Hemiplegic migraines are yet another type of migraine that can come with an aura. Similar to a regular migraine with aura, the hemiplegic migraine may include an aura in the form of blind spots, flashing lights, crooked lines or double vision. These symptoms may last just a few minutes or as long as an hour..

The word hemiplegia means “paralysis on one side of the body” and the main symptom of this type of migraine is a problem with moving one side of the body. This can be particularly frightening the first time it happens because, as many people will know, this is also a common stroke symptom.

Symptoms of the hemiplegic migraine can be a short lived headache before the hemiplegia itself and, along with the partial paralysis, there can be numbness or a prickly sensation in that area. In rare cases, the symptoms can last for many weeks but most people will have such a migraine for less than 24 hours.

Other symptoms of an hemiplegic migraine can be:

-  Fever

-  Symptoms of meningitis without the illness itself – this condition is called meningismus

-  Confusion or impaired consciousness

-  Defective muscle coordination

-  Nausea and/or vomiting

-  Light and/or sound sensitivity

Of course it is vital to see your doctor as soon as possible if you suffer from any of these symptoms in order to rule out an even more serious condition and for treatment to commence. Treatment is difficult and challenging because of the wide range of symptoms and you may well be referred to a specialist who has experience with such rare migraines so that the treatment decided upon is the best possible one for you. Frequently, NSAIDs, anti-emetics and narcotic analgesics are prescribed for relief and hemiplegic migraine care as they are considered the safest option at this time but there is continual medical research for new drugs along with the introduction of natural remedies. It is well worth your while to research natural remedies for this condition because of possible side effects from drugs and particularly if the migraines are long term.

If and when you are diagnosed with hemplegic migraine, think about wearing a medic-alert bracelet so that there is never any confusion to those around you should suffer a particularly debilitating attack where you might have confusion and/or speech problems.

Be aware that there can be after effects from a hemiplegic migraine as some sufferers may experience permanent coordination difficulties, rapid eye movement and memory loss, making it more important than ever to find the right treatment for this condition.

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Since their introduction in many parts of the USA in the past couple of years, smart meters using wireless technology have sparked much debate with the main concern being that continual exposure to the radiation generated by this technology could cause harm to our health in much the same way as the continued use of mobile phones. More than 8 million smart meters have already been installed by electric utilities in the USA with nearly 60 million expected to be in place by 2020.

According to the website for the Governor of California, the following are the benefits of smart meters: 

-  Allows for faster outage detection and restoration of service by a utility when an outage occurs and therefore, less disruption to a customer’s home or business.

-  Provides customers with greater control over their electricity use when coupled with time-based rates, increasing the range of different pricing plans available to customers and giving them more choice in managing their electricity consumption and bills.

-  Smart meters enable a utility to measure a customer’s electricity usage in hourly increments.

-  If a customer elects to participate in time-based rates offered by the utility, they have the opportunity to lower their electricity demand during “peak” periods (the peak period for most utilities are summer afternoons) and potentially save money on their monthly electric bill.

-  Allows customers to make informed decisions by providing highly detailed information about electricity usage and costs.  Armed with a better understanding of their energy use, consumers can make informed decisions on how to optimize their electricity consumption and reduce their bills.

-  Customers with smart meters today can access their prior day’s electricity usage through their utility’s website.

-  In the near future, by installing an in-home display device that communicates wirelessly with a Smart Meter, a customer could monitor their electricity usage and costs in real-time.  It may also be possible for a customer to receive automatic alerts (via emails or text messages) to notify them of when the electricity consumption exceeds a pre-determined threshold.

-  Helps the environment by reducing the need to build power plants, or avoiding the use of older, less efficient power plants as customers lower their electric demand.

-  When the utilities avoid the use of “peaker” plants to meet high demand, the environment benefits because peaker plants typically have higher greenhouse gas and other air emissions.

-  Increases privacy because electricity usage information can be relayed automatically to the utility for billing purposes without on-site visits by a utility to check the meter. This also results in lower operational costs for the utility.

-  Smart Meters are the first step toward creating a Smart Grid in California.http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Demand+Response/benefits.htm

Here is another side to the story – the disadvantages of a smart meter:

-  There are security and privacy concerns: a top cybersecurity firm recently tested 5 different brands of smart meters for vulnerabilities, and found that they all could be EASILY hacked into, allowing someone to remotely shut down your power, inflate your bills, tell if you’re out-of-town, commit identity theft, or even bring down the whole electricity grid.

-  There also are safety issues: like known cases of a smart meter failing and starting a fire, or exploding. Also, in a recent official filing, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company confirmed that its smart meters can damage customers’ sensitive electronics. And the new meter is effectively a remote control device in charge of your house or business, allowing PG&E the option of unilaterally rationing or cutting power to a property when the corporation deems it useful for their purpose.

-  These wireless meters put our health at risk: this kind of microwave pulsing works differently than more-continuous cell phone radiation, and it’s much more dangerous. Many scientific studies have verified that this type particularly affects the brain, nervous system and hormones, disrupting the functioning of many body systems and causing very serious leakage of our blood-brain barrier, and that low-power broadcasts (such as from these meters) are even more damaging than higher-power ones. Typical acute symptoms include migraine headaches, insomnia, exhaustion, forgetfulness and confusion, tinnitus, tingling, nausea and vomiting, constant thirst, heart palpitations and increased blood pressure, limbic system disturbances such as severe depression – and a general reduction from prior levels of functionality. For some, the nervous and endocrine systems go into hyper-arousal (as with severe stress), ultimately leading to the collapse known as “burnout”. Careful scientific research has proven that cumulative exposure to this type of radiation also causes more and more DNA breaks, which—if experienced frequently enough—have the potential to be a factor in ultimately causing cancer. Our risk of developing serious symptoms (often referred to as “electrical sensitivity”) increases the longer our chronic exposure to this radiation continues—and, with the smart meter system fully in place, there will be no place to escape it night or day. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health problems are particularly vulnerable.  http://www.teensturninggreen.org/get-involved/say-no-to-smart-meters.html

It would seem that Californians are not accepting smart meters as easily as the utility companies would like with nearly two dozen communities having placed moratoriums on them and more than 2,000 health-related complaints having been received by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Elizabeth Kelley, founder of the Electromagnetic Safety Alliance, says the wireless meters are invasive and involuntary, so people should be able to opt-out of the program. “Because we don’t know yet what the health risks are from these low-powered frequencies that are eventually going to be traveling through our home night and day emitting pulse radio frequency radiation, this is causing considerable concern.”

Elizabeth Kelley goes on to say that there is concern especially for people who suffer from electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). PG&E contends its meters comply with federal safety standards and are well within what you would find with normal household appliances. Kelley says more research should have been done before the devices were put in people’s homes. “There are no specific studies on SmartMeters, but there are comparable studies on very low power non-ionizing radiation exposure conditions, namely cellular antennas, which show there can be harm under certain exposure conditions.”

 There are basically 3 types of EMR that could be endangering us daily.

• MICROWAVES which are electromagnetic waves of extremely high frequency passing through organic material, exiting their molecules and producing heat.  Microwaves are sensitive to electrical charge. When you look at the door of your microwave oven you will see a metal mesh (Faraday cage), this mesh is connected to earth so possesses a slight charge which deflects these waves and prevents their escape from within the caged device.

