Black Cohosh contains phytoestrogens that help balance good and bad estrogens and regulates menstruation.  It has anti-inflammatory compounds and beneficial triterpenes, isoflavones, and essential fatty acids.  Cordyceps is a genus of mushrooms that increases energy and boosts the immune system.  It encourages cancer cell death through apoptosis.  Bladderwrack is a seaweed used to treat menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) and increase iodine levels to support thyroid health. Dong Quai is a phytohormone contain herb that helps reduces excess estrogen by binding to estrogen receptor sites.  It is a blood and liver tonic that supports whole body detoxification.  Protease is an enzyme that dissolves abnormal tissue and cleanses the blood.  Ashwagandha is a powerful and nourishing adaptogen that encourages hormone balance. Red Raspberry tones and soothes the uterus to help prevent uterine fibroids. Bladderwrack boost lymphatic drainage and releases congested wastes.  Yellow Dock Root reduces inflammation in the liver, kidneys, and uterus and helps cleanse the body of excess estrogen.  Yellow Dock helps minimize risk of anemia from excessive bleeding.  Kelp supports and promotes thyroid function. Maitake is a genus of mushrooms that provides specific polysaccharides called beta-D-glucans that stimulate T cells to fight breast cancer cells.
 
Bone Health
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in six Americans has osteoporosis or early signs of the disease (osteopenia), and that one in four senior women in the United States have osteoporosis.  It is predicted that one quarter of men over the age of 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture.  The bones most affected by osteoporosis are the hip, spine, and wrists.  When you are young you have more osteoblast cells than osteoclast cells resulting in bone gain.  As you age osteoblasts are unable to maintain the pace of osteoclasts that are still able to efficiently break down bone, leading to loss of bone mass.  Other factors that contribute to bone loss include a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, malnutrition, drinking alcohol in excess, and low estrogen.
 
Besides helping retain and build bone, calcium also helps blood vessels regulate blood flow, assists in muscle contractions, supports nerve cell communication, and contributes to blood clotting. Foods and plants supplying calcium also contain other nutrients and trace minerals that support bone growth and increase bone density.  Plant based calcium does not contribute to arterial plaque. You do not need large doses or milligrams of food and plant based calcium, which also makes it more safe and efficient. RAW Calcium, Grow Bone, and MyKind Organic Plant Calcium from Garden of Life are algae based calcium supplements, the superior choice for building and strengthening bones. Highly concentrated in calcium, magnesium and minerals from the sea water, these nutrients are recognized by your body as food, making them highly bioavailable & being used in your body in as little as thirty minutes. Numerous studies have shown algae based calcium to be significantly more effective than all other forms of calcium in every tested parameter.
  • 300% more potent human bone building cell growth than calcium carbonate or calcium citrate (meaning calcium from algae make osteoblasts 300% more effective at building new bone)
  • 1.3% to 3.7% increase in bone mineral density with algae calcium vs. a loss in bone mineral density with calcium carbonate or citrate supplements.
  • Numerous studies have shown algae based calcium to increase bone density in as little as six months and have stopped bone loss with one year. 
 
Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) helps to activate proteins responsible for keeping calcium directed to the site of bone regeneration and out of arteries. Vitamin K also supports the ability of your bones to absorb impact ensuring bones are less likely to break from falls and accidents.  Studies show that taking high doses of K2 can reduce the risk of spine and bone fractures. Vitamin K2 is found in natto (fermented soy), organ meats, egg yolks and dairy products. Do not confuse this with vitamin K1 that goes directly to your liver to help you maintain healthy blood clotting factors.  Vitamin K2 does not get processed through the liver and is safe to take for those on blood thinning medications. Vitamin D is critical to calcium absorption and supports the function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.  People with lower levels of vitamin D are more susceptible to osteoporosis and broken bones.  Studies have shown that supplementing with higher doses of vitamin D may increase bone density before the onset of osteoporosis or osteopenia. Vitamin C is necessary for collagen synthesis done by osteoblasts and is required for normal bone development.  New research shows that vitamin C may significantly contribute to the prevention of bone loss.  Magnesium is an important mineral in the bone matrix, and supports calcium absorption.  Magnesium may also be helpful in reducing bone loss.  Magnesium is often found abundantly in foods that also provide calcium such a spinach, tofu, almonds, broccoli and lentils. Strontium is a mineral that is found in the human body in bones and connective tissue.  Studies have shown using 680 mg of strontium daily can reduce the risk of facture by over 40% in those with osteoporosis.  Strontium is also credited with showing large gains in bones density and may improve cartilage metabolism.  While it absolutely contributes to increasing bone density, many increases in bone density are overestimated with strontium supplementation.  Strontium has a larger atomic weight than calcium, and when calcium is replaced by strontium in bone, the density of the bone appears larger.  Calcium and strontium both utilize the same carrier protein required for transportation and absorption for use in bones.  You should always take strontium four hours away from calcium and at night. Calcium supplements from algae naturally contain 3-5mg of strontium and that amount will not interfere with elemental calcium absorption.
 
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Pet Escentuals & More!

8/27/2016

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Essential Oils
Essential oils provide powerful healing benefits to your pet on a cellular level, helping them to respond better to all treatments and recover more quickly.  They can also be an effective tool for supporting training, weaning, ear infections, allergies, anxieties, fears, aggression or any other behavioral issues. However, it is critical that pet owners understand that the physiology of cats, dogs, horses, birds, or whatever your animals may be, is very different and they will each metabolize essential oils in their own unique way.  You must take precautions with the types of essential oils you use on your pets and how they are diluted.  Like humans, each of your animals will respond differently or be more sensitive to each essential oil.  Be aware and present when introducing new oils to your pets and make adjustments as needed.  You will also need to dilute essential oils according to the size/weight of your cat or dog.  The smaller the animal, the more diluted the essential oil must be. For a comprehensive guide to essential oils and the correct dilution for your animal visit http://www.dogoiler.com
 
The best carrier oil for your pet is fractionated coconut oil or MCT oil.  It combines well with essential oils, it slows down absorption into the tissues, helping to prevent sensitivities, it prevents the oils from dissipating too quickly, it does not go rancid, and it is nourishing to the skin.
 
Rules & Warnings
  • Do NOT apply essential oils in your pet’s eyes or nose, or on their genitals. If it gets in their eyes or nose use milk to rinse it out. Always use care when using oils topically around the face as it easily becomes too overwhelming.
  • Do NOT use water as a carrier for topical use because it drives oils deeper and faster into tissues.
  • Do NOT drop essential oils into ears.
  • Do NOT apply essential oils to the tips of long eared dogs as the oils could get into their eyes or nose when they shake their head.
  • Do NOT use any essential oil products in beadlet form or any products containing xylitol.  They can cause serious liver damage and are toxic to dogs and cats.
  • If your pet has a seizure disorder do NOT use basil, camphor, tansy, thuja, eucalyptus, fennel, hyssop, rosemary, wintergreen or sage.
  • If you pet has bleeding disorders do NOT use birch, cassia, cinnamon, clove, fennel, oregano or wintergreen.
  • When introducing oils watch for signs of toxicity including:
  • Negative changes in behavior- such as rolling around on the floor, drooling, panting, whining or clear signs of discomfort.
  • Seizures, tremors or a comatose state. (Only seen in animals exposed to incredibly high amounts of essential oils)
  • Skin sensitivities like redness, rubbing or itching.
  • Eye squinting
 
Cats 
In general, you will be warned against using essential oils on cats.  Cats lack an enzyme called glucuronyl transferase, which supports liver metabolism. This makes them vulnerable to toxins, in particular plants, NSAIDS, chocolate, lead zinc, and chemical pesticides.  You should only use organic essential oils on or around your cats and in highly diluted forms.  The oils you should never use topically on cats because of their high content of phenols and ketones are basil, birch, cinnamon, clove, fennel, tea tree, oregano, peppermint, thyme, Roman chamomile, rosemary, spearmint, and wintergreen.  Cats are also sensitive to oils that contain a terpene called d-limonene like bergamot, dill, grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange and tangerine.
 
It is best to use a water diffuser with cats, as the oil will then become properly diluted.  You can diffuse any oils this way, as long as it is not done near their food, water or litter box.  Make sure your cats are never locked in a room with a running diffuser.  You can apply diluted essential oils (1 drop of essential oil per 1 tablespoon coconut oil) topically to their ears or along their spine.  Cats will eventually ingest the oils through grooming, so diluting oils is imperative.  You can also make a digestive blend with 3-4 oils of your choice (peppermint, ginger, anise, fennel, basil, juniper or patchouli), mix 4 drops into some baking powder and let saturate overnight in a sealed container.  Then sprinkle on litter! This will help with any smells while helping to correct, treat or heal any digestive issues.
 
Dogs
The oils you should not use topically on dogs are wintergreen, tea tree, birch, thyme, cinnamon, clove, camphor and oregano.  These oils can be diffused if needed but they must be heavily diluted.  For puppies younger than 3 months and dogs under 10 lbs, always dilute essential oils heavily- 1-drop essential oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.  For puppies ages 3-6 months, 1 drop essential oil with 1-teaspoon coconut oil.  If you dog is pregnant, old, or sick always use essential oils with caution and dilute heavily.  Using a water diffuser is the best way to utilize the benefits of essential oils for emotional or behavior issues.  Always choose the lowest setting on your diffuser. You can apply essential oils properly diluted along the spine, on pressure points, or around condition specific areas of the body. 
 
Horses & Equids (other large animals like donkeys, sheep, llamas, and cows)
Horses respond very well to essential oils.  Just because horses are large does not mean that they need more essential oils than you would use on a large dog or yourself.  As with any animal, it is always best to start with a higher diluted concentration and work from there, increasing the amount of essential oils as needed.  You should not be surprised to see that they respond to far less oil than you might expect with a large animal.  Never use essential oils undiluted or “neat” on horses as this will cause their skin to welt and it is uncomfortable and painful. The only situation in which you might apply essential oils undiluted would be to the hoof.  You can use essential oils topically when properly diluted (follow dilution guidelines for a large dog) to treat physical pain, respiratory disease, digestive issues, behavioral conditions, lacerations, muscular conditions, bruising and much more.  You can water diffuse essential oils if kept in a small barn, or fan diffusers for large barns or more open areas.  If a horse turns away from an essential oil when they smell it, they are telling you they do not prefer or need that oil. 
 
Essential Oils for Dogs, Cats & Large Animals
  • Myrrh: With powerful cleansing properties, it is beneficial for the mouth, throat and skin.  It helps your animals remain calm when tensions are high, perfect for any transitions. Supports healthy brain and thyroid function.  Excellent for helping improve gum/oral and skin health. Has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties.
  • Lavender: Calming and relaxing, lavender help ease feelings of tension or sadness and promotes restful sleep.  Helps soothe skin irritations or allergies, ear infections, and insect bites.  Use on sore, over-used muscles or for muscle spasms.
  • Frankincense: Supports healthy cellular function and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Supports detoxification, healthy cell production, and the function of the kidney and bladder.  Supports the health and cognitive function of the brain and nervous system.  Shown to be an effective treatment for seizure disorders.  Rejuvenates the skin and reduces the production of scar tissue.  Frankincense balances moods, promotes relaxation and is calming to the brain.
  • Helichrysum: Supports circulation and vein health.  Excellent to use after surgeries to help regenerate tissues and strengthen muscles and tendons.  Supports healthy metabolism and increases feeling of energy and wellness. 
  • Juniper Berry: Supports the function of the kidneys and urinary tract. Naturally helps to clean and detoxify while also purifying the air. Can be diffused to lessen feelings of stress and uplift mood.
  • Geranium: Helps support the natural production and balance of hormones.  Supports liver function and all organs responsible for detoxification.  Natural remedy for dry skin.  Treats skin infections caused by rain rot in horses.  
  • Clary Sage: Helps to balance hormones and encourages healthy skin.
  • Roman Chamomile: Soothing to the entire body, making it excellent for behavioral issues, skin irritations, allergies, transitional periods or situations, and for promoting feelings of peace and well being.  Boosts the immune system.  Add to shampoos or conditioners to further support the health of the skin.  Use to lessen irritations from insect stings or bites.
  • Lemon: Naturally cleansing and helps to purify the air.  Supports digestion and soothes a sore throat. Helps the body adapt to kidney issues.
  • Oregano: Use for serious immune conditions only.  Effective treatment for Equine Sarcoid.
  • Eucalyptus: Supports pancreatic function and helps to normalize blood sugars.  Beneficial for respiratory system issues by reducing symptoms and duration of illness. Treats sore, overused muscles in horses.
  • Marjoram: Reduces discomfort and aches in muscles, tendons, and joints.  Eases muscle spasms. Supports healthy blood pressure, pancreas function and immune health.
  • Lemongrass: Supports heavy metal detoxes and boosts the immune system.  Beneficial to thyroid and bladder function.  Helps maintain healthy muscles and tendons. Treats rain rot and scratches or greasy heals in horses.
  • Ginger: Supports gastrointestinal health, improves digestion, reduces motion sickness, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
  • Peppermint: Excellent for treating respiratory illness, resolving digestive issues, improving blood flow, cooling the body, and reducing muscle, joint and body aches and pains.
  • Fennel: Soothing to the digestive tract and helps treat motion sickness.
  • Sandalwood: Increases healthy cell reproduction and is favorable for improving skin conditions.  Sandalwood improves attention, aiding in successful training sessions and outcomes with your pet.  
  • Grapefruit: Supports healthy blood clotting factors.  Helps to detox organs and eliminate heavy metals.
  • Ylang Ylang: Helps to reduce anxiety, and is very soothing and calming.  Subsequently helps to reduce blood pressure.
  • Basil: Anti-inflammatory properties that is excellent for treating bee, wasp, ant or other insect bites or sings.  Supports pancreatic function and healthy blood sugar levels.
  • Bergamot: A soothing and calming treatment for all behavior or mood issues.
  • Bug & Tick Repellants: lemon eucalyptus, catnip, citronella, patchouli, lemongrass, rosemary, peppermint and cedarwood.
 
Birds
Birds are extremely sensitive to chemical fragrances, and using scented air fresheners or candles with synthetic essential oils can be very dangerous. However, they can thrive when exposed properly to essential oils.  A water-based diffuser is the best way to introduce your birds to oils.  Start with three drops of essential oil to see how it is tolerated.  You can increase if necessary.  To use topically on birds, dilute essentials oils in water only.  Birds seem to respond best to a blend of oils for any health needs. 
 
  • Arthritis, Sore Joints, Broken Bones:  Use an equal combination of at least 3 of the following essential oils: Helichrysum, peppermint, frankincense, orange, lemon, spruce, marjoram, lemongrass or basil. Start at four drops of essential oils to a 4 oz. spray bottle filled with distilled water.  You can increase essential oils up to 60 drops depending on the tolerance and need of your bird. Birds are very good at knowing when to blink when spritzed and they will show you that they will take the spray where they want it.  Some birds, even if you aim for the feet, will duck their heads to get the spray. 
  • Bleeding: You can use Helichrysum by itself to stop bleeding on a bird.  To help prevent further bleeding in the area and to speed healing time use a combination of helichrysum, lavender, myrrh and lavender in a water mist.  
  • Behavioral Issues: Diffuse an equal combination of lavender, orange, lemon, German chamomile, frankincense, clary sage or ylang ylang in a water diffuser as needed.  It is safe to diffuse oils around the clock for behavioral issues.  If needed, a blend can be made into a water mist and used as a training tool.
  • Aspergillosis: Diffuse a combination of tangerine, cinnamon, spruce, frankincense, clove, helichrysum, marjoram and myrrh in a water diffuser.
  • Avian Bornavirus: Water mist a blend of lavender, orange, lemon, helichrysum, frankincense and myrrh every two to three hours.  Can also be used in a water diffuser. Other oils that may be beneficial to diffuse include tangerine, grapefruit, and orange.
 
Herbs
Tinctures are potent herbal extracts that can quickly provide healing properties to your pets and are the safest way to administer herbal medicines.  You can create strong teas if your pet won’t take a tincture or to avoid the alcohol content of herbal tinctures. Use 2 tablespoons of herb per 16 ounces of water, mix in a pot; cover and simmer slowly simmer to a boil.  Take off heat and then let it sit for four hours.  Do not strain the tea.  Store in a jar covered with a paper towel and rubber band to hold in it in place, as it is best for air to flow through the tea.  For a 30-pound animal give two tablespoons twice be day.    Because of their earthy taste and smell, most pets will eat them when mixed with their food, even cats! Dosing should be compatible with your pet’s weight.  It is more effective to administer several doses throughout the day than doing one large dose of any herbal tincture.  As with humans, no herbs should be taken on a continuous basis, as their bodies will build a natural immunity.  Using an herbal remedy for two weeks, and then taking one week off is recommended.  Just about any herbal remedy you use for yourself can be applied to your pet. Do NOT give white willow to cats or dogs, as they are allergic to its active ingredient salycin. Toxic herbs for cats are marigold, pennyroyal, and red clover. Wormwood is toxic to horses.
  • Immune Health: Echinacea purpurea root, goldenseal root, garlic, olive leaf
  • Allergy, Itches & Cuts: Aloe, calendula, Oregon grape root, apple cider vinegar, neem oil, sea buckthorn berry, bee pollen, astragalus, hibiscus, nettle leaf, olive leaf, rosehips, rosemary, turmeric, sage, yerba santa
  • Anxiety: Passion flower, skullcap, hops, milky oat, chamomile, lavender, valerian, St. John’s wort
  • Bladder Health: Dandelion leaf and root, marshmallow root, horsetail, couchgrass, Echinacea purpurea
  • Kidney & Liver: burdock, cinnamon, dulse, fenugreek, kelp, marshmallow root, milk thistle, mullein, slippery elm, licorice, oat staw
  • Joint Health: Alfalfa, burdock root, licorice root, yucca root, turmeric, ginger, horsetail
  • Digestion: Ginger, bee pollen, chamomile, clove, lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, safe, yerba santa, aloe, dandelion root, licorice, red clover, yerba mate
  • Diarrhea or Vomiting: Slippery elm bark, ginger, peppermint, licorice root
  • Pain Relief: Meadowsweet, chamomile, ginger, lemongrass, skullcap, turmeric, valerian
  • Ulcers: Two drops of calendula, comfrey, and nettle twice per day. 
  • Respiratory Health: lobelia, yerba santa, mullein, wild cherry bark, osha root, fenugreek, slippery elm bark, yerba santa
  • Muscle Cramps/Spasms: cayenne pepper, chamomiles, Siberian ginseng, skullcap, hibiscus, hops, lavender, nettle, valerian, passionflower, peppermint, rosehips
  • Parasites: chamomile, cinnamon, cloves, black walnut, nettle leaf, wormwood
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Back to School Essentials

8/20/2016

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It can be difficult to leave the long, fun summer days behind and motivate your kids when they have to get up early, have less free time, and homework.  With the right nutrition, adequate sleep, and some help from nutritional supplements, you can provide your children with the tools they need to start the school year off right, stay well, and improve cognition, mood and attitude.   

Sleep:

The best way to support your child as they head back to school is by ensuring they get enough sleep.  It is during sleep that the body is able to heal and repair itself, the adrenal system is able to relax and restore itself, and the brain catalogs all that it has learned during the day.  The body and brain is developing at a rapid rate during childhood, and especially teenage years, and sleep is imperative to supporting their health.  Children who do not get enough sleep will be overly emotional, meaning they can be less patient, easy to anger, or will be sensitive to getting their feelings hurt.  They will show signs of hyperactivity, fast and excessive talking, ADHD, and defiant or contrary behavior. They also can express as having no energy and you will see an increase in their appetite for foods high in sugars.  The combination of lack of sleep, and a diet high in sugars and carbohydrates will easily lead to feelings of restlessness or anxiety and puts your child on the path to type 2 diabetes.  

It is recommended that preschoolers ages 3-5 get 10 to 13 hours of sleep per night, school aged children 6-13 get 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night, and teenagers 14-17 years get 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night. Each child’s need for sleep will be different, and factors like growth spurts, consistent physical activity, and physical or emotional stress will likely increase the need for longer periods of sleep.  Your kids will benefit from a nightly routine preparing their body for sleep and consistent bedtime.  This can include a light snack, taking a bath, brushing their teeth, and then reading in bed.  Some children will unwind better through a bedtime yoga practice, guided meditation, or light massage.  Let your children be a part of creating this process and they will be more willing to embrace structure around bedtime. 

Natural Calm is an effervescent drink that can help restore low levels of magnesium that are needed for sleep, energy, and a stable mood.  It can also help relieve the muscle cramps and aches associated with growing pains in children.  Gaia makes a delicious tasting syrup called Sleep and Relax which uses an herbal blend of chamomile, lemon balm and passion flower that act synergistically to help calm the body and mind of your child. This blend prepares them for sleep and they will wake up feeling re-energized.  You can use this syrup as needed and for the week before school as you implement an earlier bedtime from summer. If your child likes to drink tea, add a cup of Tulsi Tea to their bedtime routine.  Tulsi, commonly known as Holy Basil, is an herb that acts as an adaptogen to help protect the body from the harmful side effects of stress by promoting relaxation and a sense of relief from every day stressors.  Drinking a cup of Tulsi tea will help calm your child’s body and mind and encourage deep, restorative sleep.  Incorporating essential oils can also have a significant effect on the quality of sleep.  Lavender has been clinically shown to help children fall asleep faster, and enter a state of restorative sleep more quickly and for longer periods of time.  You can diffuse lavender in their room, massage it into their feet, or spray it onto their pillow and blanket. 

Calm Baby/Sleepy Time Blend
for children 3 months & older
1 drop Roman Chamomile
2 drops Lavender Oil
Fill a 1 oz roll-on glass bottle with essential oils and fill with carrier oil of your choice. Rub on feet or behind the ears.

Nutrition:

With the onslaught of refined and chemical sugars and an array of unhealthy and toxic fats in packaged and fast foods, it is more important than ever to provide quality and nutrient dense foods. For breakfast try to get healthy fats, protein and a good carbohydrate for energy.  Overnight Oats are a perfect breakfast, and one that your kids can make to their liking.

Bento Boxes are a fun, new way to pack a good school lunch.  These containers can have 4-5 sections to help you provide a wide variety of foods with different colors, flavors and textures.  Or you can use cookies cutters and silicon baking cups to help create a fun bento box using a container that is about 4x6 inches wide. Your kids will also have fun preparing these lunches, and it can be a great way to introduce new foods they might be wary of trying. 
There is often a good four hours between the time your child eats lunch and then gets home from school. To prevent the crash from low blood sugar, and the subsequent frantic grab for foods high in sugar, have a snack packed in their backpack, or ready to eat on the ride home.  This will help stabilize blood sugars, and give them good, sustained energy to play or study on before dinner.  A homemade trail mix will provide healthy fats and protein.  Take your child to the bulk section and let them pick from raw nuts and seeds, dried fruit, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, coconut flakes and mix them together at home. Add air popped popcorn for some extra crunch and fiber.  You can also throw seasonings in like chili powder, cinnamon, garlic powder or curry powder. 

Another great after school snack is having cut up vegetables or fruits and a great dip.  Most kids will eat anything dipped in ranch or Nutella.  You can make a delicious ranch dip by substituting Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise and sour cream.  You get the same tang and healthy fats and protein.  You might be surprised to find your kids will love hummus.  Hummus is made from chickpeas and tahini, providing protein and a good dose of fiber.  You can make your own hummus and substitute zucchini for the chickpeas.  Have your kids create a new seasoning blend for each recipe you make and they will be more likely to reach for it in the fridge.  For fruit you can make your own Nutella with just five simple ingredients, and it is perfect for dipping apples, bananas, pears or strawberries. Another easy and delicious dip can be made from whipping up a can of coconut milk!  It is naturally sweet and full of healthy fats and it won’t spike your children’s blood sugar.  You can always add a few drops of strawberry flavored stevia if your children don’t love the mild coconut flavor. 

A quality multivitamin can help fill any gaps in your child’s diet, and provide them with nutrients that are now difficult to get through food alone.  Pound for pound, kids need more nutrients than adults, and a multivitamin ensures proper development.  Vitamins and minerals play key roles in the brain that support cognitive tasks like learning, problem solving, focus, and recall.  Kids One Daily by MegaFood was formulated by a mother for children ages 5 and older.  It is made from whole foods, left in their raw state, so the 24 essential nutrients provided are easily digested and absorbed by the body.  It also contains an antioxidant blend from fresh fruits that help to support the immune system. It is gluten free, vegetarian, soy free, dairy free, kosher, and non-GMO certified.  Nordic Naturals is the maker of the popular Nordic Berries, a chewable, pectin based multivitamin for kids two and older.  It provides the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that growing kids need.  Children’s Oxylent is an award-winning daily multivitamin drink that supports child development, strengthens growing bones and muscles, and boosts immune health. It provides optimum bioavailability, is sweetened with stevia, and is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, and herb free. 

Immune Health

Bacteria and viruses are the major culprits of illness as your children head back to school, as they are spread easily through contact with contaminated people, surfaces, food, and water.  They produce many common side effects like coughing, sneezing, fever, and vomiting. Just as easily as they are spread, you can prevent bacteria and virus from making your child sick by providing the right vitamins, minerals and herbs to keep their immune system strong. 
MegaFood makes Kids Daily Immune, a nutrient booster powder.  It has little to no flavor, and is easily hidden in juice, a smoothie, yogurt, or it can be added to a pancake/waffle mix.  It contains Vitamin C, Elderberry, Astragalus, Echinacea, and an antioxidant blend from whole foods.  Vitamin C is the master immune-boosting nutrient. Alone, it is anti-viral and anti-bacterial and is able to detox your body of toxins from bacteria. Elderberry has been shown to reduce the severity and length of influenza.  Elderberry acts as an antiviral by attaching itself to the tiny protein spikes on the surface of a virus, preventing it from being able to penetrate healthy cells. It has also been shown to be effective against antibiotic resistant viruses. Astragalus is an incredible antiviral that strengthens and regulates the immune system to prevent upper respiratory infections and the common cold and flu. Taking Echinacea at the first signs of a cold or flu optimize its benefits to shorten the severity and duration of illness. It has no added sugar, sweeteners, flavorings, preservatives or fillers.

Kick-It Immune by Wishgarden Herbs is a combination of kid-friendly herbs that help to activate your child’s natural immune response and support the lymphatic system.  Taken every hour at the onset of symptoms, it helps to stop bacteria and virus from developing into a full-blown illness.  It works quickly and the herbs are incredibly effective.  Elderflower is antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  It is excellent for treating colds, flus, sinus infections and respiratory troubles. Calendula stimulates the immune response and relieves symptoms from the cold and flu.  Yerba Santa works incredibly well at opening the lungs and sinuses to dissolve and remove accumulated phlegm. Yerba Santa supports the body against coughs, colds, flus, pneumonia, and chest congestion.  Osha Root has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties and helps to significantly reduce inflammation in the bronchial tubes.  Osha root encourages your body to sweat, helping reduce fevers and detoxing your body of the flus, coughs, colds and other viral infections before symptoms worsen.  It also contains Echinacea.

Host Defense makes an Immune Support spray in peppermint or cinnamon flavors that contain five powerful mushrooms that provide a “shield” for your immune system.  Mushrooms are a functional food and have a full-spectrum of components that enhance the body’s immune system, increase the activity and effectiveness of natural killer cells and macrophages, support stress and fatigue, and protect from daily environmental exposure to toxins and pollutants.  Just a couple of sprays a day after your child has brushed their teeth (or diluted in water) can help protect them from the fiercest of bacteria or virus.

You can also support immune health by avoiding junk food and sugar, stress, and lack of sleep.  Sugar significantly inhibits the process of phagocytosis, the process by which immune cells engulf, kill and digest invading microbes.  Just 75-100 grams of sugar (the amount in two cans of soda) starts to suppress immune health within just 30 minutes and can continue to for at least five hours after ingestion. Stress significantly impacts the health of your immune system and its ability to fight off disease by elevating levels of the hormone cortisol. Chronic stress lowers the amount and function of T cells and macrophages, ultimately leaving your child more vulnerable to disease and illness.  Virus and bacteria thrive in a body wracked by stress, and spread and mutate more quickly throughout the body.  Keeping the body from sleep contributes to an increase in cortisol levels.  Those who are sleep deprived have lower levels of killer cells. The digestive system is also disrupted by a lack of sleep.  Since the immune system lives in your gut, it is important to keep the digestive system healthy and replenished with good, healthy probiotics. Garden of Life makes a powdered probiotic and a chewable probiotic for children with strains specific to immune and digestive health. Their probiotics are made from raw, fermented foods, which maintain more live nutrients, enzymes and probiotics strains. 

Mood, Focus & Cognition

New advances in technology have allowed scientists and neurologist to study and track the growth of the brain. Recent research has shown that the brain continues to develop and increase connectivity until young adulthood.  The extent of connectivity in the brain, or how well different parts of the brain work together and communicate effectively, is directly related to intellectual capacities like memory, reading, and critical thinking. During teenage years, the parts of the brain that keep emotional or impulsive reactions in check is still evolving, meaning youths act on their impulses without regard for risk or consequence.  There are healthy fats, nutrients and foods that can significantly impact brain development and support a positive mood, learning, focus, productivity, and memory.  

