“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
~ Maya Angelou
"Beauty is only an herb away", all-natural, holistic, handmade care for families and pets.
Guided by wisdom and knowledge from past generations, information often tucked away in quaint old books resurfaces to remind us that 'simple is best'.
A first introduction to Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin or Pogostemon Patchouli) is often met with a description of it having a definite earthy scent to it. So just what does that mean, that it smells like dirt? No, it smells like nature and that is a wonderful thing. Some describe it as musty and too strong and others think of it as exotic and perfect in that it's lingering scent reaches deep into the emotions.
Patchouli has been used in incense and fragrance oils for centuries. It brings a sense of the sacredness of life and the need to care for our earth and everything in it. It helps us realize that to just "be" and do nothing at times is a good thing, that contemplating has a purpose and helps one get focused for action.
It is simply not true that the main reason the "hippies" of the 1960's and 1970's loved patchouli was that it covered up the scent of marijuana. Patchouli symbolized the love of nature and the escape from what was called the "establishment". The younger generation developed different ideas and ideals which were often met with labeling and indifference from the older age groups.
The essential oil of Patchouli is extracted by steam distillation of the leaves. All the benefits and uses for this plant are amazing. It is an antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, deodorant, fungicide, insecticide, sedative, antidepressant, diuretic and boosts healing and the metabolism by stimulating the generation of new cells.
INSECT REPELLANT PROPERTIES
Patchouli has long been used to protect clothes and fabrics from insect damage.
ANTISEPTIC
The essential oil protects wounds from developing infection. FUNGICIDE
By inhibiting fungal growth, patchouli can help with problems such as Athlete's Foot.
ANTIPHLOGISTIC
Containing patchoulene, patchouli soothes inflammation, therefore can help externally with skin conditions as well as internally with the pain from arthritis.
ANTIDEPRESSANT
By stimulating the release of pleasure hormones such as serotonin and dopamine, patchouli helps with feelings of sadness, anxiety and simply feeling better.
APHRODISIAC
By stimulating hormones, estrogen and testosterone, patchouli can boost indifference and lack of interest in the sex drive.
ASTRINGENT
By contracting blood vessels, patchouli stimulates contractions in muscles, nerves and skin. This helps with the symptoms of aging we see in the skin. Wonderful for use in face and body creams and lotions.
DEODORANT
The strong, musky aroma of patchouli helps eliminate or mask body odor and it's lingering scent helps the protection last.
SEDATIVE
By soothing inflammation and calming to the nerves, patchouli helps relax the body in order to get a good night's sleep.
For more information on any of the below items, just click on the listing underneath the picture.
Ever wonder why a hot bath is such a comfort?
According to this article from Daily Mail Reporter when people feel loneliness they tend to feel cold and the feel of a hot bath can help with feelings of isolation. There is a link between physical warmth and social warmth and it all begins in childhood where so much comfort comes from hot things like soup, hot drinks and the love from those who offer them. Warm water can substitute for desired company and help lift that down in the dumps feeling that is so often helped by being around other people.
You certainly don't have to feel lonely to desire the escape from it all in a nice soak. Perhaps you have had plenty of socialization for a day and just want time to be left alone and nurse your frazzled nerves. Take time for yourself once in a while and close that bathroom door for at least 30 minutes.
Humans have a natural pull towards the sea and the theory is that since the water content of our bodies is so similar to seawater we feel a connection. There is a quote by JFK that says, "We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch, we are going back from whence we came."
Warm water is so very therapeutic for not only the soul, but for the body as well. Stiff muscles and achy joints benefit so greatly from the heat and relaxation offered from warm water.
Bath oils offer the silky skin loving benefits of carrier oils such as almond, jojoba, olive, apricot and wheat germ. Essential oils are added which further add quality to a good bath oil. Certain plant essences contain anti-inflammatory properties or help eliminate toxins and fluid retention or do wonders for the weary spirit.
The salts used for bath salts contain necessary minerals such as magnesium which are so often lacking in our modern diets. By absorbing these minerals through our skin, we benefit by way of stress relief and even lowering blood pressure.
Bath salts aid with periodic detoxification and help to eliminate toxins.
Feel better, Sleep better and you'll Do better
Below are some of the bath products found within the Meadow Muffin Gardens shop.
