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Aromatherapy Blending For Anti-Aging Skin Care

August 11th, 2010 Leslie Hammond Comments off

Essential oils are found as ingredients in many of the world’s top skin care preparations. You’ll see them listed on labels as “botanical extracts” — somehow that’s a little fancier — but essential oils are in there. Why? because their therapeutic activities are just what your skin needs, and the oils are readily absorbed by the skin cells themselves. Yet these high end formulas can be costly. So why not make your own anti-aging skin care blend? It’s truly easy to do, and you can choose the finest ingredients and still have an amazing product at a fraction of the cost.

Aging is really a degradation of the structures within each cell, so that each structure becomes less able to do its job over time. There’s two main biological actions going on all the time in our skin cells that contribute to their aging: inflammation and oxidation. The external factors creating these actions are just what you’d expect: over-exposure to UV radiation (sunlight), exposure to environmental pollution, and exposure to less-than-healthy things you eat and drink.

We’re all fairly familiar with oxidative radicals — they’ve been big news in health for a long time. Briefly, when our skin is exposed to UV light, the light breaks oxygen molecules apart — these “oxidative free radicals” start destroying our skin cells by capturing electrons. An anti-oxidant donates an electron instead, and the process is stopped, and essential oils are some of the most potent known natural anti-oxidants. The essential oil distilled from the resin of the myrrh tree has one of the highest “Oxidative Radical Absorbance Capacities” — for this reason its commonly found in blends for “mature skin”, and will be in our formula for really “prevention of mature skin”.

At the same time oxidative radicals are formed, inflammatory processes are set underway. Inflammation is our body’s way of dealing with injury, and can be temporarily healthy. But in the long run, chronic inflammation has been indicated as one of the major contributors to aging. Thankfully, there are some essential oils that are highly potent anti-inflammatory agents. Sea buckthorn, again, is among the best, along with German chamomile, lavender, frankincense and myrrh.

And it’s not just the essential oils that have anti-aging therapeutic effects. The carrier oils in which the essential oils will be based contain antioxidants (argon oil is rich in vitamin E, for example) — and omega-3 essential fatty acids in hempseed and evening primrose are highly regarded for their anti-inflammatory properties. Because the essential oils and carrier oils offer these actions while having completely different molecular structures, the actions will synergize — work together with multiplied effects.

Ready to start blending? To make the process go most smoothly, first collect all your “equipment”: bottles, a dropper, and a small funnel. The best bottles to mix and store in are dark glass. For mixing, you’ll need bottles that you know the volume of: one, two or four ounces, for example. For using the formula, a bottle with a pump top, or at least a dropper cap will be very useful.

You’ll start by filling each bottle up most of the way with carrier oils, then adding your essential oils drop by drop. Always be sure to leave enough space at the top to add your essential oils. All these measurements are for making one ounce of formula — you can simply multiply the numbers if you’re making two, four, or more ounces.

We’ll use three types of carrier oil for the base. Each of these oils has unique therapeutic qualities, that when used together create and incredibly beneficial synergy for the skin. So fill your bottle one third of the way with each of these: virgin coconut, evening primrose and argan nut oils. If any of these oils is difficult to find, you can leave one out if need be — or you can substitute another high omega-3 oil for the evening primrose (like hemp, borage or flax) and either rosehip seed or tamanu nut for the argan.

Then add the following essential oils: Seven drops each of lavender, myrrh, German chamomile and twenty-four drops of sea buckthorn (be sure to find the essential oil or “CO2″, not the cold-pressed oil). Gently mix the oils so that the color appears uniform (it’s better not to shake or mix vigorously, as the oils don’t do so well being oxygenated this way). And there you have it — what seems like a simple blend is actually a truly fine, therapeutic quality creation. Use it regularly and you’ll probably notice a healthy difference in your skin fairly quickly, and with long term use, you’ll be doing your skin a wonderful favor by protecting it from the most troublesome factors of aging.

More on the healing effects of essential oils can be found at http://www.anandaapothecary.com.

