Tea Tree...

Tea Tree "Melaleuca alternifolia" essential oil is the only essential oil that is....anti-viral, anti-bacterial & anti-fungal. The name derives from it's local usage as a type of herbal tea, prepared from the leaves. Our present knowledge of the properties and uses of tea tree is based on a very long history of use by the aboriginal people of Australia. It has been extensively researched recently by scientific methods with the following results: 1) This oil is unusual in that it is active against all three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi & viruses. 2) It is a very powerful immuno-stimulant, so when the body is threatened by any of these organisms ti-tree increases its ability to respond.

The essential oil is derived from a small tree or shrub with needle-like leaves similar to cypress. The oil is distilled from the leaves & twigs using steam or water extraction. Surprisingly tea tree is also the only essential oil you do not have to keep in a dark glass container. The light will not destroy it's healing properties. So you might see it in stores in clear glass bottles instead of the dark brown or blue type. One could use tea tree 'neat', but no more than say 3 times a day. If you are sensitive to it, it will have a drying affect on your skin...just discontinue use. Some say it is the only medicine you will every need!! Do NOT take it internally as it can damage the internal sensitive tissues!!

Now some will sell Tea Tree and give it the name Melaleuca, makes it sound oh so professional, but bottom line is...melaleuca is the partial latin name for this extremely valuable essential oil. In recent research I have found that along with oregano essential oil, they can work hand in hand to penetrate the cell wall and fight viral infections. Pharmaceutical antibiotics are unable to do this.

Aromatherapy/Home Use:
Skin Care: abscess, acne, athlete's foot, blisters, burns, cold sors, dandruff, herpes, insect bites, oily skin, rashes (diaper rash), spots, warts, infected wounds.
Respiratory System: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, tuberculosis, whooping cough.
Genito-urinary System: thrush, vaginitis, cystitis, pruritis.
Immune System: colds, fever, flu, infectious illnesses such as chicken pox.

Facts on the Lavender Essential Oil

There are actually 3 different species of lavender essential oil. The Spike Lavender "Lavandula latifolia" doesn't have much use as an aromatherapy component. Lavandin "Lavandula x intermedia" is similar to the True Lavender "Lavandula angustifolia", but is more penetrating and rubefacient (possible irritation of the skin) with a sharper scent. This one is particularly good for respiratory, circulatory or muscular conditions. So, your best bet would be to get the True Lavender...it's the one I look for & the only one I use. You can tell by the latin name which one you are getting. Actually, the latin name is what I look for on most of my essential oils, that's a big clue as to what you are getting!

True Lavender is non-toxic, non-irritant & non-sensitizing. It has a well-established tradition as a folk remedy and its scent is still familiar to almost everyone. It was used to 'comfort the stomach' but above all as a cosmetic water, insect repellent, to scent linen and as a reviving yet soothing oil. It is generally regarded as the most versatile of all the essential oils. It is the only one that is safe to use 'neat' or non-diluted. It's safe to use right out of the bottle!

The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the fresh flowering tops. It ranges from a colorless to a pale yellow liquid with a sweet, floral-herbaceous scent and balsamic-woody undertone. It blends well with most oils, especially citrus and florals.

Aromatherapy Uses:
Skin Care: abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete's foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, earache, eczema, inflammations, insect bites & stings, insect repellent, lice, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, sores, spots, all skin types, sunburn, wounds.
Circulation, Muscles & Joints: lumbago, muscular aches & pains, rheumatism, sprains.
Respiratory System: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, halitosis, laryngitis, throat infections, whooping cough.
Digestive System: abdominal cramps, colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea.
Nervous System: depression, headache, hypertension, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension & stress-related conditions, PMS, sciatica, shock, vertigo.

The Wonders of Chlorella......

There are 3 algae & 2 cereal grasses that are commonly available in the marketplace. The algae are chlorella, spirulina & green blue algae (aphanizomenon flas-aquae). The grasses are wheat grass & barley grass.

While all 5 products are excellent sources of nutrients, chlorella has properties that make it the most valuable of all the green food supplements.

Chlorella has 5 to 10 times the chlorophyll content of spirulina, wheat grass and barley grass. It is also higher in chlorophyll than blue green algae. As a matter of fact, chlorella contains the highest chlorophyll content of any known plant.

Besides the abundance of chlorophyll, chlorella's tough cell wall offers advantages not found in other algae or grasses. Chlorella's cell wall has been shown to eliminate toxins, pesticides and heavy metals from the body. Plus the cell wall has the ability to induce interferon production in the body which is important to immune function.