Here are just a few of the available bath oils, salts and scrubs:
When you think of Vanilla, what first comes to mind? Mom's kitchen? Home Sweet Home? Holiday baking? Candles? Chocolate and romance? Usually it is the taste and smell factors that are most familiar to us.
Being taste and smell are important components when it comes to love and romance, it is no wonder the sweet, alluring aroma of vanilla is so captivating. We're in love with the idea of love, something we all seek and treasure. Vanilla's sweet, welcoming odor just seems to draw people to it.
According to Valerie Ann Worwood in "The Fragrant Heavens", aroma evokes emotions, as well as memory, and often the two are connected. Emotions run deep, to the very core of our being. Time means nothing to aroma, therefore deep seated emotions are reached immediately when we smell something that triggers a certain memory.
Fragrance molecules are the essential oils from plants, from which we are interdependent and without them life would stop. Worwood states, "plants are the interface between cosmic energies and the earth, upon which we depend." We can capture the aura with photography but have yet to fully understand just what is that energy. Essential oils contain this mystery we call life and their powerful inexplicable energies cannot be fully explained.
Science can study the chemical make-up of plants and record which ones have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic properties. But understanding their spiritual relationship to us has always been a cause for debate.
The perfume industry thrives on our desires, need for love, captivation for lust and vanilla plays an important role in all of which that entails. Something about the vanilla scent combines sexy, erotic, sweet and innocence all at the same time. You can have a floral bouquet type perfume, or an oriental exotic type perfume, or a relaxing blend, and even a modern, take on the world type scent. Vanilla fits into any of those blends.
Indigenous people are believed to have been the first to have grown vanilla. The Totonaca people of the Gulf coast were probably the first people. The Mexican Revolution nearly destroyed the natural vanilla production in Mexico which led to the beginning of the production of synthetic vanilla. Coumarin was used to disguise the artificial taste which tasted exactly like vanilla. Coumarin is extracted from the Tonka bean. The problem was that Dicumarol, a derivative of Coumarin, is used as a blood thinner, therefore with such safety considerations, it was eventually banned by the FDA.
Today, real vanilla extract is made by cutting the vanilla beans into small pieces and soaking them in hot 65-70% alcohol. There are extracts which are cheaper, called imitation vanilla. It is chemically produced to mimic vanilla with added sugars for better flavor.
Believe it or not, some vanilla labeled as natural actually comes from the castor sacs of beavers. I suppose that is natural enough, but certainly not true vanilla.
Real vanilla is described as "Nector Of The Gods". True vanilla is very expensive and the reason being is that of all the agricultural crops grown, vanilla is the most labor-intensive. The vanilla plant (Vanilla planifolia) will thrive only in tropical areas around the equator. It is a perennial herbaceous vine to a height of fifteen feet. Being a vine, it needs the support of trees of poles and takes up to three years to flower. The large white flowers have a deep narrow trumpet that over a three month period develop into long green pods. These pods remain on the vine for another nine months before they can be harvested. Then they need to go through a drying process of curing that turns them into the fragrant brown pods we're familiar with.
In addition to its high demand in the food industry, vanilla has a lot of health benefits to offer. It acts on the central nervous system and is known to help with sexual desire and function. The sweet fragrance in vanilla is from what is called Heliotropin, and this is largely responsible for soothing emotional tension and anxiety. Such a release when anxious will definitely help with one's confidence and sex drive. Having a euphoric effect on the brain, vanilla invigorates and uplifts the spirit while having a calming effect of the entire nervous system. Vanilla can even help with weight loss by reducing a person's sweet tooth. Vanilla is rich in both anti-bacterial properties and antioxidants. Using a vanilla infused oil or lotion topically on the skin can be very useful to help deal with pimples and combat skin aging from free radical damage. Below you'll find ways to incorporate the enticing vanilla bean as part of your personal care products. Vanilla beans are infused into either 100 proof vodka or a carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oil. The result is incredible smelling vanilla oil or vanilla tincture to become body massage oil, bath oil, face or body sugar scrubs, body lotion, lip balms, even a hair conditioner. Just click on the caption underneath the picture to take you into the shop for more information or to purchase:
It
seems no matter who you talk to, when asked "how are you", the answer
may be the automatic response of "fine", but it doesn't take long before
those words are followed with "I am so busy I'm going nuts".
