Natural Health and Beauty - Using Essential Oils for Healing Your Skin

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Misty_Rae_Cech]Misty Rae Cech

Trends in health and beauty are placing more trust in the efficacy of natural and organic ingredients. Skin care is no exception, with more women coming to realize the purity of what they put on their skin is as important as that of what they eat. The skin is the largest organ, and is generally permeable to substances placed on it. This is particularly important in healing wounds, for the skin may be broken and more sensitive. Enter essential oils; these powerful plant derived medicines have been used for many years for treating skin conditions, enhancing beauty and promoting wellness. Oils have been found particularly useful for regenerating skin that has suffered from accidents or surgery, or has their remaining signs in the form of keloid, acne, or other scars. Certain essential oil blends can speed healing time, reduce or eliminate scars from recent wounds and even greatly diminish the appearance of old ones.

There are a few primary essential oils used in skin care which offer their regenerative properties; these oils can be used in low concentrations, and are generally well-tolerated - certainly more so than many synthetic ingredients. The most important of these may be Helichrysum italicum, also known as Everlasting oil. This wonderful oil is distilled from the daisy-like flowers of the herb. It has a lovely earthy aroma and, despite it's apparent expense, works in very low concentrations (only a few drops per tablespoon of your total blend). Helichrysum is strongly anti-inflammatory and contains powerful regenerative molecules unique to this oil only.

Helichrysum is the foundation of many blends for healing the skin, and can be used by itself in a synergistic carrier oil such as Rosehip seed. This combination may be all that is needed to speed the healing of recent wounds - though often a little Lavender oil is added as well. Kurt Schnaubelt, one of America's leading aromatherapists notes in his quintessential guide "Advanced Aromatherapy" that Helichrysum essential oil and Rosehip seed can "heal wounds with minimal or no scarring".

As mentioned above, Lavender is often included in skin care blends - it has gentle anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerative properties, along with very soothing, anti-anxiety aroma. Lavender essential oil itself began the modern aromatherapy revolution when a scientist burned his hand in a laboratory accident, and after cooling the wound in a beaker of Lavender found the wound to heal remarkably quickly. It is also thought to 'synergize' or improve the efficacy of other essential oils in combination.

The essential oil distilled from common Sage leaves is also used in the healing of scars, particularly old or unsightly scars. It's natural regenerative properties and ability to promote circulation aid in gently breaking down the tough skin resulting from wound healing. Sage oil should only be used in these instances and in small quantities, as it's Thujone content can be toxic in high quantities. If used in a recipe for stretch marks (see below), it should only be used post-partum. Despite it's powerful components, however, when diluted and used with respect, one can use this oil safely.

Rosemary will be the final essential oil we'll mention here for scar treatment. For the skin, Rosemary of the Verbenone chemotype has many important properties - it contains regenerative ketone molecules, and stimulates cellular metabolism. This oil helps new skin form, bringing nutrients into the cells and supports the removing toxins and wastes.

The essential oils mentioned here must be diluted in a carrier oil for daily application. In aromatherapy, more is not better! There have been numerous studies showing the great efficacy of essential oils in low concentrations based in seed or nut carrier oils. The two most commonly used base oils for skin care are Rosehip seed and Hazelnut oils. Rosehip seed has many documented uses in skin care, with it's triple-unsaturated fatty acids and it's vitamin A compounds. Rosehip seed has the ability to support tissue regeneration like Retin A, but without the drying or redening side effects. Hazelnut oil is the most well tolerated of all the carrier oils, and with its mild astringent properties, can even be used in cases of very oily skin. It will tend to leave the skin feeling nourished without feeling greasy.

So how does one mix these natural botanicals for particular uses? There are a few simple but effective recipes specifically for wound healing and scar reduction. For old keloid or acne scars, use one ounce each of Hazelnut and Rosehip seed oils - to this, add one milliliter of Helichrysum Italicum essential oil and Sage officinalis essential oil. Apply regularly for three to six months for best results. For more recent cuts, scrapes, and even surgical incisions (that have reached the point where they are safe to get moist), use the same Hazelnut and Rosehip seed blend, adding one milliliter of Helichrysum and one milliliter of Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia). Apply twice a day while the wound is healing. For the reduction and possible elimination of stretch marks post partum, again to one ounce each of Hazelnut and Rosehip seed oils, add one milliliter Sage and one milliliter Rosemary verbenone. Like the formula for old scars, use this regularly for several months.

So there is a few effective combinations of natural botanical ingredients that can support certain skin care conditions. Many, many more skin care formulas are available when blending essential oils - with many oils able to aid with very particular situations. If needed, a little research should go a long way in helping you find what you need. And as always with aromatherapy oils, go slowly, pay attention to your body's reactions and remember that increasing concentrations of the essential oils will not make a more effective blend. Be safe and enjoy.

Misty Rae Cech ND is a degreed naturopath with a professional practice in Boulder, Colorado. She is the owner of the Ananda Apothecary, a resource for [http://www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.html]aromatherapy essential oils and [http://www.anandaapothecary.com/bach-flower-essence-remedy.html]Bach flower essences.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Health-and-Beauty---Using-Essential-Oils-for-Healing-Your-Skin&id=284809] Natural Health and Beauty - Using Essential Oils for Healing Your Skin

Health And Beauty Benefits Of Honey

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Janice_H.]Janice H.

Honey is best known for great healing. Its natural sugar content and the rich sources of nutrients makes it a great sweetener for coffee and sugar. Let's study closely how it started gaining popularity for the variety of uses ancient people started centuries ago.