Chlorella and the other algae are abundant in beta-carotene, which is known to prevent cancer. The protein content of the algae is significantly higher than in the cereal grasses. Chlorella is about 60%, spirulina 73%, blue green algae 56%, barley grass 14% and wheat grass 18%.

Chlorella's nucleus is the factor that truly sets it apart from the other green food supplements though. Then nucleus contains chlorella growth factor (cgf).

Scientific experiments have indicated that the cgf has great rejuvenating effects. It is extremely rich in the nucleic acids, RNA and DNA. Laboratory mice fed chlorella have obtained life span increases of over 30%. Many researchers feel the cgf is responsible for this increase.

Chlorella is the most researched algae in the world. Spirulina has had less research, but also shows great promise with its unique nutritional benefits. There has not been a large amount of research on blue green algae but many people report positive health benefits.

Chlorella is the world's most popular algae with millions of satisfied users. It is the most common supplement taken in Japan. It is frequently added to tea, soup, milk. juice, noodles, yogurt & other foods.

Guidelines & Measurements For E.O.'s

0-1 drop           1/5 tsp.

2-5 drops          1 tsp.         
4-10 drops        2 tsp.
6-15 drops        1 tbs.
8-20 drops        4 tsp.
10-25 drops      5 tsp.
12-30 drops      2 tbs.

1 tsp. = 5 ml
2 tsp. = 10 ml
1 tbs. = 15 ml

when buying e.o.s, it's useful to know that approximately:
20 drops = 1/5 tsp. e.o.
40 drops = 2/5 tsp. e.o.
60 drops = 3/5 tsp. e.o.
etc.

2-3 drops in a bowl to be inhaled as a vapor.

5 drops to each tsp. of base oil for a massage oil.

8 drops maximum added to a bath.

3 drops per person in a jacuzzi...use caution

2 drops per 2 1/2 cups water for a sauna.

2-4 drops in a hand bath.

2-6 drops in a foot bath.

2-3 drops in a sitz bath.

1-2 drops in a candle...add e.o. to melted wax after candle has burned a bit. but e.o.'s loose their beneficial attributes if they are heated.

1-6 drops in a diffuser.

1-9 drops in a humidifier.

4 or more drops per cup of water for a room spray.

1 drop per log for a wood fire.

Essential oils are so versatile, but one has to be careful as they are very potent & powerful in their own right. They can be used to make your everyday life so much better!

Info on Base/Carrier Oils

Sweet Almond Oil: a very pale yellow from the kernel. It contains glucosides, minerals, vitamins & is rich in proteins. It's good for all skin types. It helps relieve itching, soreness, dryness & inflammation. It can be used 100% as a base oil.

Apricot kernel Oil: a pale yellow, again, from the kernel. It contains minerals & vitamins. It's good for all types of skin, especially prematurely aged, sensitive, inflamed or dry skin. It can be used 100% as a base oil.

Avocado Pearl Oil: a dark green oil obtained from the fruit. It contains vitamins, proteins, lecithin & fatty acids. It's good for all skin types, but especially dry & dehydrated. Good for eczema too. I'd only use 10% of this added to a good base oil.

Borage Seed Oil: is a pale yellow oil obtained from the seeds. It contains gamma linolenic acid, vitamins & minerals. It's good for multiple sclerosis, menopausal problems, heart disease, psoriasis and eczema, prematurely aged skin. Good for regenerating and stimulating the skin too. It should be used as 10% added to your base oils.

Carrot Oil: This is a great essential oil in its own right, but often used in base oils. It's orange, of course. It contains vitamins, minerals, beta-carotin. It's great for premature aging, itching, dryness, psoriasis and eczema. It's rejuvenating & can help reduce scarring. Only use as a 10% dilution...do NOT use undiluted on the skin.

Corn Oil: Personally, I wouldn't use this for anything on my skin, let alone eat it. Remember, it's a GMO, but to each his own. It's pale yellow in color. It contains proteins, vitamins & minerals. It's soothing on all skins & can be used 100% as a base oil.

Evening Primrose Oil: It's a pale yellow & contains gamma lincolenic acid, vitamins & minerals. It's great for multiple sclerosis, menopausal problems, heart disease. Excellent in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema. Helps to prevent premature aging of the skin. Use only as a 10% dilution in your base oils.

Grapeseed Oil: It's almost colorless or a pale green. It contains vitamins, minerals & proteins. Great for all skin types & can be used as a 100% base oil. It's an inexpensive oil one can use, but it doesn't have a very long shelf life.