Most of us don't need a lot of convincing that half the problems within families is that they are just
not getting enough rest. It seems to take a major blow-up or melt-down,
and then a period of reflection before anyone realizes how things have
crept up and escalated.
The thing is, we already know
we are overextending ourselves. We know acting like the energizer bunny may eventually catch up with us. We're tired of being told what to
change for a healthier lifestyle because we already know. But as with
many health issues, people usually don't truly commit to a change until they are faced with a medical crisis which becomes the turning point in their lives.
A certain amount of stress is good, it gets us
moving, keeps us alert, and challenges us to achieve success. But to
be continuously in overdrive without getting adequate rest for the body
to repair itself cannot go on indefinitely without repercussions.
Located in southeastern Pennsylvania is a Center for Natural Healing called The Clymer Center.
Take a look at the videos under the blog section that discuss Adrenal Fatigue and Adrenal Dysfunction.
Founded
by Dr. Poesnecker in 1968, this center was one of a kind in that they
specialize in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Adrenal Dysfunction. Back
before most doctors had even heard of these conditions, this center was
helping people uncover the underlying cause of their symptoms. Rather
than going through the whirlwind of various specialists for symptoms
that include depression, anxiety, insomnia, skin flairs, exhaustion,
menopausal issues, fertility problems, and autoimmune conditions, these professionals
get to the bottom of where it all began, rather than treat each symptom
as its own condition. They help the patient get the immune and hormonal systems back into balance.
Here is a very informative video on Adrenal Fatigue:
The
suggestion in the use of bath oils, massage oils, or bath salts, is too
often followed with the response that there just aren't enough hours in
the day.
No one is denying that as fact, but once you
develop chronic fatigue, depression, hypertension, or anger issues,
you'll end up in a physician's office and be told something has go to
change. You'll go home with the comfort of a label to your ailments and a
handful of scripts to "fix" things, and hopefully that physician will
also inform you that unless you make lifestyle changes there is no magic
pill.
Taking care of yourself is not at all a selfish thing to do. All caregivers are told again and again that unless you are mentally and physically strong, you are not going to be up to the demands of caring for someone else for very long.
Start small with your goal to squeeze in time for yourself.
Utilize
your crock pot more often. Just knowing in advance what you'll be
having for dinner is a stress reliever in itself. If you get home and
it is ready to be served, you've just gained an hour of your time.
All
you need is 15 minutes to give yourself a foot and calve massage. You
can do this while making necessary phone calls or relaxing with your
favorite TV show.
A warm bath needn't take more than 30 minutes.
Get the kids to bed earlier, they probably need more sleep anyway. Take
your nightly cup of tea or glass of wine, a book and run that tub. Or
else use that time to reflect on your day and put your worries into
perspective. Or don't think about anything, meditation is great.
You'll
be amazed at how your mind and body will respond. There are ways to
calm your nerves and help you sleep without automatically reaching for
prescription or over the counter medications. Once you give yourself
permission for these small luxuries, you'll start to look forward to
your "me" time. With renewed spiritual energy, you just may find the
physical energy to claim another time slot for perhaps a bit of
stretching.
Many of us have learned the hard way that
though we so often put others' needs before our own, burn-out is a very
real possibility. The phrase "If Mom isn't happy, no one is happy" may
be said with humor but there is no denying that a home filled with
positive energy and laughter is a much happier place to be than one
where its occupants are too tired to smile anymore.
The work gets done eventually.
Below
are just a few options to help. Remember the Calgon slogan, "Calgon,
Take Me Away!"? The fact that years later people still remember that TV commercial shows just how effective consumer psychology can be.
We should also remember the Clairol commercial's phrase, "Because You Deserve It!"
Below are a few options as a means to bring a little serenity into your life.
A few choices include a calming air or linen spray, bath salts, massage oils and bath oils.
It is a shame there is a stigma attached to depression as being a form of weakness. As long as there is such a resistance in broaching the subject and bringing it out into the open, a great number of people shall continue to suffer, far more than we may realize. There is usually little hesitation to go to a doctor for a physical ailment, yet observe any group gathering and often the topics of conversation arehealth issues. Yet rarely do you hear people answering the question "How are you feeling" with anything other than the usual "I'm fine".
