tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331291652024-03-05T13:53:35.461-08:00Aromatherapy & Natural Skin CareA practical guide to creating natural aromas for bath, body, and home.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-58592281828841055352013-08-23T04:00:00.000-07:002013-08-23T04:00:03.266-07:00The Anti-Bacterial Myth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now that we are approaching cold and flu season, many people will break out the antibacterial hand sanitizer in an effort to keep germs at bay. But is an antibacterial really necessary? Several studies have proven that antibacterial products are no more effective than regular soap and water to clean and fight bacteria. Even the <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/6858" target="_blank">FDA has gone on the record</a> saying that antibacterial sanitizers have not been proven effective in preventing colds and flus.<br />
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Besides being unnecessary and extremely drying to the skin, synthethic antibacterial hand sanitizers can do more harm than good. According to a report from researchers at John Hopkins University, the anti-bacterial chemicals that we send down the drain survive treatment at sewage plants and make their way into the sludge used on agricultural land. The overreliance on these antibacterials, as well as the prevalence of antibacterials in the market may actually create the same situation they are designed to prevent.<br />
Bacteria and microbes, like humans, are very adept at adapting. When continually exposed to the same antibacterial agents, microbes eventually develop a resistance to its killing effects. This means that over time, the bacteria become stronger and more virulent. Additionally, there are <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/040247_triclosan_anti-bacterial_soap_FDA_review.html" target="_blank">safety concerns</a> surrounding the active ingredient in some antibacterial products, triclosan.<br />
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<strong>Do You Ever Need An Anti-bacterial?</strong><br />
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An anti-bacterial is useful in some situations.<br />
<ul>
<li>When you are caring for an ill person in your home. Hospitals use antibacterials to limit the spread of germs among its patients. You can use essential oils at the proper dilution rate to achieve similar germ killing results.</li>
<li>When washing with soap and water is not practical or available. If you choose one of the anti-bacterial "hand sanitizers", be sure to keep it on your hands for at least 2 minutes and allow it to dry on your hands. Rinsing off antibacterial products reduces their effectiveness. When you have to use an antibacterial, using one that contains natural ingredients is probably a safer bet in the long run. Our family uses <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UVKMVY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002UVKMVY&linkCode=as2&tag=perceisreali-20" target="_blank">Clean Well Natural Hand Sanitizer</a> because it is alcohol-free and contains some of nature's strongest antibacterial essential oils. I keep a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G7PQM8/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001G7PQM8&linkCode=as2&tag=perceisreali-20" target="_blank">pocket-sized version</a> in my purse for those times when soap and water is not available.</li>
</ul>
There are many essential oils that contain well researched and proven antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Tea tree oil is probably the strongest antibacterial antifungal, and antimicrobial essential oil. Other oils high in antibacterial properties include patchouli, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, clove, pine, oregano, black pepper, thyme, bay, sage, lemongrass, bergamot, and peppermint. They are especially useful for disinfecting surfaces in your home and purifying the air. Dr. John Valnet demonstrated that at a 2% dilution rate (2 teaspoons essential oil in 2 cups water), eucalyptus oil killed 70% of airborne staph bacteria.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-38124592026962798792013-08-21T08:26:00.003-07:002013-08-21T08:26:27.330-07:00Aromatherapy Recipe: Seaweed Mineral Spa Bath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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High quality, dried seaweed can be purchased at health food stores. The cost is about $15.00 for a dried pound, which is enough for about five baths.<br />
<ol>
<li>Boil water in a large pot filled about 3/4 full and remove from heat.</li>
<li>Add about 3 ounces of seaweed to hot water and steep for thirty minutes.</li>
<li>Fill bath with warm water, add seaweed "tea" to bath -- seaweed and all.</li>
<li>Add 2 drops cypress (astringent, diuretic) essential oil, 3 drops lemon essential oil (anti-toxic, astringent, diuretic), 1 drop juniper essential oil (tonic, circulatory stimulant), 1 drop lavender essential oil (anti-toxic, diuretic, restorative) to the bath, if desired.</li>