• RADIO WAVES which are electromagnetic waves of radio frequency (RF) produced by transmitters, televisions, computers and of course smart meters.  Radio waves are also sensitive to electrical charge.

• X RADIATION (Xrays) electromagnetic radiation of wavelength shorter than light able to penetrate solids and ionise gases.  As Xrays are able to penetrate dense solids so lead (a heavy metal of very high atomic weight) is used as a shield. Imagine a box of tennis balls, as the lead atoms are so large, Xrays cannot physically move around or through them compared to a box of golf balls which because of their smaller diameter will allow some Xrays to pass through.

  One way to protect yourself from a smart meter would be a shield of stainless steel fly mesh all around your smart meter which would prevent the overwhelming proportion of RF waves escaping (but also preventing the meters from being read accurately) which would have to be properly earthed to work.

But this may well sound too complicated and involved for the majority of us to utilize.

You might be interested in finding out how you can avoid the installation of a smart meter on your property or if you already have one, how to reverse the situation. The same website I mentioned early on http://www.teensturninggreen.org/get-involved/say-no-to-smart-meters.html will give you all the information and tips you need jto know.

Meanwhile, the jury is still out on whether smart meters are a help or a health hazard. Only time will tell.

Do you suffer from regular migraines? There could be a link between what you eat and those migraines. Diet can often trigger off a migraine attack and these are some of those factors that could be acting as triggers:

-  Not drinking enough water – we all need at least 8 glasses of pure, filtered water every day.

-  One of the most common triggers is aged cheese and includes: blue cheeses, brie, cheddar, stilton, feta, gorgonzola, mozzarella, muenster, parmesan, swiss and processed cheese. These cheeses are high in tyramine.

-  Eating other foods that are high in tyramine can also trigger migraines. While tyramine is a natural substance, it is formed from the breakdown of protein in food when this food begins the ageing process or if food is fermented, salted or pickled. This means that if tyramine is a problem for you (and your migraine attacks) then all proteins should be eaten when they are young and fresh and not left in the refrigerator for more than a day or two. Frozen food will not cause a problem.

-  Certain food additives, including nitrites and artificial food colorings, are also common migraine headache triggers. What happens is that, like tyramine, these additives may increase blood flow to the brain.

-  MSG can well be another type of trigger with induced headaches occurring as quickly as an hour after ingestion of MSG, leading to pressure in the chest or face; burning sensation in the chest, neck, or shoulders; dizziness; or abdominal discomfort.

-  We all know what an “ice cream” headache feels like but for migraine sufferers this type of pain can be felt in those areas that are affected during a migraine. Most migraine sufferers find that they have to careful when they eat or drink cold foods and drinks.

-  Dairy products can trigger migraines in some as the protein (known as casein) found in milk is a known allergenic. Casein creates histamines, which in turn are responsible for the production of mucus. If there is too much mucus, this puts pressure on brain membranes, which can trigger migraines.

-  Just the failure to eat can be a further trigger as anything that disrupts your body’s normal stability can cause a headache (including oversleeping and skipping meals). Eat regular meals and healthy snacks to avoid the onset of migraines.

In addition, the following specific foods could well be triggers for migraines:

-  Aspartame (brand names – NutraSweet, Equal) and other artificial sweeteners; foods with meat tenderizers or yeast or yeast extracts.

-  Caffeine, even in small amounts.

-  Chocolate, cocoa and foods with nuts.

-  Alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer and sherry.

-  Aged, canned, cured or processed meats as well as chicken livers and other organ meats, and sardines.

-  Cultured dairy products such as sour cream or buttermilk.

-  Dried fruits including figs, raisins and dates.

-  Some fresh fruits and vegetables such as avocados, bananas, kiwi fruits, onions, raspberries, red plum, spinach, papaya, pineapple, red plum and tomatoes.

-  Breads, crackers and pizza containing cheese.

-  Matured cheeses and smoked or dried fish.

-  Canned soups or soups made from bouillon or based with MSG.

-  Some other foods that are high in tyramine such as fava, garbanzo and lima beans, peanut butter, pepperoni, pinto beans, salami, sauerkraut, soy sauce, summer sausage, teriyaki and tofu.

It is worth while keeping a record of what you eat and whether a particular food has an adverse reaction leading to a migraine so that you can avoid such foods in your diet that may be linked to your migraines. There are two ways to do this. One way is to keep a food diary where you map out when your migraines start and what you have eaten for the previous 2 days. If you are really keen, you keep exact notes as to what you eat daily for 6 months so that a pattern emerges. The second is to eliminate all the suspect foods for a month or so before adding back one food each week. A sudden side effect from that week’s food helps you to isolate the problem.

There is some good news as there are certain foods that are actually helpful in reducing the effects of migraines. Just be sure to eat them when they are fresh and not overripe. These helpful foods are:

Fruits such as apples, apricots, berries, cherries, currants, grapes and mangoes.

Vegetables such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, cucumber, mushrooms, peppers, potatoes, spinach and turnips.

Herbs and spices including garlic, ginger and parsley.

Those foods with negligible amounts of tyramine include beverages, breads, fats, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish and eggs.

Getting your diet on the right track can often lead to less frequent migraine attacks.

Preschool children experiencing a migraine attack usually look very unwell with abdominal pain, vomiting and a strong need to sleep. They may show pain by irritability, crying, rocking or seeking a dark room in which to lie down and rest.

Migraines are surprisingly common in children with 5% of those under 12, and as many as 20% of those in hight school, suffering from migraine headaches. As with adults, migraines are more common in females than males but the big spike for these headaches in boys is between the ages of 10 to 12 years when they can experience as many as 2 to 3 a week.

While triggers can often bring on a migraine in children, having a regular and healthy lifestyle will help to keep unwanted headaches away.

Keep to a regular routine, remembering to:

-  Provide regular and healthy meals and snacks. Fresh fruit and vegetables should be top of the list.

-  Avoid those foods that are more likely to trigger migraines such as cheese, processed meats, chocolate, caffeine, artificial preservatives and colorings and anything else that you might have identified as a trigger. Keep sugar to a minimum.

-  Encourage the drinking of good plain water with absolutely no sodas and only occasional fresh fruit juices.

-  Keep them on a regular sleep schedule.

-  Encourage and join them in regular and as often as possible outdoors exercise. Just keep an eye on over exertion as this can be a trigger too.

Such triggers that bring on migraines in some children include:

-  Climatic changes – extreme heat and cold.

-  Being tired, stressed or even depressed.

-  Changes in sleeping patterns, interrupted sleep or just general sleep deprivation.

-  Certain foods and especially those that contain tyramine, sodium nitrate or phenylalanine.

-  Irregular meals or even hunger.

-  In older children, menstrual periods or hormone fluctuations.

-  Computer screens, flashing lights, fluorescent lighting, strong smells.

How to treat children with migraines:

-  The best treatment for migraine in children is sleep which restores normal brain function while relieving pain and other symptoms. So provide a quiet dark place for them to lie down and rest.

-  From the age of 4 years, you can safely massage H-Headaches from Healing Natural Oils, made from pure essential oils, onto your child’s forehead, temples and neck every 15 minutes for relief from pain. Most symptoms will start to dissipate immediately.