There is a difference between being sad and being depressed.
According to Dr. Olivia I. Okereke, the academic director of the
Geriatric Psychiatry Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, There are two core features of depression.
"To be diagnosed a person has
to have at least one. The first is depressed mood. People are questioned
if they sometimes feel sad. The second is anhedonia, or the inability
to feel pleasure. People are asked if they still enjoy the things they
previously enjoyed."
We all go through periods of sadness due to life circumstances. The difference between a bout of the blues and clinical depression depends on how things play out in time. When something traumatizing or devastating happens, we go through the stages of shock, the denial, the anger, the sinking, and eventually we accept what is and can move on with our lives.
However, if a length of time passes and everyday normal activities become too much trouble and nothing in life seems to mean anything, it may be necessary to seek professional help. People suffering from depression are very aware that what is happening to them isn't normal and it may seem ridiculous that just getting dressed has become too much trouble.
Oftentimes, the response from friends and family to this kind of apathy is impatience, advice to "snap out of it", to "get with it", to "get motivated", and "stop being so lazy"; as if it were that simple. Depression is a very real disorder and until society realizes that and takes it seriously, it will continue to be what they call the "silent destroyer".
Below is a very enlightening video by speaker, Andrew Solomon, about his own experiences with this disease. He speaks on how he survived this period of his life and reflects on his observations through speaking to other people suffering from depression.
The opposite of depression is not happiness, but vitality
Andrew Solomon
The standard methods of treatment for depression include drug therapy, such as SSRI's, which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants and psychiatric therapy.
These may or may not be effective and usually involve side effects such as feeling like a zombie, mood swings, and even suicidal tendencies. Then should a patient try to wean himself off of the medication, there are serious withdrawal symptoms to consider, oftentimes causing a spiral downwards even more.
Home Remedies for Depression is an option that many believe has a far better success rate than conventional methods.
Taking a holistic approach involves a lot more than popping pills. It takes commitment and often lifestyle changes. Rather than the accepted view that depression is a biochemical imbalance in the brain caused by a lack of serotonin and a genetic flaw, the holistic viewpoint is that the biochemical imbalance is caused by toxic overload and nutritional deficiencies. It is these nutritional deficiences that result in a serotonin imbalance, which then affects mood.
A list of dietary supplements which have shown results are as follows:
L-Tyrosine use shows an improvement in mental alertness and memory retain ability.
L-Tryptophan is one of the strongest home remedies for depression there is. It is known as an "emotional stabilizer" in that it has a calming effect.
L-Phenylalanine is very stimulating to the nervous system and brain. It increases mental alertness and memory. L-Glutamine is known as "brain fuel". It is an energy source for the brain and absorbs toxic ammonia and accumulated heavy metals. Chromium and Vanadium help regulate blood sugar levels.
Magnesium may be the most important mineral as far as natural treatments are concerned. Magnesium deficiencies cause mood levels to plummet. There is a strong connection between a decrease of magnesium in our soil and the deficiency seen in the human population today. Other important nutrients your body needs to help combat depression include: Vitamin D, Folic
acid, Vitamin B5, B6, B12, Vitamin
C, Zinc, Iron, Lithium, Co Q10, and the full spectrum of trace
minerals.
St. Johnswort can be very effective for mild depression. St. Johnswort is able to prevent the absorption of serotonin by the nerve cells in the brain, which helps to stabilize mood fluctuations.
Licorice Root acts on cortisol, which is the stress hormone. Licorice root is able to hinder production of cortisol in the body which eases symptoms of depression and stabilize mood.
Siberian Ginseng is considered an adaptogen in that it has a stabilizing effect and calms people in stressful situations.
Chamomile acts as a sedative and very popular taken in soothing tea form.
Ding Xin Wan is a Chinese herb and very helpful for insomnia and loss of appetite.
Saffron studies have shown it to be as effective as Prozac in treating depression.
Black Cohosh is extremely beneficial in the treatment of depression that is associated with menopause.
Lavender is very popular as an essential oil in aromatherapy. It calms the mind and induces sleep.
Valerian has a very calming effect on the nerves and helps with sleeplessness.