<li>Relax in bath for twenty to thirty minutes.</li>
<li>Rub seaweed gently over skin, if desired, to transfer seaweed's gel to skin surface.</li>
</ol>
For best results do not rinse seaweed residue off skin for at least an hour. After your bath, pat skin dry with a towel, wrap yourself in a soft, warm robe, drink water to rehydrate and relax! Repeat once a week for one month. If you have thyroid or kidney problems, please consult your physician first.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-43272068254997451572011-06-13T20:18:00.002-07:002011-06-13T20:18:55.279-07:00Essential Oil Profile: PatchouliPatchouli oils comes from a plant called Pogostemon cablin, from the same family as the Clary Sage, Lamiaceae. This plant is thought to have originated in the Philippines and is now cultivated in many tropical areas. The fragrant woody, earthy, somewhat spicy, musky and smoky scent of Patchouli is produced by the leaves of this herb. The strength and unique odor quality of Patchouli lends itself to oriental types of perfumes. It gives a long-lasting fragrant allure to any perfume. The plant is a bushy perennial herb, up to three feet tall with hairy leaves that are 4 inches long.<br />
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Patchouli is recognized by aromatherapists as being effective for combating nervous disorders, helping with dandruff, sores, skin irritations and acne. The specific properties of the oil include use as an antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, astringent, deodorant, stimulating and tonic agent. In the perfumery industry, it is interesting to note that Patchouli improves with age, and that the aged product is what is preferred over freshly harvested. In aromatherapy, Patchouli is an excellent fixative that can help extend other, more expensive oils.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-90002943635253969422011-06-13T20:18:00.001-07:002011-06-13T20:18:12.321-07:00Placeholder for QAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-45434055724881291122011-05-15T17:30:00.000-07:002011-05-15T17:30:08.757-07:00All About Seaweed<b>What is Seaweed?</b><br />
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Seaweed has long been reputed to detoxify the body, revitalize the skin and heal wounds. French studies have shown that the minerals in seaweed do have the ability to penetrate the skin. But, can seaweed really reduce wrinkles, tighten the skin, and eliminate cellulite?<br />
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When it comes to skin, there's a lot to like about seaweed. It's packed with minerals, and nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. However, to realize seaweed's full effects on the skin, the right amount must be applied. Most of the products on the market today contain miniscule amounts of seaweed and seaweed extracts. Hardly enough to make a difference on the skin, even when applied regularly.<br />
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Another consideration is that seaweed should be as pure as possible to ensure that its minerals and vitamins are retained. Buying dried seaweed, in its original sheet form, at the local health food store is one of the best ways to reap its benefits when applied to the body. To maximize the benefits of the seaweed and to increase its penetration into the skin, the skin should be dry brushed with a natural bristle brush first to stimulate the outer layer of the skin.<br />
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What you put into your body ultimately reflects on the outside. The best way to reap the benefits of seaweed is to incorporate it into your daily diet. Chopped seaweed can be tossed in salads, eaten with sushi, sprinkled into soups, and used in baked goods like cookies and breads.<br />
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Despite all its benefits, there is one seaweed claim that may not hold water. Seaweed has long been reported to be a cure for cellulite. Most experts agree and studies have shown that seaweed does not cure cellulite. Cellulite is largely genetic, has nothing to do with how fit you are, and is virtually impossible to get rid of. Most of the products on the market today can only improve the appearance of cellulite and they do not contain seaweed as an active ingredient. The underlying cellulite is still there waiting for you to stop using the product so that it can make its comeback. If you can't afford the expensive spa treatments that are used to treat cellulite, an easy and cheap remedy is regular and vigorous massage of the affected area. This can be incorporated into a daily dry brushing routine.<br />
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<b>Types of Seaweed</b><br />
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<b>Kelp</b>-(Laminaria), the most prolific sea plant on America's shores, contains vitamins A, B, E, D and K, is a main source of vitamin C and rich in minerals.<br />