Vitamin D And Its Side Effects

August 5th, 2010 Victor Properties Comments off

Under normal circumstances and dosages, vitamin D is tolerated very well, and side effects are not common at all. Vitamin D side effects are more likely to be linked to a deficiency in the vitamin, rather than cases where an overdose was taken. However, there are some people who may be hypersensitive to the vitamin due to medical conditions.

In very rare cases, vitamin D hypersensitivity may occur, but it is normally caused by medical conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, granulamatous TB, carcinoma and other cancers. Patients with any of the above should only consider a vitamin D supplement program in consultation with their doctor. It might be wise to undergo regular blood tests to ensure that the levels of vitamin D in the blood stay within normal range to avoid vitamin D side effects due to overdose or deficiency.

It is important to note an overdose with concurrent vitamin D side effects can never be the result of too much sunlight. Your body has a mechanism that stops the process of manufacturing vitamin D when enough for your body’s use has been manufactured. Overdosing is normally the result of supplementation, rather than ingesting vitamin D via food sources or sun exposure. Vitamin D can be stored in the body’s fat cells for up to sixty days.

Because vitamin D has primarily the function of encouraging calcium absorption, high levels of calcium in the blood, leading to excessive calcium in the intestinal tract is possible. Your internal organs can be permanently damaged by these high levels of calcium.

Other side effects of overdosing can include bone pain, fatigue, thirst, and excessive production of urine. Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting are also known vitamin D side effects. Kidney stones can also result form ingesting too much vitamin D which again leads to excessive calcium in the system.

Pregnant females should be especially careful when supplementing with vitamin D, as another side effect can be damage to the fetus, resulting in abnormalities – physical and mental – in the baby.

Most healthcare practitioners are more concerned with the vitamin D side effects as a result of a deficiency, rather than as a result of an overdose – research actually indicates that 70% of Americans, for instance, are vitamin D deficient.

Children who are vitamin D deficient are prone to rickets, which results in stunted growth and deformed long bones. There is certainly also a link between vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis, a condition that is characterized by reduced bone density and concurrent fragility of the bone.

There seems to be a link between various diseases and sufficient vitamin D levels. Vitamin D has been linked to depression, various cancers, boosting the immune system, cardiovascular disease. It remains essential to your good health.

How to check if your vitamin D levels are sufficient? A simple blood test to measure your blood calcidiol level can show if your vitamin D levels are sufficient for optimum body function. However, ensuring that you get 15-20 minutes of sunlight three times a week should be sufficient to ensure that your body creates the vitamin D it needs. Dietary sources include cod liver oil, fatty fish species, eggs, liver and mushrooms.

Looking to find the best information on Vitamin D deficiency symptoms, then visit Victor Properties’s site to find the best advice on Vitamin D deficiency for you.

Vitamin D Overdose And Health Risk

August 1st, 2010 Victor Properties Comments off

Vitamin D is essential to your good health, but like everything else, it should not be overdone! It is possible to experience a vitamin D overdose, especially since we actually need fairly low levels of vitamin D in our bodies to function.

Vitamin D overdose causes Hypervitaminosis D due to toxic levels in the body. It can be serious if the causes of the symptoms are not understood and intake of the vitamin stopped.

What causes of vitamin D overdose? Exposure to sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D, and as little as fifteen minutes of sunlight “therapy” three times a week is all you really need for your body to produce the vitamin D you need. You cannot overdose on vitamin D by getting too much sun, though, as your body only produces what you need.

You will probably also not experience a vitamin D overdose from food sources. Too many supplements are often to blame for excessive vitamin D intake, as your body cannot shut down the absorption of vitamins from supplements. This can cause the build up of vitamin D to toxic levels. Ironically, toxic levels of vitamin D are often the result of therapeutic prescription of the supplement due to an original deficiency – high levels may have been prescribed for patients with rickets, for instance.

A vitamin D overdose is never the result of a single high dose, rather the levels of toxicity in the body builds up in the body’s fat cells over time. Most nutrients that we consume too much of, the body simply gets rid of; however, with vitamin D it has no such mechanism, but stores the excess in the fat cells. It is the stored vitamin D that eventually leads to toxic amounts in your body.