Ginko is popular because it does not interact with drugs and supplements.
Let's not forget the importance of physical activity for mental and physical health.
You will think better, sleep better, and feel better.
Taking the time for a relaxing bath is a luxury many people don't take advantage of. Allow yourself to rest. Your soul speaks to you in the quiet moments in between your thoughts. Utilize the benefits of plants through aromatherapy. Certain essences have an uplifting effect on the mind and emotions.
"Some days it’s only a couple of inches. It’s a pain in the
ass, but you still make it to work, the grocery store. Sure, maybe you skip the
gym or your friend’s birthday party, but it IS still snowing and who knows how
bad it might get tonight. Probably better to just head home. Your friend
notices, but probably just thinks you are flaky now, or kind of an asshole.
Some days it snows a foot. You spend an hour shoveling out
your driveway and are late to work. Your back and hands hurt from shoveling.
You leave early because it’s really coming down out there. Your boss notices.
Some days it snows four feet. You shovel all morning but
your street never gets plowed. You are not making it to work, or anywhere else
for that matter. You are so sore and tired you just get back in the bed. By the
time you wake up, all your shoveling has filled back in with snow. Looks like
your phone rang; people are wondering where you are. You don’t feel like
calling them back, too tired from all the shoveling. Plus they don’t get this
much snow at their house so they don’t understand why you’re still stuck at
home. They just think you’re lazy or weak, although they rarely come out and
say it.
Some weeks it’s a full-blown blizzard. When you open your
door, it’s to a wall of snow. The power flickers, then goes out. It’s too cold
to sit in the living room anymore, so you get back into bed with all your
clothes on. The stove and microwave won’t work so you eat a cold Pop Tart and
call that dinner. You haven’t taken a shower in three days, but how could you
at this point? You’re too cold to do anything except sleep.
Sometimes people get snowed in for the winter. The cold
seeps in. No communication in or out. The food runs out. What can you even do, tunnel
out of a forty foot snow bank with your hands? How far away is help? Can you
even get there in a blizzard? If you do, can they even help you at this point?
Maybe it’s death to stay here, but it’s death to go out there too.
The thing is, when it snows all the time, you get worn all
the way down. You get tired of being cold. You get tired of hurting all the
time from shoveling, but if you don’t shovel on the light days, it builds up to
something unmanageable on the heavy days. You resent the hell out of the snow,
but it doesn’t care, it’s just a blind chemistry, an act of nature. It carries
on regardless, unconcerned and unaware if it buries you or the whole world.
Also, the snow builds up in other areas, places you can’t
shovel, sometimes places you can’t even see. Maybe it’s on the roof. Maybe it’s
on the mountain behind the house. Sometimes, there’s an avalanche that blows
the house right off its foundation and takes you with it. A veritable Act of
God, nothing can be done. The neighbors say it’s a shame and they can’t
understand it; he was doing so well with his shoveling.
I don’t know how it went down for Anthony Bourdain or Kate
Spade. It seems like they got hit by the avalanche, but it could’ve been the
long, slow winter. Maybe they were keeping up with their shoveling. Maybe they
weren’t. Sometimes, shoveling isn’t enough anyway. It’s hard to tell from the
outside, but it’s important to understand what it’s like from the inside.
I firmly believe that understanding and compassion have to
be the base of effective action. It’s important to understand what depression
is, how it feels, what it’s like to live with it, so you can help people both
on an individual basis and a policy basis. I’m not putting heavy shit out here
to make your Friday morning suck. I know it feels gross to read it, and
realistically it can be unpleasant to be around it, that’s why people pull
away.
I don’t have a message for people with depression like “keep
shoveling”. It’s asinine. Of course you’re going to keep shoveling the best you
can, until you physically can’t, because who wants to freeze to death inside
their own house? We know what the stakes are. My message is to everyone
else. Grab a fucking shovel and help your neighbor. Slap a mini snow plow
on the front of your truck and plow your neighborhood. Petition the city
council to buy more salt trucks, so to speak.
Depression is blind chemistry and physics, like snow. And
like the weather, it is a mindless process, powerful and unpredictable with
great potential for harm. But like climate change, that doesn’t mean we are
helpless. If we want to stop losing so many people to this disease, it will
require action at every level."