<b>Dulse</b>-(Palmariapalmata), rich in iron, protein, and vitamin A, is delicious with walnuts, spinach and rice.<br />
<b>Kombu</b>-(Laminaria digitata, setchelli, horsetail kelp) is a meaty, high-protein seaweed.<br />
<b>Hijiki</b>-is a mineral-rich, high-fiber seaweed, with 20 percent protein, vitamin A, carotenes and calcium. Hijiki has the most calcium of any sea green, 1400 mg per 100 gr. of dry weight.<br />
<b>Wakame</b>-(Alaria, undaria) is a high- protein, high- calcium seaweed, with carotenes, iron and vitamin C and is widely used in the Orient for hair growth and luster and for skin tone.<br />
<b>Nori</b>-(Porphyra, laver) is a red sea plant with a sweet, meaty taste when dried.<br />
<b>Arame</b>-(Eisenia bycyclis) is one of the ocean's richest sources of iodine.<br />
<b>Sea Palm</b>-(Postelsia palmaeformis), American arame, grows only on the Pacific coast of North America. It has a sweet, salty taste that goes especially well as a vegetable, rice or salad topping.<br />
<b>Bladderwrack</b>-Bladderwrack is packed with vitamin K, an excellent adrenal stimulant.<br />
<b>Irish moss</b>-(Chondrus crispus, carrageen) is full of electrolyte minerals--calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-53833712840804981682011-05-15T17:22:00.001-07:002011-05-16T18:29:31.885-07:00Essential Oil Profile: Tea Tree<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tea tree essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia plant. It is a powerful antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibiotic oil. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Odor- strong, sharp, medicinal, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fragrance Notes- classified as a top note but I disagree. It’s medicinal smell is so strong that I only use it at night when there's no chance that anyone else will smell it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Precautions- can irritate sensitive skin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Useful for- cuts, insect bites, burns, cold sores, air purifier – careful not to use too much, colds, acne, dandruff, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emotional benefits- In my opinion, tea tree has a much too strong medicinal smell to offer an emotional benefit when inhaled. The smell is jarring, to say the least. So, if you need a quick pick-me-up, just take a whiff. Otherwise, save this for skin and medicinal applications. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-90693429965581330702011-05-15T17:21:00.001-07:002011-05-15T17:21:29.977-07:00Placeholder for UI will update when I think of something.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-17454258998387412092011-05-08T17:49:00.000-07:002013-08-21T09:22:08.054-07:00Valerie Gennari Cooksley - Aromatherapist<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Valerie Gennari Cooksley is one of my favorite aromatherapy and natural health care authors. I have used her book “Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing With Essential Oils” as my main aromatherapy reference book for many years. It’s the most thorough manual I’ve found and she explains what can be a complicated subject in an easy to understand way. She is a certified aromatherapist and registered nurse. So, she tends to focus on how aromatherapy can help us heal our bodies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The book has simple aromatherapy recipes for common ailments as well as recipes for skin care and bath rituals. She stresses that the book is a guide to using aromatherapy to complement conventional medicine, not replace it. I like this balanced approach because for common health concerns, home remedies can offer effective relief and/or soothe symptoms. More serious issues should always be taken to a doctor. Most of the book focuses on aromatherapy remedies for the digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system, muscles and joints, and eye, ears, nose, and throat issues. There are also remedies for children, women’s issues, skin care, bath and spa treatments, and “psycho-aromatherapy” blends to aid with mood and memory. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the introduction, she says that she hopes “you will find it [the book] so practical and easy to use, it will be found in your kitchen, bathroom, and/or bedroom, stained and scented with essential oils and worn and tattered from frequent and enthusiastic use.” This has truly been the case for me because the essential oil reference guide and the blending how-to section have been invaluable to me. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-27299771118361843982011-05-05T09:07:00.000-07:002011-05-05T09:15:37.913-07:00Whole Foods Market to Rate Natural Cleaning ProductsThis week, Whole Foods Market announced a plan to launch a color-coded "<a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/eco-scale/">Eco-Scale Rating System</a>." Essentially, the company plans to require that manufacturers of the green cleaning products it stocks list the ingredients on the packaging. The government does not currently require cleaning products to be labeled. Whole Foods will also have a third party company independently verify the products' safety and environmental impact to give the product its Eco-Scale rating. The new rating system is expected to be fully launced by April 2012.<br />
