Inspire Vitality
Onions are not only a savory cooking staple to use as an inexpensive seasoning and flavoring agent in your favorite recipes. They also happen to be literally packed with beneficial compounds. So packed in fact, that they are actually healthier ounce for ounce than most “superfruits” like pomegranates, goji berries and blueberries.
Quercetin is a polyphenol compound in the flavonoid family of antioxidants. Yellow or red onions are the best source of this nutrient while white onions are lacking. The general rule of thumb is the more pungent an onion tastes and smells the higher the overall antioxidant value. This means mild and sweet onions generally are not as beneficial.
The quercetin compound is also found in red wine, apples, citrust fruits, olive oil and blueberries to name a few. The compound is linked with lower rates of all types of cancer due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It is also an excellent remedy for arthritis and other diseases caused by inflammation.
Quercetin is also thought to improve prostate health in men and therefore may be an effective weapon against prostate cancer. It has also displayed natural antihistamine properties thereby reducing allergic reactions and general allergies. Studies are being done on the potential benefits quercetin may have to help preserve healthy cholesterol levels (HDL) while suppressing unhealthy cholesterol (LDL).
Sulfur compounds offer an array of health benefits not to be ignored. These odorous compounds are responsible for the pungent taste and smell of an onion as well as the release of eye-irritating gases when the flesh is cut. They are also responsible for the potent antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of the onion. In fact, onion can be used as a preserving agent for meat that needs to keep for a longer period of time.
Sulfur compounds have long been regarded as a cancer fighting nutrient. Like quercetin, they possess anti-inflammatory properties, which is why the onion is such a great combination of nutrients. There is also evidence that the sulfur compounds found in onions may improve the symptoms of asthma and other breathing problems related to inflammation.
Sulfur compounds also help to prevent blood clotting and therefore act as a superior natural blood thinner. This can prevent cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Onions contain high levels of vitamin C, copper, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin E. Vitamins A, E and C are all excellent antioxidants. Copper is a mineral that is important in the maintenance of bone and joint health and integrity and may help women especially to prevent osteoporosis. Additionally copper is excellent for maintaining firm skin.
As if all of this weren’t enough, onions also may help to ward off bowel and stomach disorders. High onion consumption has been linked to lower risk of bowel cancer. It has also been linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancers. Organisms in the onion are thought to encourage healthy bacteria growth in the gut while inhibiting the growth of destructive bacteria.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.fyiliving.com
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/quercetin-000322.htm
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/036751_onions_superfood_quercetin.html#ixzz2GrLlSpQJ
Have you heard that the natural properties of green tea actually affect the generation of new brain cells linked to improved memory and spatial learning? This adds to the growing list of documented green tea health benefits
NaturalNews) If you think drinking green tea seems to make your thinking more clear, you probably aren’t imagining it. Research just published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research reveals natural properties of green tea actually affect the generation of new brain cells linked to improved memory and spatial learning. This adds to the growing list of documented green tea benefits which include building stronger bones and potentially fighting prostate cancer.
“Green tea is a popular beverage across the world,” scientist Yun Bai from the Third Military Medical University in Chongqing, China, said in a media statement. “There has been plenty of scientific attention on its use in helping prevent cardiovascular diseases, but now there is emerging evidence that its chemical properties may impact cellular mechanisms in the brain”
Professor Bai’s research team zeroed in on the organic chemical EGCG, (epigallocatechin-3 gallate), a key property of green tea. Researchers have long known that EGCG is a potent anti-oxidant and the Chinese scientists wanted to see if the natural compound has a specific, beneficial effect against age-related degenerative diseases, especially those that cause problems with brain function.
“We proposed that EGCG can improve cognitive function by impacting the generation of neuron cells, a process known as neurogenesis,” Dr. Bai explained. “We focused our research on the hippocampus, the part of the brain which processes information from short-term to long-term memory.”
The research showed that, in fact, EGCG boosts the production of neural progenitor cells. Like stem cells, these brain cells can turn into various types of cells. In order to see if this increased brain cell production could boost memory or spatial learning, the scientists ran tests on two groups of lab mice. One group was given EGCG from green tea in a drink and the other group didn’t receive the EGCG. Then the mice were trained for three days to find a visible platform in their maze and also trained for seven days to find a hidden platform.