The upper intake levels for babies are 25 micrograms, while for older children and adults, 50 micrograms per day are sufficient. Children will suffer from toxicity more quickly than adults.

What are the health risks of a vitamin D overdose?

1 Because vitamin D has primarily the function of encouraging calcium absorption, high levels of calcium in the blood is possible. This could lead to excessive calcium in the intestinal tract.

2 High levels of phosphate and calcium in the lungs, heart and kidneys, which can damage your organs permanently.

3 Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and weight loss.

4 High levels in the kidneys can lead to kidney stones, renal failure and excessive production of urine.

5 If you are pregnant, a vitamin D overdose can cause deformities in your baby.

6 Other symptoms include bone pain, fatigue, excessive thirst and dehydration, itchy skin and deafness.

An overdose can be treated by simply stopping the intake of supplements, and lowering the amount of calcium you ingest until the symptoms stop.

Always consult your doctor before taking vitamin supplements, and in the case of vitamin D, when you get a lot of sun exposure, you will probably not need to take vitamin D supplements at all. Vitamin D in the correct amounts is essential to good health.

Learn more about Vitamin D deficiency symptoms. Stop by Victor Properties’s site where you can find out all about Vitamin D deficiency and what it can do for you.

5 Weeks Pregnant – An Introduction

July 30th, 2010 Monica Desjardins Comments off

The entire pregnancy period covers 40 weeks and this long period is divided into three t trimester. The first trimester comprises of weeks 1 – 12. Expectant mothers who are 5 weeks pregnant are supposed to expect well acknowledged internal changes in their body of both the mother as well as the baby. You should be familiar with all the changes that occur when you are 5 weeks pregnant. In this phase, research shows very quick growth for your baby’s embryo. The heart begins to beat faintly and the umbilical cord begins to develop rapidly. The umbilical cord is a vital connection between a mother and her baby as it passes all the essential nutrition for the growth and development of the baby.

By the time you are 5 weeks pregnant, the embryo started to grow to form the mouth, ears and eyes of the baby. Even the little buds of the arms as well as legs began to grow at a rapid pace. The little one is vigorously developing inside the mother every moment. It is at this time the weak heart is successful in pumping out the first quantity of blood into the infinitesimal blood stream.

Even the expectant mother can see few differences in her body. The most common symptom when you are 5 weeks pregnant is morning sickness. It is the much talked about symptom experience by a new mother together with various symptoms. At this time women experience nausea followed by vomiting. This is the perfect time to plan your first obstetrician visit. Morning sickness begins at the fourth week and continues till the ninth week. It is a miracle that few pregnant women just manage to escape the pain of this symptom.

Visit your obstetrician when you are 5 weeks pregnant and figure out your due date and other information related to pregnancy. You will be given prenatal vitamins which can give addition supplement to both you and your baby.

Is it your first pregnancy? Are you 5 weeks pregnant? It is typical that you will not show significant change in your body. No weight gain or lose will occur. If you show symptoms of morning sickness process it will strengthen followed by fatigue and bowel activity.

The embryo will show significant growth in its arms and legs development together with eyes and nostrils. By the time you complete the 5th week, the brain functioning of the embryo will start and the pancreas and as well as intestines will start to grow rapidly.

Women who are 5 weeks pregnant should start consulting their doctor to have healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. If your obstetricians find problems it related to your health or nutrition at this stage he can address it promptly to make your journey smooth during this vital phase of life.

Looking to find the best information on 5 Weeks pregnant with twins and 5 Weeks pregnant symptoms, then visit Monica Desjardins’s site to find the best advice on 5 Weeks pregnant for you.

Changes Begin When You Are 5 Weeks Pregnant

July 29th, 2010 Monica Desjardins Comments off

Almost all women experience few pregnancy symptoms as they slowly approach the period when they are 5 weeks pregnant. Now the expecting woman will not look pregnant, but her body will bring in numerous changes. Further, the body of the little one will endure radical modification as it gets bigger in the womb.

