Health

The uses for essential oils (both for health and emotions) are vast and diverse. Whether it’s mild or chronic pain, essential oils can provide pain and tension relief while reducing inflammation in a range of ailments. Have arthritis, swelling, muscle, joint, or back pain? Indeed, there are natural remedies out there that can in fact help you find relief.

A FEW EXAMPLES…

Frankincense: A sacred oil used for centuries, Frankincense is commonly used for treating arthritis and general joint pain.
Peppermint: Effective for treating general muscle pain, headaches and migraines.
Eucalyptus: Among the more precious oils harvested, eucalyptus provides soothing and regenerative benefits.
Lavender: With sedative properties, Marjoram assists in relieving muscle stiffness, arthritis, and migraines.
Roman Chamomile: antispasmodic, menstrual cramps, sedative, relieves anxiety/stress, insomnia, great for children (comforting, soothing), anti-inflammatory)

These powerful oils can help you manage pain in a 100% natural and healthy manner. For instance, rather than popping a couple Tylenol, try rubbing Peppermint on your temples to get rid of that mind-numbing headache. Arthritis, joint pain, or muscle aches? Massage a quality blend of oils to relieve discomfort in the affected area.

My 3 Top Essential Oil Techniques For Pain

Massage Clove Oil Into The Affected Area – Clove oil is a popular essential oil with strong antibacterial, antimicrobial and hemostatic properties that is used to counter inflammation. Apply small quantities over the painful muscle or joint to avoid skin irritation or you can dilute clove oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil) if you have sensitive skin. Add up to 12 drops of clove oil to 2 ounces of carrier oil and massage it into the affected area.

Bath Soak With Oils: Pain involving many joints is best relieved by taking a warm bath in water blended with essential oils. Mix 2 drops of rosemary, 4 drops of juniper berry, 2 drops of cypress, 2 drops of lavender and 1-2 cups of bath salts. Make the bath salts by mixing Epsom salt and baking soda in equal amounts. Add a few flakes of sea salt and magnesium chloride, and pour the mixture into a tub. Fill the tub with water and allow it to blend for about 30 minutes before bathing.

Hot And Cold Compresses: Hot and cold compresses alleviate joint pain and adding essential oils improves the effectiveness of this therapy. Heat water to a favourable temperature. Select at least three essential oils and add 4 drops of each oil. Dip a towel in the water, squeeze out the excess water and place it on the affected area. Apply the hot pack for 15 minutes for each session, alternating with a cold pack after a few hours.

Our bodies are exposed to toxins in many ways. Water treatment chemicals, air pollutants, food preservatives, pharmaceuticals and harmful ingredients found in personal care products are just some of the many ways toxins make their way into our environment. Although the liver can get rid of toxins on its own, its detox functions sometimes become overwhelmed. Therefore, to boost the body’s ability to clean itself, it needs to receive the occasional helping hand from you. Health experts recommend taking a detox program at least once a year to help you avoid diseases that stem from the cumulative effects of toxin build-up in the body. However, if you don’t want to complete a full detox program, here are 10 simple but effective ways to start detoxing right now.

1 – Avoid Processed Foods

Processed foods are common sources of toxins. They’re filled with preservatives and chemically enhanced ingredients that can cause health problems. Besides having plenty of toxic substances, processed foods are also very unhealthy because of their high calorie content and they often contain dangerous trans fats. By avoiding processed foods or significantly reducing your consumption, you’ll instantly protect your body against the large amounts of toxins they contain.

2 – Consume Less Alcohol

Alcohol is a toxin that many people consume daily. Apart from lowering mental focus and damaging your body’s cells and vital organs, alcohol is dehydrating since it’s a diuretic. When there is less water in your system, your body cannot flush out toxins effectively. Therefore, by drinking less alcohol you can boost your hydration levels, ensure that fewer harmful toxins enter your body and rapidly detox your body.

3 – Cut Back On Caffeine

Caffeine is not harmful when consumed in moderation and can actually be beneficial. However, when consumed excessively, it has a toxic effect on your body and can negatively impact your energy levels, your mental clarity and even damage your body. To ensure that caffeine doesn’t harm your body, limit your intake to 300mg per day. This will allow you to enjoy all caffeine’s plus points while avoiding its dangers.