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I think this is a step in the right direction but this news raised a few questions for me when I read it. First, there are many cleaning products that market themselves as natural. But, I can usually tell with one whiff whether they contain synthetic fragrances. In my opinion, one of the manufacturers guilty of using an offensive amount of synthetic fragrances is Caldrea/Mrs. Meyer. Unless they change their formula, I believe their products will likely score an "orange" rating according to Whole Foods' rating scale. <br />
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Second, green products are already expensive. If manufacturers decide to change their formulas to get a higher rating on the scale, won't that drive prices up even further? I'm sure that Whole Foods incurred expenses to develop and implement this program. How will launching this program affect their already high prices overall? Also, why just pick on cleaning products? The natural skin care aisle is cluttered with products that say they're natural but still contain synthetic ingredients.<br />
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I applaud Whole Foods for at least requiring the manufacturers to label their products. And, I'm all for helping to save the environment. But, I'm not sure that I see how the benefit outweighs the cost, for a few reasons.<br />
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<ol><li>They're still going to be selling products that don't score as well on the scale. At the end of the day, when faced with products that offer similar quality and benefits, consumers will base their decision on price. If the manufacturers with lower ratings have managed to keep their price constant because they haven't changed their formula, then there's a good chance that people will buy the product with the orange label and not the green one. </li>
<li>The requirement for the top "green" rating is that the product be 100% natural <strong>or</strong> not contain any petroleum-derived ingredients. This has always been a pet peeve of mine. So many natural product manufacturers use "vegetable-derived" ingredients and label their products as natural. Just because an ingredient is derived from a natural source does not mean the end-product is natural. It's a shame that Whole Foods is allowing manufacturers who do this to earn a "green" label. </li>
</ol>In my opinion 100% natural should be the only standard for the "green" label. Otherwise, what's the point?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-91560763593596234492011-05-05T08:16:00.001-07:002013-03-25T11:17:56.134-07:00How Harmful are X-rays?I have been dealing with a severe foot injury for a little over a month. A head-on collision resulted in my right foot being broken. An orthopedist diagnosed it as a lisfranc fracture, one of the most severe types of foot fractures. Needless to say, it has been a seemingly endless string of X-rays since that diagnosis. I just had my third one last week and will have another in about 4 weeks. My foot will also get X-rayed each time my cast is changed. <br />
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I am usually not hyper-aware about these kinds of things but up until now, the only X-rays I've had to get were periodic ones at my dentist. Naturally, I have started to wonder how harmful are X-rays? I am not an expert so by doing a quick internet search, I discovered that <br />
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<ul>
<li>We are constantly exposed to radiation from the natural enviroment around us.</li>
<li>Radon gas accounts for about half of our natural radiation exposure.</li>
<li>Tests like CT Scans and MRIs have a higher dose of radiation than X-rays. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=33129165#editor/target=post;postID=9156076359359623449" target="_blank">A chest CT Scan gives off 70 times the amount of radiation as an X-ray</a>. This is troubling to me because I also had both of these tests done since my diagnosis.</li>
</ul>
It appears that we face more of a risk from everyday sources of radiation than we do from tests that should be performed occasionally. The question then becomes how can we limit our exposure to every day radiation since that poses a higher risk?<br />
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<ul>
<li>Remove shoes before entering the home to avoid tracing in toxic chemicals such as pesticides</li>
<li>Filter tap water </li>
<li>Microwave food in ceramic or glass instead of plastic containers </li>
<li>Check radon levels in and around your home. </li>