The scientists discovered that the mice who had had imbibed EGCG from green tea needed far less time to find the hidden platform. Bottom line: EGCG enhances learning and memory by improving object recognition as well as spatial memory.
“We have shown that the organic chemical EGCG acts directly to increase the production of neural progenitor cells, both in glass tests and in mice,” Dr. Bai concluded. “This helps us to understand the potential for EGCG, and green tea which contains it, to help combat degenerative diseases and memory loss.”
While the new study involved mice, it raises the distinct possibility that green tea could hold the key to treat memory problems in humans — something Big Pharma’s chemical drug concoctions have failed to do successfully.
Source for this article include:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.201200035/abstract
http://www.naturalnews.com/027194_tea_green.html
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/037180_green_tea_brain_cells_memory.html#ixzz2GrK4XOdE
There are an estimated 80,000 chemicals in existence with 40-plus million pounds added annually that are used in food or material products or emitted into our air and water from industrial and transportation sources. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was created in 1979 as an apparent solution for keeping toxic chemicals out of consumers’ lives.
But there was a loophole that exempted chemicals already in use prior to the act in 1979. There are over 60,000 of them, and thousands are toxic. The EPA can prohibit any of those if it can prove definite danger to public health and minimal economic damage to the chemical industry.
Guess who rules? The chemical industry overwhelms the EPA’s influence in Congress and the White House with millions toward campaign contributions and millions for paying its army of lobbyists. Virtually nothing has been done to protect the public from those 60,000-plus chemicals in use before 1979.
You cannot depend on government agencies to protect you from toxic chemicals. You have to do it yourself. Petitioning to a corrupt system will not eliminate environmental toxins that corrupt your health. Control what you can to have less of a toxic load in your body.
First: Eat organic whole foods. Avoid crops permeated with pesticide and herbicide residue, processed foods with chemical additives, and factory farm livestock fed GMO grains and injected with hormones while being subjected to filthy, miserable existences.
Drink purified or spring water. Quit using toxic regular detergents, soaps, air fresheners, and get only natural, safe household products. Ditto for cosmetics and deodorants.
Avoid synthetic fiber clothing and natural fiber clothing using toxic dies, usually originating from Asian regions without strictly enforced chemical guidelines.
If you can find and afford a holistic biological dentist to remove your amalgam fillings, do it. You’re breathing mercury vapors as you chew with amalgams fillings.
Second: Add cilantro to your juicing procedures or into as many foods and soups as possible. It has a good flavor, and it removes mercury and other heavy metals from the body.
You can also combine cilantro with 2,000 to 5,000 milligrams of chlorella daily. The tabs of 200 to 300 milligrams are tiny. Take half your daily dose twice a day. Cilantro and chlorella together provide a lot of detoxification.
Third: Your liver is like your car’s oil filter. It collects the sludge from toxins and metabolic waste products in your blood. You can’t change your blood or your liver, but you can help clean and strengthen it on a daily basis.
The most common Western herbs for the liver are dandelion and milk thistle. Each one has a slightly different liver agenda, cleansing and strengthening respectively.
There are products that contain both herbs, and there are Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine herbs that perform both functions for the liver as well. They can all be taken daily for extended periods.
Fourth: Zeolite is a mineral sold in suspension that is able to chelate heavy metals. Chelating bonds toxins electrically to neutralize them and usher them out of your system.
There are several products available, and each small bottle will last a month or so. Some prepare zeolite in a solution of fulvic acid (not to be confused with folic acid), which makes it more efficacious.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6737/Are-You-a-YoYo-Cleanser.html
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038519_detox_cleansing_methods.html#ixzz2Gr73ka7L
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are vital for a healthy body.
Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is made by crushing fresh, organically grown apples and allowing them to mature in wooden barrels. This boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the crushed apples, which differs from the refined and distilled vinegars found in supermarkets. When the vinegar is mature, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light. The mother can be used to add to other vinegar to hasten maturity for making more Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural vinegars that contain the mother have enzymes and minerals that other vinegars in grocery stores may not have due to over-processing, over-heating, and filtration. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase only unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar, with an ideal acidity (pH) level of 5 to 7, this health drink is a natural probiotic.
Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is a wonderful natural cure for a number of ailments which usually require antibiotics and other medications that have a number of side effects. In particular, Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to:
Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar:
The use of apple cider vinegar as a home remedy for weight loss is centuries old. D.C. Jarvis, M.D maintained that an overweight person could lose weight gradually by taking 2 teaspoons of ACV in a glass of water before meals.
Due to its anticeptic properties, Apple Cider Vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath or halitosis. Simply add 2 teaspoons of ACV into a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time and spit the solution out. Repeat until the cup is empty.
Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective body odor remedy, since it can help adjust the skin’s pH level which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. For armpit odor, simply wipe them once each morning with undiluted apple cider vinegar (using a cotton ball). For foot odor, fill a pan with warm water and add 1/3 cup of ACV, then let your feet soak in this mixture for 15 minutes once per week.
Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural cure for acne. Apply a solution of apple cider vinegar and water (2 tablespoons to 1 eight ounce glass of water) with a cotton ball several times a day. This will help reduce infection and dry out inflammation.
Apple Cider Vinegar contains sulfur that fights the effects of aging, which makes it suitable for treating age spots. Apply daily, to these darkened areas of the skin, a solution containing 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of onion juice. According to this home remedy, the spots should begin to fade within 2 weeks.
Many women have found that Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Apple Cider Vinegar has been found to be an effective treatment for yeast infections.
This usually occurs after eating, sometimes up to two hours later. This very unpleasant feeling can be alleviated by taking 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar in 8 OZ of water, taken three times a day before meals.
Apple Cider Vinegar is frequently used as a natural cure for constipation.
There are various causes for diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it is often a natural way for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. Apple Cider Vinegar is a fantastic natural remedy for diarrhea since the high pectin concentration acts as a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining of the colon. A suggestion is to add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a large glass of water, and drink this 3 times daily while the symptoms persist.
Apple Cider Vinegar may help to control high blood sugar levels, which is why it is often used as a natural treatment for Diabetes.
For daily maintenance, weight loss and pH balancing:
For treating an acute condition like acid reflux, cough, bronchitis, or sore throat:
To help with the taste you can always add a tablespoon of raw honey.
Source: www.homeremediesweb.com/apple_cidervinager
Ayurveda gives ginger the status of a virtual medicine chest. That’s because this wonder spice has time-tested digestion-friendly properties, in addition to its numerous other health benefits. In India, ginger is liberally used in daily life. Ginger-infused chai is a household favorite, and it’s grandma’s antidote of choice for battling cold and flu.
On millions of dining tables in India, you’ll see matchsticks of fresh ginger that have turned a soft pink from being soaked in lemon juice and salt: a zingy accompaniment to any cooked meal.
Let’s give this knobbly root a closer look.
1. Haven’t been feeling hungry? Eat fresh ginger just before lunch to stoke a dull appetite and fire up the digestive juices.
2. Ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body.
3. Ginger clears the ‘microcirculatory channels’ of the body, including the pesky sinuses that tend to flare up from time to time.
4. Feeling airsick or nauseous? Chew on ginger, preferably tossed in a little honey.
5. Can’t stop the toot-a-thon? Gas—oops—guess what?! Ginger helps reduce flatulence!
6. Tummy moaning and groaning under cramps? Munch on ginger.
7. Reeling under joint pain? Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties—can bring relief. Float some ginger essential oil into your bath to help aching muscles and joints.
8. Got a surgery done? Chewing ginger post-operation can help overcome nausea.
9. Stir up some ginger tea to get rid of throat and nose congestion. And when there’s a nip in the air, the warming benefits of this tasty tea are even greater!
10. Bedroom blues? Try adding a gingery punch to a bowl of soup. (Pss…the Ayurvedic texts credit ginger with aphrodisiac properties)
1. Ginger & Herb Rice
Cook basmati rice. When you take the lid off the pan, quickly stir in finely chopped garlic, ginger, green chillies and fresh cilantro leaves—the burst of flavor and fragrance will drive your senses crazy with desire!
2. Ginger In Your Juice
‘Grate’ idea: grate some ginger root and put it in your juicer, along with carrots and apples and a little lemon juice. Totally yummy, and of course, so good for you!
3. Gingery Dessert
Even a smidgen of grated ginger on your vanilla pana cotta or strawberry sorbet can wake up the flavor!