Development of human embryo

When you are only 5 weeks pregnant, the baby inside you will be called an embryo. At this stage fewer developments are noticed and the most significant thing a doctor can feel is your baby’s heart beat. The kidneys as well as heart develop at this early period. The neural tube that links the brain with the spinal cord closes at this point. On ultrasound photo of your baby embryo will display the ever growing upper and lower limb buds. These will later develop into the arms and legs of your baby. It is at this stage the facial features begin to develop. Your baby’s nostrils and the eye’s retina are clearly seen.

Modification In an expectant Mother

Most of the expectant mothers experience initial symptoms of pregnancy when she is only 5 weeks pregnant. Morning sickness, nauseating fee due to strong smells, sore or sensitive breast is common symptom of pregnant women at this stage. This is due to sudden rise in the hormone levels inside the pregnant body. The sensitivity fades away when the hormone levels become steady.
The fuller breasts are also the cause of increased hormone levels. At this stage extra milk glands and blood develop and make the breasts ready for nourishing the coming baby.

5 weeks pregnant women excrete recurrently. It is a common symptom at first trimester due to hormonal changes and in final trimester of your pregnancy due to the ever growing uterus which shrinks the bladder to limit the bladder capacity.

In the first trimester, pregnant women are caught in the grip of fatigue frequently and are found sleeping throughout the day. The fact is not a worrying issue because the body needs some more rest for promoting the healthy growing of your embryo.
Yet other symbols of 5 weeks pregnant women are increased appetite, increased basal temperature and metallic taste in the mouth. You should properly recognize these symptoms are very important. Furthermore, the warning signs in pregnancy should be equally recognized.

Warning Signs of 5 weeks pregnant women

* Mild to severe vomiting
* Severe headache
* Rise in the basal temperature of the body
* Face, eyes and hands swell up
* Intensification of thirst with little or no urination

5 weeks pregnant women must take care of her eating habits. Healthy eating habits, performing light exercise and regularly following doctor’s advice are the secret of successful pregnancy.

Looking to find the best information on 5 Weeks pregnant with twins and 5 Weeks pregnant symptoms, then visit Monica Desjardins’s site to find the best advice on 5 Weeks pregnant for you.

5 Weeks Pregnant And Health

July 25th, 2010 Monica Desjardins Comments off

Are you having a headache? Are you not feeling good? But do not know what has happened suddenly, it may be that you are pregnant. In this article you get acquainted with all the symptoms and signs of early pregnancy up to the time when you are almost 5 weeks pregnant or more.

The prevalent sign of pregnancy is a delay or missed menstruation. Are you sexually active and have missed your period? Do not delay to test yourself with the help of pregnancy test kit. There are times many women may get bleeding though they find the result positive in self pregnancy test. Such bleeding will be lighter and continue for very short period. This is a sign of early stage of pregnancy calculated to be between 6 to 12 days subsequent to the conception. At this time minute embryo manages to clutch itself onto the uterus wall.

Changes starts to show up once you become pregnant. Some of the vital changes that occur till the time you are 5 weeks pregnant are sore and tender breast, morning sickness including nausea and vomiting, darkening of the areolas and the extreme tiredness.

The swelling of breasts occurs when a woman is in her first or 2nd week of pregnancy and persists in woman who is more than 5 weeks pregnant. It is in fact a discomforting experience followed by darkening of the areolas. The morning sickness or nausea is a predominant symptom of woman who is 5 weeks pregnant. Pregnant women may experience this symptom as early as 2nd week which may persist till 8 week after conception. Few fortunate women do not sense the panic of morning sickness.

Extreme tiredness and frequent urination are yet other prevalent symptoms of woman who is 5 weeks pregnant. Pregnant woman feel sleepy most of the time and sometimes lose the ability of getting out of bed which is quite normal. Pregnant women make even more trips to the lavatory every day than a normal person.

Aches like backaches as well as headaches are common for woman who is 5 weeks pregnant. Early pregnancy symptom is lower backaches which continue through the entire phrase of pregnancy. Hormonal changes that frequently occur in a pregnant woman may be the main cause of headaches in the early pregnancy.

