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Archive for October, 2008

Conquer Menopause Symptoms With Essential Oils

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Most women actually start to experience perimenopause in their thirties however they may not be aware of changes going on their bodies until the signs and symptoms become pronounced usually by the time they are in their forties. The onset as well as the severity of the signs and symptoms is of course dependent on the individual themselves and is greatly influenced by genetics, over all health, and environmental influences.

It is becoming much more common for women to use natural remedies to help them through this process. Many prefer to use alternative methods as there as numerous options available. If you have already made the necessary life style changes and you are still experiencing signs and symptoms that you wish to get under control the use of essential oils and aromatherapy may be of interest to you.

There as several essential oils that can be used for menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms, the choice of which one is right for you is a personal choice as you must enjoy the scent of the oil you plan to use. The following is a list of a few of the possible essential oils that you can utilize and the specific applications for each:

1. Chamomile known as the great relaxer  as it has a very calming effect on the body and mind. This essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the flowering tops of the plant Ormenis multicaulis. To use this calming essential oil to lessen the symptoms of menopause, use eight to ten drops in a bath or add a few drops to your diffuser. You may also prefer a massage, use a mixture of eight drops of chamomile essential oil and one ounce of your favorite carrier oil and cover your entire body.

2. Anise Seed has a flavor that greatly resembles black licorice and is part of the parsley family. Anise seed essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the seeds of the plant Pimpinella anisum. An over all body massage is one of the best ways to reap the benefits of this special essential oil.

3. Geranium essential oil is actually know as the “women’s oil” specifically for it’s benefits concerning menstrual and menopausal symptoms.  This exotic floral essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves, stalks and flowers of the plant Pelargonium graveolens. Geranium essential oil should be used as a massage application paying special attention to the abdominal and lower back regions. The mixture should contain twenty drops of essential oil with one ounce of the carrier oil of your choice.

4. Clary Sage essential oil known as the “cure all” should not be confused with the sage used in many kitchen around the world. This essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the flowering tops of the plant Salvia sclarea. Clary sage essential oil can be utilized in a bath, use approximately four drops for this application. or if you prefer use direct inhalation by placing two or three drops on a tissue or cloth and inhale.

5. Sage the herb commonly found in the kitchen has been revered for centuries. Sage essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the dried leaves of the plant Salvia officinalis. If you experience hot flashes and night sweats, use a diffuser nightly with two or three drops of Sage essential oil. This will also help to relieve stress and tension.

6. Neroli essential oil is sweet and floral and is extracted by steam distillation or enfleurage from orange blossom petals of the orange tree Citrus aurantium. This essential oil is especially effective with the irritability, tearfulness and mood swings experienced by many women. To apply use three or four drops in your diffuser, approximately four drops with carrier oil for a massage or eight to ten drops in your bath.  

For more information on the benefits and uses of essential oils visit: Essential Oils|Aromatherapy|Phermones or for more information on menopause visit: Anti Aging Tips|Facts|Products

An Introduction To Aromatherapy.

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Aromatherapy massage is the type of massage, which takes in the whole aspect of a person, not just one level. Aromatherapy looks at the mind, body and spirit of a person, and also their natural well-being how they live their day to day lives, what food they eat, and how much time they take to relax! Incorporating how much stress is in their lives due to work, children and social commitments, whether they have large financial burdens, and if they have recently suffered a bereavement, birth or just moved house, if they have a disability, have had disease or are suffering from one, or are in general rundown, these aspects are all looked at, before treatment starts.

Aromatherapy massage is a mixture of using massaging techniques, along side the procedure of selecting a composition of essential oils, which have been specifically picked for the person being treated. Aromatherapy is a unique treatment procedure, because of this unique fact, the combination of the selected oils that have been chosen, will never follow a ridged pattern. The essence of Aromatherapy is, that it is tailored to suit any person seeking help – it is not a production line, every single one of the people treated remain an individual, with personal needs.

Aromatherapy will try to get to the root of the problem, and in this day and age, with the wide -ranging selection of oils to choose from, there is an inexhaustible supply in which to use to treat a certain condition or ailment.

Aromatherapy essential oils are created by using the many different parts of a plant, flower, tree or even fruit, by extracting their natural aroma and using the oil extracted for a particular illness, whether it be physical or emotional, or mental, the oil is used to rebalance the client. Oftentimes one particular plant will have different parts used, for different ailments. Take for example, eucalyptus essential oil helps to heal all kinds of physical ailments, these are as follows, the most common are respiratory problems,such as bronchitis,coughs

The use of aromatherapy incorporated within life, has been around for a very long time in fact its been around for many hundreds of years, but it is virtually new to the modern world. As it is still occasionally regarded with mistrust and scepticism, it is only in recent years with the help of training facilities, and the fact conventional medicine is starting to come around to the idea that the use of essential oils are occasionally of more benefit to a individual, than the use of proscription medicinal aids, that aromatherapy is becoming more mainstream.