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are the building blocks of brain development in children and teens and play keys roles in all aspects of their health and wellness.  Omega-3’s are a structural component of brain and nerve cells.  Studies have shown that children who have high blood levels of Omega-3 DHA have better reading skills, memory and less behavior problems.  Research has also shown that parents reported an improvement in attention and other behaviors related to ADHD after their children took an Omega-3 supplement for 16 weeks. Omega-3’s have strong anti-inflammatory properties, making them an effective and powerful tool against depression and anxiety, which is now far too common among teenagers.  They also have the ability to minimize the negative effects junk food has on the brain by disrupting the generation of new nerve cells.  Omega-3’s stimulate areas of the brain that control hunger, satiety, learning and memory.  The recommended daily intake of omega-3’s has increased for teenagers and it is recognized that 3,000 mg of EPA+DHA support optimal brain health. Nordic Naturals makes high quality sustainable fish oils that surpass international pharmaceutical standards, and are free of heavy metals, dioxins, and PCBs.  They are processed without chemicals or excessive heat and are put back into triglyceride form, ensuring optimal absorption.  Nordic Naturals is always on sale at World of Nutrition, as we believe passionately about the benefits of omega fatty acids and we hope to make them affordable for everyone.  Fatty fish such as wild caught Alaskan salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, anchovies and sardines are an excellent source of omega fatty acids.  Other food sources include walnuts, natto, hemp seeds, and egg yolks. 

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are packed with antioxidants called flavonoids that play a significant role in improving cognitive skills like learning and decision-making.  Flavonoids also promote the production of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that promotes the formation of new brain cells.  Low levels of BDNF are associated with neurological and mood disorders including depression and anxiety.  Berries help prevent inflammation to alleviate mental fatigue and brain fog.  Avocados are 75% monounsaturated fats, healthy fats that support the production of acetylcholine.  (Eggs are an excellent source of choline, a precursor to acetylcholine.) This is the memory and learning neurotransmitter in the brain. Avocados have high amounts of tyrosine, an amino acid that helps to make dopamine, another brain chemical that encourages motivation and focus. Both nutrients improve blood flow to the brain.  Olive oil is also an excellent source of monounsaturated fats.  Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi provide great amounts of good gut bacteria.  The community of microbes living in the gut has recently been recognized by science as having a commanding influence on the brain.  Bacteria in the gut make over 30 neurotransmitters including serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, dopamine and GABA, and these microbes impact health, mood, and decision-making.  It has been shown that imbalances in the microbiome are the root cause of brain-related conditions like ADHD, depression, anxiety, autism, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.   

There are amazing herbs that can support and increase connectivity in the brain.  Wishgarden Herbs created a tincture for children called Genius Juice Jr. that contains Milky Oat, Passionflower, Gotu Kola, Scullcap, Cinnamon Bark and Nettle Leaves that provide support for those children that have a difficult time staying focused or paying attention over longer periods of time.  Milky Oat and Passionflower are excellent at calming the brain and nervous system, helping reduce anxiety, quiet the mind, and relax the body. Gotu Kolu has a meditative effect on the body, helping to reduce mental fatigue, promote clarity, improve concentration, and support the nervous system.  It also works as an adaptogen to help the body effectively handle stress. Skullcap has mild sedative properties and treats feeling of restlessness or anxiety, irritability, and is commonly used as an alternative medicine to treat ADHD and other nerve disorders. 
Herb Pharm makes an alcohol free tincture for kids called Lemon Balm Calm.  Lemon balm calms down a running mind while helping your child feel significantly more alert, focused and positive.  Helping to improve mood and increase confidence makes this herb excellent for those with test anxiety.  Lemon balm has been clinically shown to improve memory and increase problem-solving skills.  It is also neuroprotective. 

MegaFood makes another nutrient booster powder for kids called Daily B-Centered. It contains a whole food B vitamin complex and the herbs Bacopa, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, and L-Theanine.  B vitamins are necessary for the development and function of the brain and nervous system.  Deficiencies in B vitamins, especially B12, are linked to smaller brain size and poor memory. Bacopa helps to sharpen cognitive function and reduce feelings of anxiety.  It enhances communication throughout the nervous system by increasing the growth of nerve endings, helping to boost memory and recall.  It also works as an adaptogen to help the body effectively manage stress.  L-Theanine is an amino acid that promotes relaxation, without feeling drowsy, so your child can think more clearly, stay focused, and easily retain and recall what they are learning.  It also improves mood and can strengthen feelings of contentment and confidence. 

Wishgarden Herbs makes a tincture for kids called Quiet Time that contains Passionflower, Milky Oat and Skullcap.  This is perfect for the child who is easily rattled, overwhelmed or frustrated.  It can help relax and center your child so they can do homework, read, or problem solve as needed.
 
References:
Sleep:
https://sleepfoundation.org/sites/default/files/STREPchanges_1.png
 
Bento Box:
https://www.parentmap.com/article/halloween-lunch-ideas-for-kids?page=2
https://www.parentmap.com/article/20-great-lunch-box-ideas-for-kids
https://www.parentmap.com/article/20-great-lunch-box-ideas-for-kids?page=17
http://alphamom.com/family-fun/how-to-make-a-kids-bento-box/
http://www.treehousetv.com/parents/best-recipes/lunch-ideas/easy-bento-box-ideas

 
Back to School Recipes
 
Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats makes 3 servings
  • 12 Organic Strawberries
  • 2 cups Rolled Oats-perfect combination of carbohydrate and fiber!
  • 1 ½ cups Hemp Milk-rich in healthy fats and a good source of protein
  • ½ cup plain Greek Yogurt-great source of protein
  • 1 Tsps. Strawberry Jam
  • ½ Tsp Vanilla Extract
Chop the strawberries into small pieces and mix them in a bowl with all ingredients.  Stir well and place in individual mason jars and cover overnight (or at the minimum 1 hour).  Remove from the fridge when you are ready to eat and top with fresh strawberries and coconut flakes.  You can also heat them in a microwave for 30-60 seconds. The oats will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
 
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats makes 3 servings
  • 2 cups Rolled Oats
  • 1 ½ cups Hemp Milk
  • ½ cup plain Green Yogurt
  • 1 Organic Banana-mashed, chopped, or sliced to child’s preference
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. Raw Cacao-rich in antioxidants, iron and magnesium, it supports memory and cognition, elevates mood & provides a boost of energy!
  • 1 Tbsp. Peanut Butter-or any nut butter
  • 1 Tbsp. local Honey
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, stirring well and place in individual mason jars and cover overnight (or at the minimum 1 hour).  Remove from the fridge when you are ready to eat and top with honey. You can also heat them in a microwave for 30-60 seconds. The oats will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
 
Ranch Dip with Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp. dried Parsley
  • 1 Tsp. Garlic powder
  • 1 Tsp. Onion powder
  • ¼ Tsp. ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. Chives
  • 1 ½ cups plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Tsp. Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 Tsp. Lemon juice
Mix well in a food processor or by hand and place in a glass sealable container.  Ready to eat right away but best flavor will come after at least an hour in the fridge.
 
Homemade Nutella makes approx. 1 pint
  • 1 cup raw Hazelnuts
  • ¾ cup canned Coconut Milk
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. Raw Honey
  • ½ Tsp. finely ground Himalayan Sea Salt
  • ¾ cup Chocolate-at least 70% cacao
*You can substitute raw cacao powder, but you will get a creamier spread from a chocolate bar or chips.  World of Nutrition sells Lily’s Dark Chocolate chips that are delicious and sugar free!
 
Preheat oven to 275°F.  Spread the hazelnuts on a cookie sheet and roast for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and wrap hot hazelnuts in a kitchen towel and cool for 10 minutes.  Remove & discard skins from hazelnut by rubbing with the kitchen towel.  In a medium saucepan on low heat, combine chocolate, coconut milk, honey and sea salt and heat until chocolate is completely melted.  Remove from heat and allow to slightly cool.  Add roasted hazelnuts to a food processor and pulse until you get a butter like consistency.  This will take almost five minutes.  They will retain a slightly grainy texture. Add the chocolate mixture to the food processor and pulse until it is completely blended with the hazelnut butter.  Add your Nutella to a glass jar and allow to cool completely before sealing tightly and refrigerating.  It will thicken in the fridge.  Be sure to use within 3-4 works, and always keep your Nutella tightly sealed and refrigerated. 
 
Zucchini Hummus
  • 4 medium organic zucchini’s
  • 1/4 c lemon juice
  • 1/2 c + 2 T of raw organic tahini
  • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. Pepperman
  • 1 Tbsp.  roasted garlic
  • 1 roasted organic red pepper
  • Paprika to garnish
Take the 4 medium sized zucchini’s and peel them. Peeling the skin off the zucchini is mostly for aesthetic purposes-keeps hummus from taking on a deep green color. Chop the zucchini into equal 1 to 2 inch chunks to make it easier on the blender to process. Zucchini blends easily, so start with filling the blender about halfway with zucchini and processing. Slowly add the remaining chunks. The trick with making the best raw zucchini hummus is to strain it. Take a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and very slowly, pour the liquid zucchini into the strainer. Do not try to push it through, just allow the zucchini to stay on top and allow the liquid to slowly drain through. Let that sit while you make the rest of the dip. Place the lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin, into the blender and process until smooth. Add the strained zucchini back in and blend all together. Sprinkle with paprika and let your hummus set for one hour in the fridge.  Serve with a side of veggies, plantain chips, or lentil chips and enjoy!

Variations:
  • Substitute two organic yellow squash for organic zucchini.  You will also want to peel and strain the yellow squash.
  • Instead of roasted red pepper I like to add 2 organic jalapenos and 1 bunch of organic cilantro.
  • Add ½ organic avocado if you like a creamy hummus. 
 
 
 
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Pickling WON "0" WON

8/13/2016

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Pickling fruits and vegetables is a delicious way to utilize all the beautiful produce from your garden or the farmers market.  You can pickle just about anything, which means you won’t see an abundance of uneaten produce go to waste. Fresh produce will produce the crispiest texture. Pickling is about the vinegar and salt, not the sweetness so watch for recipes that call for more than ¼ cup of sugar.  Salt helps balance flavors and draws water out of vegetables, which also improves the texture of pickled produce.  You never want to substitute table salt for Kosher or Himalayan salt. Balance out your vinegar with water to keep flavors from being too harsh and biting. Your vinegar should have at least 4-6% acetic acid. Red wine vinegar will turn all your fruits and vegetables pink! Don’t be afraid to use fresh herbs and to try new combinations. You’ll find your favorite recipes have six to eight spices.  Pickle your produce separately, as certain fruits and vegetables will be ready to eat at different rates.  Softer items like onions and zucchini will pickle far more quickly than beets or carrots. Always take note of how long it took a batch to pickle so you know next time when they will be ready to eat! If they go too long the vinegar can become overwhelming and the fruits and vegetables will get droopy and soft. 
 
Quick Sour Pickle Brine Base
You can use this brine with any type of vegetable, and the vinegars and spices can be easily interchanged.
Ingredients:
  • 2 ¾ cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3 cups distilled water
  • 2 Tbsp. + 2 Tsp. fine grain Himalayan Sea Salt
  • 2 Tbsp. Coconut Sugar or Raw Cane Sugar (optional)
  • ´1 Tbsp. each of any of the following spices: fresh dill, fresh garlic, dried coriander seed, peppercorns, dry mustard, bay leaf, fennel, and cumin seeds.  Or you can simply use 4 Tbsp. of Pickling Spice.
  • Enough organic vegetables to fill three-pint sized Mason Jars-about 4 pounds
 
DIY Pickling Spice: store in a glass, airtight container for 1 year
  • 2 Tbsp. Yellow Mustard Seeds
  • 2 Tbsp. Coriander Seeds
  • 1 Tbsp. Peppercorns
  • 1 Tbsp. Cinnamon Chips
  • 1 Tbsp. Ground Ginger
  • 2 Tsp. Allspice Berries
  • 2 Tsp. Dill Seeds
  • 1 Tsp. Chili Pepper Flakes
  • 2 dried Bay Leaves-crushed
  • 3 whole Cloves
You can add/substitute Fennel Seeds, Juniper Berries, Cardamom Seeds, Celery Seeds or Star Anise!

Directions for Refrigerator Pickles:

Cut your vegetables into spears or desired shape and pack them into sterile glass jars.  In a large saucepan, combine your spices and brine ingredients.  Heat and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Pour brine over vegetables, put lids on jars, and allow them to cool to room temperature.  Refrigerate your jars for at least 24 hours.  They should keep in the refrigerator for about a month.  Always label and date your pickles!

Directions for Canning Pickles:

Sterilize your jars in hot water (above 185°F) and leave in hot water until they are ready to be filled. Try to keep canning water warm-120°F to 140°F. Cut your vegetables into spears or desired shape and pack them into sterile glass jars.  In a large saucepan, combine your spices and brine ingredients.  Heat and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Pour brine over vegetables, put lids on jars, and put them back into boiling water. Make sure the jars are covered by one inch of water. Boil jars for ten minutes.  Remove jars and let cool and verify that they are sealed-the lid will be sucked down tightly.  Wait at least 24 hours before consuming.
 
*Not all cucumber varieties are made to withstand brine. You want to look for cucumbers that are 4-5 inches long. They will be thicker and have a bumpy skin.  They are commonly sold as “Kirby” or “Liberty” cucumbers.  If you are looking for seeds to grow your own pickling cucumbers look for County Fair, National Pickling, Pickle Bush, Regal, and Saladin varieties.
 
Classic Dill Pickles
  • 3 cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3 cups distilled water
  • 2 Tbsp. fine grain Himalayan Sea Salt
  • 6 Tbsp. Pickling Spices
  • 6 Tbsp. Dill Seeds
  • 24 fresh Dill Sprigs
  • 6 lbs. Organic Cucumbers cut into spears or slices
  • 1 Organic White Onion cut into thin slices
Follow directions above for refrigerated or canned pickles.
 
Hot & Spicy Jalapeno Dill Pickles
  • 2 ¾ cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3 cups distilled water
  • 2 Tbsp. + 2 Tsp. fine grain Himalayan Sea Salt
  • 2 Tbsp. Coconut Sugar or Raw Cane Sugar (optional)
  • 1 small Organic Onion-sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh Organic Dill
  • 2 Organic Jalapeno Peppers-sliced
  • 1 Tsp. Chili Pepper Flakes
  • 3 Organic Garlic Cloves-chopped or minced
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. Peppercorns
  • 4 lbs. Organic Cucumbers cut into spears or slices
Follow directions above for refrigerated or canned pickles.
 
 
Watermelon Rind Kickers (refrigerator pickles only)
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 4 Tsp. fine grain Himalayan Sea Salt
  • 3/4 cup Coconut Sugar or Raw Cane Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Organic Ginger-cut into chunks
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chili Pepper Flakes
  • 1 Tsp. Allspice Berries
  • 1 Star Anise Pod
  • 1 Organic Lemon-thinly sliced
  • 2 lbs. Organic Watermelon Rind (about a 5 lb. watermelon)
Directions:
Scoop melon from rinds, leaving ¼-1/2 inch of red flesh.  Using a vegetable peeler take off the tough outer green layer of rind and then cut into cubes one inch in size.  Bring all other ingredients to a boil over medium heat and hold boil for 60 seconds.  Carefully add the watermelon rind and return to a boil before taking the pan off the heat.  Let cool for 30 minutes. Place the watermelon rinds into jars and pour as much of the pickling juices as possible over them.  Cover the jar and leave at room temperature for an additional 1 ½ hours.  Place them in the refrigerator for 8 hours and enjoy!  Consume within one month and always keep them refrigerated. These are delicious in a salad, with anything off the grill, or as a side dish with crumbled cheese of your choice. Cantaloupe, pumpkin, or winter squash rinds can be pickled in the same way!
 
Pickled Asparagus or Beans
Ingredients:
  • 3 cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3 cups distilled water
  • 2 Tbsp. fine grain Himalayan Sea Salt
  • 3 Garlic Cloves-place one whole clove in the bottom of each jar
  • 2 Tsp. Chili Pepper Flakes or 6 whole dried Red Peppers-then add 2 to each jar
  • 3 Tsp. Dill or 6 Sprigs Fresh Dill-then add 2 sprigs to each jar
  • 3 Tsp. Dried Oregano
  • 3 Tsp. Yellow Mustard Seeds
  • 1 ½ Tsp. Peppercorns
  • 10-25 fresh Organic Asparagus or Organic Beans-depending on size & enough to PACK into 3 pint-sized Mason Jars. Get as much in each jar as you can! Asparagus tops should point down in jar.
Follow directions above for refrigerated or canned pickles.

Honey Piquant Pickled Peaches

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 cups distilled water
  • 1/2 cup Coconut Sugar or Raw Cane Sugar
  • 1 cup local or Organic Honey
  • 2 Tbsp. Organic Ginger-chopped and peeled
  • 3 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 4 lbs. Organic Peaches
  • 3 pint-sized Mason Jars
Directions:
Blanch peaches in boiling water for about 2 minutes and then transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water.  Let cool for 2 minutes and gently slide off peach skin with fingers.  Halve peaches to remove pit and then cut into quarters.  Combine ACV, water, sugar, honey and ginger and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low so it can simmer for about 4 minutes.  Add peaches and cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes.  Turn off heat and carefully remove peaches with a slotted spoon and place in glass jar with one cinnamon stick.  Let pickling brine cool slightly and pour over peaches.  (They will be ready to eat right away but will develop flavor if allowed to sit overnight.) Seal and store in the refrigerator for no longer than two weeks. These peaches can be canned, but need to be processed for 25 minutes in boiling water.  You can also substitute this recipe with apples or pears!
 
Savory Pickled Strawberries
Ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup Champagne or White Vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. Coconut Sugar or Raw Cane Sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. Himalayan Sea Salt
  • 1 Tsp. freshly cracked Black Pepper
  • 2 sprigs fresh Tarragon
  • 2 sprigs fresh Thyme
  • Lemon Peel Twists
  • 1 lb. Organic Strawberries
Directions:
Wash berries and remove stems.  If larger than one inch across, halve or quarter them.  Combine the vinegar with 1/3 cup distilled water, sugar, sea salt and black pepper in a pan over high heat and bring to a boil.  Stir until sugar and salt dissolve.  Place tarragon, thyme and lemon peel in a 1-liter jar and gently add berries.  Pour the pickling brine over berries and let cool on counter until they reach room temperature.  Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before eating. Eat on avocado toast, pair with a creamy cheese, add to salads, or eat right from the jar.  Save the brine to make a fantastic vinaigrette. 
 
Lime Cilantro Squash Pickles
Ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 1/4 cups distilled water
  • 2 Tsp. fine grain Himalayan Sea Salt
  • 2 ½ Tbsp. local or Organic Honey
  • 9 sprigs fresh Organic Cilantro
  • 3 large cloves Organic Garlic-halved
  • 3 Tbsp. Peppercorns
  • 1 ½ Tsp. Coriander Seeds
  • 3 Tsp. Chili Pepper Flakes
  • 1 ½ lbs. Organic Yellow Squash & Organic Zucchini-with a mandolin, slice into thin rounds
  • 1/3 cup Organic Red Onion-with a mandolin, slice thinly
  • Juice from 2 Organic Limes
  • Lime Peel Twists
Directions:
Divide the sliced squash, onion, garlic, peppercorns, chili flakes, coriander, cilantro, limejuice and twists into three pint-sized mason jars.  In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the vinegar, water, salt and honey to a boil.  Pour brine into jars, and press down on the vegetables until they are covered completely.  Let cool, uncovered on counter to room temperature.  Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours.  The best flavor will come after two days!  These will keep in the refrigerator for 2 months.
 
Russian Pickled Cherries
Ingredients:
  • 4 cups Organic Sweet Cherries-remove stems but leave pits intact
  • 2 cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 cup Coconut Sugar or Raw Cane Sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 Cardamom Pods-lightly crushed to expose seeds
  • 1/2 Ceylon Cinnamon Stick
  • 2 whole Allspice Berries
  • 3-4 slices fresh Organic Ginger
  • 1 Tsp. ground Nutmeg
  • 2 Tsp. Kirsch-clear cherry brandy (optional)
Directions:
Place the cherries in a stainless steel or glass bowl and cover with ACV.  Gently shake the bowl to help cover cherries completely in vinegar.  Cover tightly with lid or plastic wrap and let soak overnight.  Drain the vinegar off of the cherries into a saucepan with a colander.  Return cherries to bowl and cover. Add the sugar, water, and spices to the vinegar and bring to a boil.  Lower heat and simmer pickling brine for 15 minutes.  Remove pan from heat, cover and let cool completely.  Stir in the kirsch and pour pickling brine over the cherries.  Shake gently again to ensure they are all immersed and cover tightly.  Let stand at room temperature for 3 days.  Drain the liquid from the cherries back into the saucepan and bring to a boil.  During this time, transfer cherries into 4 pint-sized mason jars.  Once liquid is boiling, remove for heat, cover and let cool to room temperature.  Pour pickling brine over cherries.  Wipe rims of jars with a paper towel dipped in ACV and then fix the jars into place.  Store in a cool, dark place for one month before eating.  They will stay preserved for one year!
 
Orange & Spice Pickled Beets
Ingredients:
  • 2 cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 cups distilled water
  • Juice & Zest from 2 Organic Oranges
  • 2 Tsp. fine grain Himalayan Sea Salt
  • 1 Tbsp. Whole Allspice
  • 3 Tbsp. Pickling Spice
  • 1/4 cup local or Organic Honey
  • 1 Tbsp. freshly grated Organic Ginger
  • 6 large or 8 medium Organic Beets
Directions:
Wash beets and remove tops.  Place in a large stockpot and cover with water 3 inches over the top.  Bring to a boil at high heat and then lower temperature to maintain a slow rolling boil.  Cook until beets are tender-about 40 minutes.  If you like a crisper beet only boil for 25-30 minutes.  Remove from heat and let cool.  Slip skins off with fingertips-this will stain your skin so you may want to use gloves.  Slice beets evenly and set aside.  Place the ACV, water, sea salt, allspice, pickling spice, honey and orange juice into a saucepan and bring to a boil and then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.  Place the beets into canning jars with orange zest and freshly grated ginger.  Pour the pickling brine over the beets, cover and let cool to room temperature.  Refrigerate one week before tasting.  Pickled beets can last for up to 6 months in the refrigerator. You can use this brine for to make pickled eggs!  Do not leave them in the brine for more than 3 days, as they will turn rubbery. 
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Toolbox of Health

7/30/2016

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You can maintain a healthy home, handle any cut, bruise or sore muscle, treat a cough or soothe a sore throat, have beautiful shiny hair and soft skin, aid digestion, improve sleep, protect yourself from the summer heat, and so much more with just a few simple tools.  Each tool can handle several jobs, and work quickly and effectively in the toughest of situations.  Here are a few of the products we like to keep in our toolbox of health!
 
Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV has been used for centuries, internally and externally, as a tool to restore, maintain, and preserve health.  Organic, raw, unfiltered and unpasteurized ACV is rich in fermented probiotics and enzymes, acetic acid, potassium, magnesium, and many other healing nutrients. These nutrients will make ACV appear murky, and can have cobweb- like strings, or a thick sediment that has settled on the bottom.  This is often referred to as the “mother”. Acetic acid is a natural antibiotic, able to kill dangerous bacteria to protect the skin, digestion, and the immune system.
 

·Detoxes liver & lymphatic system
·Balances the body’s pH
·Reduces risk for chronic disease
·Restores energy
·Prevents acid reflux & heartburn
·Supports digestion & reduces bloating
·Improves nutrient absorption
·Conditioning rinse to make hair shine
·Treats dandruff
·Natural tooth whitener
·Helps kill candida
·Reduces cravings for sugar
·Promotes weight loss
·Boosts metabolism
·Antibacterial household cleaner
·Skin toner to prevent acne & treat blemishes
·Soothes sunburned skin
·Balances blood sugar
·Reduces inflammation from poison ivy
·Repels fleas on pets
·Heart Healthy-lowers triglycerides & blood pressure
·Lowers histamine to treat allergies
·Treats fungus on skin and toenails
·Improves circulation in varicose veins
·Removes warts
·Eases a sore throat
·Mix with salt & dish soap to kill weeds
·Natural deodorant
·Fades and heals bruises
·Kills bacteria that cause bad breath & smelly feet
·Use in baking to add lift to cookies & cakes

 
Himalayan Sea Salt
Himalayan salt comes from crystallized sea salt beds that were covered with lava and buried in snow and ice for millennia, protecting it from environmental toxins and pollutants.  It is the most unadulterated salt you can find on the planet.  Himalayan salt contains 84 trace minerals and elements   In colloidal form, making them easily absorbed by the body.  You get less sodium intake per serving of Himalayan salt than regular table salt. 
 

·Regulates water content in the body
·Balances electrolytes
·Balances pH in brain cells
·Supports vascular health
·Increases respiratory function for healthy lungs
·Increases nutrient absorption
·Helps prevent acid reflux
·Reduces the signs of aging
·Regulates sleep patterns
·Increases libido
·Supports metabolism function
·Prevents muscle cramps
·Supports bone strength
·Improves circulation
·Helps body detoxify heavy metals
·Lowers blood pressure
·Promotes sinus health
·Anti-microbial
·Use salt slabs for better taste & to increase mineral content of food
·Cures meat
·Use in baths to stimulate circulation, soothe sore muscles, and detoxify and heal the body
·Crystal rock lamps purify air

 
Arnica Montana
The strikingly yellow arnica flower grows in mountains and open pastures throughout Europe, Russia, the Pyrenees, North America, and Canada.  The dried flower herbs were first recognized by mountaineers in Switzerland to help treat sore and aching muscles.  Because arnica contains compounds that are toxic in large amounts and that upset the digestive system, it can only be taken internally as homeopathy.  Used topically, arnica has potent anti-inflammatory and healing benefits. (Never place directly on open wounds)
 

·Alleviates pain & swelling from sprains & muscle dislocations-potent anti-inflammatory
·Loosens stiff muscles
·Applied at time of injury it prevents the formation of bruises
·Stimulates the immune system for quick healing
·Disperses trapped fluids in bumped & bruised joints & muscles
·Anti-bacterial
·Use in a footbath to treat tender feet
·Apply to scalp to stimulate hair growth & strengthen hair follicles
·Treats dandruff
·Helps the body recover after surgery & childbirth
·Reduces post-partum bleeding
·Soothes toothaches
·Controls pain & bleeding after dental treatment
·Relieves pain and swelling from arthritis & other inflammatory diseases
·Reduces age spots
·Eliminates scars
·Beneficial for skin conditions like acne, psoriasis & eczema
·Treats itchy, inflamed skin rashes caused by athletic gear

 
Manuka Honey
Made from bees that pollinate the Manuka bush in New Zealand and Australia, Manuka honey is prized for its unique healing benefits.  It has up to four times the nutritional content of regular honey from bees that pollinate flowers.  Additionally, Manuka honey has high levels of enzymes that give it potent antibacterial properties and create a natural occurring hydrogen peroxide that can be measured for medicinal quality.  This is called the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).  To get the medicinal benefits from Manuka honey you must purchase a product with a UMF 10+.
 

· Effective against a wide range of resistant bacteria
·Powerful anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties
·Cough suppressant
·Reduces acid reflux
·Balances bacteria throughout digestive system
·Treats SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth)
·Apply topically for 15 minutes to treat acne & eczema
·Clinically shown to treat staph infections (MRSA)
·Improves wound healing & relieves pain from the most severe burns
·Prevents infection and improves wound healing
·Can help treat gingivitis & periodontal disease and reduce plague
·Protects and heals the colon from inflammation & damage (IBS, IBD & Colitis)
·Stimulates the immune system to stop the growth of Strep bacteria
·Approved by the National Cancer Institute to heal the throat from chemotherapy
·Lessens and treats symptoms of seasonal allergies
·Improves skin tone & texture
·Conditioning mask to improve hair texture & sheen
·Promotes sleep by helping body release melatonin
·Treats cold sores, ringworm, athlete’s foot & nail fungus

 

 
Baking Soda
Traditionally used as a natural cleansing agent, baking soda has many medicinal applications because of its ability to effectively balance pH levels throughout the body.
 