Hazelnut Oil: Yellow in color & obtained from the kernel. It contains vitamins, minerals, proteins & is great for all skin types, although it has a slight astringent action. It can be used as a 100% base oil.

Jojoba Oil: (My personal favorite!) Its bright yellow in color & is obtained from the bean. It contains proteins, minerals and is the only oil that is the closest to the sebum in our skin! It's great for inflamed skin, psoriasis, eczema, acne, hair care, all skin types. It's highly penetrative! I'd use this as a 10% dilution in a base oil. (I use it nightly after I clean my face, just a dab around the eyes & up the neck...it's also my after shower oil & I use a dab on my hair for conditioner...it's my all over oil!!)

Olive Oil: Green in color. It contains proteins, minerals & vitamins. It's good for rheumatic conditions, hair care, cosmetics. It's a very soothing oil. Use as a 10% dilution in your base oil.

Peanut Oil: Pale yellow in color & it contains proteins, vitamins & minerals. Great for all skin types & it can be used as a 100% base oil

Safflower Oil: Pale yellow. It contains proteins, vitamins & minerals. Great for all skin types & can be used 100% as a base oil

Sesame Oil: Dark yellow. It contains vitamins, minerals, proteins, lecithin & amino acids. It's great for psoriasis, eczema, rheumatism, arthritis & all types of skin. I'd add this to my base oil in a 10% dilution.

Soya Bean Oil: It's pale yellow & contains proteins, minerals & vitamins. Good for all skin types & can be used as 100% base oil.

Sunflower Oil: It's a pale yellow & contains vitamins & minerals. Great for all skin types & can be used 100% as a base oil.

Wheatgerm Oil: It's a yellowish orange & contains proteins, minerals & vitamins. It's great for eczema, psoriasis, prematurely aged skin & all other skin types. I'd use this as a 10% dilution in your base oil.

Learning About Essential Oils

Essential oils (e.o.) are distilled from the leaves, bark, roots and other aromatic parts of  useful plants. Plants produce these fragrant oils to stimulate growth and reproduction, to attract beneficial insects & discourage harmful ones & to protect the plant from diseases. They are highly concentrated....a few drops is all you need. They should not be confused with perfume oils or scented oils, as these usually contain synthetic ingredients.

Distillation is a process of heating the plant in water, capturing the steam & separating the droplets of essential oil from the steam as it condenses. The result is a highly concentrated oil that captures the fragrance of the plant.

A citrus peel is an easy example of a plant's essential oils. When you gently bend the fresh peel back, you see a fine spray of the oil coming from that peel. This is the essential oil being released and the part that is captured during the distillation process. Prices of oils vary, based on how expensive they are to produce, for example...it takes approximately one ton of rose petals (close to 60,000 roses) to produce just one ounce of rose oil. Now we know why rose is one of the most expensive e.o.'s around!

As the ancients knew, the benefits of essential oils go far beyond their pleasing aroma. These concentrated plant essences retain the healing properties of the herbs & flowers from which they are distilled and can be used for treating both physical & psychological disorders.

When e.o.'s are inhaled or applied to the skin, the aromatic molecules enter the bloodstream & are circulated throughout the body. They are used for a variety of physical conditions, from fighting respiratory infections to relieving digestive upsets, headaches & PMS.

The effects of e.o.'s on the emotions are the result of a different physiological pathway. Chemicals in the air stimulate olfactory cells in the nose, which relay the information to the brain, where smell is perceived. The olfactory nerve pathways are tied in with the brain's limbic area, the seat of our emotions, memories, intuition & sexual response. That's why the sense of smell is the most influential trigger of memories & emotions.

There is scientific support for aromatherapy! Researchers are proving what the ancients already knew...essential oils have a powerful effect on the mind & body! There have been studies done on the effects of e.o.'s on brain wave patterns. They've shown that beta brain waves, which indicate a state of heightened awareness, are increased when stimulating oils such as black pepper, rosemary or basil are inhaled. Calming oils such as neroli, jasmine, lavender & rose produce more alpha and theta brain waves, indicating relaxation & well-being. Other studies have found that daily use of essential oils dramatically improved the mood of women at midlife & elderly patients suffering from insomnia found that the aroma of lavender helped them fall asleep quicker & sleep longer than prescriptions sedatives did.