<li>Use stainless steel, glass or BPA-free plastic water bottles.</li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-62470717235986789412011-05-03T19:30:00.000-07:002011-05-03T19:31:15.032-07:00Ylang Ylang Essential Oil ProfileYlang Ylang essential oil is expressed from flower of the cananga odorata tree. The oil is used extensively in perfumery and is one of the ingredients in Chanel No. 5. There are several grades of this essential oil. Ylang Ylang "Extra" is the highest quality grade and is collected at the plant's first distillation. Subsequent extractions are called Ylang Ylang II, Ylang Ylang III, and so on. While the properties of the oils are similar across the three different fragrance.<br />
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Fragrance Notes: Strong mid-note. Heave sweet floral fragrance that may resemble the scent of jasmine, narcissus, or hyacinth.<br />
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Complementary oils: bergamot, geranium, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lime, neroli, patchouli, rose, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, sweet orange, tangerine and vetiver. This is a strong fragrance and should be used sparingingly in blends.<br />
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Aromatherapy effects: anti-depressant, sedative, relaxing, sedative.<br />
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Skin care uses: Best for dry to oily skin types. Also good for hair and scalp preparations.<br />
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Contraindications: May cause headaches if too much is inhaled. Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before use.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-71117457839558185862011-05-02T18:35:00.000-07:002011-05-02T18:49:10.225-07:00How to Create a Zen Home EnvironmentEven people who have achieved spiritual zen struggle to create the same environment in their home. Here are a few tips to help turn your noisy and cluttered home into a restorative, restful, and peaceful sanctuary.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-NSusoJT6fz5iTMvN0enNpRBEqO0Htl_kaLsehFxFvLp4UjMOAqWnUPkzqPXyyyMT74jZpTDyZLuZFi7VstWgmuq_45tk53EqCEEmwCbTM8FRcd_UyxP6lqhmjChJF_bcir2/s1600/MP900401422%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-NSusoJT6fz5iTMvN0enNpRBEqO0Htl_kaLsehFxFvLp4UjMOAqWnUPkzqPXyyyMT74jZpTDyZLuZFi7VstWgmuq_45tk53EqCEEmwCbTM8FRcd_UyxP6lqhmjChJF_bcir2/s320/MP900401422%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong>Declutter</strong><br />
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The biggest barrier to achieving a restorative home environment is clutter. I am as guilty of this as anyone since I seem to collect more paper than I know what to do with. To reduce the emotional stress that having too much "stuff" can bring, at least once a year, get rid of items that you don't need or use. Donate items that are in good condition and freecycle or discard the rest. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, tackle one room at a time and start with the room that has the most meaning for you. <br />
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<strong>Aromatherapy</strong><br />
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Essential oils help create zen in the home by helping to purify and freshen the air. Try to use blends that contain a combination of yin and yang essential oils to help balance the home environment. Lavender is a neutral oil and can be combined with just about any other essential oil blend including sandalwood and ylang ylang, geranium and cedarwood, and bergamot and eucalyptus. If you want to experiment with creating your own blends, start with equal parts of each essential oil and adjust subsequent blends to suit your taste. A little goes a long way. Two or three drops in a scent burner or on a lamp ring is all you need. Place scent burners in every room to remind you to burn your favorite essential oil blends regularly.<br />
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<strong>Dim Lights</strong><br />
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Flourescent lighting is often too much for most home lighting needs. Switch to CFL bulbs which offer more diffused lighting. You can also install dimmers on all light fixtures so you can turn down the level of light as needed. Rely on natural light as much as possible and consider not using overhead lights in favor of task lighting or lamps.<br />
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<strong>Nature Sounds</strong><br />
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To achieve a feeling of harmony, it's important to control the sources of noise in the home. Instead of having the TV or radio playing in the background, pop in a nature sound DVD or CD. The <a href="http://store.discovery.com/?v=discovery_shows_sunrise-earth&nvbar=Shows:Sunrise+Earth">Sunrise Earth DVD series</a> is perfect for this purpose. The gondola ride down a Venetian canal, featured on the "Portraits of Our Planet" DVD, is one of the most relaxing images you'll ever watch. Running a small indoor fountain is also a good way to create soothing sounds in your home. Controlling the sources of sound in your home also applies to your alarm clock. There's nothing more jarring than waking up to a blaring alarm clock so choose a clock that uses nature sounds or ambient light to wake you up.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-7563209036620735932007-03-23T06:01:00.000-07:002011-05-01T18:50:48.475-07:00Natural SunscreensThe fact that we are experiencing some of the hottest weather on record made me think of a question I received earlier this year about natural sunscreens...specificially PABA. I took this as an opportunity to do a little research and here is what I found.<br />