If migraines become a major problem with your child, it is best to seek medical advice from your doctor who will ensure that no life-threatening underlying condition is responsible and then provide a diagnosis and a plan for effective pain treatment.

There are so many benefits from being by the ocean:

-  Sea air is charged with healthy negative ions, accelerating our ability to absorb oxygen while balancing levels of seratonin (a body chemical linked with mood and stress). Time spent by the sea means we sleep more soundly that night and worry less.

-  If you jog or walk on the beach, the sand creates more resistance than when you do the same exercise on the road or a flat surface. Sand adds resistance to any beach activity, in creasing your calorie expenditure (the number of calories you burn).

-  If you can feel the sand through your bare feet so much the better, giving you the benefits of grounding or earthing. Wading in natural water or walking on grass, earth or any natural surface has the same effect. For more information on this phenomenon see my post inhttp://www.amoils.com/health-blog/to-be-barefoot-or-not-to-be-barefoot-%E2%80%93-that-is-the-question/

-  Exercising on the beach is great for a leg and buttocks workout or you can perform gentle yoga poses, on your beach towel, to stretch and lengthen your body.

-  When exercising on the beach, make sure you stand up straight, keep your abdominal muscles tight, stride from the hips and avoid walking on a slope.

-  If it is not too chilly, walk or run in the water itself for a great low-impact workout.

-  The warmth of the sun on your skin (even in less warmer times) helps you to produce that all important vitamin D as well as affecting your endocrine system – the part of our body which secretes endorphins which are those natural chemicals in your body designed to make you feel relaxed and less stressed. Sun is good for certain skin conditions too – such as psoriasis.

-  Salty seawater itself is full of health benefits for the skin, helping to clear up eczema so that the skin heals more quickly.

-  All-weather surfers never seem to suffer from colds and flu – the salt water clears out all the sinus passages. The seawater also increases the elasticity of the skin while improving its appearance.
Do something completely different and take a surfing lesson and experience upper and lower body conditioning.

-  The magnesium content of seawater is significant enough to have a nutritional and calming effect on our nerves, which explains why sea bathing is so relaxing. Potassium in seawater enters the skin and encourages good urinary flow.

-  Seawater contains all the 89 known elements present in our bodies, including osmium, gold, vanadium, zinc and iodine.

-  If you have company on the beach, enjoy a game of volleyball with your friends or family. Volleyball gives an extensive all-over-body-workout whatever your age as it is cardio driven and all-over toning at the same time. Volleyball will work your legs, arms and back muscles while enhancing your stomach muscles.

-  Throwing a frisbee works your upper back and arm muscles and can provide good cardiovascular conditioning if you have to run to catch it.

If you are one of the fortunate few who live close to the ocean and the beach, don’t waste that wonderful and free natural resource.

I have been noticing the words “oil pulling” lately on different health sites and decided to investigate this further because I really did not know what it meant. So now I have discovered that oil pulling can improve a number of health conditions ranging from eczema to arthritis through its effect on oral bacteria.

So how does this work?

If you can imagine a car engine and how oil lubricates and cleans the engine for so many miles before being changed and fresh oil put in, then in the same way oil pulling works in our mouths. The oil in the car engine picks up dirt and grime so that when you drain the oil, it pulls out the dirt and grime with it, leaving the engine relatively clean so that the engine runs smoother and lasts longer. In a similar and simple process, oil pulling means that you rinse your mouth out with vegetable oil and if done correctly, this can have a very powerful cleansing and healing effect by detoxifying or cleansing the body. It can help those with asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue, diabetes, migraine headaches, arthritis, PMS, chronic skin problems as well as dental problems in the mouth.

Oil pulling has its origins in Ayurvedic medicine dating back thousands of years but the modern version was introduced in 1992 by a Dr. F. Karach who claimed that oil pulling could cure a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease and digestive troubles to hormonal disorders. He used the method in his medical practice with great success.

Apparently, the first thing that most people notice when they start oil pulling is an improvement in their oral health. Teeth become whiter, breath becomes fresher, and the tongue and gums take on a healthy pink color. Even problems such as bleeding gums, tooth decay, and gum disease are greatly diminished or completely healed. In fact it was for this reason that I investigated the method and I am now keen to try it out.

Sunflower and sesame seed oils are the most commonly used for oil pulling, but any vegetable oil will work. People have had success with olive, coconut, almond, and other oils. A mild flavored coconut oil will leave a pleasant taste in the mouth while stronger flavored oils such as extra virgin olive oil may be more difficult for people to use.

The oil acts like a cleanser so that when you put it in your mouth and work it around your teeth and gums it “pulls” out bacteria and other debris. Whenever we can remove harmful substances from our bodies, our health is improved .

So what is the correct method to use?

1. First thing in the morning – on an empty stomach and before drinking any liquids (including water) – put 2 to 3 teaspoons of the oil of choice in your mouth.

2. Push, pull and swish the oil between your teeth and all around your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. It sounds like a long time, but if you do it at the same times as other chores, it will seem less lengthy. That period of time is necessary to bind enough bacteria with the oil to make a difference.

3. What ever you do, do not swallow!

4. Spit out the oil and rinse mouth thoroughly. You can then brush your teeth with a natural toothpaste before using a natural sea salt and water mouth wash or one of hydrogen peroxide diluted with water.

5. At the beginning, do this 3 times a day if possible for a full detox. Change to once a day for maintenance.

Be aware that while you are pulling, mucus may build up at the back of your throat. You may even have to expel the oil and clear the mucus from your throat before reaching a full 20 minutes. If you do, take another spoonful or two of oil and continue for the rest of the 15 to 20 minutes. You may also experience a little nausea and perhaps even need to vomit as your body expels toxic waste. You may notice other symptoms but these will subside as your body becomes cleaner and you become more comfortable with oil pulling. Unlike other methods of detoxification that last for only a short time, oil pulling should become a regular part of your daily schedule, like brushing your teeth.

Of course, oil pulling will remove the germs but other steps may be required to change your mouth ecology to support lasting results. A diet high in sugar, processed and refined foods, and low in fresh, traditional foods is going to take a toll on your health no matter how much oil pulling you do.  You should possibly make some lifestyle changes at the same time for oil pulling to have far reaching health benefits all over the body.

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Many herbalists recommend evening primrose, with its multiple preventive and therapeutic qualities, to maintain youth and prevent disease. It is highly regarded as a major preventative discovery likened to vitamin C. In addition, studies worldwide are looking at evening primrose as a treatment for many conditions including ageing problems, alcoholism, acne, heart disease, hyperactivity in children, symptoms of menopause, multiple sclerosis, weight control, obesity, PMS and schizophrenia.

This well known medicinal herb has pretty yellow blooms that open at night to give off their sweet scent. Evening primrose can grow to over a meter high in fields, in ditches or on the edges of ploughed fields as long as there is a little moisture, the area gets some sun and the soil is well-drained. Evening primrose is a plant native to North America, but it grows in Europe and parts of the Southern hemisphere as well.  Of course you can grow it in your garden too.

Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is an essential fatty acid. We all need essential fatty for growth and development.

Evening primrose also contains the pain relieving compound phenylalanine and is increasingly being used to treat chronic headaches.