When purchasing e.o.'s, avoid labels that state 'perfume oil', 'fragrance oil' or 'nature identical oil'. These are not pure e.o.'s. Check the label or product literature for in-depth information. Reputable companies provide the common and botanical names of the plant, the country of origin, whether wild-crafted or organic & the extraction method. You should only buy e.o.'s on dark glass bottles to protect them from the damaging effects of heat & light. Don't buy essential oils in plastic bottles because they will dissolve the plastic, likewise with rubber-tipped droppers left in the e.o.'s. Store them in a cool, dark place. The shelf life of an e.o. is about 2 yrs, 1 yr. for citrus. There are some oils that just improve with age like sandalwood, frankincense & patchouli!

ALL essential oils are therapeutic! Some companies try & use that term to justify their higher prices. Don't let that term alone be your deciding factor in your purchase. There are a couple of tests you can personally do to see if the essential oil you have bought is a true one & not diluted with other oils. The first one is to place a drop of your e.o. on a piece of paper. If a greasy spot remains after an hour or two, the product has probably been diluted with other oils. The second one is to add a drop of e.o. to water. If the oil forms a cloudy slick on the surface of the water, it's probably a synthetic oil. Shameful, but there are companies out there that do that sort of thing

Essential Oil Safety...In general, don't use e.o.'s undiluted (neat) on your skin. However, unless your skin is especially sensitive, you may discover that some e.o.'s are safe to apply directly to the skin. Do NOT ingest essential oils without the guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Keep e.o.'s away from your eyes. There are e.o.'s that can cause photosensitivity, mostly the citrus ones...can all cause uneven skin pigmentation if used within four hours of exposure to sunlight. Keep e.o.'s away from children. When using them on children, use only the non-toxic & non-irritating ones such as lavender or chamomile...they are the gentlest & even then don't use them undiluted (neat). Use e.o.'s with caution during pregnancy. General rule is to use half of the normal adult dosage & stick with nonstimulating oils such as chamomile, frankincense, lavender, geranium, grapefruit, neroli, rose & sandalwood.

How to Make Different Types of Herbal Applications....

PILLS: grind chosen herb into powder & measure. add 10-20% slippery elm powder (acts as a binder). add a small amount of water...keep preparation firm. let sit for a few minutes. roll mixture into small pills, about the size of a pea. place on cookie sheet. leave at room temp to dry or place in pre-heated oven (250) turn oven off! check every 5 mins. or so, should be done in about 15 min. when dry & hard, bottle & label. bitter herb pills can be dipped in honey right before administering.

ELECTUARY: take pre-measure herb & mix with honey, molasses or peanut butter to form a paste. a child would take 1/4 tsp. of this followed with juice.

SYRUP: 1 oz. herb. 1 pt. water. bring to boil & boil about 1/2 the water away. strain. add about 2-4 oz. honey or glycerine to preserve.

TISANE OR TEA: 1 tsp herb...add boiling water. steep for 5 min.

INFUSION/MEDICINAL TEA: bring pint water to rolling boil. remove from heat. add 1 oz. dried herb. cover. do not reheat. let steep for 20 min. strain. For 1 cup...8 oz. water to 1 tsp. herb.
Sun Infusion: very potent! large glass jar with lid. 1 oz. herb. 1 pt. cold water. put on lid...sit in sunlight for 3 hrs.  great for strong herbal bath.

DECOCTIONS: are usually done with the roots, stems or bark of the plants. 1 oz. herb (bruised or chopped) 1 pt. water. bring to boil...simmer for 30 min. strain. use within 24 hrs.

TINCTURES: 1 pint of at least 80% proof vodka...the higher the proof, the better. 4 oz. dried herb, if fresh, use twice as much. a clean jar with tight lid. shake twice daily for 4-6 weeks, strain. Dispense into dark bottles & keep in cool dark place. Tinctures are much stronger than infusions or decoction, be aware.

LINAMENTS: mark the bottle "poison" so it won't be ingested. 2 oz. dried herbs, 1 pint rubbing alcohol (use the alcohol bottle). close tightly. Shake once daily for 14 days. strain & use the alcohol bottle for dispensing.

INFUSED OILS: 2 oz. dried herbs. 1 pint oil. let sit in sunlit area & shake daily for 2-3 wks. Strain into dark glass container.

HERBAL BATH: muslin bag...1/4 cup herbs, you can hang this on your faucet under the running water as you are filling your tub, then put the bag in the bath with you. For a stronger one, make a strong herbal infusion on top of stove, then strain & add this to bath water. Could also add 1-2 cups sea salt!

GARGLES: double strength herbal infusion. can also use tinctures...1 tsp tincture to 1 cup water. also 1 tbs. sea salt to 1 cup water. Gargle...do not swallow!!!

BOLUS/SUPPOSITORIES: slowly pour melted cocoa butter over powdered herbs. stir slowly. create a thick dough-like consistency. Let cool. roll into long rounded strips about 1/2" thick. cut into 1" lengths. put in fridge to harden. Let sit at room temp before inserting.