Craving for food especially particular types of food starts when a woman is 5 weeks pregnant and continues for the whole pregnancy.

Do you experience such symptoms being sexually active? Take a pregnancy test and take immediate appointment with your doctor.

Looking to find the best information on 5 Weeks pregnant with twins and 5 Weeks pregnant symptoms, then visit Monica Desjardins’s site to find the best advice on 5 Weeks pregnant for you.

Practical Aromatherapy: Blend Your Own Therapeutic Essential Oil Mists

July 25th, 2010 Gail Gray Comments off

Natural aromatic oils are a feast for our senses, and their properties work their magic in a holistic way on the health of our mind, body and spirit. As a preventative medicine, aromatherapy is unsurpassed; it is useful in balancing psychological health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue. The aromatic use of essential oils is also wonderful for overall mood enhancement, stress reduction and even sleep enhancement. And one of the most simple and effective means of using essential oils is in an aromatherapy spray. These easily made ‘mists’ are a wonderful way to introduce the natural healing effects of essential oils to your family, and create a high-vibration atmosphere in your home.

This little project is something you can do alone, or with older children in the family. Getting your loved ones involved will have two important benefits: First, they’re likely to let you know which scents appeal to them the most. Often in aromatherapy, it is the scents we are most fond of that can have the strongest supporting effects for emotional health. Second, they’re also more likely to use and enjoy the oils they’ve had a part in making. This not only will give them greater satisfaction with the sprays, but will likely open their eyes and minds a little bit more to the world of natural health and wellness.

Just a few easily found items are required: 1 or 2 ounce dark glass bottles with pump spray tops are great containers. The dark color helps preserve the essential oils, and their small size makes them relatively durable, easily handled, and portable. An eye-dropper makes it easy to dispense the oils drop by drop (as the recipes call for “drops” of each essential oil). Plastic ones are most appropriate if children are involved, as the droppers tend to be somewhat delicate. As for the “carrier” of the essential oils, filtered or spring water is really all you need. If you’d like to store the blends for longer than a couple of months, use 1/5th witch hazel in your formulas. Finally, you can also keep the water and oils from separating by using one to three percent of an emulsifying agent known as “Tween”.

Then there’s the essential oils – there are over a hundred to choose from, though you can start with just one or two of the more common ones and still make wonderful, effective formulas. It is important, however, to find the highest quality oils you can. You’ll find that even with the much-used lavender essential oil, the aromas will vary considerably from one to the next. They may cost a little more, but are generally worth it, especially as you’ll only need a few drops of each oil to get started. The nicer the oil you start with, the nicer the resulting aroma-mist you’ll create. And the nicer mists will get used more often, with bigger smiles on everyone’s faces from the brilliant aromas from finely-crafted oils.

If children will be involved in making or using the mists, you may want to give a little consideration to essential oil safety. Generally, the floral oils will be absolutely fine for everyone to play with. The citrus oils are also very safe, but should not be sprayed repeatedly on bare skin. Oils distilled from evergreen tree needles can also be skin irritants over time. The pungent, spicy oils should be used with caution — cinnamon, clove and the like. These are found in sprays in the very tiniest concentrations just to add a little “zing”, but can burn the skin of sensitive individuals. Finally, while peppermint is a wonderful addition to blends to add an invigorating top note, spearmint is the oil of choice around very young children.

So, now you can create your misters! The basic formula is exceptionally simple: fill your small bottles almost to the top with water or 1:4 Witch Hazel and water mixture, then add the essential oils drop by drop. Once the oils are added, just tighten the cap and shake well until you no longer see the oil and water quickly separating when done. Don’t worry if the oils do separate a little, this is natural – just shake gently before each use and you’ll spritz quite enough aroma into your space. For the most simple formulas, just use a four to sixteen drops of any one essential oil per ounce of water. French lavender, geranium, rose, sandalwood and chamomile are excellent choices, as are any of the evergreen oils, or the citrus oils. Steer toward smaller amounts of the essential oil if intending to use the formula with children.