If there ever is a time when women focus on the care of their bodies,
inside and out, it is when they are expecting a baby. It is very normal to worry about every little thing we do and how it can
affect the health of the baby. The absorption of chemicals introduced into our bodies via food, water
or topical skin products should always be a concern, but pregnant women
need to be especially careful.
According to a post by Healing Anthropology, it is a fact that newborns
come into this world already unavoidably exposed to chemicals that we
worry could interfere with the endocrine system.
Being it is our responsibility to give our babies the best start possible, it
is wise to be aware of what products you are putting in and onto your
body. Anything put onto the skin is absorbed into the bodily system.
We live in a world where it is imperative that we take charge of our own health by being an informed consumer with the items we purchase.
Success with the transition from commercial, off the shelf products to handmade, natural, organic products has become a lot easier today as access to such quality products are easier to be found.
Sites such as Meadow Muffin Gardens began with a quest similar to your own; from a mom with a young family, frustrated with flimsy labeling laws, she began to make her own personal care items. Utilizing herbs, flowers, aromatherapy, and natural oils to create natural
solutions to personal and family care needs, without the use of
parabens, phthalates, triclosan, propylene glycol, artificial colorings, or synthetic fragrances. Also important, without the concern as to whether the products were tested on animals.
Pregnancy should be a happy time when we see our bodies as beautiful, not as a burden. It is very normal to worry about
losing our figures as we watch in awe as the abdomen seems to stretch to
amazing proportions. Those dreaded stretch marks are caused by changes in the elastic supportive tissue
that lies just beneath the skin. To some extent it is very difficult to
avoid stretch marks and they usually do disappear over time, but the best thing you can do is
moisturize with an oil based oil or balm. Oils are preferable over a
water based cream because they penetrate much deeper into the skin.
The chosen oils for our Pregnancy Belly Balm are Calendula-infused olive
oil, wheat germ oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. All skin-nourishing oils and butters to pamper your body as it goes through such amazing change.
If you are planning on breastfeeding, this balm utilizing the herb, Calendula, would be great to have on hand.
Valuable as both an all-purpose healing salve for minor wound care or
rashes, this balm is ideal for sore breasts and nipples due to
breastfeeding.
In ancient times, flowers that followed the sun by opening and closing
according to the solar progression were called "brides of the sun", one of these sacred
flowers symbolizing life and deliverance.
We all have those days when we just can't put our minds to rest which
ends up depriving us of much needed sleep. Too many things still on our
'to do' list, too many worries draining our resources, all take their
toll. Add that to the discomfort of trying to get comfortable while pregnant and a little help from the world of aromatherapy could be wonderful.
The Sleep Aid Dream Mist Linen Spray consists of a combination of
essential oils that are safe before and after the birth of your baby. Therapeutically known for their value in relaxing nervous
excitability and emotional conflict. This blend helps to create a feeling of peace as our whirling thoughts settle down.
Lavender, chamomile, sweet orange, and ylang ylang are an excellent
combination for anxiety, jangled nerves and trouble sleeping. Lightly spray your sleeping area and enjoy the bliss of drifting off into the serenity of sleep.
While in the hospital with your newborn baby, one of the first things you learn to do is how to bathe your infant. Babies usually love water and the bath routine can be so very rewarding.
Children's immature systems are very sensitive so you want to be sure
the products you are using are free of toxins, chemical scents and
petroleum by-products.
Look for a baby soap that is organic and gentle enough for the delicate skin of your baby. This
Mild Unscented Body Wash ensures a clean without the
concern over sulfates, preservatives or additional chemicals. Containing only two basic ingredients: Castile soap and Aloe vera gel, gentle to both baby and the environment.
Following a bath, replace lost skin oils with a
good quality herbal oil. Babies love to be touched, stroked and swaddled. What a wonderful moment for both mom and baby to share the bonding
experience of a body massage in readiness for sleep or cuddle time.
Flower Fairies Baby Oil uses apricot seed oil rather than the mineral oil
often found in commercial baby oils. Mineral oil is a petroleum based
lubricant. Apricot seed oil is a light, odorless, non-greasy oil very
gentle for childrens skin care products. Being it is not a nut oil you
needn't worry about a possible nut allergy. The three herbs chosen for this oil infusion are calendula, lavender and
elder flowers. All very safe for use with young children. This baby oil does not contain synthetic fragrance oils. They
are unnecessary and may cause irritation to a baby's sensitive skin.