If grown or collected yourself, the leaves, flowers and stems can all be used at home for different uses as set out below. Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds and put into capsules for use and sale in natural health stores.

Natural medicinal benefits include:

- The long time use for eczema (a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, or scaly because of allergies or other irritation), helping to reduce the symptoms of eczema.

- More recently it has been used for other conditions involving inflammation, easing the joint pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis.

- Helping to treat the skin conditions of acne and rosacea.

- Combating damage from multiple sclerosis (MS).

In addition:

- Evening primrose oil is used for conditions affecting women’s health, such as breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle while relieving the discomforts of PMS, menopause, menstruation, endometriosis and fibrocystic breasts.

- Evening primrose is being used to help prevent diabetes-associated nerve damage.

- Treating Alzheimer’s-related memory deficiencies.

- Countering male impotence and female infertility.

- Nourishing nails, scalp and hair.

- Preventing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

If you grow or have access to fresh evening primrose plants, you can make your own home remedies:

Boil together the leaves and stems in some water to make a soothing astringent lotion as an excellent wash for eczema and psoriasis as well as other skin conditions such as rashes, insect bites, scrapes and grazes.

For very dry skin, heat together a cup of chopped leaves, buds and stems with a cup of aqueous cream before removing from the heat, straining and cooling.

For spots, rashes and itchy mosquito bites, just crush the flowers and apply to the affected area.

This much loved herb is well tolerated by most people – in rare cases there may be some mild side effects including gastrointestinal upset and headache especially when too much is taken.

Known as one of the most ancient of herbs, the use of Rosemary has been recorded since the earliest of times with its multitude of medicinal and culinary benefits as well as its fragrant aroma.

Rosemary has a long standing association with healing and the prevention of sickness. The herb was burned during ancient religious ceremonies to purify the air. Today, rosemary is a popular source of essential oils used in natural formulations for various conditions. Healing Natural Oils produces such products from pure essential oils including rosemary. Rosemary essential oil is mostly extracted from the leaves. The rosemary bush belongs to the mint family which includes basil, lavender, myrtle and sage. Rosemary essential oil is known to relieve pain in headaches, muscle pains, sore muscles, rheumatism and even arthritis. Massaging the part which is in pain with rosemary essential oil can give relief from that pain.

In the kitchen:

-  Rosemary is popular for its culinary uses but just be aware that the herb should be used sparingly to avoid it overpowering the dish because of its strong flavor.

-  Rosemary leaf is renowned for adding a delicious flavor to lamb – cut into the skin of lamb to be roasted and insert small leaves into those cuts before popping into the oven.

-  Use in bean and tomato dishes as well as on baked potatoes and in herb butter.

-  Use small branches of rosemary (stripped of their leaves) as kebab skewers when barbecuing lamb or other meat cubes, onions and green peppers for an added flavor to the food. Scatter extra rosemary stems on the barbecue itself to keep insects away and for added flavor.

-  When cooking, use a low heat for olive oil before adding rosemary and other herbs such as fresh bay leaves, thyme, sage, garlic or ginger to release their aroma, juices and oil with their antiseptic, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The benefits of such herbs are threefold: firstly protecting against colds and flu; secondly keeping the blood vessels healthy and thirdly encouraging good circulation. In addition, rosemary, ginger and garlic will enhance the memory by increasing the blood flow to the brain while providing extra help for the circulatory system.

Domestic use:

-  Use rosemary in potpourri or the stems of the plant can be placed in linen cupboards to keep the contents fresh and sweet smelling.

-  As a natural room freshener, choose a combination of up to 3 types of essential oils to total 20 drops.  The oils will even purify the air during illness helping to prevent the spread of infection or disease. The best deodorizing oils are: bergamot, lavender, lemon, lime, pine and rosemary while the best purifying oils are: eucalyptus, lavender, lemon and tea tree.  Combine your 20 drops with 200 ml of pure water in a glass spray bottle, shaking thoroughly before each spray to dispense the oils. One suggestion using rosemary is 6 drops rosemary, 8 drops lemon and 6 drops lavender – especially suitable for spraying in the bathroom or toilet.

-  You can make a safe organic insectide by mixing a teaspoon of rosemary oil with a can of beer.  Spray onto any plants or other areas that are infested with insects.

-  Use the dried herb of rosemary mixed with equal quantities of dried wormwood to sprinkle in cupboards, along skirting boards or between rows of vegetables as a natural pest repellent.

-  When cleaning hard surfaces with any signs of mold, dampen the mold with a wet cloth to lessen the likelihood of airborne spores and use a few drops of rosemary essential oil to help destroy and control mold and the spores that result.

Health benefits:

-  How to make a rosemary tea

¼ cup of fresh flowering rosemary tips
1 cup of boiling water
Infuse for 5 minutes
Strain
Sweeten with raw honey if preferred

Drink morning and evening for a maximum of 4 days to relieve physical and mental strain or as an ideal tonic for anyone who is convalescing from a serious illness or operation. As a natural fortifier, rosemary is extremely efficient during convalescence, increasing energy and optimism.

-  Today, many medicinal preparations contain rosemary oil with their various health benefits.

-  Vapor baths with rosemary oil have been found to be effective and helpful for arthritis.

-  For an anti-stress bath and in 100ml of neutral bath base, mix 50 drops of lavender oil, 50 drops of Ylang-ylang essential oil and 50 drops of mandarin oil. For extra toning, add 50 drops of rosemary oil and 60 drops of lemon oil. Keep in a glass bottle to use as needed in your warm, soaking bath.

-  For a simpler version, just add a few drops of rosemary oil straight to the bath water to soothe anxiety, headaches and other debilities.

It is not surprising that rosemary is considered to be a healing herb when its properties include those that are analgesic, antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiviral, aphrodisiac and disinfectant.

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For hundreds of years, Feverview was the herb of choice as a general tonic and of course as the name suggests, used to reduce fevers. Its common name comes from the Latin febri fugia, which means “driver out of fevers.” But there many other health benefits for this aromatic plant, especially relief from migraines and arthritis.

In the home

-  An infusion of feverfew leaves makes a mild disinfectant.

-  Place dried feverfew leaves in small sachets to deter moths.

-  When added to a posy of flowers plus tansy leaves, this arrangement will keep insects away.

-  Add some dried leaves to your pot pourri to send insects packing.

-  Add a few chopped leaves to the washing up water or soak a greasy pot with some leaves and hot water and you will see the grease disappear.

-  Very small amounts of leaf can be added to to fatty food such as ham, pork sausages or suet puddings to reduce greasiness.

How to make an infusion or tea of  feverfew:

Steep a small leaf in a cup of boiling water.

Allow to stand for 5 minutes.

Strain and sip a small quantity with lemon juice or if too bitter for your taste, add a little honey.

Health benefits

-  Feverfew has been found to be effective in combating headaches and migraines because it reduces the smooth muscle spasms associated with such headaches and migraines. Relief can be found by eating 3 small leaves daily, such as popped into a sandwich, for a period up to a year. However, when taking feverfew for a long period, withdrawal should be slow as some could experience the same symptoms of withdrawal as with drugs or alcohol. Some people cannot tolerate the leaves in which case it is better to take the tea. Feverfew is also available as a supplement in capsule form.