HONEY'S NUTRIENTS and HEALING PROPERTIES

Honey's rich nutrients, enzyme and antioxidant content combined with its ability to thwart infections makes it a potent healer. From ancient time, honey has been known for its high nutritional and medicinal value. It is believed to be very beneficial for eyesight, reducing effects of poisoning, stopping hiccups, treating urinary tract disorders, worm infestations, nausea, vomiting, cleansing, healing wounds and many more healing properties.

Honey contain mainly carbohydrates, water, vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

Honey is also rich in enzymes, antioxidants and other phytonutrients. It also contains flavonoids and phenolic acids which act as antioxidants, scavenging and eliminating free radicals. These antioxidants substances found in honey have been responsible for the wound-healing properties of honey.  Due to its wound-healing properties, honey has been used widely as an antiseptic therapeutic agent for treatment of ulcers, burns and wounds for centuries.

HOW HEALING of WOUND WORKS By USING HONEY

Due to its contents of glucose and fructose, which attract water, honey absorbs water from wound, drying it out so that the growth of bacteria and fungi are inhibited. Secondly, an enzyme called glucose oxidase found in raw honey, which if combined with water, produces hydrogen peroxide, a mild antiseptic for medication benefits.

BEAUTY BENEFITS Of HONEY

The vitamins, minerals and amino acids found in honey make it a wonderful beauty aid. It provides great nutritional value to the skin and hair and the effects will be seen if taken over a period of time. In fact if taken for longer period of time, it helps our skin to glow more radiantly, helps to reduce wrinkles, thus making us look younger.

Honey is also an excellent moisturizing agent and natural cleanser and therefore, popularly used in wide skin-cleansing formulations. It increases exfoliation or renewal of the skin cells that makes the skin softer and younger.

Other supplementary products of honey which are royal jelly, propolis have been used in beauty saloon as facial mask that command great prices due to its effective results for a more glowing skin.

OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS Of HONEY

Due to its ready availability of carbohydrates, honey provides instant energy sources if taken prior to exercises which improves performances. It helps in muscles recovery faster if taken after an exercises program.

Honey also increases the growth and activity of good bacteria in the gut. Results from recent studies show that taking honey with dairy products such as yogurt can enhance growth and viability of bifidobacteria.

Other benefits of honey are its anti-inflammatory actions which help in treating a sore throat.

HOW To TAKE HONEY As HEALTH SUPPLEMENT

Honey can be taken as it is in one tea spoon without mixing with water first thing in the morning or anytime in the day as you wish. For me I prefer to take honey as it is with royal jelly and propolis in the morning before breakfast and drink. It provides me with energy for the whole day with royal jelly as a good beauty aid and propolis a great antioxidant too. After a short period of time, my complexion improved tremendously with  intake of honey and this motivated me to continue taking it knowing that it has high antioxidant and healing power too.

Janice H. is a nutritional expert cum author. Her mission is to share with people around the world on HOW to live agelessly to achieve: Happiness, Health and Youthfulness. Visit Janice's Blog at http://www.stayyoungsecret.com/blog to discover how to transform your life and receive your FREE e-Report.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Health-And-Beauty-Benefits-Of-Honey&id=762493] Health And Beauty Benefits Of Honey

Fourteen Do it Yourself Health and Beauty Tips

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jesus_Smith]Jesus Smith

Those who can afford costly trainers and medical help to aide in their quest to lose weight are generally the socially elite and celebrities. One nice thing about this for the rest of the world is when they are making public appearances they tend to give away the farm by providing all sorts of useful tips for the public to use for free. It is always wonderful to learn of new tips that you can try for very little money or at home without going to the doctors. The following are a few health and beauty tips that are used by celebrities:

To lose water weight in a hurry you can wear a sauna suit while jogging or even walking in place for thirty minutes to an hour and lose inches instantly from water weight.

A great tip for decreasing puffiness around the eyes is to place a small amount of any ointment you can buy at the local store for hemorrhoid relief around the eye area as it instantly takes away brown circles and puffiness.

To keep very clean nails on your hand and feet you can take a cotton ball and dab a bit of vinegar on the nail beds.

For extra shiny hair, use a quarter cup of any mayonnaise in place of your conditioner in the shower and leave on for a few minutes, rinse and dry.

To flush out your digestive track in minutes and break up fat stored in your stomach area, you can drink two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar each day.

Getting very white teeth can be achieved by using a small bit of baking soda with your toothpaste each day you brush your teeth.

For additional energy during the day always have some form of protein in your breakfast and never skip breakfast!

Drinking extremely cold water can burn between one and two hundred calories per glass

Always drink at least eight glasses of water everyday to keep your skin very clean and free of blemishes.

To ward off wrinkles on your face and neck, clean the areas each night and then apply a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil.

To stay looking youthful and vibrant always allow for a minimum of seven hours of rest each night

Try a cleanse to feel more energized and cleanse your body of all the toxins by performing one for a few days that you can find at any health store.

Change your pillowcase every other night if you are suffering from acne or very oily skin to always have a fresh one to sleep one and discourage blemishes from forming.

Working out for just ten minutes a day when your heart rate is elevated you can lose one and half pounds a week just by doing it those ten minutes a day.

Some of these may not be the most scientific practices you have ever heard of, but they certainly do work and have been a less expensive method of maintaining good health.

Jesus loves to setup safe and fun toys for his kids to enjoy. He loves setting up pools for children during the summer. He writes about the products he reviews on his website at [http://littletikespool.com/index.html]http://littletikespool.com where he talks about a [http://littletikespool.com]Little Tikes Pool.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Fourteen-Do-it-Yourself-Health-and-Beauty-Tips&id=4749880] Fourteen Do it Yourself Health and Beauty Tips

Sanja Georgieva

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