Source: www.care2.com/greenliving…
What is raw honey?
Raw honey is honey which has not been pasteurized or filtered so it has all the beneficial nutrients still in tact. Most commercial honeys unfortunately have been heated at time of processing to facilitate storage in large commercial tanks. Raw honey is a treasure chest of vitamins and minerals and has been used for centuries in medicinal remedies, both internally and externally.
The list of honey’s beneficial functions is a long one. Honey increases calcium absorption; can increase hemoglobin count and treat or prevent anemia caused by nutritional factors; can help arthritic joints, when combined with apple cider vinegar; fights colds and respiratory infections of all kinds; can help to boost gastrointestinal ulcer healing; works as a natural and gentle laxative; aids constipation, allergies and obesity; provides an array of vitamins and minerals; and supplies instant energy without the insulin surge caused by white sugar.
Many have found raw honey helpful for its positive effects against allergies and hay fever, and one or two teaspoons last thing at night can help with insomnia. As an antiseptic, honey is also a drawing agent for poisons from bites or stings or infected wounds, and has outperformed antibiotics in treatments for stomach ulcerations, gangrene, surgical wound infections, surgical incisions and the protection of skin grafts, corneas, blood vessels and bones during storage and shipment.
“Raw honey is exceptionally effective internally against bacteria and parasites. Plus, raw honey contains natural antibiotics, which help kill microbes directly. Raw honey, when applied topically, speeds the healing of tissues damaged by infection and/or trauma. It contains vitamins, minerals and enzymes, as well as sugars, all of which aid in the healing of wounds.”
So writes Dr. Cass Igram, D.O. in The Survivor’s Nutritional Pharmacy. In a fascinating modern development, scientists and doctors are beginning to rediscover the effectiveness of honey as a wound treatment. In recent years, honey has been used effectively in clinical settings for the treatment of fist-sized ulcers extending to the bone, as well as for first, second and third degree burns. Complete healing has been reported without the need for skin grafts and with no infection or muscle loss. It can be applied full strength to such conditions, covered with a sterile bandage, and changed daily. When the wounds are clean, honey acts as a healer. This also is the same procedure for infected wounds, ulcerations and impetigo. Garlic honey can also be applied directly to infected wounds, which will help clean up the area of infection.
Dr. Peter Molan, professor of biochemistry at Waikato University, New Zealand, has been at the forefront of honey research for 20 years. He heads the university’s Honey Research Unit, which is internationally recognized for its expertise in the antimicrobial properties of honey. Clinical observations and experimental studies have established that honey has effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Astonishingly, it painlessly removes pus, scabs and dead tissue from wounds and stimulates new tissue growth. “Randomized trials have shown that honey is more effective in controlling infection in burn wounds than silver sulfadiazine, the antibacterial ointment most widely used on burns in hospitals,” explains Dr. Molan.
Dr. Molan believes that if honey were used from the start in cases of septicemia, there would be far less tissue damage resulting. “The remarkable ability of honey to reduce inflammation and mop up free radicals should halt the progress of the skin damage like it does in burns, as well as protecting from infection setting in”, says Dr. Molan. “At present, people are turning to honey when nothing else works. But there are very good grounds for using honey as a therapeutic agent of first choice.”
Researchers believe that the therapeutic potential of honey is grossly underutilized. With increasing interest in the use of alternative therapies and as the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria spreads, honey may finally receive its due recognition as a wound healer.
Indeed, it works: Raw honey makes a sterile, painless and effective wound dressing. Apply it directly to open cuts, abrasions and burns, and cover it with a piece of gauze. The results will occur quicker than with conventional alternatives, such as salves and creams.
Honey is also exceptionally effective for respiratory ailments. One Bulgarian study of almost 18,000 patients found that it improved chronic bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis, chronic and allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. It’s an effective treatment for colds, flu, respiratory infections and a generally depressed immune system. Whereas sugar shuts down the immune system, a good quality honey will stimulate it into action.
Here are some more ways to utilize the healing power of honey:
BURNS – Apply freely over burns. It cools, removes pain and aids fast healing without scarring. Apart from being a salve and an antibiotic, bacteria simply cannot survive in honey.
BED WETTING – A teaspoon of honey before bed aids water retention and calms fears in children.