4 – Drink More Water

Water can help flush out toxins from your system in a natural way. Not only does drinking water help maintain ample fluid levels in your body but it also helps your organs to function properly, brightens your skin and boosts your digestive health. To enjoy the detox benefits of water, aim to drink at least eight glasses per day. If you find sticking to this difficult, try mixing up your water intake by drinking fruit infused water and herbal teas.

5 – Eat More Organic Foods

While organic food will not boost the speed or efficiency of your digestive system, it will prevent you from adding additional toxins to your system. Organic foods contain fewer harmful chemicals because they’re grown with natural fertilizers and pesticides. Conventional produce on the other hand is grown with synthetic insecticides and chemical fertilizers, all of which contain toxins that harm your body in the long run.

6 – Have a Hot Bath With Epsom Salts

Hot baths are usually offered at spas as a detox treatment and can also be enjoyed at home. Exposing the skin to heated water induces perspiration, and as you sweat, your body will get rid of toxins. Adding Epsom salts to the hot bath enhances its detox properties as they contain sulfates that flush out toxins and heavy metals from your body’s cells. The Epsom salts also soothe pain, relax your nervous system and ease congestion.

7 – Increase Your Intake Of Fruits & Vegetables

Eating more fruits and vegetables each day can help cleanse your body. For starters, these are natural foods that contain very little toxins and plenty of nutrients that support internal detoxing. Many fruits are also rich in antioxidants that eliminate free radicals from your body.

8 – Move More

Being active is a simple but effective way to help your body get rid of toxins. Physical activity boosts circulation and makes you sweat which allows waste products to be removed from your body at a faster rate.

9 – Spend More Time Outside

Stress is a harmful mental toxin that affects your mood, your energy levels and even causes physical damage to your body. Spending more time outdoors and in nature has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and avoid its harmful effects.

10 – Reduce Your Sugar Intake

Processed sugar may taste good but too much of a sweet thing can be harmful. Consuming lots of sugar can spike up your blood glucose levels and cause you to gain weight. It also increases your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease gum problems and certain types of cancer. When you cut back on processed sugars, you protect your body against all these negative symptoms.

Summary

While detox programs are highly effective at cleansing your body, they’re not the only option. These 10 suggestions allow you to quickly eliminate some of the major toxins in your life without sticking to a structured detox program. So give them a try and see how much better you feel once you’ve implemented these instant detox tips.

Being out in the sun has great effects on your mind and body. If you live in an area where there is plenty of sun, it shouldn’t be so hard to get out into the sunshine but, if you live in an area of the world that has many overcast days, you should be able to find at least a few days where you can find some sunshine to bask in.

Here are five health benefits of spending time in the sun:

1. Spend time in the sun to get your Vitamin D intake. The major source of vitamin D is being out in the sun. The UV rays of the sun will help build up vitamin D in your body so you won’t have to take a vitamin D supplement. Research has shown that most people don’t have enough vitamin D in their system, which is essential for many bodily functions. Rather than relying on vitamin D supplements, take your vitamin D through a walk in the sun with at least some of your body exposed to the UV rays of the sun. Be careful in really sunny areas as you can be burned by the sun. You should always wear appropriate rating of sunscreen to protect your skin, especially if you have fair skin and burn easily, which will allow for some sun exposure but will help you get enough vitamin D. In general, it is best to spend time in the sun on less heated days and not be in scorching heat.

2. Spending time in the sun helps you be in nature. There is nothing more relaxing than the scent of grasses, trees, and flowers. If you have the opportunity, you should try to spend time in one of the more natural parts of the world, such as a neighborhood park or other wooded area. You can take in the local wildlife, even if it is just birds and squirrels. Communing with nature helps reduce stress and allows you to function better in your daily life. Even a half hour during your lunchtime spent out in the sun can improve your productivity and can help you have less stress at work.