-  Carry out the same procedure if arthritis is your problem, as rheumatism sufferers have reported good results in treating inflammation in joints and tissues. The main constituent of feverfew, parthenolide, has been credited with inhibiting the release of serotonin, histamine, and other inflammatory substances that make blood vessels spasm and become inflamed. Parthenolide has the overall effect of reducing pain and inflammation throughout the body – a result similar to taking a daily aspirin but without those side effects associated with daily aspirin use.

-  If you have undergone a tooth extraction, use the infusion as a mouthwash.

-  You can also use the same infusion as a mild and natural laxative if you are suffering from constipation.

-  The same infusion can be used to produce a mild sedative and/or appetite stimulant.

-  If you are a keen gardener, feverfew can be easily grown as a hardy biennial (or will sometimes stretch to being a perennial if the flowers are deadheaded) and makes an attractive addition to the garden with its pretty white and yellow daisy like flowers. The plant also does well in a large pot in a sunny spot. The feverfew herb is actually from the daisy and sunflower family and grows about 2 feet high.

It is so much safer and gentler to use natural healing remedies to help cure or treat common ailments than resorting to over-the-counter or prescription medications.

“What is acupuncture?” and “How does it work?” are the two main questions that new patients or prospective patients will ask about this ancient form of healing, which was introduced to the West from the East many years ago.

There is not one specific style of acupuncture in practice worldwide today but actually numerous styles of acupuncture in much the same way that there are different martial art styles depending on the nation practicing it.

Acupuncture deals with homeostasis, which is the body’s ability to maintain balance. The patient who is out of balance electromagnetically becomes ill and expresses specific symptoms. Acupuncture benefits the patient by eliminating the cause of the disease rather than offering a cure for the symptoms – it is an effective way of treating those who are suffering from the lasting side effects of taking strong pharmaceutical medication and wish to take a new route to health.

We all know that needles are involved in acupuncture. Inserting these needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncfure points is the method used to encourage the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning.

According to the classical Chinese explanation, channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. Any obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam blocking up or hindering the flow. The acupuncture needles unblock these obstructions to re-establish the regular flow through the meridians, helping the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption and energy production activities while boosting the circulation of their energy through those meridians.

In a similar way, the modern scientific explanation confirms that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones thus influencing the body’s own internal regulating and healing system.

Amongst the many conditions which can be helped with acupuncture are:

- Allergic rhinitis and asthma
- Fibromyalgia
- Cystitis
- Depression
- Dysmenorrheal
- Headaches and migraines
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Low back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Urinary tract infections

Those seeking help with existing conditions need to be aware that the health benefits of acupuncture will be considerably heightened by adopting basic dietary and lifestyle health habits.

It goes without saying that quitting smoking; taking regular exercise; eating living whole foods instead of refined and processed foods; drinking plenty of filtered water; getting good quality and regular sleep; boosting vitamin D levels through sunlight where possible or alternatively vitamin D3 supplementation; avoiding toxins in food, personal products and the home; and undergoing a full body detox are all part and parcel of a holistic and health promoting lifestyle. In fact, acupuncture can be used to good effect to help whose who are trying to overcome additions such as smoking, alcohol and drugs.

Acupuncture employs a holistic method of treatment where the overall health and wellness of the patient is considered with treatment taking care of all disease conditions and symptoms by unblocking energy along various channels in the human body. Acupuncture is said to eliminate the causes and therefore heal the patient.

Additional benefits from acupuncture include:

- Helping those who experience a sudden drop in energy perhaps due to stress and anxiety.

- Strengthening the immune system and improving blood circulation.

- Assisting those who have suffered from long term and chronic insomnia and lack of sleep.

- Treating those who suffer from constant headaches and migraines for which they have had to take long term strong medication in order to function.

- Improving the wellness and healing of those enduring chronic low back pain or arthritis.

- A comparatively new use for acupuncture is as a beauty aid to treat wrinkles.

Acupuncture practitioners firmly believe that the body has the ability to heal itself of any disease. You may be interested to know that acupuncture is used successfully on cats, dogs, horses and other animals too.

On May 26, 2009, Robert Lustig gave a lecture called “Sugar: The Bitter Truth,” which was posted on YouTube the following July. Since then, it has been viewed over one and a half million times, gaining new viewers at a rate of about 50,000 per month. This is amazing for a university-type lecture of some 90 minutes on the nuances of fructose biochemistry and human physiology when he proves to his viewers that sugar is first and foremost a poison. Lustig is a specialist on pediatric hormone disorders and the leading expert in childhood obesity at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine. It is well worth viewing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

Sugar is such a toxic and addictive substance and of course the human body is totally unable to utilize the roughly 225 pounds of sugar and HFCS consumed by the average American ever year. Before the 1900s the average consumption was only 5 pounds per year. The maximum amount of sugar we should consume is 6 teaspoons per day but of course preferably less. Our livers turn this blood sugar into fat (triglycerides) and store it on our bellies and hips. If you have a sugar addiction, you need to seriously address the problem and the good news is that it gets easier to kick the habit the longer you hold out. Your tongue creates new taste buds every two or three weeks. These new taste buds will be far more sensitive to subtle flavors and natural sweetness, leading to a complete turnabout where they end up disliking the overpowering sweetness of most processed foods and desserts. It can take anything from 21 to 30 days to change from the sweet habit but your health could benefit for the rest of your life.

Here are 14 good reasons to cut out, or cut down, your sugar consumption.

1. Sugar has been observed to aggravate asthma, move mood swings, provoke personality changes, muster mental illness, nourish nervous disorders, hurry heart disease, grow gallstones, hasten hypertension and lead to arthritis.

2. Sugar is nothing more than empty calories, with no nutritional value and is very addictive.

3.  Sugar contains none of the essential nutrients. While it does provide us with a sudden energy boost, this is just a quick fix as the calories in sugar are soon burned by the body. This means that you will need more sugar more often in order to maintain your energy level. And since sugar is so high in calories, the more of it that you eat, the more weight you will gain. Unless you remain extremely active, your body simply can’t keep up with the caloric conversion required when you consume large amounts of sugar.

4. Sugar can lead to the development of diabetes. As sugar is consumed, it raises the glucose levels in your blood, triggering the release of insulin. Glucose levels, where too high, can result in serious conditions such as blindness, loss of circulation and diabetic coma. The effects of diabetes are so serious that stabilizing blood glucose cannot be emphasized enough. Insulin also promotes the storage of fat so that when you take in lots of sugar you are making way for rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease.

5. Sugar can seriously depresses the immune system (leading to a whole new set of problems) and upset the body’s mineral balance.

6. Sugar can be responsible for hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties and grumpiness in children while contributing to eczema.

7. Sugar can reduce good cholesterol and increase bad cholesterol.

8. Sugar can increase the growth of Candida and other yeast infections.

9. Sugar interferes with the absorption of calcium and magnesium and can contribute to osteoporosis.

10. Sugar can promote tooth decay and lead to periodontal disease.

11. Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.