INSOMNIA – A dessertspoon of honey in a mug of warm milk aids sleep and works wonders.
HYPERACTIVITY – Replace all use of white sugar with honey. White sugar is highly stimulating with no food qualities. Honey provides the energy without the “spike.”
NASAL CONGESTION – Place a dessertspoon of honey in a basin of water and inhale fumes after covering your head with a towel over the basin. Very effective!
FATIGUE – Dissolve a dessertspoon of honey in warm water or quarter honey balance of water in a jug and keep in the fridge. Honey is primarily fructose and glucose, so it’s quickly absorbed by the digestive system. Honey is a unique natural stabilizer: Ancient Greek athletes took honey for stamina before competing and as a reviver after competition.
FACIAL DEEP CLEANSER – Mix honey with an equal quantity of oatmeal, and apply as a face pack. Leave on for half an hour, then wash it off. Great as a deep cleanser for acne and other unwanted blemishes.
POOR DIGESTION – Mix honey with an equal quantity of apple cider vinegar and dilute to taste with water. This is also wonderful for the joints – and promotes weight loss.
HAIR CONDITIONER – Mix honey with an equal quantity of olive oil, cover head with a warm tower for half an hour then shampoo off. Feeds hair and scalp. Your hair will never look or feel better!
SORE THROATS – Let a teaspoon of honey melt in the back of the mouth and trickle down the throat. Eases inflamed raw tissues.
FOR STRESS – Honey in water is a stabilizer, calming highs and raising lows. Use approximately 25 percent honey to water.
ANEMIA – Honey is the best blood enricher by raising corpuscle content. The darker the honey, the more minerals it contains.
FOOD PRESERVATIVE – If you replace the sugar in cake and cookie recipes with honey, they’ll stay fresher longer due to honey’s natural antibacterial properties. Reduce liquids in the mixture by about one-fifth to allow for the moisture present in the in honey.
BABY’S BOTTLE – Four teaspoons of honey to a baby’s bottle of water is an excellent pacifier and multivitamin additive. If the baby’s motions are too liquid, then reduce the honey by half a teaspoon; if too solid increase by half a teaspoon. (Caution: Don’t give raw honey to babies under 1 year old; it’s just too rich.) For teething, honey rubbed on a baby’s gums is also a mild sedative and anesthetic.
OSTEOPOROSIS – Research has shown that a teaspoon of honey per day aids calcium utilization and prevents osteoporosis– probably not a bad idea for anyone over 50.
LONGEVITY – The most long-lived people in the world are all regular users of honey. An interesting fact, yet to be explained, is that beekeepers suffer less from cancer and arthritis than any other occupational group worldwide.
MIGRAINE – Use a dessertspoon of honey dissolved in half a glass of warm water. Sip at the start of a migraine attack, and, if necessary, repeat after another 20 minutes.
CONJUNCTIVITIS – Dissolve honey in an equal quantity of warm water. When cooled, apply as a lotion or eye bath.
COUGH MIXTURE – Combine 6 ounces (170 grams) liquid honey, 2 ounces (55 grams) glycerin and the juice of two lemons. Mix well. Bottle and cork firmly, and use as required.
Raw honey may become granulated, as some does after a week and another maybe only after several years. If the granulations bother you, simply place the honey into a pan of hot water (not boiling) and let it stand until becoming liquid again.
Honey Vs Sugar. What are their differences?
Both sweeteners contain glucose and fructose. However, for sugar, in the manufacturing process, the organic acids, protein, nitrogen elements, enzymes and vitamins in the sugar cane are destroyed. Raw honey, on the other hand is still in its whole form and with all of its nutrients still in tact. The body knows how to digest this food and thus does not cause the high spikes in blood sugar levels and insulin associated with the intake of table sugar.
Source: www.naturalnews.com/021506…
Facemasks are a good way to thoroughly cleanse and nourish the skin on a deep level. There are many skin care facemasks on the market, but what if you could easily make your own at home… and you will probably find that it is even more nutrient dense and chemical free than what you can buy in the shops. Follow this powerful facemask recipe to nurture and pamper your skin, making it smooth and vibrant. It is packed full of antioxidants and beautifying properties to ensure radiance.