·Natural deodorant
·Relives itching from insect bites & poison ivy
·1/2 tsp in water treats heartburn, indigestion & ulcer pain
·Natural exfoliator
·Neutralizes odors
·Soak in a bath with ½ c baking soda to ease sunburned skin or sore, fatigued muscles
·Use in toothpaste to remove plague, whiten and polish teeth
·Natural cleanser for bathrooms, kitchens, barbecue grills, and clogged drains (mix with ACV!)
·Deodorize the refrigerator, cutting board, trashcans, & recycle bins
·Use in laundry to whiten and brighten and as a fabric softener
·Shoe deodorizer
·Use on a brush to clean fruits and vegetables
·Relieves gas & bloating
·Neutralizes acid
·Kills fungi, mold & parasites
·Reduces duration of cold and flu
·Treats urinary tract infections
·Promotes kidney health
·Reduces symptoms of gout
·Add to shampoo for residue build up & excess oil
·Consume baking powder before workout to prevent lactic acid build up
·Increase pH of acidic tumors to help prevent cancer & build immune system
·Neutralizes pet odors
·Naturally shines silverware
 

 
*Too much baking soda can upset the body’s acid-base balance.  It should not be used internally for more than two weeks at a time and no more than 5 grams daily.  It is high in sodium, thus can raise blood pressure and cause swelling. If you have edema, liver disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure you should NOT use this internally.  Do not consume if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  Do not use internally on children under the age of 5. Make sure baking soda will not interfere with any medications you are taking.
 
Lavender
The name Lavender comes from the Latin root lavare, which means, “to wash”. Lavender has been used for thousands of years to help purify the body, treat depression and anxiety, and improve sleep. The essential oil has been clinically shown to have calming, sedative effects on the body and mind. 
 

·Anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties
· Helps to reduce anxiety and ease emotional stress
·Promotes burn and wound healing
·Helps you fall asleep faster
·Increases the time you stay in a restorative deep sleep
·Antioxidant properties help slow aging
·Treats skin disorders and improves complexion
·Alleviates pain and length of headaches & migraines
·Clinically shown to help your body produce the antioxidants glutathione, catalase & SOD
·Scientist have observed diffusing lavender oil protects cells from damage that leads to cancer
·Research shows lavender oil protects the body from symptoms of diabetes including an increase in blood glucose, metabolic disorders, weight gain, and liver & kidney dysfunction.
·Neuroprotective
·Clinically shown to reduce symptoms & development of Alzheimer’s disease
·Effective treatment for postpartum depression & anxiety
·Combine 10 drops essential oil with Aloe to sooth the worst sunburns
·Mix with Frankincense essential oil to treat age & sunspots
·Purifies the air in your home or office
·Alleviates upset stomach and motion sickness

 
Aloe
This amazing succulent has been used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, by Native Americans, and natural healers from ancient civilizations dating back to Mesopotamia.  Egyptians refer to it as the “plant of immortality”. Aloe has 75 active components, making it a superfood that protects and enhances all of the systems in the body.
 

·Use topically to treat burns and promote wound healing
·Effective for the treatment of psoriasis & dermatitis
·Provides relief from radiation burns
·Promotes healthy skin regeneration after damage
·Anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-septic & anti-microbial properties
·Heals cold sores & other mouth sores
·Treats a dry, itchy scalp
·Naturally treatments for chronic constipation
·Normalizes pH to treat, prevent acid reflux and heal the esophagus
·Decreases symptoms associated with IBS
·Soothes and heals stomach ulcers
·Enhances immune function
·Rich in antioxidants to fight inflammation and free radical damage
·Regulates blood sugars
·Lowers LDL cholesterol
·Eases arthritis pain
·The components in aloe have been shown to be effective in the treatment of cancers
·Brightens and evens skin tone
·Encourages hair growth
·Makeup remover
·Reverses signs of aging skin and wrinkles
·Strengthens gums and promotes healthy teeth
·Boil leaves in a pan and breathe in steam to alleviate asthma
·Reduces bloating

 
Neem
75% of Ayurvedic remedies contain neem, and Indians refer to the neem tree as “the village pharmacy”. It is the most heavily researched herbal remedy in India and scientist have identified over 150 active substances in neem.  Neem is often described as a panacea for whole body health.
 

·Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-septic, & anti-fungal properites that do not become resistant
·High in antioxidants, it fights free radical damage
·Stimulates collagen
·Potent anti-inflammatory
·Purifes the blood
·Relieves dry skin
·Effective treatment for psoriasis and eczema
·Kills head lice
·Promotes healthy shiny hair, prevents graying & hair loss
·Moisturizes brittle nails
·Kills toenail fungus
·Spermicidal
·Stimulates immune system
·Boosts liver function
·Treatment for diabetes
·Excellent for oral care & periodontal disease
·Heals and strengthens gums
·Effective against yeast infections
·Wash pets with neem shampoo to ward off ticks, fleas, mites, & any skin disorders
·Non-toxic insect spray that is safe for animals, birds, bees & beneficial insects
·Natural mosquito repellant
·Helps control bed bugs
·Neem soap treats acne & exfoliates skin to prevent scaring
·Reduces dark spots and improves skin complexion

Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has been used for thousands of years by cultures all over the world.  In the Pacific Islands, coconut and other palm oils are a core part of the diet.  Numerous studies done on Pacific Islanders show they are healthier with fewer rates of heart disease, cancer, digestive ailments, and prostate difficulties. India uses coconut oil in Ayurvedic formulas to help strengthen and tone all systems of the body.  In Central America, the people of Panama will drink a cup of coconut oil to speed recovery from illness.  Jamaicans use coconut oil to support their heart health.  Traditional Chinese Medicine lists 69 different diseases that can be treated with coconut oil.  
 

·Boosts immune system, circulation, & HDL cholesterol
·Increases thermogenic rate, promoting weight loss & weight maintenance
·Increases energy
·Treats yeast & urinary tract infections
·Helps fight sugar cravings
·Provides alternative source of energy to the brain, which may improve symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and reduce seizures.
·Stabilizes blood sugar levels
·Increases calcium & magnesium absorption
·Combats digestive issues & prevents morning sickness
·Moisturizes skin, hair & scalp
·Treats cradle cap
·Fortifies baby formula
·Relieves teething pain
·Reduces puffiness around eyes
·Natural exfoliant
·Prevents & reduces stretch mark
·Reduces appearance of age spots
·Make up remover
·Oil Pulling-pulls toxin & bacteria from mouth
·Natural SPF
·Provides relief for sunburns, eczema, bug bites,  & poison ivy
·Treats & prevents canker sores & cold sores
·Gets rid of athlete’s foot & toenail fungus
·Promotes wound healing
·Soothes sore throat & works to suppress coughs
·Can replace all other cooking oils & butter
·Adds nutrition and smooth consistency to smoothies
·Coffee creamer & sweetener
·Use for cooking at high heats and frying
·Furniture and bronze polisher, shines leather, removes rust, chewing gum, grease, sap & sticker gunk
·Natural lubricant for machinery and hinges
·Seasons a cast iron pan
·Deodorizer for pets
·Conditions the fur and skin of pet
·Can prevent dental problems in pets
·Boosts metabolism, controls blood sugar levels, and supports thyroid health in pets
·Treats intestinal parasites in pets
·Clean your dog or cats ears with coconut oil
·Removes mites from reptiles
·Gets rid of hair balls

 
 
 

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Escentuals for Kids

7/23/2016

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Essential Oils for Children 
The powerful benefits of essentials oils can be an effective tool for supporting the optimal physical, mental and emotional health of your child.  It is critical to understand the safety, application and dilution guidelines of each specific essential oil and how it relates, and changes, to the age of your child.  Our resources regarding safety guidelines come from the renowned aroma therapists and authors Valerie Ann Worwood and Robert Tisserand.  Their opinions and views on the safety of certain essential oils are often contradictory.  Since there is no scientific testing done on the safety of essential oils for children, there is no solid data to present.  You use essential oils at your own risk, and we urge you to exercise caution when introducing a new essential oil to your child. 
 
Newborn Babies Up to 2 months:
The only essential oils that should be used at this very early age are Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile, Lavender, Yarrow and Dill. The most effective and gentle way to utilize these oils is through steam evaporation with one drop of essential oil to one pint of water. Use Dill for digestive issues such as colic, constipation, and indigestion.  With antibacterial, antiviral and disinfectant properties, Lavender oil can be diffused to purify the air to prevent illness. Using either a drop of Roman Chamomile or Lavender will improve your baby’s quality of sleep.  You can also create synergistic blends to be used topically on your newborn.  Mild base oils for newborns, and children up to the age of five, are cold pressed Hazelnut oil and cold pressed Sweet Almond oil.  Use one drop each of Yarrow and Lavender in 4 teaspoons of carrier oil or cream to treat diaper rash. 
 
2-6 months:
The essential oils that can be added at this age are Mandarin, Eucalyptus, Coriander, Geranium and Neroli.  Use three to five drops per 2 tablespoons of carrier oil.  A drop of Roman Chamomile, Lavender and Geranium diluted in 2 tablespoons of Sweet Almond oil creates a massage oil that boosts the immune system, soothes eczema, treats cradle cap, and helps soothe and calm the nervous system.  For a particularly fretful baby, massage the oil into both feet with gentle circular motions. Six drops of either Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile, of Yarrow (or 2 drops each) diluted in 5 teaspoons of carrier oil create a base for teething.  Take 1 teaspoon of this base and mix it thoroughly in 1 oz. of water. Dip a cotton ball into the water mixture and gently rub onto the gums.  Then using 2 drops of just the oil base, massage the outside of the baby’s face along the jaw line.
 
6-12 months:
The essential oils that can be added at this age are Palmarosa, Calendula, Grapefruit, and Tea Tree. Use three to five drops per 2 tablespoons of carrier oil. You can create a synergistic blend to treat coughs and colds by mixing 10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Lavender.  You can use 3 drops of this blend in a diffuser throughout the duration of the cold to help treat symptoms and increase the speed of recovery.  You can also mix 3 drops of the blend into 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and rub on the chest and back to help with any deep respiratory issues. 
 
12 months to 2 years:
The essential oil that can be added at this time is Ginger. You can now use 5-10 drops per 2 tablespoons of carrier oil. You can use two drops of ginger to help with an upset stomach, motion sickness, or topically to reduce inflammation around bumps and bruises that are common as your child is learning to crawl and walk. 
 
2 years to 10 years:
The essential oils that can be added at this time are listed below according to their benefits.  For children under the age of 5 use five to ten drops per 2 tablespoons of carrier oil.  For children ages 5 to 7 use five to twelve drops per 2 tablespoons of carrier oil.  For children 7 to 10 years use five to fifteen drops per 2 tablespoons of carrier oil.  
 
  • Reduce Pain & Inflammation: Cedarwood Atlas, German Chamomile, Patchouli, Black Pepper, Ginger, and Lavender.
  • Anti-Fungal, Antibacterial, & Anti-Microbial Properties: Citronella, Dill Weed, Juniper, Mandarin, Spearmint, Tangerine, Tea Tree, Lavender, Marjoram Sweet, Helichrysum, Juniper, Coriander, and Orange Sweet.
  • Reduce Feelings of Anxiety and Frustration & Regulate Mood: Clary Sage, Frankincense, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Orange Sweet, Petitgrain, Rose Absolute, Vetiver, Roman Chamomile, Grapefruit, Lemon, Tangerine, and Mandarin.
  • Support Focus, Attention and Feelings of Calm: Bergamot, German Chamomile, Coriander, Vetiver, Clary Sage, Helichrysum, Lavender, Marjoram Sweet, Neroli, Orange Sweet, Petitgrain, Rose Absolute, and Sandalwood.
  • Boost Immune System, Treat Coughs & Colds, Reduce Congestion: Dill Weed, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange Sweet, Palmarosa, Petitgrain, Spearmint, Tangerine, Vetiver, Cypress, Fir Needle, Ginger, Juniper, Marjoram Sweet, and Black Pepper.
  • Reduce Histamine & Allergy Symptoms: German Chamomile, Fir Needle, Helichrysum, Lavender, Palmarosa, and Tea Tree.
  • Support Digestion: Dill Weed, Ginger, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Patchouli, Spearmint and Tangerine.
  • Treat Dry Skin, Eczema, and Psoriasis: Cedarwood Atlas, Citronella, Helichrysum, Lavender, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Tea Tree and Vetiver.
 
Calm Baby/Sleepy Time Blend for children 3 months & older
  • 1 drop Roman Chamomile
  • 2 drops Lavender Oil
Fill a 1 oz roll-on glass bottle with essential oils and fill with carrier oil of your choice. Rub on feet or behind the ears.
 
Tummy Soother for children 5 years & older
  • 3 drops Peppermint
  • 4 drops German Chamomile
  • 3 drops Lavender
Fill 1 oz roll-on glass bottle with essential oils and fill with carrier oil of your choice. Rub onto child’s abdomen in a clockwise direction around the belly button
 
Fever Cool for children 2 years & older
  • 2 drops Eucalyptus
  • 5 drops Lavender
  • 2 drops Tea Tree
Fill 1 oz roll-on glass bottle with essential oils and fill with carrier oil of your choice. To lower a fever, rub gently on the neck and back of wrists.
 
Bug Bite Relief for children 6 months & older
  • 1 drop Lavender
  • 1 drop Tea Tree
Fill 1 oz roll-on glass bottle with essential oils and fill with carrier oil of your choice. Apply as needed for itch relief.
 
Focus for children 10 years and older
  • 5 drops Bergamot
  • 5 drops German Chamomile
  • 5 drops Vetiver
Fill 1 oz roll-on glass bottle with essential oils and fill with carrier oil of your choice. Apply to the temples and wrists 2-3 times per day.

​Additional Safety Guidelines
-Robert Tisserand
  • Anise: Avoid using on children under 5
  • Basil (lemon): Avoid topical use on children under 2
  • Benzoin: Avoid topical use on children under 2
  • Birch Sweet: Avoid using on all children
  • Cajuput: Avoid using on children under 6
  • Cardamom: Avoid using on children under 6
  • Cassia Cinnamon: Avoid using on children under 2
  • Clove: Avoid topical use on children under 2
  • Eucalyptus: Avoid using on children under 2
  • Fennel: Avoid using on children under 5
  • Garlic: Avoid using on children under 2
  • Hyssop: Avoid using on children under 2
  • Lemongrass: Avoid topical use on children under 2
  • Lemon Balm: Avoid topical use on children under 2
  • Niaouli: Avoid using on children under 6
  • Oregano: Avoid topical use on children under 2
  • Peppermint: Avoid using on children under 6
  • Rosemary: Avoid using on children under 6
  • Sage: Avoid using on children under 6
  • Ylang Ylang: Avoid topical us on children under 2
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101 Uses for Coconut Oil

7/12/2016

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Coconut Oil- A True Superfood
Coconut oil has been used for thousands of years by cultures all over the world.  In the Pacific Islands, coconut and other palm oils are a core part of the diet.  Numerous studies done on Pacific Islanders show they are healthier with fewer rates of heart disease, cancer, digestive ailments, and prostate difficulties. India uses coconut oil in Ayurvedic formulas to help strengthen and tone all systems of the body.  In Central America, the people of Panama will drink a cup of coconut oil to speed recovery from illness.  Jamaicans use coconut oil to support their heart health.  Traditional Chinese Medicine lists 69 different diseases that can be treated with coconut oil.  So why was coconut oil shunned and removed from the American diet?  Because of the huge misconception that all saturated fats should be treated equally and regarded as unhealthy, “artery-clogging” fats.
 
Understanding Fats & Heart Health
95% of the fats we eat from plant and animal sources come in triglyceride form. Triglycerides are three single fatty acid molecules linked together by a glycerol molecule. There are several different types of fatty acids that fall under three categories: saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated. A fatty acid molecule is chained together with carbon atoms, which can hold up to two hydrogen atoms creating a Saturated fat.  A fatty acid chain that is missing a pair of hydrogen atoms is called Monounsaturated fat.  Polyunsaturated fats are missing more than two pairs of hydrogen atoms.   A missing pair of hydrogen atoms creates a weak link in the carbon chain which impacts health.  The other key component to how a fatty acid affects health is the length of the carbon chain: long chain triglyceride (LCT), medium chain triglyceride (MCT), and short chain triglycerides (SCT).

Each fatty acid, saturated or not, is going to have a different effect on the health of your body, for better or for worse.  All naturally occurring fats contain a mixture of all three groups of fatty acids.  Animal fats are usually the highest in saturated fats while plant oils contain low amounts. Coconut oil contains the highest amount of saturated fat reaching 92%.  Coconut oil is also composed of 64% MCTs, the highest dietary source, and it contains small chain triglycerides.  When fat is not used immediately for energy it gets stored in our body as fat tissue.  The typical LCTs found in meat and vegetable oil are the biggest culprit.  MCTs are quickly broken down and are utilized by the body as the primary energy source.  The fats from coconut oil rarely become stored as fat, or build up deposits in the arteries.  Thus they do not have a harmful effect on cholesterol and they in fact protect the heart from disease and inflammation.

Plant oils, with the exception of olive oil, are high in polyunsaturated fats.  These fats become rancid and toxic when oxidized by exposure to heat, light or air resulting in the formation of free radicals.  The oxidation process begins immediately when the oil is extracted from seeds, and the higher level of processing the more toxic an oil will become.  The best types of oils for consumption are cold-pressed or expeller-pressed, which retain their natural antioxidants.  Trans fatty acids were created with technology and are found in vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated to form a solid product like margarine and shortening. Trans fatty acids have been shown to have a direct impact on the development of heart disease, negatively affect heart health more than any other type of fat.  Trans fatty acids also affect the ability of insulin to bind with red blood cells, linking it to complications with diabetes.  Saturated fats are not vulnerable to oxidation because their chains are strong and complete with hydrogen atoms.  Saturated fats even remain stable when exposed to normal cooking temperatures, making coconut oil the absolute best choice for cooking and baking.  

The liver easily converts saturated fats into cholesterol.  This can raise blood cholesterol levels and is a reason many Americans avoid using coconut oil.  Fat researchers and medical professionals know for a fact that neither saturated fat nor cholesterol causes heart disease.  Not all people with high blood cholesterol level develop heart disease, and not all of those with heart disease have high blood cholesterol levels.  High blood cholesterol levels are one risk factor of many (high blood pressure, age, diabetes, obesity, stress, tobacco use) for heart disease.  Other carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and grains also get converted by the liver into cholesterol, so it has been misleading to believe only saturated fats raise blood cholesterol levels and contribute to heart disease.  

Cholesterol doesn’t always play a role in atherosclerosis or formation of plaque in the arteries. Cholesterol is actually needed by your body to repair damage to arterial walls.  Atherosclerosis begins from injuries caused by toxins, free radicals, virus or bacteria.  If these wounds aren’t healed properly, further damage, irritation, inflammation and scar tissue build-up and attract platelets that stick to the site of injury as a protectant. Calcium, triglycerides and more cholesterol are drawn to these sites for additional healing.  It is this mass of tissue that creates plaque, and the calcium causes the material to harden.  

Years of research and study demonstrate that people consuming coconut oil full of healthy MCT saturated fats actually have a reduced risk of heart disease, lower body fat composition, reduced risk of blood clots, lower levels of free radicals and higher levels of antioxidants, lower liver cholesterol levels, higher survival rate and fewer rates of heart disease.     
 
A Powerful Antimicrobial
Coconut oil has unique fatty acids from which the body creates antimicrobial agents that are strong enough to fight some of the most common disease causing microorganisms.  Thus coconut oil is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal superfood.  The medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in coconut oil contain caprylic acid, capric acid, and myrustic acid that present antimicrobial properties while lauric acid presents high antiviral properties.  Coconut oil MCFAs have been laboratory tested and shown to destroy virus that cause the flu, measles, herpes, mononucleosis, hepatitis C and AIDS.  They also fight the bacteria that produce stomach ulcers, throat infections, pneumonia, sinusitis, earache, rheumatic fever, cavities, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, and meningitis to just name a few!  MCFAs devour fungi and yeast that cause ringworm, candida and thrush.  
 
Eat Fat to Lose Weight
As I have shown, not all fats are created equal. The majority of fats presented in the American diet are long chain triglycerides that the body easily stores as fat.  MCFAs in coconut oil are drastically different.  They do not circulate through the blood stream like other fats, but head directly to the liver where they are turned into energy the body can use instantly.  Coconut oil rarely will get stored as fat.  It has been well documented that when people switch out coconut oil for those fat sources that contain high levels of long chain fatty acids they experience weight loss and they lower total body fat.  Coconut oil does not affect blood glucose levels, helping with feelings of satiety and sugar cravings.  The MCFAs found in coconut oil increase your metabolism by providing a higher thermogenic effect than protein, which also supports your body to burn LCFs.  Research done at McGill University in Canada found that if people who are overweight do nothing else but replace all long chain triglycerides with coconut oil can lose up to 36 pounds a year of excess fat.  
 
The Beauty Benefits
Coconut oil has a small molecular structure and when used on the hair or skin it is effortlessly absorbed.  Coconut oil provides much needed moisture to dry, rough and wrinkled skin, and can revive elasticity by supporting the structure of connective tissue.  Coconut oil also has a natural SPF of 5, protecting your skin from damage caused by harmful UVB rays and premature aging.   Using coconut oil consistently on your skin and as a part of your diet helps increase tolerance levels to the sun.  Coconut oil brings immediate relief to damaged skin, and to those suffering from psoriasis, but also aids in the healing and repairing process. It also reduces the appearance of inflammation and redness.  Coconut oil is a natural exfoliator and removes dead skin cells making the appearance of your skin shiny and smooth.  Using coconut oil as a body lotion also helps protect your skin from infections. You can make a natural lubricant from coconut oil by simply adding some of your favorite and sensual essential oil.  Do not use coconut oil as a lubricant when using latex condoms as it breaks down latex. For a nourishing hair treatment, apply a few teaspoons of coconut oil at night and rinse out in the morning.   Within just two weeks you will experience a more luxurious texture and shine, while helping to protect it from heat during styling.  Coconut oil is also an effective treatment and preventative remedy for dandruff and dry scalp.
Oil pulling is another popular use for coconut oil.  Oil pulling is an Indian Ayurvedic Remedy used for thousands of years to enhance oral health by reducing the amount of harmful bacteria found in the mouth.  It also whitens teeth and reduces bad breath.  Oil pulling requires you to put one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around for at least fifteen minutes.  Experienced oil pullers will keep the oil in their mouths for up to thirty minutes and increase the amount of oil they use.  Oil pulling also draws toxins out of your body to boost the immune system.  It can soothe a dry throat, help prevent cracked lips, improve acne, heal bleeding gums, cure tooth decay, and prevent cavities.  
 
 
Crazy for Coconut Oil Recipes
 
Roasted Cauliflower Popcorn
Ingredients:
  • 1 large head Organic Cauliflower
  • 2-3 Tablespoons Organic Coconut Oil (dependent on size of cauliflower)
  • Pink Himalayan Sea Salt to taste
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Cut the cauliflower head into bite size pieces.  Try and keep all the pieces about the same size for even roasting.   Place cauliflower in a large bowl and coat all sides of the florets with the coconut oil.  Arrange cauliflower in a single layer over a cookie sheet and sprinkle with the sea salt.  Bake for about an hour or until all sides are well brown. You will need to turn the florets over halfway through baking. Roasting brings out the sugars in the cauliflower and creates a crispy texture. Let Cool and Enjoy!  To make a kettle corn variety, add 1 Tablespoon of Maple Syrup or 2 Tablespoons of Stevia.
 
Savory Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
  • 2-3 Large Organic Sweet Potatoes
  • ¼ cup melted Organic Coconut Oil
  • Spices of your Choice: Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Garlic, Pepper & Sea Salt
  • *Delicious with any spice blend!
Preparation:
Preheat your over to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place spices and melted coconut oil in a large bowl and mix well. Cut the sweet potatoes into thin strips or slice into chips of the same thickness. Place sweet potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle the oil and spice mixtures over the fries. Bake for 25-30 minutes until they are tender and a golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!
 
Coconut Boosters from Dr. Axe
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Organic Coconut Oil
  • ½ cup Organic Chia Seeds
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey
Preparation:
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.   Spoon into candy molds and freeze for one hour.
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Juicing Like a Boss:  Summer Juices

6/25/2016

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Juicing is the most efficient and delicious way to get all the nutrients you will need to build and maintain optimal levels of health. Fruits, vegetables and herbs contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, cartenoids, and anti-inflammatory compounds.  These nutrients are more easily digested and absorbed by the body when extracted from whole foods using a slow, masticating juicer.
Types of Juicers
Centrifuge – Fast Juicer
  • Easy to use
  • Faster to juice
  • Less expensive
  • Less food prep
  • Nutrients oxidize quicker
  • Doesn’t juice greens well.
  • No pulp (fiber)
 
Masticating – Slow Juicer
  • Easy to use
  • Extracts more juice
  • Better for leafy greens
  • Less foam
  • More nutrients
  • Slower to juice
  • *The Hurom Elite Juicer has an option and two screens to allow more or less pulp (fiber).
 
Summer Hydration
To stay hydrated during the hot summer months you can juice fruits and vegetables that help restore electrolyte levels including potassium, calcium, chloride and magnesium. Juice tomatoes, lettuces and celery to replenish chloride, a mineral that is needed by the body to maintain fluid balance and balance pH levels. Leafy green vegetables, melons, oranges and coconut water are rich in potassium.  Vegetables that can replace sodium are beets, bok choy and bell peppers (red, yellow & orange).  Dark green leafy vegetables provide magnesium and calcium. 
Containing 91% water, watermelon is the perfect base to any summer juice recipe. Watermelon (the fruit, rind and seeds) is high in calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and phosphorous and supports energy levels with Vitamin B.  Watermelon has more of the antioxidant lycopene than tomatoes, and the rind is rich in cirtulline, an amino acid that supports heart health and protects against muscle pain after a hard work out (or fun in the sun). Watermelon rind is also rich in chlorophyll, which helps to oxygenate your blood.

WON Juicing Tips:
  • Find a couple of recipes you like and make a shopping list. Leave the donuts in the bakery!
  • Need recipes?
    • Go to our website – WONNampa.com
    •  juicerecipes.com 
    • rebootwithjoe.com.
  • Buy Organic Produce! You will not obtain optimal health by filling your body with GMOs, herbicides and pesticides.
  • Wash your produce!
 
Guidelines for Good Washing:
  • Never use soap on your produce (or in your water bottles by the way!)  It doesn’t come back off!
  • Plain running water is perfectly acceptable.  Buying overpriced “Veggie Wash” is a waste of money, in my opinion.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a good cleanser and is what we use.
  • SOAK & RINSE:  For anything that you can, the most thorough way of cleaning is to soak the fruit/veggie in a sink of water with some apple cider vinegar and then rinse well (& scrub- see below) under running water.
 
Eat a Rainbow!
  • Red – To improve heart and blood health & support joints
  • Orange – To prevent cancer & promote collagen growth
  • Yellow – Helps your heart, vision, digestion & immune system
  • Green – Powerful detoxers, fight free radicals, improve immune system
  • Blue/Purple – Improve mineral absorption, powerful antioxidants
  • White – Active our natural killer cells & reduce cancer risk
 
9 Things You Didn’t Know Your Juicer Could Do:
  1. Almond Milk - After an overnight soak in water, almonds transform from crunchy to creamy and can be sent through the juicer to create homemade almond milk. Leave it plain, or liven it up with vanilla, sweetener, or spices.
  2. Tomato Sauce - Start by juicing tomatoes, then gather the juice and any pulp and set aside. Sauté some garlic in olive oil, add your tomato juice and pulp, and reduce it by half. Stir in chopped basil and salt, and never go back to the jarred stuff again.
  3. Sorbet - Make your own 100 percent pure fruit sorbet by sending frozen fruit straight through your juicer. Enjoy immediately or freeze for a firmer texture.
  4. Hummus - Rather doing crazy things like spending 30 minutes peeling each individual chickpea, send a can of drained chickpeas through your juicer.  After, you’ll be left with a chickpea purée that — when blended with garlic, tahini, lemon, and a pinch of salt — makes for a smooth-as-silk hummus that trumps any store-bought brand.
  5. Cocktails - The possibilities for juice aren’t just limited to that green concoction you drink for breakfast. Fruit or vegetable juices spiked with booze make for a flavorful, healthy-ish cocktail.
  6. Salsa - start by juicing your tomatoes. Transfer the juice and pulp to a pan and cook over medium heat until reduced by half. Then, add in chopped onion, jalapeño, and cilantro, plus lime juice and salt to taste.
  7. Nut Butter - After a run through the juicer, the nuts will resemble fine crumbs. But stir in a little coconut oil and flavorings, and you’ve got a healthy spread.
  8. DIY Dole Whip - Simply add frozen pineapple chunks to the juicer to make sorbet, then mix in coconut milk for that unmistakable tropical flavor
  9. Soups - A mix of juiced veggies creates an incredibly flavorful base for a nutritious vegetable soup. Or, highlight just one vegetable, like in these juicer tomato or corn soups.