3. Spending time in the sun reduces stress. You will likely find that you are less stressed and happier when the day is sunny. You can help increase this stress-reducing phenomenon by spending time outside, soaking up some rays. You can sit on a park bench in the sunshine and meditate a bit or take a walk in a sunny area. You can process your stressors better in the sunshine and will have a lesser chance of being stressed afterward. Try getting out in the sun every day for at least a half an hour. You will immediately experience stress reduction and will find being in the sun to be an enjoyable activity.

4. Sunlight can reduce cancer risk. While you are at an increased risk of skin cancer if you burn your skin in the sun, sunshine can actually help reduce your risk of developing other cancers, especially if you choose to exercise in the sunshine. Being in the sun, particularly if you live in an area that is at a lower latitude, you will have a decreased risk of getting prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma. People who live in higher latitudes have a lesser exposure to the sun so they don’t get as much reduction in cancer risk when compared to those who live in lower latitudes, where the sun is the strongest.

5. Sunshine can help you sleep better. Being out in the sunshine, especially if you do something relaxing or exercise in the sunshine, you will be more relaxed afterward and will have a better time sleeping later in the day. Just a half hour of sunshine per day has been found to help you get to sleep easier and will help you stay asleep longer. It really doesn’t matter what you do in the sunshine as long as you get out there and get some rays.

Nowadays, the interest in alternative medicine is growing rapidly. Among the vast number of healing modalities available, we find that Reiki has become increasingly popular around the world, especially since science has verified the existence of the universal life energy that Reiki is based on. Reiki is a powerful holistic healing system; it heals on all levels, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

So what is Reiki? The term Reiki is the Japanese word for Universal Life Force Energy. It is a very simple and easily acquired healing method that uses universal life energy, the energy which permeates our entire universe and all living things. This universal life energy is called qi or chi in China, prana in India, and ki in Japan and this is where the Reiki name derives. It circulates throughout the body and in an energy field surrounding the body. This energy field, long been known to healers and mystics, is now verified by scientists.

Recent scientific experiments have verified the existence of this life force energy. Scientists have proven that everything in the universe, at a sub-atomic level, is made up of energy. Health is the harmonious flow of life energy, while imbalances in this flow, due to unhealthy habits or negative emotions lead to illness. So this subtle energy is responsible for the processes in our body on all levels: physical, emotional and mental. Reiki channels universal life energy through the hands of the practitioner into the body of the receiver and balances the energy flow in the body.

Reiki is a holistic healing system, meaning that it addresses the whole person: the physical, mental, emotional and the spiritual levels. The body is not made up of isolated parts to be fixed, like a machine; there are no separate parts, but an amazing web of energy, and in order to truly return to health, all the levels of our being must be addressed.

Reiki works on four different levels:

The physical level: Reiki strengthens the immune system. It helps in relieving pain. It balances and harmonizes the function of glands and organs. It heals by opening the blocked energy channels, the meridians, and balances the chakras. When performed regularly, toxins are removed from the body and good health and well-being is maintained.

The emotional level: One of the greatest healing benefits of Reiki is stress reduction and relaxation, which strengthens the immune system and maintains health. People who are depressed or do not feel emotionally balanced begin to feel more stable and relaxed because Reiki clears energy blockages and suppressed emotions.

The mental level: Through giving yourself Reiki, you obtain more clarity and find it easier to overcome obstacles and achieve goals. You become more positive and reach a different outlook on life. You feel more empowered.

The spiritual level: Reiki enables you to go deeper within and feel more connected to your higher self. It aids meditation, increases intuition and provides limitless benefits of spiritual growth.

Reiki is so simple yet so powerful, and this is what makes it a unique healing system that anyone can learn, because it does not require any previous experience or special ability. The Benefits of Reiki are infinite. It allows you to take an active part in your own wellness, and accelerates your growth on all levels.