Commercial baby powders may contain ingredients you really don't need.
Two
things we can do without are talc and zinc stearate. These additions do
help create a powder with ease in pouring and help to reduce friction
but the problem lies in the risk of being inhaled and irritating young
lungs.
Lullaby Lavender powder consists of cornstarch,
arrowroot powder, and kaolin clay powder. These simple ingredients are
meant to help prevent chafing and diaper rash in a gentle natural manner
by absorbing moisture. The lavender used is therapeutic grade pure
essential oil, meaning it is the natural essence of the plant, not the synthetic perfuming agent so often found on store shelves.
A sore bottom can turn the most pleasant disposition into one of misery.
Wanting only the most natural, gentle products against your baby's
delicate skin, herbal solutions are ideal in comparison to
chemical-laden commercial products. We took our Flower Fairies Baby Massage Oil and turned it into a healing
balm by adding pure lanolin, beeswax, and additional vitamins A, E and D.
Lanolin is secreted from the sebaceous glands of sheep into their
wool. It is very soothing and provides a barrier against moisture.
As uncomfortable as is the cold of the winter season, for
someone suffering with Raynaud's Syndrome, cold hands and feet just may be a way of
life. Anybody out in the cold too long knows the pain one feels in the hands and
feet once returning to the warmth of the indoors again. Imagine going through that just by grocery shopping in
the frozen foods section, or digging through the freezer looking for something
for dinner.
A person may have Raynaud's Syndrome as the primary
condition or it may be part of an underlying autoimmune condition such as
RheumatoidArthritis,Scleroderma, or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.Raynaud's is a very
annoying condition in which the constriction of the blood vessels in the
affected areas is exaggerated. Usually this involves the fingers and toes but
the nose, ear lobes and lips can also be affected.
Attacks are usually triggered by exposure to the cold or
even emotional stress. A decrease in blood supply to the extremeties causes
discoloration such as the skin turning white. Under normal exposure to cold the
body slows the loss of heat to maintain core temperature. Blood vessels which
control blood flow to the skin move blood from arteries near the surface to
veins deep within. In a personwith
Raynaud's phenomenon, this reaction goes overboard. The bloodvessels constrict tightly, starving the
tissues ofblood,however,circulationto the rest of the
body is perfectly normal. These attacks are quite painful and can last for just
a few minutes up to a few hours. When blood flow returns to normal, the white
color turns to blue, then red, then back to a normal pinkish skin color.
Of course prevention is moving to a warm climate or by
bundling up before going out in the cold weather, but even so, it isn't easy to
avoid simple everyday things like air conditioning or holding a cold drink at a
social gathering.
There is medication to dilate the blood vessels but usually
the physician will first have a patient try lifestyle management. Besides being prepared
for exposure to the cold, one must absolutely not be a smoker. We know
how cigarettes compromise the circulation system and in a system already not
working properly, to smoke is just asking for trouble. Emotional stress is
another culprit which can trigger a flair.
A medication used to help increase blood flow to the extremities and heal tissue damage and ulcerated skin is Procardia, generic name being Nifedipine. It is taken at bedtime since it may cause dizziness. Grapefruit juice is to be avoided while taking this medication. Be aware that some people have an allergic reaction to calcium channel blockers. Red, itchy, scaly, dry and sometimes painful red splotches can appear on the face and perhaps any other part of the body. Topical steroids may be prescribed but be aware of the risk of potential damage to the skin when used on the face. Do not continue use of a steroidal cream if no results are seen within the time frame set by the physician. Once the Nifedipine is discontinued the problem areas probably won't get any worse but it may take months for the skin to heal and the red spots to fade. Believe it or not, Viagra had been found to be another option to help increase blood flow to the extremities. The side effects with Viagra could be dizziness and headaches.
Besides the pain involved, the fingertips and toes can
become chronically tender to the touch and may drive one crazy with itch. This
photograph of the toes shows what can happen over time to toes that are
continuously irritated. The tips are sore, hard, peel and itch all at the same
time. There may be periods of time where just wearing shoes is painful.