12. Sugar can cause depression.

13. Sugar feeds cancer.

14. Sugar is responsible for almost half of all ageing that takes place inside skin cells. Sugar binds with collagen (the protein that makes up 75% of skin) and activates a chemical reaction called glycation which damages elastin and collagen – the two substances your skin needs to stay supple and elastic. In the end sugar will lead to wrinkles and sagging skin. Sugary foods can also trigger increased sebum production which will clog your pores and result in acne breakouts.

Cutting back on sugar can be difficult as many sources of sugar are actually hidden.

Added sugars masquerade under a variety of identities including beet extract, cane juice, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose (table sugar), dextrose, lactose, cane syrup, glucose and fruit-derived sugar. The obvious culprits such as candy, cake, cookies and soda are easy enough to avoid or limit but there is sugar in almost all packaged food including ketchup and canned fruit.

Change to natural, fresh whole foods as much as possible and avoid processed, packaged and convenience items.

And very importantly, any sugar you do consume (an absolute maximum of 6 teaspoonfuls per day) should be brown, unrefined sugar because white, refined sugar is bleached with chlorine bleach (a substance that many people are sensitive to). Chlorine when combined with organic compounds converts to dioxin, a lethal chemical.

If you really cannot give up sugar, then Stevia is a safe and natural alternative.

Stevia has been used for a thousand years in South America, and for a generation in Japan. Unlike aspartame and other artificial sweeteners, stevia is a natural plant and a safe, natural alternative to sugar and perfect for preventing weight gain and promoting general good health. Stevia is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar and is virtually calorie free. Use in moderation because Stevia can still decrease your sensitivity to insulin. Anyone with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or excess weight will have insulin sensitivity issues and would benefit from avoiding all sweeteners.
Otherwise, change to stevia for a safer sweetener and don’t forget to check your foods and beverages for what sweeteners or artificial sweeteners are listed in their ingredients.

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Sesame seeds have been used throughout history as both a food source and for sesame seed oil. Sprinkling sesame seeds on breads before baking is not new, as one ancient Egyptian tomb dating back 4000 years is decorated with a scene of a baker sprinkling sesame seeds into his dough, while Sicilian bakers did the same centuries ago.

Sesame seeds are considered to be full of health benefits as they are high in energy while full of many nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins so essential for wellness.

In addition, sesame seeds are:

- Especially rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acid oleic acid which is useful for helping to lower LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’ while increasing HDL or ‘good cholesterol’ in the blood.

- A very good source of dietary proteins with fine quality amino acids that are essential for growth, especially in children.

- Containing many compounds that are beneficial to good health such as sesamol, sesaminol, furyl-methanthiol, guajacol, phenylethanthiol, furaneol, vinylguacol and decadienal. Sesamol and sesaminol are phenolic antioxidants and combined, these help to prevent harmful free radicals. They are also part of a group of fibers called lignans which help reduce cholesterol while sesamolin protects the liver from oxidative damage.

- Rich in quality vitamins and very good sources of B-complex vitamins such as niacin, folic acid, thiamine, pyridoxine and riboflavin. Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis while niacin helps reduce LDL-cholesterol levels in the blood. In addition, Niacin reduces anxiety and neurosis.

- Rich sources of many essential minerals especially calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium and copper which play a vital role in bone mineralization, red blood cell production, enzyme synthesis, hormone production as well as regulation of the cardiac and skeletal muscle activities. In particular, copper renders a reduction in swelling and pain associated with arthritis, providing benefits to the inflammatory systems. Magnesium offers relief to those suffering from asthma attacks while reducing migraines and lowering blood pressure. Calcium can help to reduce bone loss while preventing migraines.

Just a handful of sesame a day will provide the recommended levels of phenolic antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and protein.

And they taste good too!

Those unfamiliar with sesame seeds are surprised that a tiny, flat seed has such depth of flavor. In its raw form, it is frequently described as delicately sweet and nutty. When toasted it has a roasted peanut flavor. Delicious when ground in hummus, whole sesame seeds add richness to crackers, provide a good topping for homemade bread and rolls, and a crunchy taste to homemade sesame crackers.

In addition:

- Include sesame seeds in muffin and pancake batters

- When cooking chicken and vegetables, add hulled sesame seeds

- Sprinkle whole sesame seeds over vegetables such as carrots or broccoli

- Toast sesame seeds and add to rice dishes or salads

- Sesame seed oil can be added to stir-fry for a nutty flavor

Try to purchase “natural” sesame seeds – those that are unhulled. The hulls act as a protective coating to prevent rancidity and keep the oil more stable. You can recognize natural sesame seeds by their mottled beige coloring and they should be less expensive in their natural form because they require no processing. You will be most likely to find them in health food stores.

Craniosacral Therapy or CST is a method of evaluating and enhancing the function of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system in a gentle and hands-on way.

This comparatively modern practice (it was first discovered and developed in the 1970s) works by helping the body’s natural healing mechanisms dissipate the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system. There are membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord (extending from the bones of the skull, face and mouth down to the tailbone area). The craniosacral system maintains this natural environment while providing a vital role in the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord.

Any imbalance or disfunction in such development or performance can cause sensory, motor or neurological disabilities.

The craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the body which means that a qualified practitioner of this therapy, using a light touch, will be able to monitor such rhythm and pinpoint the source of an obstruction or the area of stress. The same practitioner can then help to ensure the natural movement of the fluid and related soft tissue so that the body self-corrects and heals.

If the problem is less straightforward, CST can be combined with other natural and complementary therapies to assist the healing process and restore the system to its optimum functioning level.

CST can benefit the body in a number of ways:

- Bolstering overall health.

- Helping the body to resist disease.

- Alleviating a wide range of specific medical conditions.

- Helping those with chronic symptoms.

- Helping those with nervous system conditions to reduce stress and rejuvenate.

- Benefiting those with head, neck or back injuries from an accident.

- Assisting children, infants and newborns following trauma including birth trauma.

- Assisting in resolving conditions that are stress related such as insomnia, fatigue, headaches, poor digestion, anxiety and certain joint dysfunction.

- Assisting in resolving sensory disorders such as autism, dyslexia, loss of taste or smell, tinnitus, vertigo and neuralgias such as sciatica.

- Correcting the back problems and trapped nerves due to minor adhesions in the soft tissue of the digestive system which may be pulling on the spine or because of surgical scars.

There are certain situations when CST would not be recommended:

- Conditions where a variation or slight increase in intracranial pressure would cause instability.

- Where acute aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or severe bleeding disorders are present.

A CST session takes in a quiet setting and you remain fully clothed while lying on a treatment table. Some people find the procedure so relaxing, they drift off to sleep while others are energized. Results can be immediate or become apparent over the following days.

If you have chronic symptoms for a condition that has not been helped by other methods, CST might be the answer you are looking for.

Fortunately, today we have choices and no longer have to use commercial chemical and toxin laden products on our hair, which needs to be washed very regularly depending on the type of hair and level of pollution in the air around us.

1. Wash your hair using a natural shampoo which you will easily find online, in the natural products aisle of your supermarket, your local health store or at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.

2. After shampooing, mix one cup of either white or apple cider vinegar with one cup water and pour over your hair before rinsing thoroughly. Once the vinegar rinses all the debris, the hairs cuticles close resulting in smooth and shiny hair.