Whether you want to believe it or not, there are literally millions of people located all around the world that engage in the practice of the alternative therapy of acupuncture each and every day. There are many reasons to practicing this alternative therapy that the Chinese instituted, too, but the best reason of all is that it actually has been found to work. On the same side of the coin, though, there are many reasons why acupuncture is a great alternative therapy to deal with. Here are some of the arguments for why acupuncture is so great throughout the whole world:

The Mystery

One of the reasons that many people consider acupuncture therapy to be such a great and revolutionary therapy is because of the mystery behind the whole concept. Let’s face it: the idea that ancient civilizations in the Far East used this type of therapy to be able to cure the sick, help with many different illnesses across the board, and use it as a trade item is just downright weird and mysterious. Furthermore, why would the civilization who started it all want to take this alternative therapy to other lands, including the United States? There could have been great profits by allowing only the Chinese to experience the benefits of acupuncture, but now everyone throughout the world is able to experience them. Indeed, the mystery behind some of the questions and origins of acupuncture therapy truly contribute to how amazing and great the therapy of acupuncture really is.

The Benefits

This was touched on a little bit, but acupuncture has a great deal of benefits that are able to be clearly seen and researched by those who are intrigued. Some of the common ailments that are able to be treated with acupuncture therapy successfully include the bacterial common cold, influenza, cholera, constipation, diarrhea, Depression, arthritis, ear aches, headaches, hernias, hemorrhages, as well as a whole host of other illnesses, disorders, and other diseases that haven’t yet been named. In addition, though many cancers may also be able to be healed through the use of the great acupuncture therapy! But there are also so many diseases and disorders that have yet to be studied whether or not they are truly helped by acupuncture!

Break From Traditional Values

One other reason that many people consider acupuncture to be one of the best alternative medicines is because it is a chance to break free from the traditional values of our culture at least for a little while. While the American culture tends to shun anything new that is also unknown and cannot be studied scientifically, acupuncture therapy definitely cannot and has not been studied scientifically yet. The many benefits of acupuncture have not even been tapped yet since no one knows exactly what goes on in the body!

All in all, though, acupuncture is an awesome therapy that must be practiced in order to be kept throughout the ages. Even though there are plenty of skeptics around, the number of believers in acupuncture continues to grow everyday!

What comes to your mind when you hear about coconut oil? Well, many people think that it is only included in diets. Better yet, many people believe that it is only used for cooking purposes. However, the oil has many other external applications. Coconut oil serves many other purposes apart from consuming it. Have a look at the coconut oil benefits as far as skin and hair protection is concerned.
Many people utilize it for cosmetic reasons and promote not only the health but also the appearance of their hair and skin. They use it to enhance their skin complexion, thanks to its efficient cosmetic components.

Research involving persons with dry skin shows that the oil can boost not only the moisture but also the lipid content of their skin layers. Besides, the oil can be utilized in treating damaged hair. Some detailed research has stipulated that coconut oil can be a great sunscreen because it blocks nearly 20% of ultraviolet rays. To expound the role of the oil as far as hair beauty is concerned, below are the key points:

Prevention of Fatigue

Naturally, hair gets damaged by shrinking as well as swelling of fibers due to absorption and retention of water. Such fatigue is curbed by coconut oil. The oil protects the hair from any possible damage.

Reduces Protein Loss

Are you aware that human hair is but just a composition of proteins? Therefore, loss of proteins from one’s hair results in not only weak but also unhealthy hair. Treatment of hair using coconut oil reduces protein loss from both undamaged and damaged hair. Experts have discovered that coconut oil is the only oil that guarantees such a reduction.

Conditions from Within

The oil retains moisture, very critical for strong as well as well-moisturized hair. As a result, the hair is kept silky and shiny. Again, the oil conditions the hair, shielding it from environmental damage as well as heat.

Anti-bacterial Properties

Also, the oil contains antibacterial components and nutrients. They are responsible for beautiful hair and protection of scalp from viral, bacterial or protozoan infections. Besides, women making use of the oil can cease having gray and preserve their dark hair despite their old age!
Well, you need the love of your life to have a glowing skin? You love seeing her with shiny and gorgeous hair? Your answer is definitely yes. Now, invest in coconut oil so as you enjoy coconut oil benefits like others.

One of the oil’s benefits is that it assists one boost his or her metabolism. Coconut oil is quite different from almost all other fat types in the diet. Whereas nearly all foods consist of long-chain fatty acids, the oil comprises of almost entirely of Medium-chain fatty acids. A fact with such medium-chain fatty acids is that they get metabolized differently, not like the long-chain fats.