DOUCHES: strong herbal infusion, enough for a pint. add 1 tsp apple cider vinegar. leave in vagina for 10-15 min., then expel. Use once daily for 7 days.

POULTICE/PLASTER: use pulverized or powdered herbs moistened with a little water, e.o., infusion or even a bit of tincture. Apply to affected area...cover with cotton cloth. a warm cloth may be applied if heat therapy is needed. Put towel over that. after removing poultice--rinse with clean water. Change twice daily. Clays make a nice addition as well.

The Story of ESSIAC....a Powerful Immune System Builder!

Rene Caisse was a nurse living in Canada for almost 60 yrs. who treated hundreds of people with an herbal remedy she called Essiac (Caisse spelled backwards). She discovered this remedy through a patient in the hospital where she worked who had been cured of cancer. The patient had used an herbal remedy given her by an Ojibway medicine woman.

Rene left the hospital in 1922 at the age of 33 and went to Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada where she began administering Essiac to all who came to her. The majority of those she treated had letters from their physicians certifying they had terminal forms of cancer & they had been given up on by the medical profession.

Rene began gathering the plants & preparing the remedy & giving it to her patients. In some cases, the patients passed on, but many recovered fully & went on to live for 35-45 more years.

So startling was the effectiveness of this simple herbal remedy, it could not be ignored and the Canadian Ministry of Health & Welfare & the Parliament became involved. Friends, former patients and grateful families petitioned Canadian officialdom for Rene Caisse's right to administer the remedy to anyone who asked for it without the threat of interference from authorities. 55,000 signatures were collected on this petition. In 1938 Essiac came withing 3 votes of being legalized by the Ontario government as a remedy for terminal cancer patients.

Mary McPherson was not only a close personal friend of Rene's, but also a patient. Mary's mother and her husband were also patients. They were all treated for cancer & cured by Rene. Mary worked with Rene beginning in the 1930's and she had in her possession all these documents that had to do with Essiac over the 40 years Rene administered it. All the documents Rene had were destroyed by the Canadian Ministry of Health & Welfare at the time of her death in 1978. They burned all that information in 55 gal. drums behind her home!!

Essiac is a non-toxic herbal remedy for cancer that's been with us since 1922!

This is an excerpt from an interview done with Dr. Gary Glum, who in 1986 was a well known chiropractor with offices in Los Angeles. His clients included well-known professional athletic & olympic teams. In 1988 Dr. Glum published "Calling of an Angel", the story of Rene Caisse and Essiac. He has since closed his practice and now devotes his time to investigative writing.

After the interview, it was learned that the Canadian govt. had banned sheep sorrel (one of the main ingredients) for sale & distribution. Shortly after that they also banned St. John's Wort.

Dr. Glum could not find any publishing company to publish his book, so he published it himself. As soon as he did, the IRS came in and slapped about a half million dollars in tax liens against him and he said "You know this has got nothing to do with taxes. It's all about cancer." They actually started hauling the pallets of books out of his medical practice and they were confiscated by the Canadian govt. at customs. He has never gotten any of those books back. The only ones he has left are hidden in storage facilities.

Isn't it amazing what governments will do to stop a true cure for cancer while it becomes one of the largest money makers in the nation, next to oil? And this was back in the 80's!!!

Essiac normalizes the thyroid, heals stomach ulcers (which Rene felt was a precursor to cancer), it regulates the pancreas (so one with diabetes mellitus can become insulin-free), gives all cancer & AIDS patients the enzymes that those diseases have destroyed. Essiac elevates the enzyme system, elevates the hormone system which elevates the immune system so the body can cure itself.

It's even worse today, so we herbalists, have to be so careful in our wording and how we present our 'products' to the public.....big brother is always watching!!!!

Over the years, companies have 'copyrighted' the name Essiac so nobody else can sell their variation and call it Essiac, the name many are familiar with. The first lesson in my herbal studies was how to mix & make this wonderous tonic! I call it a tonic simply because it works on the whole body & doesn't just target certain parts.

Why Buy A Handmade Soap????