Aromatherapy essential oils do not have to be used incorporated within a massage, they can also be used at home, in a hot bath, or a oil burner, used as an air freshener, or mixed with a carrier oil, such as almond, to rub on the body and because of these uses, aromatherapy is becoming more widespread, and is continuing to advance as a fundamentally accepted part of society and the way in which individuals live on a day to day basis. People no longer think twice about going and getting a stress relieving aromatherapy massage, in there lunch break, in fact, many companies are encouraging them to do just that!

So in conclusion aromatherapy as many benefits and uses in today’s stressful environment and can be used in a positive way to treat many ailments, stress at work and in the home, but can also be enjoyed in a hot bath or just to make the home smell nicer. So why not give it a try, have a massage or buy some essential oil from your local health store.

 

Looking For Information On Organic Food?

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Just take a look at how the world has changed over the last fifty years, not all of it has been good. As you arrived at this site you are obviously looking for organic food information and you are no doubt aware that a better alternative exists and are looking at the source and production practices of the companies entrusted with producing the worlds food supplies.

The purpose of this organic food information is to give you a better understanding of what is going into the production of your food. You will understand that there are many benefits to organic food that you were unaware of before. The main reason  behind knowing about organic food information is the fact that farmers of mass produced produce  are resorting to using a lethal cocktail of artificial fertilizers and  pesticides to control disease and insect attack in order to produce more crops to satisfy the worlds growing demand.  These artificial additives leave a toxic chemical residue in and on the fruit and vegetables we consume which in turn is absorbed and stored by our bodies.

It must be recognized that the quality of food has gone down in recent years. Today’s fruits have nowhere near the Vitamin C levels they did in years past. However, with this organic food information, you will understand that organic food has approximately fifty percent more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than any other form of produce that has been grown under intensive farming. Therefore, if you aren’t consuming non organic produce you will have to increase the volumes you eat in order to make up for this deficiency. But, as you will see, the dangerous cycle continues because you will be consuming more chemicals that are harmful tor your health.

What About The Beef and Poultry We Eat?

Another topic to be considered in organic food information is the production of meats and poultry. Most of us only consider produce when it comes to organic food information disregarding the production processes involved when producing beef and poultry. Antibiotics and hormones are given to both cattle and poultry that are being reared and fattened in pens and cages.. Ask yourself what happens to all these antibiotics and hormones when the animal is slaughtered, the residue of these antibiotics and growth hormones is left in the meat which is then consumed, digested and stored in our bodies. There is no way that an animal that isn’t kept in healthy conditions can produce healthy meat for humans to eat.

I challenge you to try organic product, not only will it be healthy for you but you will also be able to eat produce and meat that are produced naturally. You will likely be so impressed with the taste of organic fruit that you will never return to the mass produced fruit again. While cost and availability can be a big issue for some, do a bit of research online and I am sure you will find a local store that stocks organic produce for a reasonable price.

Even better, take a look around and I am sure you can find an organic farm near your home this will allow you to go direct to the farmer who produces organic produce. With the increase in the popularity of organic food information many farmers are turning to organic methods so you should have no problem finding one in your area. In addition, you can often get cheaper prices when you purchase from the farmer rather than getting from the store.

Genital Herpes

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
 

 Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise across the UK, with a particularly “worrying” picture among young people, health experts said today.

There was a two per cent rise in the number of new cases of all STIs diagnosed at clinics between 2005 and 2006, figures showed.

Genital herpes was a cause for concern, with a nine per cent increase between 2005 and 2006, according to the Health Protection Agency.

Among teenage girls aged between 16 and 19, the rise was 16 per cent for genital herpes, which cannot be cured but is treatable.

Genital warts in this female age group increased five per cent, but gonorrhoea fell three per cent and chlamydia fell one per cent.

Between 1997 and 2006, STIs showed a huge rise, with syphilis rising by 1,607 per cent, gonorrhoea by 46 per cent, chlamydia by 166 per cent and herpes by 36 per cent.

Between 2005 and 2006, the total number of new cases of STIs diagnosed at UK GUM clinics went up from 368,341 to 376,508.

Chlamydia increased by four per cent and genital warts by three per cent.

Lisa Power, head of policy at the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “We have to reverse this trend. Quality sex and relationships education – not just biology lessons – has been shown to decrease risky behaviour in teens.

“We also need to stop the decline in health promotion work for gay men at a local level. “There are also startling rises in the levels of genital herpes, particularly amongst young women.

“We need to get the message across that this is a lifelong and unpleasant condition which will require ongoing treatment, and not something to be taken lightly.”

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of the STI section at the HPA, said higher STI rates were found in young people because they were more sexually active.

Multiple partners, changing partners and failing to wear condoms all contributed to higher rates in this group, she said.

The HPA said it was particularly concerned about young people and gay men.

Figure showed increasing levels of unsafe sexual behaviour among gay men, putting them at a heightened risk of contracting HIV among other diseases.

Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the HPA, said long-term trends for some diseases showed that some rates of infection were slowing down.

“There are some encouraging trends but they are very early,” she said. “There’s absolutely no room for complacency.”

Source: Metro UK