3. For the final rinse after washing your hair, use cool to cold water. This is because hot water is an enemy of your hair, severely drying it out and leaving it looking damaged and limp. The cooler temperature of the final rinse water will allow each hair cuticle to seal leading to increased reflecting of light and extra shine while preventing breakage and unsightly split ends.

4. When your hair is towel-dried, you can use a natural hair serum to give frizzy and unruly hair a smooth, tangle-free shine. Sisterra Essential Products Inc. produce natural serums with their synergistic blend of natural essential plant oils, providing a thin, protective layer over each strand of hair to retain any moisture lost due to pollution, hair coloring treatments or hot hair styling gadgets.

5. If you have to blow dry your hair, this should be done carefully and correctly, to avoid damage, by directing the dryer’s nozzle downwards towards each section of hair. Finish the blow drying by changing to the cool air setting as this has the same effect as the final cool rinse of water – helping each hair cuticle to seal.

6. If you need to use a hair colorant, choose one with non harmful or toxic ingredients. There are those such as Naturtint made with active vegetable ingredients, and readily available online or from stores such as Whole Foods, which you can use successfully at home.

7. This post has encouraged you to use more natural products and methods on your hair but a healthy lifestyle is also important to maximize the natural condition of your hair. That means quitting smoking, cutting down on alcohol, getting regular exercise, sleeping well, drinking 6 to 8 glasses of purified water every day and eating a balanced and healthy diet. Vitamins A and E, as well as protein, are necessary for healthy hair plus you should eat plenty of fish, eggs and nuts together with berries, carrots, broccoli and plenty of other green leafy veggies for a great head of hair.

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If your climate is suitable and you have even the smallest garden, you should grow a lemon tree. After just a few short years, you will have an ample supply of your own organic lemons to use in so many different ways for several months of the year. The lemon contains many nourishing elements including vitamin C, vitamin B, potassium, phosphorous, proteins and carbohydrates.

Use lemons for your health:

1. Lemon being a citrus fruit, fights infection. If you have a sore throat – gargle or rinse out your mouth with the juice of one lemon in a glass of warm water and 1 teaspoon of honey. You can also apply a compress of slightly salted lemon juice to the throat.
2. Lemon is an antioxidant which deactivates the free radicals, preventing many dangerous diseases like stroke, cardiovascular diseases and cancers while lemon lowers blood pressure and increases the levels of HDL (the good cholesterol).
3. Lemon is found to be anti-carcinogenic which lower the rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer. If you have acid stomach, biliousness and digestive troubles – take a teaspoon of lemon juice (sweetened with honey) every half an hour.
4. Bunions and corns – apply neat lemon juice to soothe bunions and leave on overnight for corns. If you have a nose bleed, apply a plug of cottonwool soaked in lemon juice to the nostrils.
5. Painful joints, neuralgia, rheumatism can all be helped by rubbing half a lemon over the affected parts.
6. Mosquito bites – dab one teaspoon vinegar mixed with one teaspoon lemon juice. Sprinkle with talcum powder afterwards. Lemon juice can also be applied to the sites of other bites and stings of certain insects to relieve any poison and pain.
7. The skin of lemon dried under the sun and then ground to make powder can be applied to the hair for a few minutes before bathing to relieve a head ache and cool the body.
8. A few drops of lemon juice in hot water taken first thing every morning before anything else is eaten or drunk will help to clear the digestive system and purify the liver as well. An excellent detox.
9. For a healthy mouth, lemon juice can be taken to relieve gingivitis, stomatitis and inflammation of the tongue.
10. Lemon juice relieves colic pain and gastric problems.

As a beauty treatment:

A lemon is an aromatic and antiseptic agent, useful in foot relaxation. Add some lemon juice in warm water and dip the foot in the water to achieve this. Lemon can also be applied to those areas on the feet where corns or hard skin appears.

1. Apply lemon juice to acne to dry out existing pimples and even prevent others developing.

2. Lemon juice soothes a dry skin when applied with little glycerine.

3. Lemon juice can be used as a natural hair lightener and skin bleach and is also an excellent treatment for dandruff and greasy hair.

4. Lemon applied over the face removes wrinkles and keeps the skin looking younger.

5. Lemon juice can also be used as a mouthwash. It removes plaque, whitens the teeth and strengthens the enamel.

As part of a weight loss program:

Lemon is one of nature’s diuretics, which is why it is often suggested to help with weight loss.

For breakfast, take the juice of 3 lemons with 2 teaspoons brown sugar dissolved in it, or put 2 sliced oranges and 6 sliced lemons in a pan .
Pour on 1 litre boiling water and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add 3 tablespoons honey.
Boil again for 5 minutes, stirring all the time.
Strain and leave to cool.
Drink 1 glass first thing in the morning, another during the day and another at bedtime.

The lemon is such a versatile fruit and home remedy, finding the solution to so many health and beauty problems. The lemon comes with its own set of antispetic and natural properties. Try to include at least a quarter or half a lemon in your daily diet.  Of course, always go for real, organic lemons and avoid any artificial lemon flavoring.

Often joked about amongst young guys, when talking about their girlfriends or wives, PMS is no joke but a genuine condition with emotional and physical symptoms that are related to a female’s menstrual cycle. Mood changes associated with PMS were described as early as the time of the ancient Greeks. But it was only in 1931 that PMS was officially recognized by the medical community, with the term “premenstrual syndrome” being coined 1953.

A woman’s response to her own cyclical hormones is extremely individual but the emotional and physical symptoms of PMS (or pre-menstrual syndrome or tension) are usually experienced 7 to 10 days before a period and officially disappear when the period starts or sometimes for a few days into menstruation.

The emotional symptoms include:

-   Irritability

-  Mood swings

-  Fatigue

-  Insomnia

-  Tension

-  Unhappiness

-  Depression

And the physical symptoms include:

-  Bloating, abdominal cramps and changes in bowel movements

- Acne specifically around the chin and mouth area

- Tenderness in breasts and joints

-  Hot flashes

-  Headaches

-  Gingivitis

-  Rashes

Other menstrual disorders include menorrhagia (heavy bleeding), amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) and dysmenorrhea (severe menstrual cramps).

Of course these symptoms will vary considerably from woman to woman and even from cycle to cycle but it estimated that some 95% of females do experience symptoms of one kind or another, occuring during the lutheal phase of the cycle – that is between day 14 and day 28 – starting with the releasing of eggs for fertilization, known as ovulation, along with an increase in the body temperature and the hormone progesterone but with a decrease in estrogen, LH and FSH.

LH and FSH are two hormones produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries to produce estrogen. If the estrogen levels are low, the pituitary gland produces more FSH and LH . The FSH and LH stimulate the ovary and it produces more estrogen. If the estrogen levels are high the pituitary gland produces less FSH and LH and hence the ovary produces less oestrogen. In a normal healthy female the estrogen , FSH and LH levels are regulated within narrow margins.

Fluctuating hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle have an effect on neurotransmitters especially serotonin which is your very important “happy” hormone.  When estrogen levels drop, serotonin drops and those mood swings can be the result. Part of the reason why premenstrual women often experience sugar or carb cravings is because the intake of carbs increases the level of serotonin.

But if PMS is a problem in your life, don’t just resort to taking some medication to mask the symptoms when there are other more natural ways of remedying the situation.