The soap you buy in the stores from the big manufacturers are not as safe as they would lead you to believe. The FDA has no regulatory authority over these soaps and will only investigate if it can be determined that they have caused direct harm to human health. The fact that many of these soaps are formulated from a variety of combined chemicals complicates this issue even further. This "soap" is a synthetic detergent, made with some of the same chemicals that are used in cleaning garage floors & engine degreasers. The #1 ingredient in this "soap" is tallow, which is made from the rendering of beef fat, which is inexpensive & readily available. To cut costs even more, the manufacturer removes the natural occurring glycerine and sells this as a "waste product" to other industries. (Glycerine is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture.) Repeated use of this soap can cause skin damage & irritation among other problems. A part of every skin problem is due to the toxic elements that can be found in these soaps. For instance aluminum is commonly added as a "skin moisturizer". It does this by impregnating the skin and attracting water, giving the illusion of moist skin. In fact you simply have 'moist aluminum' stuck in your skin, which your immune system must remove. The following is a list of these potentially harmful ingredients found in many commercial soaps.

*A-pinene -- Derived from the resinous sap of pine trees, this substance is a major component of turpentine and can damage the immune system.

*A-terpineol -- This chemical is extremely irritating to mucus membranes. Frequent or prolonged exposure (and especially repeated inhalation) can also cause edema, as well as respiratory difficulties.

*Benzaldehyde -- Also called oil of bitter almond, this substance is a narcotic and anesthetic that can depress the central nervous system. When inhaled, it can bring on vomiting, dizziness and a sudden drop in blood pressure.

*Benzyl Acetate -- An eye and lung irritant and kown carcinogen (cancer-causer) that has been associated with pancreatic cancer.

*Ethanol -- Appears on the EPA Hazardous Waste List and is used in the manufacture of varnish and paint remover. This chemical can irritate the respiratory tract and can cause impaired vision and loss of muscle control.

*Linalool -- A narcotic that can impair respiratory function and motor activity. Linalool also attracts bees which can be a problem for those allergic to bee stings.

* Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) -- Used to increase absorption of other chemicals: it is also a "wetting agent" that allows shampoo to spread out and penetrate more easily SLS breaks down lipids (fats) and impairs the skin's ability to retain moisture. It is classified as a 'mutagen', meaning it can alter cellular genetic material. In fact, SLS has been used in Japanese studies to promote bacterial mutations.

*Triclosan -- one of the most popular anti-bacterial ingredients & a mutagen that is readily absorbed through the skin. It is also related to the pesticide 2,4-D. When this was tested in animals, it was found toxic to the blood, liver & kidneys.

It seems anti-bacterial soaps & water-less hand sanitizers are all the rage  now among germ-conscious consumers. But the overuse of such products can lead to the killing of beneficial bacteria and create more drug-resistant strains of harmful bugs.

(Information taken from the U.S. Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act of 1938 and the February 2001 issue of Better Nutrition Magazine, "The Cure for Cancer" by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph.D., N.D. & from the internet) Do your own research...you'll be amazed at what you find is hiding in your favorite body care products!

What You Should Know About Your Skin.....

Your skin is the body's largest organ weighing in at about 7-9 lbs. It protects us from the outside world and regulates the body's heating & cooling systems, with few differences between the male & female skin. Our skin is extremely sensitive to external factors such as stress, heat, cold & ultraviolet radiation. If your skin contains less than 10% water...it will feel dry. The epidermis is the outer layer of skin cells and the ones we see, but that is the products of the lower layer of the skin called the basal layer, where new plump, moist cells are produced. These travel upward & outward, on their journey they encounter various hazards that lose some of their moisture making them leaner. It can take 3-4 months for cells to reach the epidermis. So in treating the skin, results may not show for that length of time. When skin cells reach that outer layer--they fall off and become household dust. Skin cells are rich in keratin which also makes up nails and like nails can become brittle & flaky. Our skin is an excretory organ and is constantly at work to throw off toxic waste. The sebaceous gland work hard to lubricate the skin and just how hard they work determines whether you have dry or oily skin. The skin produces millions of new cells each day. The cells regenerate themselves every 30-40 days depending on age. After age 35, the natural rejuvenating process begins to slow considerably.

Daily bathing can rob the skin of natural oils & moisture. Dermatologists do not recommend daily bathing because of this. To compensate for this, the skin produces more oils, which can lead to enlarged pores and other cosmetic problems. When robbed of too much moisture - it loses the ability to store water and nutrients. Light, moisturizing lotions & creams are best to help retain the pH value of skin, protect against irritation & to help keep it from becoming de-hydrated. Pat skin dry, don't rub. Apply lotions/creams to the skin when it is still damp from bathing. Lotions & creams blend with the water and are drawn more easily into the skin, providing additional moisture and sealing in the water that was absorbed during bathing. As an added benefit, you use less of your lotions & creams!