Summer Juice Recipes:
*Each recipe makes 16-20oz depending on the produce and juicer you use

Allison’s Berry Basil Mint Blast
  • 1 1/2 cups of seasonal Berries
  • 2 green or red or 1 of each apple
  • 1 rib Celery 
  • 1 medium Cucumber
  • 1/2 zucchini 
  • 1/2 yellow squash
  • 2 or 3 broccoli florets 
  • 1/4 beet root
  • 1/4 Lime
  • Mint leaves
  • Basil leaves
  • Stevia to taste
Summer Breeze
  • 1.5 cups Blueberries
  • 2 pinch Cayenne Pepper
  • ½ Lime
  • 5 cups diced watermelon
Tropical Greens
  • ¼ pineapple
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 small zucchini
  • 1 small yellow squash
  • 1 green apple
  • 1 red apple
  •  ½ lime
  • Mint, Parsley & Basil
  • Stevia to taste
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Herbal Tinctures

6/18/2016

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How well an herbal supplement works all depends on how active their constituents are when they are ingested and if they can be digested and absorbed by the body. Herbal tinctures are the only way to get supplements from fresh plants (unless you grow and use fresh herbs daily). Tinctures are very efficient and are highly bioavailable to the body, making them especially beneficial for those with digestive issues.  Because they are most often carried in alcohol they enter the blood stream quickly and can provide immediate benefits.  There are some herbs that have a greater impact on health and wellness when taken in fresh tincture form. Herbal tinctures are highly concentrated, anywhere between a 1:1 to 1:10 herb to alcohol ratio, making them the optimal choice for managing acute conditions. Liquid herbal extracts are able to capture and preserve all active constituents making them the most therapeutically beneficial form of supplementation. They are the preferred choice by herbalists for freshness, potency, absorption and formulation.
 
When purchasing a tincture, it is important to know how the herb was extracted.  They should always start the extraction process in alcohol to ensure potency.  They should never be heated, as heat will damage the herbs, making them less effective.   You can purchase liquid herbal softgels or alcohol free extracts but the alcohol must be removed using a heat-free vacuum process.  A preservative like grapefruit seed extract is safe and natural and should be added to the tincture to prevent the growth of microbes if the alcohol is removed.  If you are worried about the alcohol content in tinctures, consider that 30 drops of an herbal extract containing 70% alcohol has the same amount of alcohol as in a ripe banana.  You can also evaporate the alcohol out of a tincture by placing a single dose into a cup of boiling water and let cool for 5-10 minutes.  40-60% of the alcohol will evaporate. 
 
Making Your Own Herbal Tinctures-Folk Method
Herbal tinctures are easy to make, are cost effective, and are potent for many years. They can be made with any spirit, however if you would like to taste the herb use neutral vodka or grain alcohol. You can make herbal tinctures from the flower, leaves, roots, barks or berries of fresh or dried herbs and plants. You will need organic herbs, glass jars, a knife or fine chopper, a metal funnel, cheesecloth, alcohol and dark colored glass dropper bottles.
 
Choosing Alcohol Percentage
67.5%-70% (½ 80 proof vodka + 190 proof grain alcohol)
This percentage will extract the highest amounts of the volatile essential oils and should always be used for fresh herbs with a high moisture content and for fresh berries and roots.  If you want the highest quality tincture you can make at home, choose a 70% alcohol content.
 
40%-50% (80-90 proof vodka)
This percentage will produce a standard tincture.  It can be used on most of the dried herbs and on any fresh herbs without a high moisture content.  It will be effective at extracting any water soluble properties contained in the herb.
 
85%-95% (190 proof grain alcohol)
This percentage is really only needed for dissolving gums and resins.  The strength of the alcohol will make it difficult to take and this percentage is typically only used for drop dosages.  This will completely dehydrate most plant material.
 
Plant Materials
If you want to make a tincture with an herb that has strong aromatic properties or an herb that typically has a high water content, you always want to try and use those herbs fresh. Otherwise, dried herbs can produce just as potent tinctures. Always try to use organic or wildcrafted herbs to avoid toxic pesticides and GMOs.  The herbs you should always try to use fresh if possible include Avena Sativa (oat “milky” seed), Skullcap, Rosemary, Lemon Balm leaf & flower, Plantain leaf, St. John’s Wort, Goldenrod, Corn Silk, Chamomile flower, Catnip leaf & flower, Echinacea root, Horsetail, Spilanthes flower, Wild Indigo Root (baptisia), Eyebright, Dandelion root, leaf & flower, Pulsatilla flower, Stinging Nettle root, Mistletoe, Rue, Mullein flower, Garlic bulb, Passionflower, Valerian rhizome with rootlets, and Lomatium.  This list is not exhaustive.
 Fresh Herbs
  • Leaves & Flowers: Finely chop or grind the herb to help release liquid and essential oils.  Fill your glass jar 2/3 to ¾ of the way full and cover with alcohol, filling the jar.  Your herbs should move freely when shaken. 
  • Roots, Barks, & Berries: Finely chop or grind the plant material to release liquid and open surface area. Fill your glass jar 1/3 to ½ of the way full and fill jar completely with alcohol.  Your plant materials should move freely when shaken.

Dried Herbs
  • Leaves & Flowers: Purchase only finely cut herbal material or use a fine chopper to further break down the dried herb.  Fill your glass jar ½ to ¾ of the way full and cover with alcohol, filling the jar.
  • Roots, Barks, & Berries: Purchase only finely cut herbal material or use a knife to further cut down the roots, barks or berries.  Fill your glass jar only ¼ to ½ of the way full, as dried roots and berries will double their size as they are reconstituted.  Fill jar completely with alcohol. 
 
Extracting & Storing Tinctures
Find a dark cabinet that will stay cool and dry to store your tincture over the next 6-8 weeks.  You will need to shake your glass jars every day.  Make sure there is always enough alcohol to completely cover the plant material as herbs that become exposed to the air can grow bacteria and mold. 
You will strain your tinctures through cheesecloth and use a funnel to pour the contents into your dropper bottles.  Squeeze and twist the cheesecloth full of herbs so you can collect as much of the extraction as possible.  Some people even further blend their herbs and strain again.  The label for your tincture should include the name, parts used, whether it was fresh or dried, the alcohol percentage, the source of the herb, the date it was bottled, and the dosage. 
 
Making Your Own Alcohol Free Herbal Tinctures
Any herb that is not infused in alcohol will never be as potent as a tincture; however, they are great options for children or those abstaining from or sensitive to alcohol.
Herbal Vinegar Tincture
Use dried herbs to create the most potent herbal vinegar tincture.  Grind the dried herb into a coarse powder.  Fill a glass jar 1/5 of the way full with the powder and pour organic apple cider vinegar up to the top.  Store in a dark, cool cabinet for two weeks and shake the jar daily.  You will also strain the powder through cheesecloth. Set this first strained extraction aside and allow the sediment to settle for 8 hours.  Strain the liquid extract once again and store in a dark colored glass dropper bottle for up to six months. Because vinegar is very acidic avoid contact with teeth and dilute in tea or water. 
*If you are extracting roots or bark you will have an additional step after straining the herb.  Heat your liquid infusion just before the boiling point and filter once more through the cheesecloth to prevent your extraction from spoiling too quickly.

Herbal Glycerine Tincture
The basic ratio for a glycerine extract is 60% or more glycerine to 40% or less water.  If you are using fresh herbs with a high moisture content, you can use 100% glycerine.  Fill a glass jar ½ of the way full with dried herbs or 2/3 of the way full with fresh muddled herbs.  In a separate jar, combine 3 parts organic vegetable glycerine to 1 part distilled water.  Pour this mixture over the herbs and fill jar.  Shake daily and let the glycerine extract from the herbs for 4-6 weeks.  Strain with a cheesecloth and store in dark colored glass dropper bottles.  Label and store herbal glycerine tinctures for 14-24 months in the refrigerator. 
 
Determining Dosages
Determining the dose for a tincture will depend on several factors but there are some general guidelines.  The number of drops created for each tincture will depend on the viscosity or thickness of the extract, however most extracts contain approximately 1,000-1,300 drops per ounce.  A one-ounce tincture will contain between 25-32 single doses.  The standard dose for adults is 30 drops in water one to three times per day.
Factors that affect dosing include the following: whether you are using the herb for nutritional or medicinal purposes; if your health condition is acute or chronic; the strength of the preparation based on fresh or dried herbs, cultivated or wildcrafted herbs, folk or ratio tincturing, length of maceration time, and the solvent used to extract the herb. It will be difficult to standardize your homemade tinctures and create consistent tinctures each time so try titrating the dose of your herbs.  This means you will start with the smallest recommended dose and slowly titrate (increase) the dose until you get the desired results.
 It is important you understand the properties and any safety guidelines of the herbs you are using to make tinctures.  If you have been using an herb daily for 2-4 weeks and aren’t experiencing the results you hoped for it may be time to try a new herb or combination. 
You can use Clark’s Rule (a mathematical formula to determine a proper dose for children based on weight) to convert an adult dose to a child’s dose:  Adult Dose X (child’s weight  150) = Child’s Dose
If you have a child that weighs 50 pounds and the adult dose is 30 drops 3 times per day your child will get 1/3 (50/150) of the adult dose which would be 10 drops 3 times per day.  *The formula always measures weight in pounds, and never in kilograms. 
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Tea-ol-ogy:  Sun Teas

6/11/2016

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Sun teas or iced teas are the perfect companions for the long, hot summer days and barbeque filled nights.  You can enjoy your tea without turning on a hot stove, and quench your seemingly endless thirst.  Iced teas can help keep you cool and hydrated during the warm weather season.  Sun teas and iced teas are easy to brew and store and you can make large amounts to enjoy over a few days’ time.  There are several ways you can make iced tea, and you can add an array of herbs and fresh fruits to boost flavor, create beautiful and bright colors, and keep your teas unique and satisfying all summer long.

True Sun Tea

You can brew tea in a glass pitcher with the heat from the sun.  As the sun will never heat the water in a glass jar to a boiling point, you need to let your tea steep for three to four hours.  You will use one tea bag per cup of water or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per cup of water. *  Place your glass jar in the direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day in the afternoon.  The intensity of the sun will have an effect on the tea as it steeps.  As the tea absorbs more sunlight it will become darker and darker.  Remove the tea bags and pour the sun-brewed tea over ice, add some fresh lemon slices, sweeten to taste and enjoy!  Because the water never reaches a boiling point there are some mild concerns about bacteria growth.  Sun tea should be enjoyed within one to two days of brewing and any remaining tea should be immediately stored in the fridge. The caffeine in black and green teas will also help inhibit bacteria growth.  Never brew tea in the sun in a plastic container.  The radiant heat from the sun breaks down toxic chemicals in plastics that will be leached into the tea.

Cold Brew Iced Tea

You can actually brew tea in your refrigerator completely with cold water, however this will take 8-12 hours to efficiently extract the flavors and nutrients from the tea.  Cold brewed teas are said to pull deeper and more pronounced flavors from the tea leaves.  Give your loose tea leaves and herbs a light rinse with water before placing them in a tea ball or bag.  You will use one tea bag per cup of water or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per cup of water. *  Cover your tea and place in the refrigerator.  You can start tasting your tea after two hours until you reach your desired flavor.  Remove the tea ball or bags and serve over ice with fruit or herbs of your choice, sweeten to taste and enjoy!  
*Tea bags, especially those packaged for sun teas are made from Crush-Tear-Curl (CTC) tea leaves.  This means the leaves have been cut or torn which releases their essential oils, affecting taste and aroma.  If you want a strong, flavor rich sun tea brew loose-leaf tea, which retains the natural oil content.  Always leave space in the tea ball or bag for the loose leaf tea to uncurl for optimal steeping. 

Sun & Iced Tea Recipes
Southern Sun Tea
  • 3 ½ tablespoon organic black tea
  • 3 ½ tablespoon fresh mint
Serve over ice with sliced fresh organic lemon

The Sunnyside of Kristen Tea

  • 4 ½ tablespoons organic green tea
  • 2 ½ tablespoons organic dried hibiscus petals
Serve over ice and sweeten with coconut-flavored stevia

Mango Sun Tea

  • 5 ½ tablespoons mango Ceylon tea
Serve over ice and sliced fresh organic mango

Summer Goddess Sun Tea with Chamomile Syrup

  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried rose petals
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried hibiscus petals
  • 8 oz of water
Brew petals in the sun for 1-2 hours, as they will quickly infuse their flavors. Pour over ice and sweeten with chamomile syrup.

Chamomile Syrup

  • 1 cup organic coconut palm sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup dried organic chamomile flowers (for a stronger flavor use 1 cup)
 
In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and add chamomile flowers and cover with a lid. Allow to cool, and then strain into a glass jar. Syrup can be refrigerated for up to one month.

Coconut Lavender Lemonade

  • 1 ½ cups fresh squeezed organic lemon juice
  • 1 ¾ cups xylitol
  • 8 cups Spin coconut water
  • 4 cups water
  • Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe follows)
Place lemon juice, xylitol, coconut water, and water into a pitcher and shake or stir vigorously until all the xylitol is dissolved. Stir in one tablespoon of lavender simple syrup to sweeten to your taste.

Lavender Simple Syrup

  • 2 cups organic coconut palm sugar
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 3 tablespoons organic dried lavender
Combine the xylitol, water, and lavender in a medium, heavy bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil on high heat. Boil for 1 minute and remove from heat, cover, and let the lavender steep in the syrup for 20 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lavender and set syrup aside to cool. Once cooled, place in an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 1 week

​Thai Tea

  • 4 cups water
  • 6 teaspoons organic black tea
  • 1 whole clove
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 1 whole star anise
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • Stevia to taste
  • 6 ice cubes
Bring water to boil in a medium saucepan.  Reduce to a simmer and add the star anise, cardamom and clove and let infuse for at least 30 minutes, optimally 2-3 hours. Remove the pan from heat and submerge black tea and steep for 15 minutes.  Remove tea and strain off herbs and let cool to room temperature.  Pour over ice into glasses until 2/3 of the way full.  Top off the glasses with coconut milk, stir and sweeten with stevia to taste. 
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Summer Skin Care Escentuals

6/4/2016

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The Chemical Culprits in your Sunscreen:
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) a major ingredient in sunscreen and other personal care products called oxybenzone has contaminated an amazing 97% of Americans.  It is also commonly known as benzophenone-3.  Oxybenzone has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, cell damage, and low birth weight in baby girls whose moms are exposed to this chemical during pregnancy.  One of the most dangerous features of oxybenzone is that it is a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals you are exposed to penetrate the skin.  Oxybenzone is quickly and easily absorbed into your skin.  Ironically, when oxybenzone is exposed to sunlight, it causes the chemical to form free radicals, damaging cells and DNA through inflammation, causing premature aging.  Oxybenzone gets stored in fatty tissues and remains in the body several days after application.  New studies are showing that oxybenzone is disrupting the hormone systems in your body, specifically the adrenal glands.  The adrenal glands regulate hormones and ensure that the thyroid functions properly.  Damage to the adrenal glands wreaks havoc on your entire body.  Children absorb higher amounts of oxybenzone and don’t have the ability to excrete chemicals and detoxify their bodies to the same degree as adults, making them much more vulnerable to organ damage and hormone disruption. In Europe, products containing oxybenzone come with a warning label.
 
Octinoxate (octyl methoxcyinnamate) and Avobenzone are other chemicals commonly found in sunscreens and personal care products.  Octinoxate is an estrogenic chemical that has been linked to hormone disruption and increased rates of cancer.  Avobenzone absorbs UV radiation energy, and since your body cannot destroy it, it converts from a light energy to a chemical energy unleashing free radicals into your body.  Studies have shown that all three of these chemicals passed through breast milk, exposing infant to these dangerous chemicals.  
Some of the most common sunscreens containing these toxic chemicals are made by Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone and Banana Boat. Visit the Environmental Working Groups main website to view their worst scoring sunscreens for kids this year.  https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/worst-kids-sunscreens/
 
Understanding How Sunscreens Work:
There are two basic types of topical sunscreens, chemical absorbers and physical blockers.  The chemical absorbers absorb UV Rays.  Physical blockers reflect UV Rays away from the body. 
  • Chemical absorbers are cheap and easy to produce which is why they are so widely available to the public. Chemical absorber based sunscreens provide LESS protection from UV Rays. They have to be combined with even more chemicals to effectively protect you from the sun.  It is now being shown that the addition of these extra chemicals is NOT helping protect your skin from UVA Rays.  UVA Rays are the most dangerous, having the ability to penetrate the deepest layers of your skin.  They increase rates of skin cancer, and damage collagen and elastin in your skin leading to premature aging. 
  • Physical blockers are far more effective in protecting against both UVA and UVB Rays.  The two most common physical blockers are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.  They protect against the FULL UV spectrum.  Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound and an essential mineral needed by the body.  It is involved in cell production, promotes healthy skin and hair, and boosts the immune system.  Providing full spectrum protection, it helps reduce UVA induced free radical production in your skin.   It is not absorbed by the skin and blocks UVA and UVB Rays by staying on the surface of your skin.  Titanium Dioxide is a reflective chalky mineral that is non-irritating, non-allergenic and non-comedogenic (meaning it doesn’t cause or aggravate acne).  It offers both UVA and UVB protection.
 
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) levels have always referred to UVB Ray protection.  The Food and Drug Administration is now requiring sunscreens to indicate whether or not they will protect you from UVA Rays.  UVA/UVB protection labels will read “Broad Spectrum SPF”.  These are the sunscreens you must start purchasing to protect yourself from the sun.  An SPF of 30 will provide 97% protection from UV damage.
 
The SPF number is a measure of how long you can stay in the sun without burning while using a sunscreen, as opposed to how long you could be in the sun without burning if you weren’t wearing any sun protection.  For example…If your skin normally starts to turn red after 10 minutes in the sun, and you use a product with an SPF 2, then your skin would now not start to turn red for 20 minutes.  If you use an SPF 25 then you could stay in the sun for 250 minutes before your skin would start to turn red.  SPF numbers are not the final word on sun protection; it all depends on how quickly you start to burn.  If you start to turn red within 5 minutes, an SPF 25 will only last 125 minutes.  The most important times of the day to wear sunscreen is between 10 AM and 3 PM during peak sun hours. 
 
There are other natural herbs and oils that provide protection from UVA and UVB rays, however the FDA will not allow for them to be sold as sunscreen.  The FDA has only approved zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to be labeled and sold as sunscreens with a determined SPF.
  • Raspberry Seed Oil SPF 25-50
  • Coconut Oil SPF 4-6
  • Carrot Seed Oil SPF 35-40
  • Shea Butter SPF 4-6
  • Almond Oil SPF 5
  • Sesame Oil SPF 10-12
 
New Bug Spray Guidelines: from the CDC and the Environmental Working Group
As recently as 5 years ago, the Environmental Working Group took aim at the use of DEET, the active ingredient found in nearly all insect sprays.  The toxic chemical is a known eye and skin irritant, and has been shown by researchers at Duke University to have serious adverse effects on the neurological systems of rats.  The EPA acknowledges that there have been neurological damage and death to both adults and children as a result of heavy exposure to DEET.  French research shows DEET affects cells in the same manner as nerve gas. DEET is a behavior-modifying chemical. DEET increases the toxic activity of other chemicals when combined in the same formula, like bug sprays and lotions.
 
As rates of contracting disease like West Nile Virus from mosquitos or Lyme Disease from ticks, the CDC and EWG have released a joint statement that DEET is “relatively safe” when used at no more than 30% of a solution. They also recommend you only use products with DEET sparingly as well. Higher concentrations of DEET don’t protect you any better from biting insects. A 7-10% concentration of DEET will last a few hours, while the solutions containing 30% DEET will protect you all day. Higher amounts of DEET only protect you longer, they do not provide better protection from mosquitoes and ticks. You can buy 100% DEET and make your own dilutions of bug sprays at home to protect yourself as much as possible from the side effects of DEET and from the chemical reactions DEET serves up. It is also important to avoid any insecticides that release DEET into the air in small particles like candles and aerosol sprays.  Avoid inhaling DEET as much as possible.  Do not use bug sprays on children before six months of age.
 
The other two chemicals deemed relatively safe by the CDC and EWG are Picaridin and IR3535. Picaridin is a synthetic compound that was made to act like the active components found in piperine, the plant from which we get black pepper. Picaridin at a concentration of 20 percent is effective against mosquitoes and ticks for 8 to 14 hours and for 3.5 to 8 hours at a concentration of 10 percent.  That is four times longer than DEET. There have been no long-term studies done on the side effects of long-term use, however people have reported various skin irritations. Unfortunately, black pepper essential oil does not contain enough piperine to be used in homemade bug repellents.
 
IR3535 is a chemical made by Merck, the largest pharmaceutical company in the world.  It is structurally similar to the amino acid b-alanine.  It is a known eye irritant and is slightly less effective than DEET in similar concentrations. It comes with the same precautions as DEET, to only be used in small concentrations and with limited use. IR3535 is commonly added to sunscreens to duo as a bug repellent. However, those products have to be reapplied every few hours, increasing your risk of toxicity from IR3535.
 
There are several Essential Oils that contain constituents that repel biting insects, mosquitos and ticks. They are safe and extremely effective. A 2004 Swedish Study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology stated that eucalyptus oil is powerful at preventing tick bites and infections. Tansy has also been scientifically shown to have a 64-72% tick repellent force. Testing has shown that concentrations of 20 to 26 percent lemon eucalyptus oil may perform as well as 15 to 20 percent DEET against both mosquitoes and ticks.
 
A Word About the Zika Virus
Zika is a flavivirus, and is from a family of viruses that include West Nile virus and dengue virus, that may cause encephalitis. It started spreading in 2007 from islands in the South Pacific and by 2015 had come to Brazil where it rapidly spread to more than 40 other countries and territories. 
Zika is transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitos, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito.  While they evolved in Africa and Asia, they are now commonly found in urban areas with warm, wet climates all over the world.  Peak biting hours are early morning and late afternoon.  The virus can also be transmitted during pregnancy from a mother to her baby, through blood transfusions, and through sexual intercourse.  The first case in the United States was from a sexual transmission.
 According to the CDC approximately only one in five people infected with the Zika virus will get sick.  Common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, headache and conjunctivitis.  It can take two to seven days for symptoms to manifest after being bitten by an infested mosquito.  The more serious effects of Zika are Guillain-Barre, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and the virus can kill developing brain cells.  Guillain-Barre is an immune disorder that can cause paralysis, while ADEM is a brief but widespread attack of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord that damages myelin, the protective covering on nerve fibers.  The World Health Organization has now confirmed that there is a link between Zika and microcephaly, a birth defect characterized by an undersized head and incomplete brain development.  Brazil went from 150 reports of microcephaly per year to almost 4,000 cases in 2015.  The CDC also believes there are other birth defects consistent with Zika like brain or eye abnormalities which are not detected until the third trimester.

The CDC believe Zika will spread to every American country but Canada and Chile as their climates are not conducive to the Aedes mosquito. There is active Zika virus transmission is in the following places:
  • American Samoa
  • Aruba
  • Barbados
  • Bolivia
  • Bonaire
  • Brazil
  • Cape Verde
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Curaçao
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Fiji
  • French Guiana
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Jamaica
  • Kosrae (Micronesia)
  • Marshall Islands
  • Martinique
  • Mexico
  • New Caledonia
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Puerto Rico
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
  • Saint Maarten
  • Samoa
  • Suriname
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Venezuela

There have not been any Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitos found in Idaho.  However, Ada County has been preparing by creating a new contraption called the Oviposit Trap designed to capture these specific mosquitos.  The CDC advises women who are pregnant should not travel to any of these areas. 
 
Summer Skin Care Escentual Recipes:

WON Sunscreen

  • 1/2 cup Almond Oil
  • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil    
  • 1/4 cup White Beeswax
  • 2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide Non-Nano
  • 10 Drops Vanilla Extract/Essential Oil
  • You can choose to add the following
  • Ingredients for additional SPF benefits:
  • 1 Teaspoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil
  • 1 Teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Shea Butter
 
Combine all ingredients but the zinc oxide in a glass bowl.  Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water and place over medium heat. Place the glass bowl in pan to melt ingredients. Stir continuously until fully melted and remove glass bowl from heat. Add the zinc oxide, stirring mixture as it cools to fully integrate the zinc oxide into your sunscreen. Place in a wide mouth jar with a lid. Enjoy for six months!
 
WON After Sun Healing Lotion
  • 3 Tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive or Jojoba Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Cocoa Butter
  • 15 drops of Essential Oils:  Patchouli, Geranium, Rose, Lavender, Roman or German Chamomile, Sandalwood, Benzoin or Petitgrain
 
Melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a double boiler. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix to a creamy texture.  Store in a dry, cool place.  The Oils and Butters used in this recipe help your skin retain moisture, heal from damage caused by excessive exposure to the sun, and reduce pain caused from inflammation. Rich in antioxidants this cream will repair damage caused by free radicals.  The Essential Oils listed are excellent for healing dry, damaged skin.
 
WON Itch Relief Spray
  • 3 Tablespoons Witch Hazel
  • 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
  • 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
  • 5 drops Tea Tree Oil
 
Combine Witch Hazel and essential oils in a 1 oz glass spray bottle.  Spray on infected areas as needed.
 
WON Bug Spray
  • Witch Hazel
  • 10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
  • 10 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil or Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil
  • 5 drops Patchouli Essential Oil
  • 10 drops Citronella Essential Oil
  • 5 drops Clove Essential
 
Fill a 4 oz glass spray bottle-Half with Witch Hazel and half with Distilled Water.  Add Essential Oil blend and spray as needed.  This recipe will help to repel ticks along with Mosquitos and other biting insects.   You may also create your own blend from the following Essential Oils: Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Cajeput, and Cedar.
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Tea-ol-ogy:  May Flowers

5/21/2016

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Herbals teas are excellent way to discover the amazing healing properties of plants.  The powerful work they do helps to reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, fight nausea, increase energy, support digestion, improve sleep and restore and revitalize your body in many more ways.  Herbal medicine is supported by thousands of peer reviewed scientific studies. Herbal teas are affordable, simple to make, and are quickly absorbed.  It is important to buy quality, organic tea.  As they sit in hot water to steep you want to make sure you avoid toxic and harmful residue from bleached tea bags and pesticides. Always store herbs in opaque, glass, airtight containers and in a dark cool place to preserve taste and aroma if you are storing for long periods of time.

Brewing Herbal Tea:

  • Hot tea infusion will extract vitamins, enzymes, and volatile essential oils.  For herbal teas you can use 1-4 tablespoons of dried herbs per eight ounces of water. (Use 12 ounces of water for 3+ tablespoons dried herbs) Heat your water until it just barely comes to a boil.  Pour water over dried herbs and cover to keep the essential oils from escaping.  Steep for at least 15 minutes and up to one hour.  Strain and enjoy!
  • Cold tea infusions are better for the slimy or demulcent herbs and those with delicate essential oils like Marshmallow root, Chia seed, or fresh Lemon Balm.  Fill a glass quart jar with cold water and place 1 oz of herbs into cheesecloth.  Submerge your bundled herbs just below the water and drape the tied end of cheesecloth over the lip of the jar and secure with cap.  Allow these herbs to infuse at least eight hours. 
  • Decoctions are simmered teas that are required for the extraction of hard roots, dried berries, barks and seeds like Elderberry and Chai.  Place 3 tablespoons of dried herbs into a saucepan and cover with a quart of cold water.  Slowly heat the water and bring to a gentle simmer for 20-45 minutes.  Strain the herbs and enjoy!  If your decocted tea is too strong you can add additional hot water.
 
AnxieTea:
  • 1/2 tablespoon Hibiscus
  • 1/2 tablespoon Lemon Balm
  • 1/2 tablespoon Holy Basil
  • 1/2 tablespoon Passion Flower
  • *Drink 3 cups per day to prevent stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure & cholesterol, and improve sleep.
 
Hibiscus is rich in Vitamin C and benefits include: calms nervous system to reduce anxiety and depression; supports cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure; Drinking hibiscus tea after a meal helps the body digest fats, improving cholesterol levels and lowering LDL; antioxidant properties support liver function; restorative for balancing hormones and easing symptoms of PMS and menopause; great in iced teas as it has an immediate cooling effect on the body.  Lemon Balm is rich in antioxidants and benefits include: calms nervous system to reduce anxiety, creates a positive mindset, and improves mental alertness; supports restorative sleep; boosts memory, recall and problem solving skills; eases cramping in the digestive, and urinary tracts and during menstruation; antiviral properties treat cold sores and combat herpes. Holy Basil is a powerful adaptogen and benefits include: supports a healthy response to chronic stress and anxiety reducing cortisol and significantly elevating mood and improving mental clarity; anti-inflammatory properties support everything from digestion to immune function to the treatment of cancer; excellent for treating respiratory conditions and when grown in and around your home effectively purifies the air. Passion Flower is a natural sedative and benefits include: fights feelings of nervousness, anxiety, pressure, and ADHD without causing drowsiness; improves feelings of depression; provides menopause relief; eases pain associated with cramps, headaches, toothaches and sore muscles; helps you fall asleep faster, especially for those fighting insomnia.

ZZ Tea:

  • 1/2 tablespoon Chamomile
  • 1/2 tablespoon Lavender
  • 1/2 tablespoon Linden
  • 1/2 tablespoon Hops
  • *Drink 1-2 cups per evening to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake refreshed.
 