Natural Skin Care Ingredient number 1…Cacoa
Cacoa, the raw material for chocolate has recently been rediscovered to be one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Raw cacao in its purest form has the highest amount of cancer fighting, disease busting, premature age destroying antioxidants on the planet.
While chocolate used to be known to cause acne, it has since been recognized that the milk in chocolate (or a whole list of other ingredients that make up your average chocolate bar) is the cause of acne. In fact, it has recently been discovered that putting milk in powerful foods such as tea and chocolate keeps the antioxidants from being absorbed.
The Mayans and the Aztecs called chocolate the food of the Gods. In addition to its high levels of antioxidants, it contains ingredients that regulate mood, increase libido, and leave us feeling peaceful, relaxed, and full of love. If you can get raw cacoa powder, it is best. If you can’t get it, simply use pure, unsweetened cocoa powder.
Natural Skin Care Ingredient Number 2…Avocado
Many anti-aging skin care products use avocado oil for its anti-aging properties that create youthful, glowing skin. It defends against carcinogens and other elements that can cause disharmony in our skin.
It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is anti-inflammatory (inflammation is one of the biggest causes of aging) and is a potent moisturizer. Avocados increase the elasticity of the skin.
Natural Skin Care Ingredient Number 3… Green Tea
Green tea is consistently being hailed as a powerful antioxidant, and is one of the people of Okinawa Japan’s secrets for longevity and vibrant health. Putting it on directly on the skin is equally potent.
Natural Skin Care Ingredient Number 4…Honey
Honey is a great anti-bacterial agent, will open up the pores, and will deeply cleanse and detoxify the skin leaving the skin baby smooth. Raw honey in its purest form is incredibly antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal. In many cultures it is used to treat ulcers and burns. It is an astounding natural preservative.
Unprocessed honey found in ancient tombs was determined to be used to preserve bodies. It keeps foods fresh and moist longer and prevents spoilage.
It is great for the consistency of the mask will make it sticky and smooth
Natural Skin Care Ingredient Number 5…Oatmeal
Oatmeal naturally exfoliates the skin to remove dead skin cells, leaving it soft and smooth. Oats are a good source of many nutrients including vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium. Oats are also a good source of protein. Oatmeal is also well known for its healing properties. In many cultures it is used topically to treat psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema.
Mix them all up
Mix one mashed avocado, 3 tablespoons of raw cocoa powder or cocoa powder, 2 dessert spoons of raw honey or honey, and 2 tablespoons of oatmeal flakes. Infuse green tea in a small cup of hot water and let it cool. Add a splash to the mixture, or enough to make it into a paste.
Treat Your Skin
Apply on the face, gently massaging it so that oatmeal can start exfoliating the dead skin cell layer. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and rinse off with luke warm water.
Source – www.naturalnews.com
Water: it makes up almost 75% of your body and is absolutely necessary for life. Water is the elixir of life- without it we cannot exist.
You probably know you should drink 8 to 10 glasses of this life-giving liquid per day, but have you given serious thought to the quality of your water?
The water you drink every day could be harming your health!
In the United States, we have many different options for our drinking water, but they are not all healthy.
Tap water is municipal water that comes out of the faucets and has been treated, processed and disinfected. It is purified with chlorine and generally has added flouride. But one of the byproducts from using chlorine in our drinking water is linked to cancer.
Distilled water can be any kind of water that has been vaporized and collected, leaving behind any solid residues, including minerals. Distilled water has no minerals in it at all.
Reverse osmosis water has been forced through membranes that remove larger particles, pollutants and minerals. Reverse osmosis water is usually acidic.
Deionized water has had ionized impurities and minerals removed from it but not bacteria or pathogens.
All of the above waters lack essential minerals that are necessary for good health. Mineral deficiency can lead to insulin resistance, migraines, high blood pressure, constipation and even heart beat irregularities!
Bottled waters deserve some special attention because they are not always as pure as you might expect them to be.
Here are some reasons not to choose bottled water:
The best water to drink is naturally clean, pure and full of naturally occurring minerals:
Mineral-rich water can be one source of these nutrients, but if you can’t get these waters because of cost or your location, then home filters are an option.
Look for these types of filtration when you purchase filters or bottled water:
Remember that any filter is better than no filter, so even standard pour through filters like those from Brita help clean up your water, can remove chlorine and improve the taste, but they also remove minerals.