It is very important to take care of your toes. Should the wearing of shoes irritate the tips and ulcerated sores develop take measures to help these hard to heal areas. When circulation is compromised we need to pay attention before things get any worse.
To reduce the risk of infection, (this soak is great for wounds in
general), Prepare
an epsom salt and tea tree oil warm water soak to help reduce
inflammation and oxidize the wound. The heat and salinity inhibit
proliferation of bacteria. Epsom salts are crystals of
hydrated magnesium sulphate. According to the Epsom Salt Council, epsom
salt soaks can raise magnesium levels and improve blood circulation and
skin integrity. Adequate circulation and oxygen saturation are necessary
for wound healing. Epsom salt is not like table salt, it will not burn. Don't put salt directly on the wound.
Tea tree oil is known as the Australian wonder, renowned for its
unbelievable antimicrobial qualities. It can be found at
most pharmacies and natural food stores. Look for it in 1 oz. amber
glass dropper bottles. You want true therapeutic essential oil.
1. Fill a basin with warm water
2. Add a few tablespoons of Epsom salts and stir till dissolved
3. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil
4. Soak for about fifteen minutes
5. Let the area dry thoroughly
6. Repeat the soaking 2 -3 times a day
Ask
your doctor if epsom salt soaks are appropriate for your wound. Do not
use epsom salt soaks on an actively infected wound or a wound with
nonviable tissue.
Once the toes are thoroughly dry, apply a dab of raw honey to the pad of a band-aid along with 1 drop of lavender essential oil. Cover the toe tips loosely with the band-aid. If using the lavender honey listed here than additional lavender essential oil isn't necessary.
Be sure to use raw honey, not the pasteurized type found in the grocery store. Raw honey will help draw fluid away from your
wound and suppress the growth of microorganisms. Part of what gives raw
honey its antibacterial properties is an enzyme called glucose oxidase,
which the worker bees excrete into the nectar. This enzyme releases low
levels of hydrogen peroxide when the honey makes contact with your
wound. Heated honey will destroy this perishable enzyme
which is why you want to only use raw honey for this application.When
applied to the skin, honey may serve as a barrier to moisture and keep
skin from sticking to dressings.
Lavender has been called the 'mother of all essences'. A very important
property of lavender is that it stimulates the regeneration of damaged
tissues.
Heat Holders proved to be a godsend.
Thick and chunky, chronically cold feet or tender, sore toe tips can find relief from cold floors. A tog rating of 2.34, these socks use heavy bulk yarn with extreme thermal qualities. Anyone with either diabetes or circulation problems should have a few pairs of these socks. Even if you find them too thick to be comfortable in your shoes, they are awesome for around the house or to wear with outdoor boots that have more room.
They also carry gloves with the same heat holding qualities to help protect those fingers from the bitter cold temperatures.
Like most of the symptoms associated with an autoimmune
condition, these flairs come and go. It is imperative that the patient pay
attention and take care of his/her body. Always carry a pair of gloves in your
purse or glove compartment. These liner gloves are awesome to still be able to
work while wearing them, and these make excellent liners underneath heavier
gloves in the winter.
Liniments and massage oils can also be a comfort and offer relief for the numbness and tingling as blood flow returns to fingertips and toes.
Herbs rosemary and peppermint combine with aromatherapy for a blend which helps with circulation and pain relief.
Another option is the benefits of ginger root. Known as one of the "hot" herbs, ginger root helps to bring blood to the
surface of the skin. By increasing circulation, ginger's warming
qualities help to decrease muscle soreness and stiffness.
Other than the pain
associated with the loss of blood flow during a flair, one has to understand
that there may also be no feeling and clumsy numbness in the finger tips or
toes. This can put one at a very real risk of injury. The fine tactile
abilities of our hands and feet are usually not fully appreciated until one
loses these functions. Be very careful when handling knives or power equipment
while going through a Raynaud's flair. An injury can occur very quickly and without any initial pain until the surreal realization of what just happened.
Running warm water over cold fingers or toes helps increase blood flow but don't let the water get hot. The luxury of a warm bath on cold, winter nights can be therapeutic for both the mind and body. Add a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate and you're all set.
Then they need to go through a drying process of curing that turns them into the fragrant brown pods we're familiar with.