Chamomile is rich in volatile oils and benefits include: calms nervous system to prevent anxiety from disrupting sleep; sleep aid that works by relaxing and calming the mind and body; supports digestion and soothes stomach aches; helps treat fevers, the common cold, and soothes a sore throat.  Lavender has an amazing range of benefits that include: contains powerful essential oils that help you fall asleep faster and spend more time in restorative sleep; calms the mind and body relieving feelings of anxiety and promoting relaxation; supports digestive system to treat colic, infections, and symptoms of IBS; excellent for treating depression and stabilizing mood swings; treats migraines; promotes faster wound healing. Linden is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients and benefits include: promotes a deep sense of relaxation; soothes and calms nerves; eases tension that causes headaches and migraines; sedative properties promote restorative sleep; antibacterial properties that support respiratory health and fight off the common cold and relieve throat irritation; eases digestion and treats bloating, gas, diarrhea, and cramps. Hops contain beneficial compounds like tannins and flavonoids and benefits include: calms nervous system to relieve stress and anxiety and improve mood; combats insomnia and restless sleep; acts as a diuretic and eases bladder pain and infections; improves digestion by stimulating the production of stomach acid and has anti-spasmodic properties. 

DigestiviTea:

  • 1/2 tablespoon Yarrow
  • 1/2 tablespoon Strawberry Leaf
  • 1/2 tablespoon Tansy
  • 1/2 tablespoon Jasmine
  • *Drink 1 cup after each meal to enhance digestion and prevent gas, bloating and indigestion.
 
Yarrow is an underrated herb and its many benefits include: improves digestion by encouraging the secretion of enzymes and digestive juices; encourages bile flow from the gallbladder; eases symptoms of stomach ulcers; promotes sweating in cases of flus, fevers and colds to help the body detox; a natural expectorant; lessens menstrual bleeding and promotes circulation; chewing on the leaves eases tooth aches. Strawberry Leaf is high in antioxidants and Vitamin C and its benefits include: treats diarrhea, indigestion, and dysentery; tannins help balance the acids and the bases in the digestive tract that help break down food; normalizes pH; eases upset stomach, reduces bloating and cramps; diuretic properties. Tansy is commonly used throughout Europe and its benefits include: improves overall digestion and treats gas, bloating, and stomach ulcers; improves appetite; reduces fluid retention; regulates menstrual flow. *Do not use while pregnant. Jasmine is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and benefits include: rich in antioxidants, it encourages a healthy digestive system and prevents some forms of gastrointestinal cancers; helps ensure the proper digestion of food; helps reverse damage caused by diabetes; improves circulation to support heart and brain health.
 
ImmuniTea:
  • 1/2 tablespoon Elderflower
  • 1/2 tablespoon Rose Petals
  • 1/2 tablespoon Calendula
  • 1/2 tablespoon Safflower
  • *Drink 3-4 cups per day at the onset of cold, flu or allergy symptoms.
 
Elderflower is one of the world’s oldest medicinal plants and its benefits include: abundant in antivirals, chlorogenic acids and flavanols, making it extremely effective in fighting seasonal allergies and boosting the immune system; analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties; studies show it is a superior herb for reducing symptoms and treating the flu. Rose Petals show up in medical archives dating back to the ancient Egyptians and benefits include: packed with Vitamin C to boost the immune system and prevent seasonal allergies; improves liver function to help detox the body; aids digestion of fats by stimulating the production of bile; nourishes the good bacteria in the intestines; treats headaches, chest, and abdominal pain; regulates menstrual flow; can calm the mind and enhance mood.  Calendula (Marigold) is widely used in Europe and its benefits include: essential oils and polysaccharides quickly stimulate the immune system and protect you at the onset of a cold, flu, or other bacterial or viral infection; anti-cancer properties; increases blood flow to speed up wound healing; soothes sore throats; reduces inflammation to protect the lining of your digestive system; alleviates hot flashes, nausea, and headaches associated with hormonal imbalance. Safflower tea is drunk regularly throughout Asia and its benefits include: antioxidants help boost the immune system and repair damaged cells, helping the body effectively fight off diseases and infections; treats chronic coughs and soothes bronchial spasms; soothes frayed nerves and helps the body relax; excellent for lowing cholesterol and regulating blood sugar levels.

​Flow Lightly Tea:

  • 1 tablespoon Red Raspberry
  • ½ tablespoon Sage
  • ½ tablespoon Red Clover
  • *Drink 1-3 cups per day 7-10 days prior to menstruation to reduce symptoms of PMS and heavy blood flow.
 
Red Raspberry is the most popular herb used to support women’s health and its benefits include: clinically shown to reduce menstrual cramps and regulate blood flow; strengthens the uterine wall to improve fertility and help prevent miscarriage; nutrient rich profile helps treat morning sickness; encourages the body to detox excess hormones helping keep the body balanced throughout menstruation and menopause. Sage is a desert herb native to the Mediterranean and its benefits include: effectively slows heavy menstrual bleeding; helps balance hormones and relieve hot flashes during menopause; diuretic properties ease PMS symptoms of bloating and gas; supports healthy digestion; helps boost memory and concentration. Red Clover is one of the richest sources of isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogen) and its benefits include: eases symptoms of PMS and regulates blood flow; helps reduce the possibility of developing endometrial cancer and interferes with the progression of endometrial cancer; reduces breast tenderness; significantly reduces hot flashes in menopausal women; may help prevent bone loss in pre and peri-menopausal women; supports cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood circulation.
 
 
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​Healthy Habits for Maintaining Weight Loss

5/18/2016

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Losing and maintaining weight is not always as simple as calories in minus the calories you work off.  Eating healthy and exercise, while still a large part of the weight loss/maintenance equation, are not the only factors at play.  Glucose intolerance, chronic stress, lack of sleep, imbalanced hormones, wide spread inflammation, and exposure to toxins will sabotage your efforts and goals to achieve and maintain optimal health. 
Glucose Intolerance:  Isulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that attaches to and signals cells to absorb sugar in the bloodstream.  This sugar comes from the carbohydrates that you eat in food and is needed by the body for energy.  After you eat, the levels of sugar in your blood naturally rise and beta cells in the pancreas signal the release of insulin.  If there is more sugar in the body than required for energy, insulin helps to store sugar either in fat cells, the liver, or in muscles as glycogen.  Insulin will also help release these sugar stores for energy as it is needed.  Your muscles are the main organs involved in the absorption of glucose in response to insulin.
Type 2 diabetes and weight gain are both a direct result of your cells becoming insulin resistant.  This occurs when cells in your muscles, liver, and fat tissues are no longer efficient at absorbing insulin and regulating the amount of sugar in your blood.  As a result, the pancreas tries to pump out more insulin as it sees blood sugar levels continue to rise.  The pancreas can’t maintain this pace for creating insulin, preventing cells from receiving the energy they desperately need. The leading risk factors for developing insulin resistance include being overweight or obese which causes high amounts of free fatty acids in blood cells, having increased visceral fat, having a sedentary lifestyle, a diet high in fructose from added sugars, inflammation, and damaged gut microbiota.   
Chronic Stress:  When your body perceives or experiences stress one of its first reactions is to send out a message via cortisol telling the body to stop storing energy. The cells in the body immediately become unresponsive to insulin. This helps the body break down stored fat for energy, the liver starts to produce more glucose, and muscle cells begin to break down protein into amino acids that the liver can use to make more glucose.  This is exactly how the body should act under true moments of stress or danger.  However, our brain is unable to tell the difference between real danger or stress-like being attacked by a lion, and perceived danger or stress-psychological stress.  Studies have shown that perceived stress is more damaging to your body than true physical danger.  Chronic stress and feelings of anxiety mean that your body is constantly and unnecessarily releasing cortisol that is referred to as highly catabolic cortisol.  At the same time your body has reduced the amounts of anabolic hormones it is secreting like DHEA, testosterone, and human growth hormone.  This combination causes you to store fat, lose lean muscle mass, and slow your metabolism way down while your appetite increases.  It takes your body hours to normalize cortisol levels, which keeps your appetite running on high that entire time.  During chronic stress, levels of insulin also rise, and together with cortisol send a powerful signal to your fat cells telling them to store as much fat as possible and to hold on to stored fat.  This will make it even more difficult for you to lose or maintain weight and keep your blood sugar levels steady.  Studies have shown that lowering your levels of cortisol by just 14% is associated with a weight loss of more than twelve pounds.  
Research on mindfulness and meditation shows that these practices support weight management and prevent insulin resistance, as those with higher levels of optimism are less likely to gain weight during high levels of stress. They are also better equipped to manage stress and keep cortisol levels from spiking.  Mindfulness and meditation support sustainable weight loss through visualization, so you change your body from the inside out. There are several peer-review studies that document the health benefits of meditation.  Dr. Herbert Benson, a Harvard physician who has researched mindfulness said, “Meditation can change your metabolism, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and brain chemistry”. Practicing mindfulness or meditation specifically for weight loss/management has been shown to balance hormones, reduce cravings and overeating, and creates a calm, motivated mindset. Deepak Chopra, a holistic health practitioner and proponent of meditation, believes you can see positive change through the rewiring of your brain in a little as eight weeks. 
Lack of Sleep:  According to published research in the Annals of Internal Medicine, sleeping less than seven hours per night can reduce and even undo the benefits of dieting or healthy eating.  Dieters on the study who received adequate sleep saw half of the weight they lost come from fat. Those on the same diet but deprived of sleep lost half as much fat, and felt hungrier, lower levels of satiety, and lacked motivation and energy to exercise.   Researchers from the University of Chicago coined the term “metabolic grogginess” to explain the effect lack of sleep has on fat cells. After just four days you become insulin sensitive, which leads to excessive amount of fats in your blood that get stored as fat, usually in the liver.  Sleep is when the body heals and repairs, protecting itself from chronic inflammation and muscle loss. Lack of sleep causes cortisol levels to rise.  Sleep also interferes with your hunger hormones leptin and ghrelin.
 
Imbalanced Hormones:  Leptin is called the king of hormones because it regulates fat metabolism and energy. It is made and released from your adipose tissue (stored fat) and travels to your brain to let it know how much stored fuel you have on hand. Your brain relies solely on this information to gauge nutrition and energy reserves. When leptin is low, your brain sends signals to stimulate your appetite and when leptin levels are high, your brain can send signals that you are full and satisfied. Once leptin levels are full, the brain signals your metabolism to run at high speed. When leptin levels are low, your brain immediately sets your metabolic rate at hibernation mode to prevent malnutrition. Leptin is constantly regulating the rate at which your body creates energy or the amount of energy available for every function of your body. Excess insulin interferes with the communication between leptin and the brain, sometimes causing you to stop producing leptin at all! Meaning, you never feel truly full or satisfied.  High levels of fructose also induce leptin resistance.  Avoid all sugars, especially high fructose corn syrup, agave, and artificial sugars.  A great way to promote leptin levels in your body is to eat protein at every meal or snack. When the small intestines detect protein they create a hormone called PPY that stimulates leptin levels to help ensure satiety.
When empty, your stomach and upper intestines produce the hormone ghrelin to stimulate your appetite.  Ghrelin frustrates you with hunger pangs when you diet and have a reduced caloric intake.  The longer you go between meals, the more ghrelin that is produced. It has been clinically shown that high levels of ghrelin cause you to crave high calorie foods. You can avoid high levels of ghrelin by not skipping meals, eating five to six small meals per day, eat 35-40 grams of fiber per day, or making sure your snacks between meals contain protein and fiber to slow digestion.  Ghrelin is also produced in the hypothalamus and stimulates the growth hormone. Ghrelin produced by the hypothalamus helps with learning and cognitive adaption to a changing environment, so you never want to completely deplete yourself of this hormone. However, you don’t need the excess!
Wide Spread Inflammation: Inflammation is one part of the body’s immune response to protect, care for and heal itself.  When injury is caused near the surface of the skin it is expressed through symptoms such as redness, heat, swelling, pain or loss of function.  However, when inflammation occurs deep inside the body only some symptoms, if any may be felt. Chronic inflammation has been linked to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, depression, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, osteoporosis, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, Fibromyalgia and severe allergies including asthma and food intolerances.  Diet and lifestyle contribute heavily to chronic inflammation.  During the inflammation process immune cells call on free radicals to kill off any pathogens or foreign invaders in the body.  These free radicals live up to their name by being unstable particles that damage and puncture all the cells around them.  This is perfect for killing bacteria and virus strains, but free radicals often get out of control and damage healthy cells.  Chronic inflammation results in an increase of free radical or oxidative stress on the body.  Free radicals damage blood vessels, joints, cell membranes, nerves and pretty much any part of the body they are exposed to.  Free radical stress essentially ages us.  The body naturally responds to excess free radicals with anti-oxidants.  Chronic inflammation depletes the natural stores of anti-oxidants, increasing damage to the body.  The diet and lifestyle factors that promote inflammation include:
  • Poor Diet: Micronutrient deficiencies make us more susceptible to low grade infections.  Diets high in calories but low in nutrients are extremely common in the United States.  Make your food choices count!
  • Poor Gut Health: A huge portion of your immune system is found in your digestive system. It contains healthy bacteria that promote immunity and digestion and is one of the first lines of defense against foreign invaders.  However, an overgrowth of bad bacteria produces toxins and triggers the immune response. Diets low in fiber and high in saturated fats, sugars and processed foods all lead to inflammation in your gut.
  • Stress: The lining of your digestive system contains many of the hormone receptors related to stress and anxiety.  Chronic stress in your gut leaves you exposed to bacteria, viruses, parasites and other infections that create inflammation.
  • Obesity: Fat cells behave like cells of the immune system and increase the inflammatory immune response.  Studies show men who are overweight have more of these white blood cells, causing an increase in inflammation and a higher risk for heart disease.  Inflammation drops significantly when men or women lose weight, especially post-menopausal women.
  • Environmental Pollutants: Pesticides, heavy metals, exhaust fumes, toxins in cleaning products, and chemicals in body care products all cause inflammation.
  • Trans and Hydrogenated Fats: Processed foods and refined food and deep fat fried foods are the main culprits.  They upset the omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acid ratios in your body causing inflammation.  You should have at the minimum a 3:1 omega 6-omega 3 ratio in your diet. 
  • Sugar: Sugar from sweets, refined carbohydrates (white bread, sodas, French fries, etc.) and artificial sugars all contribute to increased levels of cytokines, inflammatory messengers.
 
Exposure to Toxins:  The Environmental Working Group conducted a study on hundreds of volunteers to see what types of toxins people are being exposed to.  They found per person, on average, 91 industrial compounds, pollutant and chemicals.  According to their research, 76 of these cause cancer in humans or animals, 94 are toxic to the brain or nervous system, and 79 cause birth defects or abnormal development.  Toxins also contribute to excess weight.  The chemicals used in plastics, food packaging, cosmetics and foods are stored in fat.  Your liver simply is unable to keep up.  Taking a supplement like Liver Care or Milk Thistle will help support the function of your life and prevent toxins from further invading your body. Toxins also influence hormones, which directly affect metabolism and body weight. Common ways you are exposed to hazardous chemicals include:
  • Water: Antibiotics, lead, bacteria, parasites, herbicides and pesticides.  The EPA only monitors 84 out of the 2,100 contaminants found in drinking water.
  • Soil: Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and dust mites.  There are more than 1,300 chemicals registered as pesticides in the USA.
  • Air: Aerosol sprays, asbestos, bleach, carbon monoxide, carpets, tobacco smokes.  The World Health Organization estimates that 4.6 million people die each year from causes directly related to air pollution, both indoor and outdoor.
  • Food: There are more than 3,200 chemicals added to our food.
  • Plastic: A new study involving over 400 commonly used products revealed that most plastic products, even those marketed as BPA-free, leach chemicals that act like the sex hormone estrogen. 70% of these products tested positive for estrogenic activity, however that number jumped to 95% when the products were exposed to microwaving or dishwashing.
  • Body Care Products: The average adult uses 9 personal care products a day with approximately 120 different chemicals spread between them.  The FDA or any other government agency does NOT regulate body care products.  Your skin is the largest organ in your body.  Applying personal care products to your skin means that these chemicals are absorbed throughout your entire body and go directly into your blood stream.
 
In women estrogen is made by the pituitary gland before menopause, but postmenopausal is made by the adrenal glands and fat cells. Estrogen is converted from testosterone in men, and is converted at a higher rate when carrying extra pounds. There are actually three hormones, estradiol, estrone, and estriol that make up estrogen; although estrogen is commonly just referred to as estradiol. Estradiol is the most abundant estrogen hormone. It has many roles in the body such as stimulating the cells that build bones and supporting cardiovascular health. It plays a part in blood sugar balance. Estrone is the least favorite part of estrogen as it has been linked to breast and uterine cancer. It is produced after menopause in fat cells, making women with excess stores of fat to be estrogen dominant. High estrone also blocks the benefits of estradiol in the body, and increases stress on the liver.  Estriol is only produced when estradiol and estrone are converted into estriol. It helps block the negative effects of estrone on breast cells, and helps with autoimmune functions throughout the body.
    
There are two ways in which you can develop excess estrogen. Either your body produces too much or you become exposed to estrogens from the environment or the foods you eat.  Toxins, pesticides, plastic, herbicides, and growth hormones given to animals like cows and chickens, all have compounds that act like estrogen in your body.  These toxins also cause weight gain, which means you produce more estrogen from fat cells. Unfortunately, we’re not done! Weight gain leads to insulin resistance, which is directly linked to a risk of estrogen dominance. Poor digestion, liver function, stress, not getting enough sleep and a lack of exercise are all related to excess insulin.  Alcohol and diets high in omega 6 fatty acids increase estrogen in both men and women.
 
There are several ways to determine if you are estrogen dominant. Excess estrogen affects men and women differently. In men, testosterone is more frequently converted into estrogen, causing weight gain in the chest and abdomen. In women, estrogen is converted into testosterone causing fat to store in the abdomen, breasts to shrink and sag, and abnormal hair growth on the face, acne, and even male pattern hair loss. Both men and post-menopausal women with excess estrogen will have an apple body shape, meaning high deposits of stored fat in the abdominal area. Premenopausal women with high estrogen will have a pear shape, meaning weight will be stored in the hips. If you are premenopausal you will have many symptoms of PMS, and difficulty losing weight.  Excess estrogen can also cause gallstones, urinary tract infections, and have a history of endometriosis or ovarian cysts. For men is will be seen in poor libido, a lack of motivation, loss of lean muscle mass, and even depression.  Estrogen dominance is one of the leading causes of breast, uterine and prostate cancer. Low estrogen can also impact insulin levels causing them to rise, and causing body fat to accumulate at the waist.  Since estrogen helps protect the heart, low levels put you at risk for heart disease.

 
It is important to understand and listen to your body to achieve and maintain weight loss.  I’ve also found the following products to be helpful:
★Holy Basil - lowers cortisol and keeps me sane
★Stress Care - lowers cortisol and prevents me from pigging out on chips
★DIM - helps estrogen, metabolism and belly fat
★Mind Care - helps with focus, depression and repetitive thoughts
★Liver Care - balances hormones, helps with digestion and prevents fatty liver
★Probiotics - prevents obesity and helps the stomach when antibiotics are used
★Maca - provides hormone balance, energy and overall sexiness
★Garcinia Cambogia – suppresses appetite, blocks body’s ability to make fat
★Green Tea – the L-Theanine, found in green tea helps manage stress, anxiety and increases dopamine helping to prevent emotional eating and increase satiety
★Coconut Oil – boost thermogenic rate, targets abdominal fat, reduces appetite
★Cleanses – helps you detox from addictive sugars and carbohydrates that spike insulin and inflammation
★Alpha Lipoic Acid– antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage, improves insulin sensitivity in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
★Berberine – increases the number of gut bacteria, improves function of fat regulating hormones, and regulates blood sugar.
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Spring into Toxin-Free Cleaning

5/14/2016

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The Environmental Working Group conducted a study on hundreds of volunteers to see what types of toxins people are being exposed to. They found per person, on average, 91 industrial compounds, pollutants and chemicals. According to their research, 76 of these cause cancer in humans or animals, 94 are toxic to the brain or nervous system, and 79 cause birth defects or abnormal development. Toxins also contribute to excess weight. When you are constantly exposed to chemicals used in plastics, food packaging, cosmetics, household cleaning products, pesticides and foods they get stored in fat. Your liver simply is unable to keep up and efficiently detox your body. Toxins affect hormones, which directly affect metabolism, body weight, insulin resistance, and eventually contribute to illness and disease.
                 
Some of the most toxic products in your home are in your cleaning products, which contain on average 62 noxious chemicals.  Chlorine bleach, when mixed with ammonia, vinegar or any other acid based cleanser, will release dangerous chloramine gas.  This contributes to asthma and respiratory disease.  Petroleum distillates are found in metal polishes and long-term exposure damages the nervous system, kidneys, eyes and skin. Phenol and cresol are found in disinfectants and when inhaled or digested cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage. Nitrobenze is found abundantly in furniture and floor polishes and when inhaled it makes breathing shallow and labored.  Ingested, it is very poisonous and can result in death.  Nitrobenzene has also been directly linked to cancer and birth defects. Formaldehyde is a preservative that is a suspected human carcinogen that is also irritating to the eyes, throat, skin and lungs. Hydrochloric acid (sodium acid sulfate) is found in toilet bowl cleaners and can burn the skin and cause blindness if splashed into the eyes.  It will also burn the stomach if ingested. Phthalates are the fragrances found in nearly every household product, even toilet paper! The law does not require companies to disclose their scents and so they are masked under the word “fragrance”.  They are known endocrine disruptors and reduce sperm count in men. Perchloroethylene (PERC) is used in dry cleaning solutions, spot removers and carpet or upholstery cleaners.  PERC is a neurotoxin and a possible carcinogen.  Triclosan is in most liquid dishwashing detergents and hand soaps that are labeled “antibacterial”.  This aggressive antibacterial agent actually promotes the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. There are harmful levels of triclosan building up in rivers and streams and it is extremely toxic to algae.  It is a suspected endocrine disruptor and carcinogen.  Quarternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS) are used in fabric softener liquids and sheets and most “antibacterial” household cleaners.  QUATS help propagate anti-biotic resistant bacteria, are a known skin irritant, and contribute to asthma and other respiratory disorders. Ammonia is a polisher for fixtures, sinks, and jewelry and is also found in glass cleaners.  It is a powerful and immediate irritant.  It is especially harmful to those with asthma or elderly people with respiratory disorders. People who are constantly exposed to ammonia, like housekeepers, develop chronic bronchitis and severe asthma.  Sodium Hydroxide (lye) is extremely corrosive and thus used in oven cleaners and drain openers.  It can burn the skin and the esophagus. Coal Tar Dyes are in the majority of cleaning products.  They are derived from petrochemicals and are contaminated with heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium and lead.  Heavy metals harm the nervous system and synthetic dyes are known carcinogens. They are easily absorbed through the skin, causing immediate adverse health effects and are completely unnecessary, as they do not contribute to the cleaning properties of any product. MEA (monoethanalomine), DEA (diethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine) are found in detergents, all-purpose cleaners, degreasers, car wash products, and all other types of household cleaners.  They react with other chemicals to become known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.
 
Making your own cleaning products at home is easy, healthy, and will save you money.  From kitchen and bathroom cleaners, to your own laundry detergent, the ingredients you need to get started will delightfully surprise you.
  • White Vinegar: A natural deodorizer (absorbs odors, doesn’t cover them up), it dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits.  White vinegar will kill mold, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Undiluted white vinegar is great for your toughest cleaning problems.  Being only mildly acidic, white vinegar is safe to use on hardwood floors.  It won’t stain grout on tiled surfaces.  Don’t let the aroma of vinegar turn you off, as it dries the aroma will not linger. You can add it during the rinse cycle of your washing machine for a great fabric softener substitute. Use it to clean mineral deposits in your showerhead and hard water rings in your toilet bowl.  Soak your showerhead over night in undiluted white vinegar and simply rinse off!
  • Baking Soda: A natural deodorizer with mild abrasive actions makes it a perfect substitute for harsh scouring powders.  It cuts grease and can be used as a whitener and a disinfectant.  Baking soda on a damp sponge is great for cleaning your shower, bath, and sinks.  For tougher jobs make a thick paste using baking soda and water, apply to the surface you are cleaning and scrub off 10-20 minutes later. 
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: One of the most common household disinfectants, it is a great base ingredient for all your homemade cleaning products.  Hydrogen peroxide effectively cleans tile surfaces, rugs and carpets, whitens grout, cleans toilet bowls, removes tub scum, stops the spread of mold and mildew and removes discoloration, cleans glass surfaces, disinfects countertop, dishrags and sponges, disinfects cutting boards, washes fruits and vegetables to remove wax and other contaminants, and helps clean the refrigerator.  It can also be used to whiten laundry, and remove stains and musty odors from fabrics.   
  • Kosher Salt: Use coarse kosher salt as a tough abrasive.
  • Borax (sodium borate): Often referred to as the miracle mineral, it is a naturally occurring compound that can be used for disinfectant cleaning and pest control.  Always handle Borax carefully, because undiluted Borax can be an irritant.  It is safe in diluted solutions.  It is also a natural deodorizer and a mild abrasive.  It can be used to boost your laundry detergents power to remove stains, and is effective on clogged drains.  Borax is great for rust stains and cleaning your outdoor furniture. You must use Borax that is sodium borate.
  • Washing Soda: This is a must if you are making your own laundry detergent.  Also known as sodium carbonate, you can make your own washing soda at home.  Fill a wide baking dish with baking soda and heat in the oven at 400 degrees, occasionally mixing to help speed up the process. You will be able to tell from the look and feel of the baking soda when it has become washing soda as it becomes grainy, dull & opaque.  Washing soda also cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, and cleans walls, tiles, sinks, and tubs. Do not use on aluminum.
  • Lemon Juice: With antibacterial and antiseptic qualities, lemon juice should be added to all your cleaning products.  Lemon juice can be used in place of bleach to help whiten clothes.  It works hard on grease and is a fabulous deodorizer. It makes working and cleaning with vinegar tolerable.  Lemon juice will remove the most frustrating and stubborn stains on countertops.  It is excellent in glass cleaners.
  • Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap:  This biodegradable soap is made from vegetable and hemp oils, contains no animal fats and is organic.  It is highly concentrated and will go far in its many uses. 
  • Vodka: Provides a reflective shine on any metal or mirrored surface. (toothpaste is also excellent for polishing silver)
  • Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE): Immensely powerful antiviral and antibacterial components. A recent study from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported that GSE was effective at killing over 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, and a large number of single and multi-celled parasites.  It is believed there is no other naturally occurring anti-microbial that compares. Research microbiologists from the University of Georgia found GSE was vastly effective as a non-toxic disinfectant and potent enough to use as pre-surgical soap. 
 
Essential Oils:
In addition to providing wonderful cleaning benefits, essential oils fill your home with wonderful scents. Essential oils provide antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic benefits when used in house cleaning.
  • Tea Tree: Potent anti-bacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties. Studies have shown tea tree to kill numerous strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi. You can diffuse tea tree oil to kill mold in your home. 
  • Lavender: Amazing antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is strong enough to fight off the Streptococcus species of bacteria. The word lavender itself comes from lavare meaning “to wash”.
  • Lemon Eucalyptus: Powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It is considered a natural cleaning solvent.
  • Grapefruit: Fights strong bacterial strains such as E. Coli and salmonella. It has strong antifungal properties that fight the growth of mold.
  • Orange: Contains approximately 90% d-limonene-one of the most common terpenes found in nature that provides citrus fruits with their aroma. D-limonene is an effective solvent for grease and oil and is strong enough to remove graffiti, tar, and asbestos. It contains powerful antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties.
  • Lemon: Strong antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties and contains 70% d-limonene. According to a study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology lemon oil may actually be the most powerful antimicrobial agent of all the essential oils.
  • Pine oil: A strong disinfectant that is effective against yeast spores, E.Coli, and mildew.
  • Ravensara: Antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties make for a powerful disinfectant. This oil inhibits the growth of dangerous germs, microorganisms and protozoa.
  • Niaouli: Belonging to the same species as Tea Tree, it has wonderful antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Niaouli essential oil was found to be the most effective essential oil in reducing bacterial colony counts.
  • Frankincense: Powerful antiseptic and disinfectant. It has the ability to eliminate cold and flu germs from the home.

All Purpose Cleaner:
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp Castile soap
1 tbsp Borax
Combine all ingredients and add to a spray bottle.
—Disinfectant cleaner add 20-30 drops of tea tree oil

Kitchen & Bath Scrub
:
1 cup baking soda or washing soda
¼ cup kosher salt
10 drops citrus essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight tub

Oven Cleaner:
1 small box baking soda or washing soda
1 cup liquid Castile Soap
Combine ingredients and mix until smooth. Apply to a cloth and wipe onto oven surfaces.  It may help to let sit for 10-20 minutes before scrubbing off.
For tougher jobs:
½ cup salt
½ cup baking powder
½ cup hot water
½ cup vinegar
Combine ingredients to make a thick paste.  Apply to oven wall and leave overnight.  Combine ¼ cup water and ¼ cup vinegar in a spray bottle.  Spray and wipe off the paste.