Oils limit evaporation from the skin and are very moisturizing because of the barrier to water loss they make on the skin. Most of the big corporate manufacturers use water as a big part of their base, although the water helps the products to be less greasy, it also makes them less moisturizing. Mineral oil is a very common basic ingredient in big commercial brands because it is cheap. It is a by-product of petroleum, can cause clogging in the pores....smothers the skin so it can't breathe, and is considered a carcinogen among many other unpleasant things.There are moisturizers out there that may contain non-oily humectants. These prevent water loss from the skin by attracting moisture. Examples of these are glycerine, propylene glycol, lactic acid, glycolic acid, urea, hydrolyzed proteins, citric acid, hyaluronic acid & salicylic acid. Some of these work very well in absorbing moisture from the air, but they only work well when there is sufficient humidity in the air in which they can draw from. Synthetic humectants can cause irritation & contact dermatitis in some people.So why not use products on your precious skin whose ingredients are from a natural source that can heal & moisturize your skin.

Essential oils stimulate the skin cells into reproducing at a quicker rate, thus reducing 'lag time' between new skin growth & the elimination of toxic debris by improving lymphatic flow & the general condition of the lymph glands. Essential oils improve circulation which aids oxygenation & energizes the epidermis by the rate nutrients are fed to it. Some essential oils can balance the sebaceous glands, thereby stabilizing healthy skin conditions. As bactericides they neutralize unwanted & unfriendly bacteria--preventing blemished conditions & as anti-inflammatory--they can calm sensitive & damaged skin. They help to keep collagen & elastin in good condition. The nutrients & proteins contained in essential oils can actually restore the building blocks to all these important tissue fibers. Because the molecules of essential oils are extremely small, they penetrate the epidermis & get to do their work with their purity maintained.

Now that you know a bit more about how & why our skin works, you can make better decisions about what to use on the largest organ of your body. So remember...everything you put onto your skin is absorbed into your body. Wouldn't it make sense to use products with ingredients that help your skin & body instead of doing more damage to it??

Charcoal....

The uses for this non-toxic, absorbitive substance are immeasurable & is highly underused. It's also called activated carbon. Be sure you only buy 'food grade' charcoal. It can be used as a body scrub, water filtration, improving your soil, removing odors, drug overdoses & food poisoning just to name a few. **NEVER take it within 2 hours of any medication or supplement as it will absorb it and render it ineffective!** This should be a staple in your medicine cabinet, it can save a life. 

This stuff has the power to cure food poisoning by absorbing the toxins & bacteria. It will ease vomiting and stomach cramps from the flu.

It can save your animal's life too if they have been poisoned. The general rule of thumb for that is...1-3 grams of charcoal per 1 kg of body weight.

It can absorb more than 4,000 poisons, drugs, heavy metals, etc. heres a few it does NOT absorb well: cyanide, ethanol, ethylene glycol, iron, lithium, methanol, mineral acids & salts.

Charcoal can also draw toxins through the skin, so it can be used externally as well. A simple poultice along with internal use can be a very effective home remedy against abcesses, tumors, infections, wounds, poison ivy, pink eye, snake bites, spider bites, hemorrhoids, earaches and more. Internally, it can help fight gas, bloating, diarrhea, acid indigestion, colic, liver disease, peptic ulcers, hangovers & more.

It is not meant for long periods of usage, but can help with detoxing and cut your healing time down greatly.

It removes odors such as pet, smoke, garbage, paint, fumes, musty basements, diaper pails, stinky feet :) & shoes, skunk!, animal barns, sick rooms, chemical smells & more. You can make your own buy buying it in bulk and making sachets or poking holes in lids and filling a jar with it!

Charcoal can be used in the garden! Improve soil drainage, increase nutrients, improves germinations, improves plant resistance to fungal disease & insect infestations. It also absorbs herbicides, heavy metals & other toxins in your soil. It's a great fertilizer & an environmentally friendly insecticide!

So many uses from something so simple :)

Cancer Update from non other than....Johns Hopkins!!

Everyone has cancer cells. They don't show up in tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When cancer patiens are told there are no more cancer cells after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cells because they have not reached detectable size.

Cancer cells occur between 6-10 times in a person's lifetime.

With a strong immune system, cancer cells are destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

A person with cancer indicates they have nutritional deficiencies. They could be genetic, but also environmental, food & lifestyle.

To overcome nutritional deficiencies, change diet to eat healthier. Include supplements to strengthen the immune system. IMHO...a healthy immune system is key!!

Chemo involves poisoning rapidly-growing cancer cells and destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damge, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs.

Radiation, while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissue and organs.