From the digestive tract, they are sent to the liver straight. At the liver, they are utilized for energy immediately or changed into ketone bodies. More often than not, such fats are made use by epileptic patients who are on ketogenic diets.

At that, their ketone levels increase while giving room for more carbs. Additionally, some studies have stood to prove that medium-chain fats are stored a little bit less efficiently compared to other fats.

In research, some rats were fed with either medium or long chain fats. Those that fed on the medium-chain fats gained about 20% less weight as well as almost 23% less body fat.

In a nutshell, the bottom line of the whole idea is that the oil is high in MCTs. MCTs are fatty acids metabolized differently than other fats. It, therefore, brings beneficial impacts on metabolism.

Besides, upon boosting metabolism, the oil makes one burn more calories while at rest. Varied foods, as well as macronutrients, go through diverse metabolic pathways. The various types of foods humans consume have an enormous effect on hormones as well as metabolic health.

A few metabolic pathways are more efficient compared to others. Additionally, some foods need more energy for digestion and metabolism. One significant property of the oil is that it is thermogenic. Primarily, it means that consuming it tends to accelerate energy expenditure than same calorie amounts from other fats.

In one research, 15-30 grams of medium-chain fats daily accelerated energy expenditure by 5%. It totals around 120 calories daily. Therefore, as a matter of fact, a calorie from coconut oil is never same as that of olive oil or even butter.

Are you not willing to benefit from such? Don’t you want your metabolism to be boosted? No natural human being would hate to have a real thing, good health at that. On the same note, consider incorporating coconut oil into your daily diet. At that, you will experience such coconut oil benefits.

Have you ever thought of your blood cholesterol levels? If yes, then you may at least know how regulating it reduces the risk of suffering from various heart diseases. Well, one of the coconut oil benefits is that it regulates blood cholesterol levels.

The regulation helps curb the danger of the many deadly heart diseases. Such include heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, and many others.

The oil has saturated fats. It is important to note that the fats never affect the blood lipids contrary to what people thought in the recent past. Saturated fat transforms LDL cholesterol and improves the good, or the HDL cholesterol, to the benign subtype.

A research that involved 40 women stipulated that the oil reduces the levels of LDL and cholesterol. Also, the study showed that it improves an HDL level, that is when compared to other oils such as soybean oil.

Scientific researchers have shown that the oil reduces LDL and total cholesterol as well as triglycerides.

At the same time, it improves the levels of HDL. It improves not only the status of blood antioxidant but also the coagulation factor. In the long run, the increase of cardiovascular health can theoretically result in a little risk of heart illnesses.

Besides, the oil has antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress. The oil is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids. The two have a broad range of heart-health benefits. Upon exposing the heart as well as blood vessels to oxidative stress, plaques tend to develop in arteries.

Finally, a heart attack may result. Additionally, blood vessels may stiffen and cause high blood pressure. Besides, heart failure can happen. Antioxidants assist in lowering oxidative stress and reducing inflammation.

Studies of shown that polyphenols lower blood pressure in aging individuals that have high blood pressure.

Also, polyphenols have proved to lower the growth or development of atherosclerotic plaques in blood arteries. Additionally, polyphenols can assist blood vessel to relax, become less stiff, therefore preventing high blood pressure.

From the explanations above, it is evident that coconut oil is significant in everyday life. Thinking of how deadly heart diseases are, should push anyone to include coconut oil in their diets. Come to think of the loss that occur as a result such diseases.

Again, think of the medical expenses that one should be responsible for in the event of that such diseases have struck. Is it not awesome to consider the oil? Well, you now know coconut oil benefits.

Coconut oil has never ceased to amaze and impress. One of coconut oil benefits is that it helps boost brain function more so in Alzheimer’s patients.

Alzheimer’s disease is the common most cause of dementia. Primarily, it affects elderly persons.

Alzheimer’s patients tend to have reduced ability to utilize glucose to provide energy in some parts of their brains.