Dishwasher Detergent
:
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
½ cup lemon juice
½ cup kosher salt
5 drops of essential oil
White vinegar
Mix the first five ingredients together.  Put one rounded tablespoon in the soap compartment for each load.  Fill the rinse agent with white vinegar.
 
Degreaser:
½ cup lemon juice
¼ cup baking soda or washing soda
5 to 10 drops essential oils
Combine to make a paste and use a wet cloth to wipe off.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
:
2 tbsp baking soda or washing soda
1 tbsp olive oil
3-4 drops of essential oil
Mix & pour into your toilet bowl & scrub with toilet brush.

Drain Cleaner:
Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda in the drain. Pour 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1 cup vinegar into the drain.  Dribble boiling water down the drain and let stand for at least 2 hours and then rinse through with hot water.

Furniture Polish
:
1 cup olive oil
½ cup lemon juice
Mix in sprayer bottle, shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag.  Spread evenly over furniture surface.  Finish with a dry cloth for top shine.

Room Deodorizer:
4 cups hot water
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup lemon juice
5-10 drops of essential oil
Combine in a spray bottle and use it to freshen up any room in the house. 

Glass Cleaner
:
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
3-6 drops essential oils
Mix in a sprayer bottle.  For a stronger glass cleaner add 1-tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia.

Laundry Soap:
1 bar of Castile soap grated
2 cups washing soda
2 cups borax
1 cup baking soda
20-30 drops essential oil
Combine grated soap and essential oils.  And the rest of the ingredients and store in a covered jar.

Dish Soap
:
2 cups liquid Castile soap
½ cup water
1 tsp lemon juice
5 drops of essential oil
½ cup white vinegar
Stir all ingredients together until blended.  Store in a squirt top bottle.

Hand Sanitizer:
1 cup pure aloe vera gel
1-2 tsp witch hazel
8 drops of essential oils-tea tree, niaouli, ravensara, citrus scents
Combine all ingredients until you have your desired consistency.

Bathroom Mildew Remover:

1 cup water
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
¼ tsp lavender essential oil
¼ tsp tea tree essential oil
Mix in a spray bottle and spray on trouble spots.  Oils break down the mildew. 
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MA-Romatherapy

5/7/2016

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Motherhood, while rewarding, can be exhausting. Many mothers sacrifice their physical, mental, and emotional needs for their children. There are no sick days or sleeping in when you are a mom. You are the rock of your family. Constant pressure and stress takes a tremendous toll on the body. Essential oils can be the saving grace a mom needs to help rest and refuel.
Sleep
Lack of sleep leads to chronic health issues. When you are sleeping your body is healing and repairing itself. During sleep the brain is able to clear out toxins, repair daily wear and tear, catalog information made during the day to improve memory and cognition, and create and store memories. The body manufactures hormones during sleep that promote tissue growth throughout your body to help you recover from injuries or your last workout, and prevent premature aging. Blood pressure drops when you sleep, giving your hard working heart a rest and a chance to repair. Your immune system produces white blood cells as you sleep boosting the immune system and protecting you from illness and disease.  A good night’s rest can help a mom feel more patient, focused, and energized. There are essential oils that effectively increase the quality and quantity of sleep.
Lavender: One of the top oils for sleeping, lavender has been shown to decrease heart rate and blood pressure putting the body in a more relaxed state. Researchers have monitored the brain waves of subjects that smelled lavender before bed and saw that it increased the amount of deep or slow-wave sleep.  It was also shown that lavender helps you fall into restorative slow-wave sleep more quickly and that it will help you stay asleep for longer periods of time. The subjects reported deeper sleep and felt more vigorous in the morning, confirming the findings. (National Sleep Foundation; https://sleepfoundation.org/bedroom/smell.php) Another study found that infants cried less and slept more deeply after a bath with lavender oil.  *Lavender is safe during pregnancy, safe when breast feeding at a 1% dilution and is gentle enough for use in baby and childcare.
Roman Chamomile: Researchers have reported that this oil can serve as a mild sedative to calm nerves and reduce nightmares, insomnia, and other sleep difficulties. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/)  *Roman chamomile is safe during pregnancy and breast-feeding at a 1% dilution and is gentle enough for use in baby and childcare.
Ylang Ylang: European psychotherapists treat emotional exhaustion and insomnia with ylang ylang. It relaxes and calms excited emotional states and lowers blood pressure. A study in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that inhaling the aroma of ylang ylang helped increase feelings of calmness and help release negative emotions. Ylang Ylang has an immediate positive effect on mood and is said to expand the heart.   *Ylang Ylang is safe during pregnancy and when breast feeding at a 1% dilution.  Do not use on infants.  Only safe for children 2 years and older. 

Sleepy Time Blend
(makes one roll on)
  •  8 drops Lavender (therapeutically superior for sleeplessness)
  • 4 drops Roman Chamomile (nervine that is great for relaxing the nervous system)
  • 6 drops Ylang Ylang (great for insomnia and calms excited emotional states

Fill the rest of roll on with a carrier oil of your choice such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil. Apply on pulse points and temples before bed for best results.
*Not safe for use on children under 2 years of age.
 
Energy & Mood
What mom doesn’t want or need more energy? Many moms express feeling moody and own frequent or unexpected changes in mood as their new normal after having children. Lack of energy and mood imbalance can be due to adrenal fatigue. Your adrenal glands are responsible for the fight or flight response to stress and support the healthy function of your thyroid to regulate metabolism and hormones. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the body is continually exposed to acute or chronic stress and your adrenal glands can no longer meet the physical demands of stress. Moms experience stress in life from all spectrums. Lack of sleep and constant stress make moms more susceptible to adrenal fatigue resulting in a lack of energy. Essential oils and herbs act as adaptogens to help protect your body from stress and help your body heal and restore natural levels of energy and endurance while promoting a positive and stable mood and outlook.
Lemon: Lemon essential oil refreshes the mind and builds optimism. It helps restore and improve dopamine levels. Dopamine is a chemical in your brain that regulates emotions and the motivation to act. It is the neurotransmitter that mediates ‘rewards’ or pleasure. A team of Vanderbilt scientists mapped the brains of “go-getters” and found that they had higher dopamine levels in their prefrontal cortex. (http://blog.idonethis.com/the-science-of-motivation-your-brain-on-dopamine/) Lemon can help you overcome obstacles and provide a clearer perspective. It makes it easier for you to get out of stress and depression that can cause fatigue.  *Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  It is safe for infants and children at a .25% dilution
Basil: Basil essential oil fights fatigue, improves mental alertness, and has a clarifying effect on the brain. It stimulates adrenal glands and relieves mental fatigue.  *Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  It is safe for children 2 years and older at a .25% dilution
Peppermint: This oil will perk you up when feeling fatigued. It helps provide relief from stress and anxiety, depression and mental fatigue. Peppermint supports and balances the adrenal glands.  *Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Is it safe for children 6 years and older at a 1% dilution.
Tulsi Holy Basil: This powerful oil is used to protect the body from stress and anxiety. It supports uplifting feelings of radiance and joy to the mind, body, and spirit. An effective adaptogens, it helps support and prevent adrenal fatigue.  *Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Holy Basil is not safe for infants or children under the age of 6.
Anise: Anise stimulates the secretion of enzymes and hormones to give the metabolism a boost. It supports the optimal function of the nervous system and the brain to increase alertness. Anise helps to support and balance the adrenal glands.  *Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is safe for children 6 years and older at a .25% dilution.

Energy/Adrenal Aid Blend
(makes one roll on)
  • 10 drops Lemon (refreshes the mind, lifts mood, and energizing)
  • 6 drops Basil (fights fatigue, stimulates adrenal glands)
  • 4 drops Anise (stimulates the nervous system and the brain to increase alertness)
  • 2 drops Holy Basil (relieves feelings of stress & anxiety, helps support & balance adrenal glands)

Fill the rest of the roll on with a carrier oil of your choice such as coconut oil, jojoba oil or almond oil. Apply to pulse points or over adrenal glands located on your back above your kidney area.
*Not safe for children, pregnant women, or when breastfeeding.
 
Beauty
For many moms it is not uncommon to place themselves last on the care list.  One of the most common needs that get looked over is a skin regimen. After a long day they may skip washing their face or go days without moisturizing. Over time neglecting your skin can cause early aging, excessive acne, and skin conditions. It is important that you put as much effort into yourself as you do others. Doing things for yourself allows you time to relax and rejuvenate. When you set aside time for yourself your body has a chance to heal and refuel. Get back your glow by incorporating essential oils into your skin regimen. When using essential oils, it is important to choose carrier oils that nourish your skin and support the absorption of the essential oils. Jojoba oil is packed full of vitamin E, vitamin B, silicon, and minerals such as copper, zinc, and chromium. Jojoba’s rich antioxidant profile makes it a superior healing oil that naturally slows signs of aging, soothes fine lines and wrinkles, prevents breakouts, and alleviates dryness. This versatile oil can be applied anywhere on the body because it mimics the same oil that we naturally produce. Jojoba works by forming an oily layer on the surface of skin that traps water in the skin providing deep moisturizing benefits.
Frankincense: Frankincense reduces the appearance of sunspots, aging and works to even out skin tone. Frankincense protects skin cells, and reduces acne, blemishes, and the appearance of large pores and wrinkles. It strengthens your skin by improving elasticity. Reduce the appearance of surgery scars or marks from pregnancy by applying Frankincense to areas of damaged skin daily.  *Safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding at a 1% dilution, and is safe to use for children 2 years and older at a 0.25% dilution
Lavender: This powerful antioxidant improves cellular function of skin by fighting free radical damage and encouraging your body to produce more antioxidants. Lavender is a great oil to use at night to promote restful sleep, relaxation, and beautiful skin.  *Lavender is safe during pregnancy, safe when breast feeding at a 1% dilution and is gentle enough for use in baby and childcare.
 Grapefruit: Uplift your mind & body with grapefruit essential oil. This oil is great for promoting detoxification while leaving the skin soothed and clean. Its disinfectant properties make it effective for acne & skin rashes. The rich vitamin C content of grapefruit extract helps to neutralize free radicals that damage skin. Adding a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner will give you shiny healthy hair.   *Safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding at a 1% dilution and is safe for children 6 months and older at a 0.25% dilution.
Carrot Seed oil: Retain your youthful skin with carrot seed oil and look younger than all your friends! The antioxidant profile in this oil helps to repair damage done to your tissues by free radicals, helps to prevent further damage, and protects your skin from wrinkles. Carrot seed oil works to detoxify tissues and nourish skin.  *Avoid during pregnancy and breast feeding. Carrot Seed oil is safe for children 6 months and older at a 0.25% dilution.

Anti Aging Serum
(makes 1 dark 1 oz glass dropper bottle)
  • 2 tbsp Jojoba oil (has regenerative value for skin; softens and moisturizes mature and dry skin)
  • 1 ½ tbsp Rosehip seed oil(nurturing to mature skin, antioxidants help prevent premature aging)
  • 1/4 tsp Vitamin E (boosts collagen production, protects cells from the effects of free radicals)
  • 2 drops Frankincense (lifts and tigtens skin, lightens age and sun spots)
  • 2 drops Myrrh (rejuvenates aging skin, reduces deep wrinkles, improves skin texture)
  • 2 drops Carrot Seed (retains youthful skin, protects cells from the effects of free radicals)
  • 3 drops Lavender (hydrates skin, calming and healing to skin)
For most effective results use ¼ - ½ dropper full of serum nightly on clean face and neck to preserve and protect the skin.  *Not safe for women during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Adult use only.

Passion
Passion in life is the energy to do, be, and achieve the things that fulfill your desires. Passion inspires you to create the life you want. Women feel passionately about many elements in their lives. Personal goals, jobs, projects, friendships, partners, and families each host a sense of passion that helps fulfill life.  As wonderful and authentic as passion is, it is often suppressed by the same factors that once nourished it. When daily life, stress, disappointment and financial strain take precedent, the things that incite passion can feel put on the back burner. If you don’t take the time to cultivate passions that bring you joy, life can feel tedious and empty. Thankfully the sense of smell is tied directly to memory and emotion. Using essential oils to reconnect with the passionate part of your being can be very empowering.
Frankincense: This oil is known to uplift and calm, allowing the mind to connect to inner vision and personal understanding. This aroma has the ability to help the mind channel energy away from negative feelings and anxiety. The molecular structure of Frankincense mimics the body’s natural occurring sex hormones encouraging the body to awaken sexually. Frankincense allows your body to release built up energy and worries that get in the way of your passion.   *Safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding at a 1% dilution, and is safe to use for children 2 years and older at a 0.25% dilution
Myrrh: Myrrh is commonly used in meditation to open channels and release your ego in order to expose your true essence, allowing your soul to express real passion. Adding myrrh to massage oil stimulates the circulatory system and gets the heart pumping. The strong earthy aroma makes it a lovely base for a natural perfume.  *Avoid during pregnancy and breast-feeding. It is safe for children 2 years and older at 0.25% dilution.
Neroli: A gentle floral smelling oil that creates a refreshing sense of energy during periods of stress. Neroli is known to create some serious heat. It has aphrodisiac qualities that create a sense of healing and empowerment. It is known to rekindle desire and romance.  *Safe during pregnancy and breast feeding at a 1% dilution, and is safe for children 6 months and older at a 0.25% dilution.
Ylang-Ylang: Ylang-Ylang energizes passion by reducing reactions to everyday stressors and increasing motivation and desire. It will help attract the love and affection you desire. Increase personal connections by diffusing Ylang-Ylang in an area you and your loved ones congregate.  *Ylang Ylang is safe during pregnancy and when breast feeding at a 1% dilution.  Do not use on infants.  Only safe for children 2 years and older. 
Patchouli: Known for its use in tantric ceremonies in India, patchouli has a long history of inspiring passion. The deep, musty, earthy aroma can be used for depression and to enhance feelings of passion and happiness. You can wear this as a perfume to emit pheromones that attract passion and desire. Diffusing patchouli will create an ambient environment, release performance anxieties and welcome a lover’s touch.  *Safe during pregnancy and breast-feeding at a 1% dilution, and is safe for children 2 years and older at a 0.25% dilution.
Rose Absolute: This oil provides a calming aroma that symbolizes love, purity and innocence. Rose Absolute is closely tied to memories of romance and friendship. Roses, commonly given as an omen of appreciation and affection on Valentine’s Day hold a tie in the subconscious mind as an expression of love. It is a stimulating aphrodisiac that promotes feelings of love and trust and helps one overcome frigidity and impotence.  *Safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding at a 1% dilution, and is safe for children 6 months and older at a 0.25% dilution.

Romance Blend
(makes one roll on)
  • 6 drops Patchouli oil (expands sensuality and heightens libido)
  • 4 drops Neroli oil (rekindles desire and passion)
  • 7 drops Ylang Ylang (arouses sensuality, creates euphoric moods, and induces relaxation)
Fill the rest of the roll on with a carrier oil of your choice such as coconut oil or jojoba oil. For best results apply to pulse points and neck area as needed. *For adult use only.

​Safety Disclaimer
The FDA has not evaluated the statements about this class. No claims are made as to any medicinal value of these formulas, products or oils. Products, information, and descriptions presented here are for educational purposes of the traditional uses of essential oils only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information should not be used as a substitute for medical counseling with a health care professional. Individuals with serious illnesses should consult a qualified health care professional.

Safety Guidelines
Essential oils are very highly concentrated and potent and it is important to always check the specific safety data provided. Keep out of reach of children, the elderly, and pets. For external use only.  Avoid contact with mucus membranes and eyes. If any essential oils have contacted your eye, wash out with a vegetable oil such as olive oil, not water.
 
Some oils may cause skin irritation in people with sensitive skin. It is recommended to perform a patch test before use. To patch test, place one drop on the back of your wrist and leave for an hour or more. If irritation or redness occurs wash the area with olive oil then cold water and do not use the oil.
 
We do not recommend the ingestion of essential oils except while under the care and direction of a qualified health practitioner.

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Organic Gardening WON "0" WON

5/2/2016

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The Treasure Valley is a hardiness zone 6 growing area.  This relates to the amount of cold a plant can stand without freezing and dying.  Ideal transplanting times begin in mid March for spring planting and continue through November for fall gardening. It is best to water your plants in the morning. This will help to avoid mildew and disease. Always rotate your crops. Each plant takes and gives back different nutrients.  It is essential that each plant have adequate space for full growth. Place your tall plants in the east and shorter plants on the west. The long growing season and mild temperatures of our zone offers a large variety of planting and growing options. The fruits, vegetables and herbs listed below all do exceptionally well in this hardiness zone and work great for first time gardeners.

Squash (summer and winter): 
Similar to pumpkins, squash and zucchini love well-composted soil, lots of sunshine and they need plenty of space- an area of 3 to 6 feet is recommended. Water squash at soil level (base of the plant) to avoid leaf rot. Use your fresh zucchini to make breads, noodles, and healthy casserole dishes.
Radishes & Carrots:  Radish seeds are natural companions to carrots. Mix radish seeds with carrot seeds before you sow, especially if your soil tends to develop a tough crust. Radish sprouts will push up through the soil, breaking it up for later-sprouting carrots. As you harvest the radishes, carrots will fill the rows. Radishes need to be watered every 4-6 days. Carrots and radishes are great for pickling or adding to a summer salad.  You can also try making a carrot cake from scratch!
Pumpkins:  These greedy eaters love compost rich soil. Pumpkins retain 80-90% moisture and only need to be watered when soil begins to dry out. If your plant looks droopy be sure to give it a deep, long drink. Planting seeds on a mound or in a roomy area gives them plenty of space for their vines to sprawl. Enjoy decorating your home with beautiful pumpkins from your own backyard. You can roast pumpkin seeds in your oven with coconut oil and your favorite spice blend or just a little bit of sea salt.  You can easily make a base for holiday pies by boiling chunks of pumpkin.  Mash with your favorite spices and freeze to use year round for pies, cakes and other treats.  Pumpkin also tastes great in a protein smoothie.
Lettuce:  This versatile plant does fine in partial shade and extremely hot weather. Lettuce grows slowly in the shade and it also germinates slowly. If you desire full heads of romaine and head lettuce, be sure to thin your seedlings. Allow 8 to 10 inches of space between plants. When thinning young plants save the small delicate leaves for your summer salad. When plants have matured, water every 4-6 days. Lettuce is ready to eat at any size, making it a great addition to every garden.
Kale:  This super food is a member of the cabbage family and is easy to grow. Plants can be set out any time from early spring to early summer. Kale will grow until it’s too hot, making it a shade friendly grower.  Plant it again in the fall, as kale gets sweeter in the cold weather. Kale plants need to be well watered. Keeping the soil moist will keep leaves sweet and crisp. You can make homemade kale chips by removing the stems and rubbing the leaves with coconut oil.  Roast the kale for just 8-10 minutes with a pinch of sea salt or your favorite spice blend.  Enjoy kale in salads, smoothies, omelets, casseroles, or wherever you’d use spinach.
Strawberries:  These juicy fruits are easy to grow. Provide your strawberries with a sunny location, good soil, air drainage and shelter from strong winds. Only water at the beginning of the day, and only give them a maximum of two inches per week.  It is best to use drip irrigation or a soaker hose to avoid getting the fruit wet which helps prevent rot. Use mulch when planting to suppress weeds and protect your fruit. The best time to get your strawberry plants outdoors is April. Harvest your berries every two to three days, in the morning and when the berries are fully colored.
Tomatoes:  Tomato plants germinate easily, and love the Treasure Valley weather, thriving best with six hours minimum of sunlight. Water early morning at the root prior to the days heat. Be sure to prune your plants accordingly for healthy growth and production. Tomato plants have small sucker leaves that can be confused with larger leaves, however these sucker leaves take water from the fruit of your plants. Removing these sucker leaves ensures adequate water reaches the stems that are producing fruit. Harvest when tomatoes are a red color and still firm.  Can tomatoes for winter salsa, tomato soup, and spaghetti sauce or toss fresh garden tomatoes in your salad.
 
The Benefits of Composting:  Soil rich with organic matter will produce fruits and vegetables with the highest nutrient content. Compost allows your plants to root around in the soil to find exactly what they need for optimal growth. It is like allowing your plants to be “free range”! Compost is creating new earth from old organic matter such as kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, garden pruning’s, leaves, twigs and manure. For people who are beginners to composting you will want to start with two covered bins or cans.  You will keep two composting bins going at all times to help rotate the kitchen scraps or yard clippings that you add. You can also have a compost heap in your backyard. You can place your compost starters on a heavy tarp to help you easily turn and mix your compost as it grows. Keep in mind compost heaps have rancid smells as the materials decompose. Microbes that do your dirty work require water for survival, adding too much water will make it challenging to decompose making compost smelly and slimy. Adding too little water will starve off beneficial bacteria making the compost process impossible. The more green material you add the less water is needed. If you add dry ingredients such as straw or hay, soak the material first. Keep your compost balanced by layering it with different materials such as coffee grounds, grass clippings, and eggshells as compost with carbon and nitrogen yielding materials will provide beneficial nutrients to your garden plants. Being strategic about filling your bin with a well balanced diet will ensure that composting doesn’t take too long and you don’t end up with a slimy heap. Compost also needs oxygen to decompose, so turn and stir it every few days. Compost is ready when it is dark and rich in color, crumbles easily and you cannot pick out any of your ingredients. The smell should now be sweet and earthy. If it is clumpy and stringy it is not quite ready. It can take anywhere between 3 and 12 months to produce compost.
 
Fixing a Nitrogen Deficiency in the Soil:  Correcting a Nitrogen deficiency organically takes time, but results in an even distribution of added nitrogen over time. Planting a green manure crop such as red clover, borage, or traditional clover works to release nitrogen and other nutrients stored in plants and soil. Adding coffee grounds to your soil also works to increase nitrogen levels; tomatoes specifically are an acid loving plant. Leaves of comfrey can be mulched and worked into ground that is being prepared for a new crop.  Additionally, the high nitrogen in comfrey helps break down compost faster and more efficiently.
 
Natural Pesticides: You should only use pest control remedies to prevent or ease a specific pest problem.  You do not want to harm beneficial insects or disturb pollinating insects.  It is always best to apply natural pesticides in the evening to avoid burning plants and to protect pollinators.  Never use on plants that are stressed from drought or overwatering.
 
Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Microscopically this natural product is like glass to an insect. When planting apply DE at the base of the plant by working it into the soil with your hands (try not to disturb the roots.) When insects with an exoskeleton attempt to cross over to the plant the DE lacerates the hide of the bug causing it to dehydrate and die. Please Note: DE is very harmful to honey bees. Only apply DE when bees are not present (evening and early morning) and NEVER apply near or in blossoming plants. Apply DE to your potting soil prior to germination to help protect seedlings from fungus, gnats and other pests during the germination phase.
 
Neem Oil: This oil comes from the Azadriachta indica tree in Southern Asia and India and has many insecticidal traits. It is nearly non-toxic to birds, fish, bees and other wildlife. Neem is best used when applied to the soil of young plants, and then added throughout the gardening season as it will last 22 days in soils versus a four day maximum in water. Neem gets pulled through the soil into the vascular system of the plant and insects intake it when feasting on the plant.  Neem reduces or ceases feeding and can prevent larvae from maturing.  It also reduces or interrupts mating behavior and coats the breathing holes of insects to kill them.  It is effective as a repellant for mites, aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies and over 200 other species of chewing or sucking insects.  Neem oil is also a great fungicide for mildews, rusts, root rot, black spot and sooty mold.  It should be used as a fungicide in a 1% solution and never higher than 3% as an insecticide.  To create a 1% solution of neem insecticide use 2 teaspoons of cold pressed neem oil plus 2/3 teaspoons organic biodegradable dish soap and mix in one quart of water. Before applying, test a small area of your plant to make sure it will not be harmed by the neem oil.  In addition, neem oil has nutrients that help make it a broad-spectrum fertilizer and it will not kill earthworms!
Neem helps controls these main insects:
ants
aphids
armyworms
bagworms
bed bugs
beetles
billbugs
black headed caterpillars
blister beetles
boll worms
boring insects (many types)
cabbage worms
cankerworms
caterpillars
Colorado potato beetles
corn ear worms
cotton stainers
cutworms
eriophyid mites
flea beetles
fruit flies
fruit sucking moths
fungus gnats
gall
gypsy moths
houseflies
Japanese beetles
lace bugs
leaf hoppers
leaf miners
leaf webbers
locusts
mealy bugs
Mexican bean beetles
midges
mites (not an insect)
moths and moth larvae
mushroom flies
mosquitoes
pod bug
pulse beetle
red palm weevil
root grubs
root weevil adults
sand flies
sawflies
scale
semi loopers
spider mites
spindle bugs
spotted beetles
squash bugs
tea mosquito
termites
thrips
white grubs
whiteflies
 
Essential Oils: Eucalyptus oil is antifungal, antibacterial, a natural insect repellant, anti-rodent, and a weed killer.  Sprinkle eucalyptus oil around plants where insects are found for immediate results. Orange essential oil is pressed from the orange peel and contains d-limone, which can kill insects. Mix 20 drops of orange oil per 1 cup of water into an 8-ounce spray bottle, shake well and apply to plants and soil.  Do not use orange essential oil around cats as they easily build up toxicity. Clove oil is an effective insecticide and fungicide, helping rid your garden of weeds and unwanted insects.  It is effective for keeping insects and worms from infesting fruit trees.  It can kill cockroaches, ants, dust mites, flies, wasps, spiders, crickets, fleas, aphids and mites. Add 10 drops of clove oil per 1 cup of water into an 8-ounce spray bottle, shake well and apply to plants and soil. Other essential oils with effective garden insecticide properties include peppermint, thyme, and cedarwood.
 
Red Pepper Spray: Red Pepper powder can be used safely as a homemade pesticide in vegetable gardens.  Combine 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper powder, 6 drops organic biodegradable dish soap and 1 gallon of water and mix thoroughly.  Pour mixture into a garden sprayer and thoroughly cover the vegetables with spray once a week to keep garden pests, like beetles and aphids off plants.
 
Rodales Organic Life All Purpose Spray: This works against any leaf-eating pests as a repellant and natural insecticide. Chop, grind, or liquefy 1 organic garlic bulb and 1 organic small onion. Add 1 teaspoon powdered cayenne pepper and mix into 1 quart of water.  After steeping for one hour strain it through cheesecloth and add 1 tablespoon organic biodegradable dish soap, mixing well.  Spray your plants thoroughly, including the undersides of the leaf.  You can store the mixture for up to a week in the fridge.
 
Attract Ladybugs!  Ladybugs are fantastic in the garden; they work to reduce harmful insects such as aphids and mites that cause damage to your growing plants. Some ladybugs consume 5,000 insects in their short 3-6 week lifespan. They also lay hundreds of larva that will continue this fun helpful garden control. Some plants that ladybugs love are calendula, cosmos, dill & dandelion. If you aren’t attracting as many ladybugs as you would like, you can purchase ladybugs from your local nursery. Release them at night, as they do not fly during this time. This will allow the ladybugs to snack on garden pests and begin laying larva.
 
Tips & Tricks
  • Inter planting is an excellent way to improve your garden as some plants replenish nutrients lost by others.  Incorporating flowers and companion plants nourishes the soil and minimizes pests.  For example plant basil near your tomatoes, borage near your strawberries, carrots near your lettuce, and cabbage near your spinach.
  • For an organic approach to pest control, build up your soil to encourage healthy microbes and other soil microorganisms, and earthworms. Healthy soil means healthy plants are better able to resist pests and disease.
  • Grind your empty eggshells into a powder to give your plants a calcium boost.
  • Always keep your soil light and loose, applying adequate compost, sand, topsoil, and Pete moss.
  • Planting Calendula throughout your garden will help to reduce common pests while encouraging friendly pollinators. Calendula nourishes soil fungi, which in turn act as a soil-cleansing machine. Calendula flowers can be snipped and dried to make nourishing teas or tossed in a salad to add some color.
  • Comfrey contains high levels of nutrients essential to plant growth such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and many other trace elements. This makes comfrey superior to manure compost and many liquid feeds for concentrated nutrients.
  • Watering your garden gently with a showering tool causes less soil damage and erosion. Showering tools penetrate the soil more efficiently ensuring your plants are receiving adequate water.
 
All about the Bees:  Many have heard about the massive decline in bee populations. What you may not realize is the effect this will have on mans most vital source of life. A whopping third of all food depends on pollination by bees. A world without pollinators would be devastating for food production. Bee-killing pesticides pose a direct risk to pollinators. The main reasons for this devastating decline in bees are linked to industrial agriculture, parasites, disease and climate change. These issues directly affect honeybees and wild pollinators.
 
What can you do?  There is an urgent need to stop chemical-intensive industrial agriculture that is only benefiting monster corporations. It is recommended that you do not purchase your garden or flower plants from corporate businesses such as Home Depot, Lowe’s or Wal-Mart. Many of these corporations carry plants that are genetically modified and have been treated with harmful chemicals that will cause damage to the bees. Choosing organic non-GMO foods sends a message to industrial agriculture that we will not support their environmental destruction and we care about the future of our planet and mankind. Growing bee friendly plants such as lavender, borage, strawberries, sunflower, asters, dandelion, clover, wisteria, cosmos, and many more herbs provide a beautiful food garden for the hardworking bees. Spread the word and give the gift of organic plants to help save the bees.
 