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There are typically two types of sunscreens, chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens are synthetic and provide protection from the sun by being absorbed into the skin. Chemical sunscreens feel lighter on the skin than physical sunscreens and generally have a higher SPF level than physical sunscreens. However, chemical sunscreens are typically more likely to irritate sensitive skin. Apply chemical sunscreens at least 20 minutes before heading outside since they need time to absorb into the skin.<br />
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Perhaps the best-known chemical sunscreen used for protection against UVA rays is avobenzone, or Parsol 1789. In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration approved Parsol 1789 for sunscreens. Parsol 1789 chemically alters the way sunlight enters your skin and there are no known dangers to using it . Broad spectrum protection is also provided by other synthetic ingredients such as benzophenone and oxybenzone, which protect by absorbing UV light. PABA (paraaminobenzoic acid) was once a popular UV-absorbing sunscreen ingredient, but it can cause skin irritation in some people and is now replaced by Padimate-O, a derivative of PABA. Other synthetic ingredients are octyl methoxycinnamate and menthyl anthranilate.<br />
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Physical sunscreens are the natural sunscreens that provide protection from the sun by sitting on top of the skin. They reflect or scatter ultraviolet light as it hits the skin forming a barrier between your skin and the sun. They start to work almost immediately after applying. The most common natural sunscreens are the natural minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These mineral compounds work by reflecting UVA rays and have long-standing safety records. Skin care experts debate which UVA blockers are most effective, but all of them work. One drawback to mineral-based ingredients is that they often show up white on your skin, but some transparent sunscreens now use them.<br />
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Antioxidants are often combined with titanium dioxide to slow down the oxidation of oils. Some popular natural antioxidants are vitamins E and C, rice bran oil (SPF 4), sesame seed oil (SPF 4), natural shea butter (SPF 6), and green tea (increases the sun protection activity of ingredients).<br />
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Recent research shows that green tea is indeed an effective sunscreen. A 1999 study published in the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology found that topical application of green tea may protect against the sun's UVB rays. This supports the findings of previous animal studies, which have also suggested that topical application of green tea may protect against the sun. The major polyphenolic constituent in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is probably responsible for green tea's protective effect.<br />
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Recent research also shows that antioxidant supplementation may protect our skin. A paper published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that supplementation with carotenoids (25 mg/day) and vitamin E (500 IU/day) "may be useful for diminishing sensitivity to ultraviolet light."<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/sun-protection-formulas.html">here</a> for some natural sunscreen recipes.<br />
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Most sources recommend a minimum SPF 8 when going outside but the lower SPF of natural ingredients can be suitable for less intense sun exposure. Also be sure to wear sunglasses and a hat to further protect the eyes and face.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129165.post-1156202498077376012006-08-21T16:20:00.000-07:002011-05-01T18:34:13.307-07:00WelcomeThis is the official blog for NaturAromas.com, a company dedicated to promoting health & well being through the use of natural & aromatherapeutic skin care and homekeeping products. This blog will be the central place for aromatherapy and natural skin care information. Please feel free to post your questions, suggestions, or comments. Please note that spamming is not permitted and spam posts will be removed.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484107140546252256noreply@blogger.com0