For a therapeutic synergy for calming children and helping them sleep, lavender and chamomile blend very well together. A simple formula of two drops of each essential oil per ounce of spray is perfect. Misting a child’s room as the lights go out for the night can really make a difference for many children (and their parents, too!).

Looking for an aroma to brighten everyone’s day? Try one or more of the oils cold-pressed from the peels of citrus fruits: Sweet orange, lemon, lime, and bergamot have a perky “sweet-tart” aroma. The oils from tangerine and mandarin are somewhat sweeter, being even more appealing to kids. All these oils will mix well together too; you can pick two or more and create a new fruit flavor! These oils are all considered natural anti-depressants in aromatherapy, and will lighten the atmosphere in any home.

Finally, the evergreen oils are very popular as room fresheners. These are the essential oils distilled from the needles of Pine, Spruce, Balsam Fir and from Juniper Berries. Like the citrus oils, these all blend well together, and mixing them creates very complementary scents. Juniper Berry is especially lively and bright; Pine is a classic evergreen aroma, and Balsam Fir and Spruce are somewhat richer and more complex. Like the citrus oils too, these are uplifting aromas, though they seem to be uplifting and grounding at the same time.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, and are wanting to create new, complex blends, it is strongly recommended to proceed slowly. It’s easy to make “mud”, even when all the aromas you’ve started with are lovely. It can be helpful to create your new blend drop by drop in a small bottle, keeping notes as to what you’ve added, and let the blend sit for a while before adjusting (you’d be surprised how much a blend’s aroma can change after an hour or so). Whether using single oils, oils of the same family, or making your own inspired creation, aromatherapy mists are a fantastic introduction into the world of essential oils that you’re whole family can enjoy.

More information on therapeutic essential oils and proper use of aromatherapy carrier oil is available online at the Ananda Apothecary.

Morning Sickness Begins – 5 Weeks Pregnant

July 23rd, 2010 Monica Desjardins Comments off

A new phrase of your pregnancy starts when you are 5 weeks pregnant. This is the time when an expectant mother start to experience the most common symptom called the morning sickness. But the symptom of morning sickness will not be the only symptom you and your unborn are facing at this time. Let’s take a very close look at this pregnancy week and know what changes are really occurring within you as well as your developing baby inside.

In the 5th Week, most of the new mothers-to-be come to know that they are pregnant. By the time they are 5 weeks pregnant, they have already missed their last period and the pregnancy test done have delivered the positive result of being a mother-to-be. Even though it is your first realization that your baby is about to step in this earth, your unborn has already been in the process of vigorous developmental phase.

Baby at the 5th week

Being 5 weeks pregnant now, your baby will grow to approximately the size of about 0.05 inches in length. The amazing fact of this week is your baby is miraculously growing in full phase. The little heart is about to beat at its own rhythm. In the developmental phase, the heart of a human starts to beat only when the plate which are forming into a heart has fully developed to make the heart beat possible. Though at this point the sound of the beat cannot be heard but it is beating its pace, like a miracle.

By the time you are 5 weeks pregnant, the neural tube of your baby starts to fuse. You should take an additional dose of folic acid supplements as this will play a vital role in the total development of your baby.

Mother at the 5th week

At the stage when you are 5 weeks pregnant, you will not show any external signs of being pregnant, but developments are carried out inside their body. This is the time when few women will start feeling the consequence of morning sickness. It is at this time that the breast begins to sore. If you feel uncomfortable about this change in your body, the best thing is to start using a jog bra. It will help in supporting you and handle the soreness.

A miracle happens with few women as they in no way experience morning sickness at the time when they are 5 weeks pregnant or throughout their pregnancy. Such women are blessed indeed.

Extra care should be taken about the eating habits during pregnancy. Foods having high fat or foods with high sugar content should be avoided. This will enable you to avoid adding that extra weight to your body weight and you will feel much better.

Looking to find the best information on 5 Weeks pregnant with twins and 5 Weeks pregnant symptoms, then visit Monica Desjardins’s site to find the best advice on 5 Weeks pregnant for you.