Mushrooms for Bees:  Did you know mushrooms are helping save the honeybees? Currently Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is affecting 41% of managed bee colonies nationwide. Some scientists estimate that ALL managed bee colonies could face total decimation from CCD within five years. Bacterial and viral infections are dramatically harming the bees that already face challenging environmental damage from GMO exposure, pesticides, fungicides, and parasitic mites. Currently the Host Defense Bee Friendly Research Initiative is conducting experiments using extracts containing Reishi and Chaga mushrooms. Colonies that have been exposed to these mushroom extracts showed substantial improvement and saw benefits that included extended longevity and reduction of viral burden by 75%. Cultivate mushrooms whenever possible in and around your garden.
 
Buying Organic Plants and Flowers:  Organic nurseries grow their plants without applying pesticides and from heirloom seeds that have been passed down for generations, or that are hand selected for a specific trait. Heirlooms can vary, but typically they are at least 50 years old, and are often pre-WWII varieties. In addition, they tend to remain stable in their characteristics from one year to the next making them a great choice when gardening. Some locations that sell organic heirloom & hybrid seeds and plants are:
 
Edwards Greenhouse
4106 Sand Creek St
Boise, ID
(208) 342-7548

North End Organic Nursery
3777 W. Chinden Blvd
Garden City, ID
(208) 389-4769
 
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Kicking Seasonal Allergies

4/23/2016

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Seasonal allergies and their symptoms are caused by the immune response your body has when exposed to pollens in the air.  Pollen is very fine and can be carried far distances making it easy for it to come in contact with your body through the mouth or nasal passages. When your body senses a foreign substance (in this case pollen) it releases Immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody that defends the body in two key ways.  It first wants to prevent the allergens from further entering the body and does this by traveling to cells in the nose, lungs, sinuses, and ears and on the lining of the skin to release chemicals that cause an allergic reaction. This causes the side effects you get from allergies that include itchy eyes, nose, throat, and ears, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, runny nose, hives, fatigue and irritability.  The second way it defends the body is by the release of histamine. Histamine causes an immune response in your body by dilating blood vessels so white blood cells can find, attack and detox the allergen out of your body.  Histamine can also cause your airways to constrict, leading to allergy-induced asthma. In reality your allergies are a result of your body’s immune system over-reacting to pollen, which truly is not dangerous. Currently in Idaho because of warm air and wind we are experiencing high pollen levels from Poplar Trees, Juniper Trees, and Ash. 

A build up of histamine in the body also comes with its own symptoms and complications. Histamine travels through your blood stream and can affect your digestive system, lungs, skin, brain, and heart.  Symptoms of excess histamine or histamine intolerance include headaches/migraines, vertigo or dizziness, hypertension and arrhythmia, difficulty regulating body temperature, flushing, abdominal cramps, hives, and fatigue.  Besides allergies, a bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), leaky gut, and a deficiency in diamine oxidase can cause elevated histamine levels.  Diamine oxidase (DAO) is the enzyme in your digestive system responsible for breaking down excess histamine. The same causes that raise histamine levels also destroy DAO. The best ways to restore DAO is to take a probiotic high in Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc or Escherichia faecium strains, avoid alcohol, eat protein at every meal, and eat fats in high oleic acid such as olive oil or coconut oil.  Keeping excess histamine from building up in your body can significantly reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies. 
There are amazing herbs and nutrients that help kick your seasonal allergies to the curb.  Many do this by reducing inflammation in your body, which prevents the over-reaction caused by the release of histamine.  Treating allergies requires a well-rounded, versatile approach that requires you to optimize nutrients and avoid triggers.

Yerba Santa Leaf:  Yerba Santa Leaf supports immune health on the cellular level, making it excellent for treating infections caused by allergic reactions. Primarily used as a decongestant it is optimal for treating mucus build up in the lungs or sinus cavaties as it slows down the production of mucus by the body.  Yerba Santa reduces inflammation in the lungs, sinuses and bronchial tubes.
Nettle Leaf or Stinging Nettle: The best time to start taking nettle is about a month or two before allergy season begins, as it greatly reduces the amount of inflammation directly associated with an allergic response. Nettle helps your body release excess histamine meaning you have less stored in cells to respond to an allergen.  It also stimulates the lymphatic system to boost immunity and significantly reduces the symptoms and occurrence of allergy-induced asthma.
Quercetin: A natural antioxidant, Quercetin is a potent antihistamine and can significantly reduce inflammation.  It is found in high concentrations in apples, red onions and green tea and may also be found in red grapes, citrus fruits, tomato, broccoli, leafy greens, and many berries.  It helps to stabilize the mast cells that release histamine and other immune responses making it very effective at preventing and reducing allergic reactions. 
Butterbur: This flowering herb has been clinically shown to be as effective as leading allergy drugs Zyrtec and Allegra, but without the negative and damaging side effects.  Butterbur contains rosmarinic acid that reduces inflammation and normalizes the immune response reducing and preventing allergic reactions.   Phytochemicals in butterbur relax swollen nasal membranes to clear nasal congestions and improve breathing while reducing all other effects of histamine.  It is also effective at treating allergy-induced asthma and other respiratory conditions. Butterbur is a member of the ragweed family so if you are allergic to ragweed, marigold, daisy or chrysanthemum do not use.  It also is toxic if used raw.  Alkaloids that damage the liver and kidneys must be removed.
Osha Root: This sacred Native American root will be life changing for those with allergic bronchitis, chronic allergy-induced asthma, and all types of allergic coughs.  It significantly reduces inflammation in the tissues and membranes of the respiratory system.  Osha Root increases circulation to the lungs which increases dilation and prevents constriction due to an allergic reaction. This helps significantly increase lung function and the amount of oxygen that is available to the body.  This helps you take deeper breaths.  Osha Root has a numbing effect that can soothe a sore throat.  It is a more effective cough syrup than Echinacea and Goldenseal.
Goldenseal: The anti-inflammatory properties of goldenseal reduce swelling and irritation in the mucous membranes helping to prevent allergy symptoms.  As a natural antibiotic it prevents secondary infections caused by an allergic reaction that often occur in the lungs.  Goldenseal is also a great source of Berberine.
Berberine: Berberine in an alkaloid found predominately in Goldenseal, Oregon Grape and Barberry.  It helps prevent the overgrowth of bad bacteria (SIBO) that deplete the body of DAO needed to digest histamine.  It has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the lungs helping to reduce allergic reactions and allergy symptoms.
Bromelain: Derived from pineapple, Bromelain addresses the root cause of seasonal allergies and sinus infections by regulating the entire immune system and reducing mast cells that release histamine. Bromelain will help you build a natural defense to effectively prevent and reduce symptoms of allergies and sinus infections.
Hot Peppers: Chili peppers, horseradish, and hot mustards are excellent, and quick to work, natural decongestants.
Vitamin C: A natural anti-histamine, Vitamin C is able to destroy the molecular structure of histamine and decrease the amount you have in your blood.  Taking bioflavonoids with Vitamin C enhances its ability to relieve and prevent allergy symptoms. 
Locally Produced Honey: Raw honey contains bee pollen, which helps to fight infection, prevent allergies and boost the immune system.  Ingesting pollen from the area in which you are suffering helps you build a natural immunity to the air-borne pollen you are exposed to. 
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): ACV contains fermented enzymes that help fight infection, balance PH, and prevent allergies.  Mix with 1 Tbsp. ACV with 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and ½ Tbsp. of raw honey in your water and drink at least 3 times a day to build a natural immunity to all types of allergies.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: A potent anti-inflammatory, studies have shown that people who have diets rich in Omega 3’s have fewer allergy symptoms. They also help to prevent the onset of allergies in children.
Probiotics: There are fermented probiotic strains that help reduce levels of the antibody that induce an allergic reaction.  Studies have shown that giving probiotics to mothers and newborns may help to prevent childhood allergies.
Chaga, Reishi & Cordyceps: These mushrooms each have potent nutrients that significantly increase the function of the immune system.  Chaga has been used in Eastern Europe, Russia and Siberia to support respiratory health, and strengthen lung function.  Reishi has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to promote easier breathing, treat chronic asthama, and build endurance.  Cordyceps is a potent lung tonic used in Tibet and Nepal and to support breathing and energy in those that climb Mt. Everest.
Echinacea Root: Echinacea helps treat seasonal allergies by boosting and balancing the immune system. Echinacea stimulates the lymphatic system, promoting drainage and elimination of toxins, and helps to prevent and fight potential infections by stimulating phagocytosis (the consumption of invading organisms by white blood cells).
Orange Peel:  Orange peels are rich in flavonones, powerful antioxidants that help reduce oxidative damage and fight free radicals.  Orange peel is also loaded with natural histamine suppressing compounds. Orange peel provides effective support against respiratory distress. It helps to cleanse the lungs and reduce irritation caused by an allergic reaction. Orange peel is a great source of Vitamin C.
Eyebright: With both astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, Eyebright reduces the degree to which the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, throat and ears react and become irritated due to an allergic response. 
Red Clover: Red Clover gives your immune system an immediate boost.  For people who have suffered from allergies for many years, Red Clover improves your resistance to allergens and prevents your immune system from reacting strongly when exposed to pollens.  It can be used in ointments to topically treat rashes or hives that accompany seasonal allergies.
Horehound: Horehound can quickly clear up mucus and remedy post-nasal drip. Rich in Vitamin C it has been used to help colds, chronic cough, asthma, bronchitis and allergies. The tea relaxes the muscles of your lungs while promoting mucus production and phlegm expulsion. The active ingredient in Horehound is marrubium, a throat expectorant. Marrubium is released when horehound is cooked or steeped in tea.
Mullein: Mullein is an excellent respiratory tonic, acting as an expectorant and decongestant.  It can have a mild sedative effect on the lungs, helping to soothe a cough. It reduces inflammation and increases the moisture needed in the tiny air sacs in the lungs, which helps to alleviate and treat long-term allergy-induced asthma. By encouraging mucus production, Mullein protects the membranes from absorbing allergens and helps detox them out of the body. The leaves and flowers activate lymph circulation in the neck and chest.
Elecampane: During constricted breathing the lining of the bronchial tubes become swollen and red making it harder to breath. Inulin, an active component of Elecampane, coats and soothes the lining of the bronchial passages and also acts as an expectorant to clear congestion from the lungs. It has antibacterial properties that prevent secondary infections from allergic reactions.
Plantain Leaf:  Known as a body purifier, it helps reduce congestion and eliminate toxins from the body.  It produces mucilage that helps protect the respiratory system and the mucus linings in the sinus and nasal cavities from inflammation.  Plantain helps to calm muscles contractions that induce asthma attacks and chronic, brutal coughs.  Plantain soothes topical allergic reactions and rashes, including poison ivy, eczema and mosquito bites. Consumed as a tea, plantain provides natural relief for allergies, bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.
Marshmallow Root: Marshmallow Root helps form a soothing film over mucous membranes to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.  It helps to eliminate toxins from the body, shortening the duration of an allergy reaction.
Dandelion: By supporting liver function, it helps the liver break down histamine and prevents it from circulating in the blood stream.  Drink in tea form to help prevent unnecessary allergic reactions.
Peppermint & Spearmint: These cooling herbs contain menthol that help open up airways, reduce congestion, and promote better breathing.  In tea form or as an essential oil just the aroma will help you breathe more easily. 
Garlic: Garlic is one of the most potent antibacterial herbs and protects the body from allergies and chronic sinus infections. Garlic helps to break up mucus, easing congestion. Eat or juice raw garlic for maximum and immediate benefits.
Sage: The leaves of sage help to sooth a sore throat and treat chronic sinus infections.  It has drying and antibacterial properties that make it very effective when used as a nasal rinse in a neti-pot.  Burning white sage helps to reduce mucus and reduce bacteria or virus that may be in the air. 
Nasal Sprays & Neti Pots: Medicated nasal sprays are made to treat symptoms.  They block histamine, interfere with mucus production, and constrict blood vessels to help decrease inflammation.  However, they go against your body’s natural defense system to ward off allergies.  They allow allergens to stay in your system so that when the medication quits working the side effects come back.  This can make your allergic reactions more severe, chronic, and you can start to experience secondary infections.  They are also habit forming.  Use nasal sprays that contain xylitol, grapefruit seed extract and saline.  These nutrients help create moisture on the surface of tissue and in the throat and lungs, which helps build mucus and trap allergens. Xylitol also can pull extra moisture from the sinus tissues to reduce congestion and swelling.  Grapefruit seed extract is nature’s most potent antibiotic and helps to fight and prevent infection. 
Neti Pots help clean and protect the nasal passages from allergens and have been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to alleviate sinus and allergy symptoms.  Neti Pots help keep the mucosal lining in the nasal passages moist and clean and help to keep allergens out of the body.
Homeopathic Remedies for Allergies
Allium cepa: Use for hay fever, headache and cough; Eyes that burn, sting, are swollen and stream watery discharge; Frequent sneezes; Nasal discharge that burns and makes nose and upper lip sore; Post-nasal drainage that makes the throat raw.
Arsenicum Album: Use for allergy induced asthma; Eyes that tear and tears are hot and sting the face; Extreme sneezing; Heavy watery mucus drainage that alternates with nasal blockage; Upper lip irritated from discharge; Labored breathing; Chills
Arseniucum lodatum: Use for constant desire to sneeze with irritated and tickling nose; Watery, irritating discharge from nose and also runs down back of the throat; Feeling of blockage in the head and ears.
Euphrasia officianalis: Use for hay fever and inflammation of the mucous membranes; Eyes watery constantly, causing itching and burning and can be accompanied by a sticky mucus removed by winking or wiping the eye; Eye discharge is burning and often thick; Nasal discharge is profuse and water but does not irritate the nose or upper lip; Frontal headache; Frequent sneezing that gets worse at night.
Nux vomica: Use for prolonged sneezing spells, especially upon waking; Nasal discharge is runny during the day but the nose is stuffed up at night; Throat itches through to the larynx and trachea; Chilly and irritable.
Sabadilla: Use for excessive sneezing with a runny nose that can cause nosebleeds and severe headaches; Severe front sinus pain; Eyes have water discharge and nose itches; Eyelids are hot, red and burning; Ears are blocked; Chilliness and sensitive to cold air.

Super Sinus Juice
  • 1 orange
  • ½ lemon
  • 1 apple
  • 1 inch of ginger
  • Dash of cayenne-This is the secret ingredient to really cleaning out any congestion! Breathe out through your nose as you drink for maximum benefits!
 
Detox & Cleanse Juice
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 apple
  • ½ inch to 1 inch of ginger root
  • ½ lemon
  • ½ grapefruit
  • ¼ cup fresh blueberries or cranberries
 
The Allergy Bomb
  •  1 cucumber
  • 1 green apple
  • 1 head (about 1 ½-2 cups) of parsley
  • 2 lemons, peeled
  • 1 small handful of fresh mint
  • 1 knob of ginger
  • 1 tsp local raw honey

​Allergy Cure
  • 1 inch of ginger
  • 1 lemon
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 cucumber
 


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Stress Busting Essential Oils

4/16/2016

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The American Psychological Associates defines stress as any “uncomfortable emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes”.  Often it is accompanied with the belief, or even the reality, that you have no control over the situation causing the stress.  When your central nervous system perceives or experiences stress it instantly sends a message through the hypothalamus in the brain to tell your adrenals glands to release two hormones, adrenaline and cortisol. Cortisol tells the body to stop storing energy. Your cells immediately become unresponsive to insulin so that any sugar available in the blood can go to the muscles for energy.  The body also begins to break down stored fat for energy, the liver starts to produce more glucose, and muscle cells begin to break down its protein into amino acids that the liver can use to make more glucose.  The adrenalin increases your heart and breathing rates. This is exactly how the body should act under true moments of stress or danger.  However, our brain is unable to tell the difference between real danger or stress- being attacked by a lion, and perceived danger or stress-psychological stress.  Studies have shown that perceived stress is more damaging to your body than true physical danger.  Chronic stress and feelings of anxiety mean that your body is constantly and unnecessarily releasing cortisol that is referred to as highly catabolic cortisol.  At the same time your body has reduced the amounts of anabolic hormones it is secreting like DHEA, testosterone, and human growth hormone.  This combination causes you to store fat, lose lean muscle mass, your metabolism will slow way down while your appetite increases. Adrenalin contributes to high blood pressure (because of stress hormones that constrict blood vessels), digestive issues, and a suppressed immune system.  Other side effects of stress include issues with mood, anger, and depression and can cause or increase anxiety and panic attacks; insomnia, troubles falling or staying asleep; increased risk for heart attack and stroke; decreased nutrient absorption, lowered metabolism, and insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes; low levels of testosterone and estradiol which both cause fertility issues and loss of sex drive; aches and pains in the muscles and joints and tightness in the shoulders and back; high, chronic inflammation; skin problems like acnes, psoriasis and rashes. 
 
Your adrenal glands are responsible for the fight or flight response to stress.  The adrenal glands work directly with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain. It is critical to understand this connection. The pituitary gland is the essential link between the nervous system and the endocrine system. The pituitary gland releases hormones that affect growth, sexual development, metabolism, and the hormones necessary for reproduction. These pituitary hormones are received by the adrenal glands, which in turn create hormones to meet growth and development requirements and to stimulate your fight or flight response.  It is important to note that most thyroid dysfunction is a result of poorly functioning adrenal glands. When the adrenal glands become fatigued it puts your body in a state of catabolism, meaning your body is starting to break down. Your thyroid controls metabolism. When you are in a state of catabolism, your metabolism slows down in an attempt to slow down the catabolism process. Adrenal fatigue occurs when you are continually exposed to acute or chronic stress and your adrenal glands can no longer meet the demands of stress. Other factors that contribute to adrenal fatigue are environmental toxins, too much caffeine, a diet high in carbohydrates and refined sugars, processed foods and artificial sugars, not getting enough sleep, and low amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol in your body. Your adrenal glands only have so many stores of hormones, and the more you rely on them, the more overwhelmed and low functioning they become.
 
Modern society and a change in perceived stress has prevented the adrenal glands from a much needed recovery period.  Most people do not practice meditation or yoga, which promotes relaxation and peaceful thoughts that enable the adrenals to heal and rest and bring stress levels down. Adaptogens are herbs that help your body cope and heal from the damaging side effects of stress and recharge the adrenal glands.  They can improve memory and cognition and promote feelings of perseverance.  They encourage strength and energy.  Adaptogens can increase the resistance to infection and disease and improve healing and recovery. To qualify as an adaptogen, an herb must be non-toxic and safe while having comprehensive health benefits beyond reducing physical and mental stress.  There are essential oils that act as powerful adaptogens. 
Anise: It acts a sedative to promote balance and calm, restful sleep. Anise stimulates the secretion of enzymes and hormones giving metabolism a boost.  It also stimulates the nervous system and the brain to increase alertness.
Lavender: It is very effective at reducing anxiety and helping your body cope with deep emotional stress.  It is therapeutically superior at improving the quality and duration of sleep. It can also help alleviate headaches.
Peppermint: It can relax the smooth muscles in your digestive tract, helping to reduce pain or discomfort during times of stress.  It helps to provide relief from stress and anxiety, depression and mental fatigue.  It clears the mind and improves the ability to focus on cognitive tasks. It helps relieve headache symptoms and reduces the pain from migraine headaches.  Peppermint boosts the immune system and improves blood circulation, which also increases the amount of oxygen in the brain. 
Holy Basil: Also known as Tulsi, this powerful oil has been used for centuries and stands alone in its ability to protect the body from stress and supports uplifting feelings of radiance and joy to the mind, body, and spirit.  With the ability to purify and detox the body it boosts vitality and immune health. 
Lemon:  This oil helps restore and improve dopamine levels to improve mood and fight depression.  It contains a powerful antioxidant that greatly improves the function of the immune system and helps to detox the lymphatic system.  Lemon helps boost metabolism for weight loss and also supports digestion.
Every time you inhale any airborne odor molecules they interact immediately with your olfactory organs (all organs or cells related to smell) and then the brain.  Odor molecules affect the brain through a variety of different receptor sites, but most importantly they stimulate the limbic system.  The limbic system is the emotional center of your brain and is directly connected to other areas of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory and concentration, stress levels, and even the release of hormones.  This is why smells have a powerful control over memory and the emotions we associate with different moments in our life.  It also explains why smells are able to have a powerful physiological effect on our body.  In one drop of essential oil there are 40,000 odor molecules, enough to cover every cell in the body! Essential oils can help regulate hormones, decrease aches and pains, and reduce stress and anxiety, and much more.  Even though each essential oil has its own complex aroma, they can be blended and integrated together to create potent synergistic blends. “Syn” means together and “ergon” means work, so the meaning of synergistic is literally to work together. 
 
Synergistic Stress Busting Essential Oil Blends
Great to use as roll-ons! Add denoted amounts of each essential oil to 1/3 oz roll-on bottle with your favorite carrier oil.
Adrenal Fatigue Fighter
  • Basil (10) fights fatigue, improves mental alertness, has a clarifying effect on the brain, inspires confidence
  • Lavender (5) therapeutically superior for sleeplessness and stress
  • Anise (7) reduces feelings of anxiety caused from stress or depression, boosts metabolism & nervous system for energy
 
Female Hormone Balance
  • Lemon (6) uplifting, energizing, promotes optimism and digestion
  • Clary Sage (10) relaxing, uplifting, balances hormones
  • Geranium (8) uplifting, reduces stress and anxiety, supports the reproductive system
 
Thyroid Stimulator
  • Myrtle (10) helps with anger, slightly sedative, balances thyroid hormones
  • Lemongrass (7) stimulate thyroid, soothing effect on emotions, enhances function of the circulatory system
  • Holy Basil (5) helps manage thyroid imbalances, reduces cortisol, relieves feelings of stress and anxiety
 
Peace & Calm:
  • Orange (2) brings a sense of joy to your heart while alleviating stress & tension
  • Clove (1) feeling of serenity and is mentally uplifting
  • Geranium (2) reduces stress and anxiety
  • Lavender (2) calms your nerves and promotes feelings of relaxation
  • Patchouli (1) increases feelings of peace, self-love and is mentally grounding

Fight Fatigue
  • Peppermint (2) increases alertness and is mentally stimulating
  • Rosemary (2) increases awareness and memory recall
  • Eucalyptus (1) increases oxygen flow to the brain through deep breathing
  • Cedar wood (1) mental stimulant
 
Increase Gratitude
  • Bergamot (2) great for frazzled nerves is wonderfully uplifting
  • Clary Sage (2) eases emotional stress and builds a sense of courage
  • Patchouli (1) increases feelings of peace, self-love and is mentally grounding
  • Ylang Ylang (1) reduces feelings of panic and a sense of melancholy
 
Reduce Frustration & Negativity
  • Bergamot (2) great for frazzled nerves is wonderfully uplifting
  • Orange (2) brings a sense of joy to your heart while alleviating stress & tension
  • Neroli (1) calming and emotionally balancing, soothes stress and anxiety
 
Control Appetite & Emotional Wating
  • Lemon (1) promotes optimism
  • Orange (1) brings a sense of joy to your heart while alleviating stress & tension
  • Bergamot (2) great for frazzled nerves is wonderfully uplifting
  • Ylang Ylang (2) reduces feelings of panic and a sense of melancholy
  • Sandalwood (2) has a strong calming effect on the mind and your emotions
 
Increase Memory & Focus
  • Pine (3) mentally stimulating and increases circulation
  • Lemon (1) energizing and promotes optimism
  • Rosemary (1) increases awareness and memory recall

Increase Feelings of Self-Worth
  • Rose (2) relieves stress and nervous tension while promoting positive feelings
  • Jasmine (2) emotionally balancing, promotes confidence
  • Holy Basil (1) boosts feelings of radiance and joy
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Managing & Reversing Type 2 Diabetes

4/9/2016

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​The key to better health is always to be creating a lifestyle based on moderation.  It is critical to eat a balanced and nutrient rich diet, exercise and manage your daily stress. 
Diabetes occurs in the body when cells that typically respond to insulin become insulin resistant.  Insulin is a hormone that communicates with cells, telling them to allow glucose (blood sugar) to enter.  If glucose cannot enter the cells, it builds up in the blood stream and begins to damage tissues and organs throughout the entire body.  This type of damage leads to cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, vision damage, nerve damage, amputation and neuropathy.
Insulin can either be used by the body for energy, or it can become stored as fat for later use.  What is amazing about the chemistry in your body is that it reflects and mimics your daily habits.  This is the key to understanding that living a sedentary life creates a sedentary environment in which your body is trying to function.  If you are unable to manage stress, neither can your body. It begins to produce excess levels of cortisol to help your body manage the effects of stress.  Cortisol causes your body to store extra amounts of fat for energy during these times of distress. This is the fat that is found in the belly, the most dangerous kind of fat you can carry.  This type of belly fat is directly related to heart disease.
You can reverse your Type 2 diabetes diagnosis!! In as little as one week, you can make the lifestyle changes necessary to promote the pancreas to start working efficiently, to begin to normalize your blood sugars, and to increase your body’s cells to become more insulin sensitive.
 
Weight Loss:  Losing just 5 to 10 percent of body weight can drastically lower blood sugar levels while improving insulin resistance.  Losing weight also lessens the risk of developing complications related to diabetes including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and neuropathy.  If you have a family history of diabetes is it critical that you manage your weight.  Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 70-90%!
 
Exercise:  This is one of the very best things you can do for diabetes.  Exercise encourages your muscles and liver to take in glucose, lowering the blood sugar levels in your body.  Exercise will decrease insulin resistance, regulate your blood pressure, reduce stress and help you sleep!  Find something you love to do!  Go for a brisk walk, ride your bike, put on a fun DVD workout dance video.  Get excited about building muscle and becoming fit!  You have the power to change your body!  Get moving today!
 
Manage Stress:  Stress hormones increase blood sugar levels.  This is the time to mediate, breathe, try yoga, and get out in the garden, read a book, or exercise.  Take time in your day to unwind and do something just for you.  Feed your soul!  You can also take herbs like Ashwagandha or Holy Basil that act as adaptogens and help protect your body from the the harmful side effects of stress while lowering levels of cortisol.
 
Nutrition-Eat More High Quality Food
All calories are not equal.  Diets equal in total caloric content will not produce identical changes in weight.  What you have been taught about nutrition the majority of you life is simply not true and is NOT backed by science.  Theromogenesis is the extra heat you generate during a meal due to digestion or metabolism.  The biological system, the laws of thermodynamics, and numerous studies have shown that protein and healthy fats (think coconut oil, avocado, nuts) increase thermogenesis and the efficiency and rate at which you burn fat significantly greater than carbohydrates.  Diets low in carbohydrates consistently prove to be substantially more effective at lowering body fat, increasing lean muscle mass, reducing visceral fat, lowering cholesterol, reducing triglycerides and regulating blood sugar levels than diets low in fat.
Gunnars, K., BSc. (2013). 23 Studies on Low-Carb and Low-Fat Diets - Time to Retire The Fad. Retrieved April 08, 2016, from https://authoritynutrition.com/23-studies-on-low-carb-and-low-fat-diets/
 
Food Recommendations:
This following list is not exhaustive.  Looks for diets and foods lists that are low glycemic and high in protein and healthy fats.  The Paleo/Caveman Diet is a great base but make sure you get a lot of servings of vegetables and watch for calorie heavy desserts.
Organic Fats & Oils: Avocado, Grass Fed Butter, Coconut Oil, Ghee, Macadamia Nut Oil, Olive Oil
Proteins: Grass Fed Beef, Organic Eggs, Organic Chicken, Clams, Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon, Scallops, Tuna, Organic Turkey, Wild Caught Fish
Organic Vegetables: Asparagus, Leafy Green Vegetables, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumbers, Kale, Mushrooms, Olives, Radishes, Spinach, Snow Peas, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Turnips
Organic Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pecans, Walnuts, Peanuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Flax, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds
Organic Fruits: Blueberries, Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries
Sweeteners: Stevia, Erythritol, Xylitold (from Birch Trees) Lo Han Guo, Monk Fruit
 
Foods to Avoid:
Always avoid GMO corn, soy and canola as they are now scientifically linked to kidney and liver disease and may encourage type 2 diabetes.  Absolutely no hydrogenated oils-vegetable oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, and canola oil.
Refined Sugar: Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Glucose Syrup, and Crystalline Fructose.  Even raw honey and maple sugar will spike your blood sugar.  Absolutely no agave.  Agave is 90% fructose and although it is low glycemic it interferes with the production of hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin.
Grains: Foods that contain grains, especially gluten, are broken down quickly into sugar.  Your mouth secretes enzymes that begin breaking down carbohydrates the second you start eating them.  You should avoid all grains, even whole grains, for at least 12 weeks as you begin to reverse type 2 diabetes. 
Dairy: Watch for natural and hidden sugars in all forms of dairy.  Always purchase dairy that is from Organic and Grass Fed Cows.
Alcohol: Most alcohol quickly increase blood sugar levels.   Beer and sweet liquors are high in sugar.
 