Water is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle, so make sure that you are choosing the best possible water, avoiding dangerous plastics, and getting enough vital minerals.
With 8 to 10 glasses a day of pure water, you’ll have energy and vitality like never before.
Source Link: http://bodyecology.com/articles/best_water_to_drink.php#.UIY3eEIuK_U
You can replace all manner of beauty products – moisturiser, body cream, hair conditioner, shaving cream, deep cleanser – with just one or two plant oils. Choose from coconut oil (my personal favourite), macadamia oil, olive oil, sweet almond, jojoba or argan oil. A lot of argan oils on the market actually contain only a very small amount of argan oil, and aren’t produced sustainably.
Just make sure whichever oil you use is organic and cold-pressed. Extraction processes using heat destroy all nutrients, essential fatty acids and vitamins and turn oils rancid, causing them to form free-radicals which damage and age your skin.
Make a strong tea using pretty much any herb in your backyard and apply it as a skin toner. Lemongrass and lemon balm calm acne and even out skin tone, chamomile soothes sensitive skin and reduces redness, rosemary protects against the sun’s UV-rays and the damaging effects of pollution and lavender is uplifting, cooling and slightly antiseptic. Oily skin is tamed with a tea made with marigold petals (easily grown in the garden). I make up a tea and store it in a glass spray bottle in the fridge for up to a week. You can also use dried herbs, such as dried culinary lavender, but they need to be brewed for longer.
Lighten hair using a strong chamomile tea in the final rinse after shampooing.
To enhance dark hair, use rosemary (boiled as a strong tea). Using these natural ingredients will add shine, softness and volume as well as enhance your colour.
I’m one of the unfortunate few women who still get a pimple or two even in their 30s. It’s hormonal, or something. I simply dab a tiny amount of pure lavender essential oil directly onto the offending spot. The oil, which is naturally antibacterial, dries spots out a treat and also reduces redness.
Oh how the perfume industry gives me conniptions. A loophole in legislation allows perfume manufacturers to list only a few of the many chemicals they may be using, the true formula officially protected as a ‘trade secret’.
What we do know is that fragrances contain phthalates, which can mimic some of the body’s hormones and cause reproductive and neurological damage. I mix a small amount of essential oil with a base oil such as sweet almond, and rub this onto my wrists.
Don’t wear makeup (at least not on a daily basis). A little extreme it may sound, but I remember sitting around with my 78-year old grandma and her friends one day whilst they divulged the secret to their luminous skin – ‘makeup hath not toucheth their face’. Not in their teens, not in their 20s, not in their 30s. Why not? Firstly there was no social norm to wear makeup, secondly they didn’t think it made sense to cover their skin in chemicals! They believed wearing makeup blocks pores and prematurely ages skin. Which makes sense. Granted, the social pressure to wear makeup in their tiny Greek village is pretty low, but that’s not the point. I rarely wear makeup these days, only on very special occasions. It doubles as my little salute to feminism.
Castile soap is traditionally made of saponified olive oil, but these days most contain a few different types of plant oils. Still, mine contains only five ingredients.
It’s ultra handy in the home as it replaces a number of products – I use it as a shampoo as well as a dishwashing liquid.
Diluted, it can also be used as a spray n’ wipe. I personally use one that doesn’t contain any palm oil.
Any shampoo, including Castile soap, can leave soap residue on your hair, so once a week wash your hair with a thick paste of bicarb (baking) soda, and rinse with apple cider vinegar for extra shine.
Healthy, youthful and conditioned skin requires healthy fats, so forget about low-fat foods. I eat plenty of olive oil, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, avocados and nuts (activated, of course) everyday.
Also know that fruit like pomegranates and blueberries are rich in antioxidants and promote skin elasticity and vitality.
My favorite is Phytoshield: all natural plant extracts, not overboard on the number of ingredients, no unnecessary foaming agents (consequently doesn’t foam up very much), and it tastes delicious.
It’s worth hunting around for products made in your local area – farmers’ markets generally have at least one or two producers selling their hand-made soaps and creams. That way you can ask them directly about the ingredients they use etc.
You can view the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database here: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
Have you tried any of these tips yourselves? Do you have any of your own natural beauty tips?
Source Link: http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2012/07/13-lush-eco-beauty-tric
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