The Finest Essential Oils For Summer Skin Care

July 14th, 2010 Victoria Berchey Comments off

Summer is here and many of us are spending more time out in the sun. And though we may apply sunscreen liberally, at the end of long hot days our skin will still feel the effect of the sun’s rays. Friends in that natural health sciences tell us that most damage from sun exposure to our skin is our result of ultra violet rays creating free radicals within our skins cells. Our skin becomes inflamed as a result. Fortunately, topically applied antioxidants can quench these free radicals, reduce inflammation, and leave our skin with a happy healthy glow. Application of the proper formula can have a marked effect in reducing premature aging for yourself and everyone in your family.

Essential oils are exceptionally potent antioxidants, with some being researched specifically for this activity in our skin. Oil of Myrrh was recently studied for its free radical inhibiting effect specifically in the chemical interaction between UV rays and the skins natural oils. Myrrh has long been used to natural healing, and the studies show evidence of its healing potential. Every essential oil found in skin care formulas has antioxidant action, and each one has a unique skin healing property.

Making your own formula can be fun, and it’s really easy to do. You only need to select a few essential oils and blend them into a natural “carrier oil” base. All these oils absorb particularly well into the skin in a few minutes, without any “oily” feeling. The essential oils are easy to choose: Lavender essential oil, particularly Lavendula angustifolia, may be your first choice. Lavender has a great many healing properties for the skin; it is syngergistically anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and soothing at the same time. It is perfect for general skincare and after-sun use, and is called for by many aromatherapists in cases of sunburn.

For even greater anti-inflammatory effect, try either blue tansy or blue chamomile. Their deep blue colors are indicative of their natural cooling effect. Blue tansy has an absolutely delicious aroma, smelling like a berry patch deep in the forest. Both are included in many natural health skincare formulas for all sorts of dermatitis including itchy allergic reactions which often occur in the summer heat. If you or your child’s skin is particularly sensitive, either one of these oils will make an important addition to your formula.

Helichrysum may be the most dramatically anti-inflammatory and regenerative oil used in skin care. While expensive, just a small amount will have important healing effects. Helichrysum is used in wound healing and scar removal blends, and will do just as well for daily facial care for “mature” skin.

Two exceptionally wonderful essential oils for after-sun protection for mature skin are frankincense and sandalwood. These two specialty oils have remarkable protective actions — both have been researched for their anticancer activities, sandalwood particularly for skin cancer. Frankincense has been researched for therapeutic benefits for mature skin, actually resulting in diminishing the appearance of fine lines and smoothing skin texture. They do their work in completely different ways, so including them both in your recipe isn’t a bad idea.

And for perhaps most profound protective effects, choose sea buckthorn. This essential oil has been studied by Russian scientists as a protective agent for cosmonauts in outer space. It’s deep red color indicates a high concentration of vitamin A like compounds, highly regarded for their skin healing properties. Sea buckthorn is useful in virtually any skincare application, and most certainly for an after-sun formula.

Other additions to your formula outside the realm of common aromatherapy include fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin E in its natural form can even be squeezed from a capsule — be sure to find it labeled “natural”, as the synthetic form is considered not all that good for you. The fat-soluble form of vitamin C is becoming a very popular skin care ingredient as well. Found as ascorbyl palmitate or “Ester-C”, you can open up the dry capsules of powder and add this to your blend.

All your “active-ingredients” will be based in carrier oils. These are cold-processed seed or nut oils carefully made for therapeutic applications. The most useful for after-sun formula are jojoba, avocado, apricot kernel, tamanu, and rosehip seed oils. Jojoba, avocado, apricot kernel are soothing, hydrating, and nutritive. Tamanu and rosehip seed are specialty skin care oils are particularly suited to this use. Tamanu is mentioned in the medical aromatherapy literature as called for in various wound healing and skin care recipes; Rosehip seed has been the subject of numerous studies, helping create healthy skin numerous and diverse conditions. Rosehip has been specifically indicated for reduction of appearance of fine lines from sun over exposure.

