SKIN HEALTH

Taken from a Lamberts Healthcare leaflet.

The skin is the largest organ in the body, covering nearly two square metres (for an average adult) and accounts for about 16% of the total body weight.  One square inch of skin contains approximately 250 sweat glands, 25 hairs, 40 sebaceous glands, 7.5 feet of blood vessels, 30 feet of nerves with 7,500 sensory cells at their ends.  It is amazing to think we shed one surface layer of dead cels every 24 hours!

SKIN  DEEP: Beta Carotene, Vitamins C and E plus Selenium:  are important antioxidants and free radical scavengers needed for skin protection.  Vitamin E also appears to lessen the likelihood of scars and vitamin C is required for tissue repair.

Anthocyanidins (PCOs): are a particular type of flavonoid that can help to reinforce and preserve collagen in the body, so much so, that these naturally occurring compounds are often included in cosmetics to help improve skin elasticity. 

To be continued.

ALOE VERA!!

ALOE  VERA is an extremely easy plant to grow in the house.

It produces lots of babies, regularly, which can be transplanted.  I you ever want a plant just ask as I have lots!!!  The secret is not to over water it.

Its healing powers are magnificient!   It is bactericidal, antibiotic, analgesic for mild degree of pain.  Also helps stop bleeding.  Contains 18 amino acids and vitamins.  It also helps eliminate toxic minerals from the body.

USES  FOR  ALOE  VERA  –  Great for burns – sunburn, radiation burns, oven or cooker burns.  It soothes almost instantly.

Internally it can be taken for indigestion and stomach ulceration.

Externally it can be used for acne, leg ulcers, nappy rash.  The uses are limitless!

HOW TO  USE  ALOE  VERA  –   simply cut off a leaf (I usually seal the cut on the plant with Slippery Elm powder or plain flour).  Slit along the leaf and apply the gel found inside to the affected area.

 

DEODRANTS/ANTI-PERSPIRANTS

Aluminum is not particularly good for living organisms especially man made aluminum.

Aluminum Chlorohydrate is a synethic ingredient of many anti-perspirants and artificially impedes one of the bodies natural processes – sweat formation. It blocks our ability to excrete sweat therefore our body no longer can naturally use sweating as cooling mechanism or as a way to expel toxins.

There are lots of natural deodrants/antiperspirants – Salt of the Earth, Weleda and the Jason range
to name but a few.

WHAT YOU APPLY TO YOUR SKIN!

Be aware of what you apply to your skin!

Don’t use soaps (shower gels, body wash and shampoo) that have a miriad of different chemicals in them.

There are so many good sources of natural soaps.  Have a look in a health food shop (Jason range, Weleda, Avalon Organics, Neals Yard to name a few).

Or for example you could buy almond oil and add a few drops of essential oils of your choice and apply them to your skin and you could have a different perfume every day!

SKIN SUFFOCATION

Have you thought about the types of fabric that you wear next to your skin??

Synethic fabrics such as nylon, rayon, lyrica, acrylic and polyester don’t allow your skin to breathe properly.  So wear cotton, silk or wool next to the skin.  Falke make socks and tights with wool, silk and cotton.  They make a lovely fine sock that you can wear comfortably with shoes.  SocksFox online a good source).

The palms of your hands and soles of your feet particularly are full of sweat glands so try not to suffocate these areas with nylon socks or non leather shoes.

Next time – What you apply to your skin!!!!!

NUTS

Earlier this month this article appeared in a daily newspaper.

A daily handful of nuts slashes diabetics’ risk of a heart attack or stroke by a third, says new research.

Tree nuts such as Brazils, cashews, pistachios, pine nuts, pecans and hazelnuts are the best.  A Doctor quoted “Its never too late to improve diet after diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes”.

Nutrient-rich nuts are said to help healthy people stave off illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

I have found using specific herbs have helped patients stave off Type 2 diabetes.

Thanks to Pinterest for the image.mixed nuts

COUGHS

This is a protective reflex to remove an obstruction or irritant from the respiratory organs.

From a herbalist point of view it is important not to suppress but to encourage elimination.

A nervous cough can be helped by use of eg. Skull Cap or Wild Lettuce to act as a relaxant.

There are numerous herbs White Horehound, Coltsfoot, Hyssop to name but a few that can help the lungs to eliminate and heal.

Placing a bowl of hot water, in a safe place, with the addition of aromatherapy oils Tea Tree or Eucalyptus acts as an airborne inhalation and can help alleviate symptoms, or place aromatherapy drops on a damp cloth over a radiator.

HEALTHY EYES

Receiving my annual reminder for an eye test has prompted me to remind you all of the importance of eating greens e.g  wild rocket, spinach, kale, broccoli etc., for healthy eyes.

Approximately 15 years ago I was diagnosed with early onset Macular Degeneration (This is like having freckles at the back of your eye which when left untreated causes impairment of central vision).  When this happens you cannot read you have only got peripheral vision.  I did a lot of research and discovered the major importance of green leafy vegetables!  I eat a very large amount of leaves with a tasty chilli sauce or dressing plus lots of other vegetables that you enjoy in a salad e.g. tomatoes, avocados, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, grated carrot.  Adding in a crunch e.g. pine nuts, cashew nuts.

Have you ever tried Marigold Savoury Vegan Engevita which has a cheesy nutty taste and has lots of B vitamins, zinc and iron and gives it a wonderful flavour.

Let not forget carrots which are full of Vitamin A necessary to help us see in dim light.  Eyewise has zeaxanthin and lutein these are very necessary for eye health.

 

MORE GOLDEN RULES TO GOOD HEALTH

Your body needs exercise every day!

A good vigorous walk is sufficient (100 steps a minute for 20 mins.)  That gets everything moving and slightly speeds up the heart rate. By walking it helps to prevent degenerative diseases e.g. osteoporosis or cardio vascular events e.g. heart attack.

Power walking burns off more calories than running at a similar speed.  Remember to breathe deeply to fill your lungs while walking.  If walking is difficult due to painful conditions try swimming daily.

Don’t eliminate fats from your diet!

Fats are necessary as they play an essential role in maintaining a healthy body, and are one of the most vital ingredients for a functioning brain (cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are more often associated with memory loss and general mental decline).  Cholesterol is even more important as we age, when we need fats and cholesterol to “feed our brain”.

WINTER WELLNESS

Winter is upon us and it is time to add the lovely comforting warm clothes that are now so necessary with the chilling winds and snow!  It is as necessary to protect ourselves against the external cold as to boost our immune system to protect us from the viruses and bacteria that have been floating around.

I am writing to share some tips for winter wellness.

HYDRATION    We drive around in heated cars, work in centrally heated buildings and live in centrally heated homes.  It is most important to drink water when it is cold to keep our body fluid levels correct.  It also helps to flush our toxins, bacteria etc. Warm water is absorbed much more quickly and efficiently than cold water.

IMMUNE SYSTEM   There are lots of herbs which help to boost your immune system eg. Wild Indigo, Myrrh, Echinacea are a few examples.  I have my own “Antibiotic/Immune Booster Formula” which contains at least 7 different herbs in either liquid or capsule form which can be taken as required. (NB These are not pharmaceutical antibiotics)

Wrap up warm, drink lots of hot water and why not make an appointment for a winter MOT!

Telephone 07776 430440 for an appointment.

Be happy and enjoy the winter sunshine!