Medium Chain Triglycerides, which is the primary type of fat available in coconut oil, are known to promote cognitive performance in elderly individuals suffering from memory diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Interestingly, the boosting does not take place after weeks or months after treatment, but just after administering the 40ml dose.

Some groundbreaking studies have shown that administration of MCTs, a fat in coconut oil, improves cognitive function among the elderly with memory disorders almost immediately. The study comprised of 20 subjects suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

On separate days, they were provided with either a placebo or emulsified MCTs. The researchers noted a significant rise in levels of blood plasma of the ketone. The effect was observed 90 minutes after treatment. Depending on the E genotype of the person tested, the levels of beta-OHB either rose continuously or held constant during 90 and 120 minutes.

Notably, cognitive testing showed that the proper MCT treatment promoted performance on the ADAS-cog in 4 persons in the study group. Additionally, higher values of ketone were related to greater increase in paragraph recall with the MCT treatment slightly about the placebo across each subject.

How does Medium Chain Triglycerides Function?

How can a dose of MCTs result in almost immediate boosting in cognitive performance in persons suffering severe impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease? Well, that can be the question you may be asking yourself.

The explanation is in not only in the MCT configuration but also the unique metabolic requirements of the brain. Ketone bodies give the required alternative source of fuel to glucose that recharges metabolic processes in the brain. It results in nearly immediate boosting in cognitive function.

The Bottom Line: Studies have shown fatty acids available in coconut oil increases the blood levels of the ketone bodies. Therefore, it supplies energy to the brain. Finally, the Alzheimer’s symptoms get relieved.

In a nutshell, coconut oil benefits are evident in brain boosting.

Should you know of an elderly individual, or someone suffering from the said condition, do the necessary.

Reiki healing is growing in popularity around the Western world. The word “Reiki” is Japanese and means “Universal Life Energy.” A Japanese theologian named Dr. Mikao Usui founded the Reiki healing system at the end of the last century. He discovered the ancient healing system after studying Sanskrit texts in a Buddhist monastery. Though the texts revealed the knowledge needed, Dr. Usui still had to undergo three weeks of fasting and meditation before receiving the healing empowerment of the Reiki system.

An American woman named Hawayo Takata brought the Reiki system to the Western world. Takata was cured of a tumor at a Reiki clinic in Japan, and then totally dedicated her life to Reiki. She was trained by a Japanese master named Dr. Chujiro Hayashi. During her life, Takata created 22 Reiki Masters to carry on the methods.

Channeling Healing Energy

Reiki is best known for being used as a channel for energy to provide a safe healing method. It promotes good health and well-being and can be experienced by people of all ages, whether in good health or stricken by illness. By replenishing a person’s life force energy, their body’s immune system can be strengthened. This helps the body in its fight against disease. A Reiki healer channels energy to a welcoming receiver. The person receiving Reiki experiences a warm, relaxing feeling in their soul, mind and body. The experience is just as much spiritual as it is physical.

Benefits of Reiki

Reiki healing offers many benefits. It is often used for stress management and to help the body fight and prevent sickness. As Reiki energy is channeled to an individual, they can relax and relieve their stress. This helps the person feel better and think more clearly. The more Reiki energy they can receive, the better they will feel. When a sick or stress-prone person receives Reiki, their body becomes free to help itself become healthier than ever. Other benefits of Reiki include healed relationships, finding one’s Divine Purpose, manifesting life goals, awakening the healer within, cleansing the body from toxins, enhancing creativity, and many others.

To offer so many benefits, Reiki is surprisingly gentle and nurturing. It is not a harsh medical treatment, but can be far more powerful for the individual who opens their mind, heart and soul to the process wholly and freely.

How it Works

After an initiation to Reiki, called Reiki Attunement and learning about Reiki symbols, the individual is introduced to Reiki energy through several methods, including crystals and crystal healing, drumming healing, meditations, and other stress management techniques.

Even many modern chiropractors, psychotherapists, medical doctors, psychologists and other medical professionals are beginning to realize the benefits of Reiki. More and more people are tapping into Reiki energy to experience a fuller, healthier life.