The recipes are really flexible and easy to make. You can easily tailor them to your own needs, or to those of your children and other loved ones. Simply choose one or more essential oils and add them to your carrier oil mixture at the rate of between 14 and 35 total drops per ounce. The idea is that you want to have a total essential oil concentration of somewhere between 2 and 5%. Seven drops of essential oil in one once of carrier oil equals a one-percent concentration.

For example, for an excellent one ounce blend, begin with a carrier base of one-third Rosehip seed, one-third tamanu oil and one-third avocado. To this you could add 14 drops each of lavender and sea buckthorn, and 7 drops blue tansy. This blend will smell so wonderful; you’ll want to use it all the time! It will be gentle enough for everyone who has had a happy day in the sun. For after-sun protection and care of mature skin, use a base of one-third each apricot kernel, tamanu and rosehip seed. To this add equal parts each of helichrysum, sea buckthorn, lavender, and myrrh. This blend should be used after any long-term sun exposure to really protect your skin, and give it a long-lasting healthy glow. Now you get the idea, you can easily mix and match the oils in any combination that suits you best.

For more, visit The Ananda Apothecary here, or organic herbs here.

Uterine Fibroid Symptoms – What Are The Signs?

July 7th, 2010 Jade Scott Comments off

You do not need to concern yourself with uterine fibroids symptoms when the fibroids you find are quite tiny. However, you may need to think of uterine fibroids symptoms and signs whenever there are symptoms which is not common happening around your abdomen and you sense something ill with your body.

For your information, getting yourself a concise medical checkup is still necessary even though you can still determine from the things stated below that whether you have fibroids, as they do not serve much as a threat your lives, there is a possibility that the supposingly uterine fibroids symptoms you are having now may not be result of having fibroids but a far worse condition.

1. Regular periodal bleeding and heavy periods

There are many causes to this uterine fibroids symptoms, as having fibroid is one of them whereby it blocks the blood flow and results in heavier backup. Congestion in the uterine blood vessels can also be caused by fibroids where blood flow will be erratic. Another thing is that the blood vessels within the uterus will be increases in terms of volume and quantity which lead to high amount of blood being supplied.

2. Feeling Painful

One of most worrisome uterine fibroids symptoms would be feeling painful and uncomfortable. One in three women nod their head on this and it manifests itself differently among women due to many factors such as the volume, the numbers, which part of the body is the fibroid is and the amount of pa in the woman can bear. Huge fibroids can be problematic as they might exert force onto the internal organs and after some time the death of fibroid will cause pain that is hard to bear.

3. Exertion

One common uterine fibroids symptoms many women will say is that they feel some force constantly being exerted by the fibroids they are having. The pressure exerted varies with the fibroid size. This feeling is often found by women to be similar to the feeling when they were pregnant.

4. Feeling full

As the fibroids grow larger, it will become more noticeable by looking at it from the outside, and your abdomen will show enlargement significantly. It is true that this uterine fibroids symptoms do not create much harm, they have the means to make us feel very uncomfortable and with the waistband being tightened should be a trigger for us to do something.

5. Uncomfortable intercourse

Fibroids found along the uterine walls will cause intercourse to be uncomfortable.

6. Inability to control urine

Fibroids which press on the bladder will cause the bladder to have difficulty in emptying its content and result in higher urgency to urinate frequently. From here, the uterine fibroids symptoms will manifest itself as incontinence.

7. Problems in Conceiving

Uterine fibroids symptoms are linked to many problems. Sperm will have hard time penetrating the cervix and going through the fallopian tube as fibroids in the uterus causes so. Fertilization of the ovum by the sperm will be difficult especially when the fibroids are big or placed beneath the linings of the womb thus distortion occurs. Fibroids can also cause early labor and miscarriages.

8. Depression

Secondary uterine fibroids symptoms, in response to the primary symptoms usually comes in the form of depression.

Uterine fibroids symptoms can be treated naturally. By putting yourself in charge of your own health not only you will rid yourself of all these symptoms in days but also seeing the fibroids getting smaller in a few weeks times.

Want to find out more about uterine fibroids, then visit Jade Scott’s site on how to choose the best uterine fibroids treatment for your needs.