Initial chemo and radiation treatment often reduces tumor size. However prolonged use of chemo and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

When the body has too much toxic burden from chemo and radiation the immune system is compromised or destroyed and the person can succumb to various infections and complications.

Chemo and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and hard to destroy. Surgery can cause cancer cells to spread!

An effective way to battle cancer is to starve cancer cells by not feeding it with foods it needs to multiply. CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
1) sugar and chemical substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, etc. that are made with harmful aspartame. A bettter substitute is stevia, manuka honey or molasses but only in small amounts. Table salts has an added chemical to make it white. Better alternative is sea salt.
2) milk products mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. Cut off milk. Substitute unsweetened soy (NON GMO...my words) milk, starving cancer cells.
3) cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic. It's best to eat fish and a little other meat, like chicken. Meat contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites which are harmful, especially to people with cancer.
4) a diet of 80% fresh veggies and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruit put the body into an alkaline environment. 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach cellular levels in 15 min. to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells, drink fresh vegetable juice (most veggies including bean sprouts) and eat raw vegetables 2-3 times daily. Enzymes are destroyed at 104 degrees F.
5) avoid coffee, tea, chocolate, high caffeine. drink green tea with cancer fighting properties. water; best to drink purified or filtered, to avoid toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

Meat protein is hard to digest and requires lots of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remains in the intestine, putrifies and leads to more toxic buildup.

Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from, or eating less meat, frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls and allows the body's killer cells to destroy cancer cells.

Supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, Anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Vit. E causes apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged,  unwanted or unneeded cells. (make sure you get the real Vit. E...d-alpha is the true form, dl-alpha is the man made form. it will say on the bottle)

Cancer is a disease of the mind, body & spirit. A pro-active and positive spirit helps the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body in a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit, relax and enjoy life.

Cancer cells can't thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising and deep breathing get more oxygen to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means to destroy cancer cells. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to our body's cells. Don't freeze plastic bottles with water in them. This releases dioxins from the plastic which is very bad for us. Don't microwave food using plastic containers. This expecially applies to fatty foods. Combination of fat, high heat and containers for heating. Same results without the dioxin. Remover TV dinners, instant ramen, soups, etc. from containers and heat in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what's in the paper. It's safer to use tempered glass. Some fast food restauants moved from foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one reason. Plastic wrap (Saran, cling wrap) is just as dangerous when placed over microwaved food. As food is nuked, high heat causes poisonous toxins to melt out of the wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

Share this article with anyone important in your life!

This was written back in 2011, so imagine how things have changed since then. Do I believe Johns Hopkins still puts out the good kind of info??? I doubt it seriously. Especially since the ol' c***d jab thing hit. Keep researching and learning...for YOU!!!!

Intro...??

I've been certified in herbal medicine & in aromatherapy for over 20 years now. Not sure exactly how long cuz my certificates are packed away. I have found they are quite useless down here in this neck of the woods because people generally run to the dr. very quickly down here when they are sick. If you try to educate them, they 'blow you off' & then run to the dr. for their quick fixes which are slowly damaging their bodies & immune systems. Not only do we use herbs & essential oils (e.o.), we also have done accu-pressure, reflexology, reiki & more. I wish I knew more about homeopathics, I think those are just fascinating, but I've used several of them as well. I've also been known to use Bach Flower Remedies, food therapy & Native American Herbology. I've got an abundance of reference materials & I always use at least 3 references before I decide on a given 'therapy'.

My love & knowledge for herbs started with some simple questions, then I became a sponge for the knowledge & when I had my own herbal bath/body biz, I took my knowledge one step further & took the courses needed to get certified! I got so addicted to it, I went on to get certified in aromatherapy as well, which is using powerful essential oils to improve one's health. Then, alas I had to sell the biz as we were moving on to bigger & better things, or so we thought. Anyway here I am & I found I didn't have much to say in a blog on a personal note...but I have lots to say on these subjects. If one person goes away with just one little tidbit of knowledge that helps them on their healing path. After all, isn't knowledge to be shared?!!

Years after selling my 1st biz, I started another small biz, basically for something to do & to help people. We left Oklahoma & came to Arizona to vacation & just never left. I love it here in Quartzsite and have yet started another biz that's been going great for over 5 yrs. now. I have found the main issue to getting customers is to provide them correct information to help them get well. You have to gain their trust and really really know what you are talking about!!! Don't just spout some blurb you have memorized....you gotta know your stuff!!! After all you are dealing with people's lives here & in so many cases the medical society has let them down & they just don't care about healing the people anymore, it's all about the almighty dollar sad to say.