Nutritional Supplements
Alpha Lipoic Acid: ALA is an antioxidant that protects the body from organ damage caused by free radicals.  It uniquely can act in both water-soluble and fat-soluble regions in cells and tissues making it easily absorbed by the body and transported to organs and the nervous system.  This characteristic also helps it boost the work of other antioxidants working in the body.  ALA works with B vitamins to turn carbohydrates, proteins and fats into stored energy.  There is abundant evidence showing that ALA is critical for maintaining blood sugar levels.  ALA is a warrior that fights multiple components of metabolic syndrome that include reducing blood pressure, insulin resistance and weight.  A recent study revealed that after only four weeks of supplementation ALA greatly improved insulin sensitivity in overweight adults with type 2 diabetes.  Because of its exceptional ability to kill free radicals it helps lessen the pain, burning, itching, tingling and numbness in the arms and legs caused by nerve damage from diabetic peripheral neuropathy.  Studies have also shown taking 800 mg of ALA reduces the risk and symptoms of diabetic related autonomic neuropathy in which the nerves supporting internal organs are damaged. 
Ehrlich, S. D., NMD. (2014, June 26). Alpha-lipoic acid. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/alphalipoic-acid
H. (2007, October). Lipoic Acid. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2007/10/nu_lipoic_acid/page-01
 
Berberine: Long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine, berberine is an alkaloid found in herbs like goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape.  Berberine is incredibly effective at increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.  This is important as new research shows that having more of these beneficial bacteria strains improves metabolic health and supports normal blood sugar control. Studies have shown taking 500 mg of berberine to be more effective than metformin at regulating blood sugar levels and lipid metabolism.  Another study on 116 diabetic patients taking 1 gram of berberine per day saw fasting blood sugars lowered by 20% to normal levels, out of diabetic range. Researchers have described it as a “potent oral hypoglycemic agent” for its ability to significantly improve insulin sensitivity.  Berberine works on a molecular level in cells to increase glycolysis, the breaking down of sugar in cells. Berberine is one of the few compounds that can activate adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase or AMPK.  AMPK is found in the cells of the brain, muscle, kidney, heart, and liver.  This enzyme is called the “metabolic master switch” for its crucial role in regulating metabolism as when activated it boosts fat burning in the mitochondria, which helps to support weight loss and reduces body fat.  It can also inhibit the growth of fat cells at the molecular level.  Berberine appears to improve the function of fat regulating hormones like adiponectin and leptin.  Berberine decreases sugar production in the liver. 
Axe, J., MD. (2015). Berberine Treats Diabetes & Digestive Problems - Dr. Axe. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://draxe.com/berberine/
Gunnars, K., BSc. (2015). Berberine - The World's Most Powerful Supplement? Retrieved April 07, 2016, from https://authoritynutrition.com/berberine-powerful-supplement/
 
Chromium: Chromium is an essential mineral that is critical to the metabolic process that regulates blood sugar.  Chromium and insulin move glucose into cells to be used as energy. To properly metabolize carbohydrates, fats and protein you need adequate levels of chromium.  Low chromium levels increase blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol putting you at risk for type 2 diabetes.  It is estimated that 90% of Americans have a diet low in chromium.  People who regularly eat sugary foods are also more likely to be chromium deficient.  Foods that contain chromium include Brewer’s yeast, organ meats, mushrooms, broccoli, prunes, romaine lettuce, ripe tomatoes, raw onion, nuts and asparagus. Over the counter or prescription antacids reduce chromium absorption.
Ehrlich, S. D. (2014, June 26). Chromium. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/chromium
Weil, A., MD, & Becker, B., MD. (2012, September 27). Chromium. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02868/chromium.html
 
Gymnema: Gymnema sylvestre is a tropical woody climbing plant that grows in India.  When you chew the leaves gymnemic acids are released that interfere with your ability to taste sweetness. This implies it can work as an appetite suppressant. Gymnema helps signal the pancreas to make and secrete insulin, improving the amount of glucose that is absorbed into cells.  Gymnema promotes the regeneration of islet cells helping to keep the pancreas healthy.  Gymnemic acids may also reduce the amount of sugar that is absorbed from the intestine as they have a structure similar to glucose.  When gymnemic acids lock into intestinal receptors they block out glucose.  Gymnema can prevent adrenal hormones from signaling the liver to produce more glucose.  Gymnema has also been shown to LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Studies on gymnemic acids suggest that drinking gymnema tea before meals can promote weight loss treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Group, E., DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM. (2015, October 21). The Weight Loss Benefits of Gymnema. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/weight-loss-benefits-of-gymnema/
Kanetkar, P., Singhal, R., & Kamat, M. (2007, August 29). Gymnema sylvestre: A Memoir. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2170951/
 
Bitter Melon: This antioxidant rich tropical fruit has compounds that are similar to those of insulin and have hypoglycemic activities that are beneficial to both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.  Studies out of India show that bitter melon is one of the most import Ayurvedic plants for lowing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.  Bitter melon helps stimulate skeletal muscles to use glucose more efficiently.  Bitter melon prevents glucose absorption in the small intestine. It helps protect and regenerate islets of Langerhans cells in the pancreas that detect high rising blood sugar levels and release insulin accordingly. Studies have shown that extracts of bitter melon inhibit the activities of fructose, and that it slows down cataracts formed as a result of diabetes. 
Joseph, B., & Jini, D. (2013, April). Antidiabetic effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) and its medicinal potency. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4027280/
 
Fenugreek: Fenugreek seeds are high in soluble fiber and help to slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, preventing a spike in blood sugar.  Studies have shown that taking fenugreek before meals prevents a rise in blood sugar following the meal, and over the long term improves insulin function in those with type 2 diabetes.  Fenugreek contains steroidal saponins that inhibit the absorption of cholesterol.  Fenugreek is high in amino acid 4-hydroxy isoleucine which has been shown to protect the liver and stimulate the production of insulin.
Kassaian, N., Azadbakht, L., Forghani, B., & Amini, M. (2009, January). Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19839001
Marks, M. (2014, January 19). Fenugreek lowers blood sugar and cholesterol. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://www.naturalhealth365.com/fenugreek.html/
 
Cinnamon: Studies on cinnamon have shown that taking as low as 1 gram per day can lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance. A study published in Diabetes Care showed that people given 1g, 3g, or 6 grams of cinnamon over 40 days saw a reduction in their fasting serum glucose levels by 18-29%. Cinnamon also lowered levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.  Cinnamon slows the emptying of your stomach, which prevents your blood sugar from spiking.  Cinnamon contains polyphenols, antioxidants that supports insulin sensitivity. Tuttle, D. (2005, December). Controlling Blood Sugar with Cinnamon and Coffee Fruit. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2005/12/report_cinnamon/page-01
 
 
 
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Tea-ol-ogy:  Black Teas

4/2/2016

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Although black tea originated in China, three of the largest black tea producers today are India, Sri Lanka and Africa. Half of the world’s tea now comes from India.  As the culture of tea spread and was processed for export to trade with other regions and countries, it was discovered that the more oxidized black tea retained optimal freshness and flavor over time. Although they come from the same Camellia sinensis plant, black tea differs from green tea in that the leaves are allowed to fully oxidize or ferment. The oxidation/fermentation process impacts the flavor profile of black tea and ultimately determines the quality of the black tea.  The flavor profile of black tea is also affected by the environment in which it is grown, the planting methods, surrounding crops, and the amount of sunlight it is exposed to while growing. 
Making Black Tea
Orthodox Production
  • Plucking: The tea leaves are harvested by hand after the trees have been pruned into waist-high bushes. The leaves are sorted for uniformity and to remove any stems, twigs, and broken leaves.
  • Withering: This is the most basic step in processing tea.  A freshly picked tea leaf is 75% water and withering helps to evenly remove the water, leaving a leaf that is soft yet tough enough to be rolled and shaped.  Withering can be done quickly outdoors under the sun or leaves can be allowed to slowly wilt indoors on bamboo trays.  The leaves are gently fluffed and rotated to ensure even exposure to the sun and air.
  • Rolling: This is the stage where the appearance of the tea leaf is created.  There are thousands of unique tea shapes. The softened leaves are rolled breaking the cell walls and the juice inside each leaf is wrung out.  Enzymes and essential oils in the leaves are now exposed to oxygen and fermentation begins.  The flavor of the tea will begin to develop at this stage, as rolling the leaves helps to preserve the inherent aromatic essential oils. Orthodox teas can be rolled into long needles or tight gunpowder balls.  In China the quality and style of leaf is just as valued as the taste of the tea.
  • Oxidation: After they are rolled the leaves are allowed to oxidize for several hours.  The leaf begins to take on brown or reddish colors as the nutrients in the tea leaf ferment.  Oxidation has the largest impact on determining the flavor of each tea.  Some types of teas are rolled again and go through a second fermentation.
  • Firing: The final step in producing black tea is firing or heating the leaves. This quickly dries them below 3% moisture content to halt the oxidation process.   
CTC Production
The Crush-Tear-Curl process is vastly different and was developed specifically for the black tea industry in an effort to save time and money. All five steps of the Orthodox process are followed, but in a limited and less careful manner.  CTC teas will take torn, chopped, shredded, and minced leaves. CTC is made on a machine that further macerates the tea leaves.  The ground leaves are rolled into small pellets to be oxidized. The entire process is done in as little as two hours.  CTC is ideal for the tea bag industry and highly flavored chai blends or iced teas.  The flavor from CTC is one-dimensional and is described as bold, powerful and brightly colored with a pungent astringency.  Orthodox teas won’t have the same type of color and body, but they have an amazing range of flavors and aromas.  Orthodox teas can be stored for up two years in an airtight, glass container.  CTC teas lose flavor and quality in as little as six months. 
Types & Tastes
A freshly brewed cup of black tea can range in color from light amber, to deep reds and rich dark browns.  Black teas can be savory or sweet, and when brewed correctly are smooth and full of flavor.  Black tea flavor profiles typically include one or more of the following: malty, smoky, brisk, earthy, spiced, nutty, citrus, caramel, leather, fruity, sweet and honey.
China Black Tea BOP: This black tea is made from broken orange pekoe. Orange Pekoe is the first two leaves from the tip of a branch and is often broken to affect the tea’s taste and body.  This tea has a medium body and a rich aroma. 
Assam: in 1823 the Camellia sinesis assamica tea plant was discovered in India.  This large leafed tea plant creates hearty, bold black teas. The Assam Region in India is currently the largest tea-growing region in the world.  The climate here is tropical-warm, rainy, and moist with the perfect balance of sunshine.  Assam tea has a dark, robust and malty flavor.  The highest quality Assams contain the golden tips that give added depth to the tea with the taste of sweet raisin or honey.
Darjeeling: Grown in the smaller, mountainous regions of India, it has a flavor that will change with seasons.  Originally a Chinese tea it gets combined with the flavors of French grapes and the surrounding Himalayan mountain air for a brew that is both delicate and assertive.  Known as the “champagne of tea” its flavor has been described as musky-sweet, vegetal, mossy, fruity, citrus and completely unique. Darjeeling teas are consistently less oxidized than typical black teas making it lighter and less astringent, but more layered and complex than green teas.  Darjeeling tea will taste different depending on when it is harvested.  These harvests are called flushes.  The highly prized first flush come after the spring rains and can taste anywhere between light and fresh to lively and full-bodied.  The second flush done in the early summer have mellow, and the wine-like muscatel flavors.  Darjeeling tea is a great base to create India’s spiced Chai.
Ceylon: In 1867 a Scotsman names James Taylor planted the first tea estate in Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka at that time was an independent country in the Commonwealth of Nations that was ruled partly by the British Monarch and was known as the Colony of Ceylon.  In 1965 Ceylon become the world’s leading exporter of tea and is known for its unmatched quality and variety.  The climate is ideal for growing tea, with abundant sunshine and rain. Ceylon added new dimensions to tea by creating new varieties in taste, quality, character and appearance.  It has a strong full-bodied flavor with a hint of spice from the cinnamon grown around the tea plantations. They have beautiful colors ranging from light, bright golden colors to deep reds.
English Breakfast Tea: This Chinese black tea is made from the high grade Keemun leaves.  Only the delicate buds are used to make Keemun tea.  The buds are twisted into fine gold tipped strands before fermenting.   Keemun tea has a rich, slightly smoky flavor and is well bodied with a spiced finish.  It has an amazing honey aroma.  English Breakfast Tea is now often made from a blend of teas originating from Assam, Ceylon and China.  It is one of the most popular and recognized black teas worldwide.
Chai: Chai is a spiced milk tea from India.  The most common spices used in Chai are cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and pepper.  Each spice has active medicinal properties.  Cardamom aids digestion and helps fight respiratory allergies.  Cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.  Ginger is the champion herb for digestion and is a potent anti-inflammatory.  Clove has pain relieving properties and also improves digestion. Black pepper changes the way the body stores fat that has a direct effect on metabolism. Its warming properties and soothing aroma promotes a sense of well being.
Pu-erh tea: is the most fermented black tea from the Yunnan province in China.  Pu-erh tea can also be aged for several years to allow beneficial bacteria and fungi to break down the tea leaf transforming the compounds and enzymes in the tea.  Like wine, pu-erh tea ranges in quality and vintage, being anywhere from 3 months to 100 years old. It is best to either drink a young or old tea, as the middle years of the tea are not as palatable. Used in many Chinese elixirs, the fermentation process creates compounds different from those in green or black tea.  Fermentation causes it to lose catechin antioxidants but it gains so much more.  Research shows that pu-erh tea has high amounts of gallic acid (a potent anti-microbial), the compound theabrownin, several polysaccharides and enzymes.  Theabrownin is found exclusively in pu-erh tea and recent clinical studies show it has cholesterol and fat lowering properties. The high content of gallic acid helps to significantly break down visceral fat after just 12 weeks. The best time to drink pu-erh tea for weight loss, and to lower cholesterol, is one hour after meals as it helps your body quickly digest and eliminate fats. The fermentation process also increases the content of digestive enzymes in pu-erh tea supporting the rapid digestion of food and reduction of gas and bloating. 
Brewing the Perfect Cup
  • Always use fresh, cold filtered water.  Spring water is usually the best, although adding minerals back into your water will brighten and bring depth to the tea’s aroma and flavor.
  • Black teas are brewed for longer periods of time in hotter water than all other teas.  The water should reach 200 to 212 degrees.  If you don’t have a kettle with temperature control know that at sea level water simmers at 190 degrees and boils and 212 degrees.  The boiling temperature drops about a degree for every 100 feet in altitude.  For Idaho, this means you will hit 212 degrees just before a rolling boil.  I recommend bringing your water to a rolling boil and then cooling it for 20 seconds before pouring it onto your black tea.
  • For every 8 oz. of water you should use 1 Tablespoon of loose leaf tea. 
  • Always cover your tea while it steeps.  This ensures it stays at the most optimal temperature for drawing out the flavor, aroma, and benefit of the tea.
  • You should steep black tea for 3 to 5 minutes.  You do not want to over steep your tea as this will bring out the bitterness and astringency deep within the tea.  The longer you steep a tea the more caffeine content it will have.  You can always taste your tea after the initial steeping time to see if you would like it to steep longer. Most high quality loose leaf black teas can be steeped multiple times. Increase the steeping time by one minute each consecutive time. 
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Bone & Joint Health WON "0" WON

3/26/2016

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Bone Construction & Growth:
Mostly made of Type II Collagen the bones in your body are living, constantly changing matter and cells.  Bones require calcium for strength and maintain stores of calcium for use by other parts of the body. There are two different types of bone tissue that comprise the 206 bones found in the adult body.  The first is the outer layer called cortical, or compact, bone that accounts for 80% of bone mass.  It is dense, durable, and rigid, protecting the inner layer of bone from damage caused by external forces.  Muscles and tendons are attached to a fibrous membrane called periosteum that covers cortical bone.  Capillaries run through the periosteum to supply cortical bone with blood and nutrients. The inner layer of bones is called cancellous, or spongy, bone and is far less dense.  Cancellous bone has a latticework of small chambers that contain connective tissue and bone marrow, where new red blood cells are produced.  Cancellous bone provides structure and flexibility to the body with the ability to absorb shock inside the bone.

Ossification is the process by which cartilage is transformed into new bone, beginning the third month of fetus life and is fully completed by late adolescence.  Calcium and phosphate cells accumulate on cartilage cells, and once minerals surround these cells, they begin to die off and leave small pockets of separation.  Small blood cells start to fill these spaces delivering osteoblasts, specialized cells collecting calcium and producing a substance filled with collagen fibers, called osteoid, to help build cortical bone. Osteoid is made stronger by minerals.  Osteoblasts build bone by piling it up around themselves and become trapped inside turning into osteocytes.  They are star shaped cells with long reaching arms that connect them to neighboring osteocytes from which they communicate and exchange nutrients.  Some osteoblasts become lining cells that help control the movement of molecules in and out of bone. 

Your bones are constantly under reconstruction.  Bones need repair from breaks, fractures, and damaged blood vessels, nerves and veins. The cells responsible for breaking down and reabsorbing existing bones are called osteoclasts.  They often contain more than one nucleus and work with other osteoclasts as a team to reshape and rebuild bone.  Bones that are used less often are broken down to support other calcium and bone needs in the body.  Your bones are like muscles in that they grow, thicken, and build endurance when challenged and used consistently.  You can make improvement in bone mineral density quickly with the right forms and amount of exercise. Doing full body, impact based exercise like running, jumping, and circuit training three times a week can significantly increase bone density in as little as 4-6 months. Exercise is also the greatest form of prevention for bone loss due to aging. You should consistently be increasing the resistance and intensity of your exercise training.

Bone Loss:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in six Americans has osteoporosis or early signs of the disease (osteopenia), and that one in four senior women in the United States have osteoporosis.  It is predicted that one quarter of men over the age of 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture.  The bones most affected by osteoporosis are the hip, spine, and wrists.  When you are young you have more osteoblast cells than osteoclast cells resulting in bone gain.  As you age osteoblasts are unable to maintain the pace of osteoclasts that are still able to efficiently break down bone, leading to loss of bone mass.  Other factors that contribute to bone loss include a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, malnutrition, drinking alcohol in excess, and low estrogen. 

Calcium:
There are many types of calcium, hence the confusion in picking the right supplement to effectively strengthen and build your bones. You body absorbs calcium better when taken in small doses.  Calcium also helps blood vessels regulate blood flow, assists in muscle contractions, supports nerve cell communication, and contributes to blood clotting. Your body also absorbs calcium better when taken in small doses.
–Calcium Carbonate is the most common and cheapest form of calcium supplement available. It is found in rocks, limestone, shells of marine animals, coral, pearls, eggshells and snails. It is highly concentrated in elemental calcium but is not highly bioavailable, and has very poor solubility in water. Meaning, it is hard for your body to digest this type of calcium and utilize it for bone strength or any other health purpose. It also requires more stomach acid to be absorbed, and as you age your body produces less and less stomach acid. This further decreases its bioavailability and assumed potency. This is also the type of calcium that has been clinically shown to increase your risk for heart attacks and strokes because it leaves deposits in the arteries, increasing arterial plaque. It is about 40% calcium with an approximated bioavailability of 40%.
–Calcium Citrate has an acidic base meaning it is more easily digested because is requires less stomach acid, but it is low in elemental calcium thus creating low bioavailability. It is about 20% calcium with an approximated bioavailability of 40%.
–Oyster Shell Calcium, dolomite and bone mean are marketed as natural forms of highly absorbable calcium because they are mostly made from calcium carbonate.  However they have all shown to have high toxic levels of lead.
–Calcium Gluconate has very low levels of elemental calcium, about 9-15%. Large amounts would need to be taken to have an impact on bone health, and its bioavailability is unknown due to contradicting studies.
–Calcium Lactate is found in food sources like aged cheese and baking powder.  It is added to many fresh fruits to help maintain their firmness and extend shelf life.  This form of calcium is what you find in antacids and has a medium bioavailability in the body. This is why you hear many doctors suggesting people take Tums for calcium supplementation! However it only contains 9-13% elemental calcium and is not a good choice for people who are lactose intolerant.
–Calcium Phosphate is from cow’s milk, nuts and seeds, beans, broccoli, dark leafy greens, black-eyed peas, figs, oranges, tofu, and salmon or sardine. Tooth enamel and bones are made mostly of calcium phosphate. It contains 39% elemental calcium. However supplement forms of this type of calcium, found as tricalcium phosphate are not bioavailable.  The best way to get this form of calcium is from whole food, organic sources.
–Calcium Citrate Malate is a water-soluble form of calcium that is created when calcium salts found in citric acids are mixed with malic acid. It is has more bioavailability than any of the previously listed calcium’s, as high as 42%, however it only contains roughly 26% elemental calcium.
–Calcium Hydroxyapatite and Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite Complex (MCHC): Calcium hydroxyapatite is found naturally in human and animal bones.  MCHC is elemental calcium from bone that is combined with other minerals, proteins, and nutrients that functions a bone growth factors.  The calcium content of MCHC varies with each brand but typically is around 22%.  Recent studies show use of MCHC over several years can inhibit bone loss and increase bone density.   

Plant Based Calcium:

Foods and plants supplying calcium also contain other nutrients and trace minerals that support bone growth and increase bone density.  Plant based calcium does not contribute to arterial plaque. You do not need large doses or milligrams of food and plant based calcium, which also makes it more safe and efficient.
–
Algae based calcium supplements are the superior choice for building and strengthening bones. Highly concentrated in calcium, magnesium and minerals from the sea water, these nutrients are recognized by your body as food, making them highly bioavailable & being used in your body in as little as thirty minutes. Numerous studies have shown algae based calcium to be significantly more effective than all other forms of calcium in every tested parameter.
  • –300% more potent human bone building cell growth than calcium carbonate or calcium citrate (meaning calcium from algae make osteoblasts 300% more effective at building new bone)
  • –1.3% to 3.7% increase in bone mineral density with algae calcium vs. a loss in bone mineral density with calcium carbonate or citrate supplements.
–Numerous studies have shown algae based calcium to increase bone density in as little as six months and have stopped bone loss with one year. 

Vitamins & Minerals:
–Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) helps to activate proteins responsible for keeping calcium directed to the site of bone regeneration and out of arteries. Vitamin K also supports the ability of your bones to absorb impact ensuring bones are less likely to break from falls and accidents.  Studies show that taking high doses of K2 can reduce the risk of spine and bone fractures. Vitamin K2 is found in natto (fermented soy), organ meats, egg yolks and dairy products. Do not confuse this with vitamin K1 that goes directly to your liver to help you maintain healthy blood clotting factors.  Vitamin K2 does not get processed through the liver and is safe to take for those on blood thinning medications.
–Vitamin D is critical to calcium absorption and supports the function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.  People with lower levels of vitamin D are more susceptible to osteoporosis and broken bones.  Studies have shown that supplementing with higher doses of vitamin D may increase bone density before the onset of osteoporosis or osteopenia.
–Vitamin C is necessary for collagen synthesis done by osteoblasts and is required for normal bone development.  New research shows that vitamin C may significantly contribute to the prevention of bone loss.
–Magnesium is an important mineral in the bone matrix, and supports calcium absorption.  Magnesium may also be helpful in reducing bone loss.  Magnesium is often found abundantly in foods that also provide calcium such a spinach, tofu, almonds, broccoli and lentils.
–Strontium is a mineral that is found in the human body in bones and connective tissue.  Studies have shown using 680 mg of strontium daily can reduce the risk of facture by over 40% in those with osteoporosis.  Strontium is also credited with showing large gains in bones density and may improve cartilage metabolism.  While it absolutely contributes to increasing bone density, many increases in bone density are overestimated with strontium supplementation.  Strontium has a larger atomic weight than calcium, and when calcium is replaced by strontium in bone, the density of the bone appears larger.  Calcium and strontium both utilize the same carrier protein required for transportation and absorption for use in bones.  You should always take strontium four hours away from calcium and at night. Calcium supplements from algae naturally contain 3-5mg of strontium and that amount will not interfere with elemental calcium absorption.

Joint Health:
–Collagen: Supplementation has been shown to be effective in managing osteoarthritis as it increases the strength of joints and their structure.  Collagen is absorbed in your intestines and then directly begins to accumulate in the cartilage, making it bioavailable and directly responsible for increasing the work done by chondrocytes.  Chondrocytes help to create and maintain the cartilage found specifically in your joints, thus making them the key factor to preventing and treating osteoarthritis.  Chondrocytes produce new collagen while keeping your joints well cushioned and lubricated.  Collagen also helps to maintain healthy bones as you age. If you are athletic, or work out to support a healthy lifestyle, collagen will be your best tool to aid in recovery and prevent injury.  Collagen improves the ability for joints to absorb shock, especially those that come during high-intensity training.  Circuit training is one of the most effective and popular forms of exercise yet can be very hard on the joints.  Collagen supplementation will prevent joint pain and injury at rest, when walking or standing, and when lifting or carrying objects.
–MSM is a form of sulfur that can be sourced from plants grown on land and in the ocean. It is found in foods such as milk, onions, eggs, garlic, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. MSM supplies the nutrients needed to produce and repair ligaments and tendons and all other connective tissues. Combined with glucosamine, MSM works more quickly and efficiently to repair and restore tendon and ligament strength and flexibility.  MSM takes about 4-6 weeks of supplementation to feel results. Studies have shown a 60% improvement at four weeks and an 82% improvement at six weeks. MSM also seems to help regulate inflammation associated with joints, ligaments and tendons. This is either from helping to repair the digestive tract for optimal nutrient absorption, or from working as an antioxidant to destroy harmful free radicals. A split dose of 2-3 grams of MSM per day is safe and most effective.
–Chondrotin occurs naturally in the body and is a main component of cartilage-the connective tissue that helps to cushion joints. Chondrotin absorbs fluid in connective tissues and helps prevent the breakdown of cartilage. Chondrotin has been shown to reduce osteoarthritis(OA) pain, improve hip and knee function of people with OA, and reduce joint swelling and stiffness overall. Chondrotin results will not be seen for 2-4 months, and optimal results can be achieved when combined with glucosamine. The most effective dose is 600 mg taken two times per day.
–Glucosamine Sulfate is involved in creating chemicals that build tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the synovial fluid that surrounds joints. There are many kind of glucosamine and it is important to make sure you are taking glucosamine sulfate to support joint health. It has been documented to be the most effective for osteoarthritis pain and work as well as over the counter pain relievers like Tylenol and ibuprofen. However, it takes 4-8 weeks to achieve a feeling of pain relief. Glucosamine may also lessen the rate at which joints break down in people with OA, making them less likely to have knee replacement surgery. Do NOT take glucosamine if you are taking a blood thinner. Glucosamine increases the effects of warfarin or Coumadin, making blood clotting even slower.
–Hyaluronic Acid is the main compound found in synovial fluid.  Pain free joint movement depends on adequate amounts of synovial fluid.  Hyaluronic acid creates thick, elastic, cushioned support for cartilage around joints to help prevent friction that causes these tissues to become damaged and break down.  Once believed to only treat the symptoms of joint pain from diseases like osteoarthritis, new studies show that it fundamentally treats aspects of these diseases.  Hyaluronic acid improves joint lubrication and helps to stimulate the body into creating new hyaluronic acid in as little at two weeks.  It is incredibly effective at alleviating pain and reducing inflammation.
–Silica is the trace mineral that is most abundantly found throughout the body, especially in bones, teeth and connective tissues (joints, ligaments and muscles).  Silica is necessary for collagen formation.  As you age, the body retains less silica.  Silica is also no longer widely found in foods due to the deterioration of soil.  Silica deficiencies are associated with weak and brittle bones, degraded ligaments and tendons, thinning of the hair and wrinkles.
–Turmeric or Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory and helps to reduce chronic pain.  Thousands of studies have shown curcumin to be more effective than prescription drugs for treating inflammation, pain, and arthritis. Chronic inflammation is the root of disease, including all types of arthritis, and joint pain. Symptoms include redness, swelling, warmth, pain and immobility.  Inflammation will prevent your body from healing properly.  It is crucial and absolutely necessary to treat and prevent chronic inflammation to maintain healthy joints.
–Boswellia is a resin that is derived from shrubs and small trees that are native the region of the Red Sea and the mountains of central India.  Indian or Ayurvedic medicine has used boswellia for centuries to treat arthritis, bursistis, and nervous diseases.  Boswellia contain terpenes, compounds that possess anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown boswellia to significantly reduce pain and swelling associated with inflammation, commonly experienced by people suffering from arthritis or joint pain.  A study presented at the 2011 World Congress on Osteoarthritis reported that those subjects who took a 500 mg combination of curcumin and boswellia twice daily saw better improvements in pain relief (some experience complete pain elimination), the distance they could walk, and joint mobility and tenderness over a prescription NSAID drug (Celebrex). Boswellia and curcumin also did not show damage to the liver, kidney or blood as opposed to the prescription medication. Other studies on boswellia have shown it to slow cartilage damage after just three months.
 
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Pet Food WON "0" WON

3/19/2016

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