1. Reduce your intake of caffeine as studies have suggested that a high intake of caffein can be related to PMS symptoms. At the same time, replace high caffeine drinks with herbal tea, ice tea, rooibos tea, decaffeinated coffee and plenty of water.
2. If you are still drinking sodas and diet sodas regularly, then remove these from your diet immediately because there are so many detrimental side effects including feeding an addiction to sugar and all things sweet.
3. Fluctuations in sugar levels at this time can worsen the PMS symptoms. Those sugar and carbohydrate cravings and any increase in high GI and sugar levels can lead to eating more and further mood swings. It is very important for women not to have more than 6 teaspoons of sugar daily (including any hidden sugar in processed foods). Sugar is very addictive. Take control of any sugar cravings by choosing Low GI carbs and having small, whole food, regular meals.
4. Fluid retention can be aggrevated by the intake of high salt or sodium foods. Avoid those processed and convenience foods including salty snacks, tinned and pickled food. Do not think that cutting down on your 6 to 8 glasses of water will stop water retention – far from it. Fresh vegetables, especially green leave vegetables such as watercress, celery and cucumber are helpful for relieving water-retention.
5. Exercise is a great way to relieve tension in the abdomen while learning to relax can help to alleviate any stomach cramps. Exercise daily for at least 30 minutes to regulate hormone levels. If cramping is severe, take time out to relax while teas like fennel, calendula or peppermint can be taken up to 3 times a day to relieve the discomfort of bloating . An old fashioned hot water bottle or the more modern heating pad give comfort for stomach cramps.
6. Vitamin E is useful for decreasing breast tenderness so add more of the vitamin to your diet in the form of a supplement if this is a problem.
7. Vitamin K aids blood clotting which can slow down heavy bleeding. Herbs such as shepherd’s purse, green tea and alfalfa contain this vitamin.
8. Parsley helps to ease bloatedness while other herbs that can help alleviate PMS symptoms are black cohosh, dong quai, cramp bark and wild yam.
9. Evening Primrose Oil is another supplement that can help with symptoms of PMS, including mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness.
10. Magnesium at a dosage of 200 to 250 mg per daily are helpful to elevate mood swings and even to reduce PMS migraines while calcium taken regularly has also been found to relieve PMS symptoms. Calcium can be taken as a supplement while other sources include dairy and nuts.Of course, changing to a healthy lifestyle with a natural whole food diet with regular exercise will not only improve your PMS symptoms but your overall quality of health too.

Cherries must be one of the most delicious of all fruits and because the season is short, it is easy to be greedy at cherry time. But no problem with that greed because a daily bowl of cherries has many health benefits including easing the aches and pains (but minus the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs) that come with arthritis, gout or even chronic headaches.

It is cherry season now in the northern hemisphere so time to try out for yourself whether a daily serving of some twenty cherries does the trick for you. If so, you can then continue the treatment (once the season is at an end) with frozen or dried cherries in place of the fresh. Unfortunately, although cherries are one of the first fruits to ripen, they have one of the shortest growing seasons.

The secret ingredients in cherries are the anti-inflammatory compounds known as anthocyanins. They give the cherries their brilliant red color plus they are some ten times stronger than their pharmaceutical counterparts – ibuprofen and aspirin. How much better to eat this juicy treat instead of swallowing drugs. Other good food sources of anthocyanins are red grapes, chokeberry and eggplant.

Apparently anthocyanins help to shut down the powerful enzymes that would normally kick-start inflammation in the tissue, thereby treating and preventing different types of pain.

It is the pigments in anthocyanins that attract pollinators, acting as a sunscreen and thus protecting the plant itself from radicals formed by UV light. The antioxidant benefits produced are then transferred to you and me when we eat these fruits and vegetables.

A further health benefit from cherries is the presence of melatonin. Melatonin is yet another natural pain reliever and COX-2 inhibitor but most importantly, melatonin helps to regulate sleep cycles and to relieve insomnia. Increasing your levels of melatonin not only helps you to sleep soundly but reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. You see, melatonin is only produced by your body during the hours of darkness and its production can be seriously compromised by too much artificial light, unhealthy work schedules and night shifts.

And there are even more health benefits from cherries:

Vitamin C – like most fruits, cherries contain vitamin C and along with the many other health benefits of vitamin C, recent studies and research have shown vitamin C is important for killing off cancer cells and inhibiting their replication.

Fiber – Cherries also contain fiber, which is most important for a healthy digestive system. Diets high in fiber are believed to reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancer and most other diseases involving the digestive tract.

Cholesterol – we hear so much about good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). In a recent 4 week test study with a group of men with high LDL cholesterol levels, it was found that their LDL cholesterol levels had significantly lowered while the HDL cholesterol levels had increased by the end of the 4 week period. No changes in cholesterol levels were found in the control groups given a placebo.

A daily bowl of cherries will give health benefits to all aspects of your body including the digestive system, the immune system and the cardiovascular system plus easing the aches and pains of those painful conditions such as arthritis, gout and headaches.  But do look out for organic cherries because obviously they are the safer and healthier option.

The farm is open to the public during the harvest season (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in May and June from 10-4) when you can view the lavender fields in full bloom, relax and enjoy some lemonade with fresh scones and lavender honey and choose from the tempting lavender products in the little shop. Visit their website https://www.keyscreeklavenderfarm.com/ for more information.

Lavender essential oil forms an important ingredient in many of the products formulated by Healing Natural Oils. It is not difficult to understand why lavender has such a long history of use in medicinal healing.

The scent of lavender is associated with comfort and aromatherapists have continued to use lavender in the treatment of depression and nervous conditions as others before have done for centuries. Lavender has been recognized as the plant with the highest concentrations of the fragrant compound linalool. Those being treated find that inhaling linalool significantly lowers their stress-elevated levels of neutrophils and lymphocytes (both key parts of the immune system), often returning them to near normal levels.

In addition, lavender has been well known for centuries as an effective pain reliever.

Lavender relieves the pain of migraine headaches while preventing the onset of a new headache. A healthy and natural alternative to the use of strong pharmaceuticals (for migraines and headaches) with their unpredictable side effects.

Lavender helps reduce stress, lowering anxiety levels and improving mood, providing a great and natural way to relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

If you suffer from insomnia, restless leg syndrome (RLS) or exhaustion, what could be more soothing than a product specially formulated with lavender essential oils to help you sleep peacefully again.

You can even make lavender tea by steeping a teaspoon of dried lavender flowers in a tea ball in a cup of hot water with a touch of raw honey to sweeten. This is yet another good and natural way to treat conditions such as restlessness or insomnia as well as nervous stomach irritations.

The list is almost endless of the number of conditions that can benefit from the use of essential oils. In addtion to the those already mentioned, lavender is useful for eczema and dermatitis as well as heart palpitations, arthritis, joint inflammation, fainting, neuralgia, vertigo, epilepsy and other seizures, rheumatism, sore muscles, sprains, flatulence, colic, nausea, vomiting, toothache, acne, wounds, allergies, sunburn and sunstroke, abscesses, alopecia, asthma, athletes foot, insect bites, boils, burns, colds, colic, coughs, cystitis, earache and respiratory infections. I did mention that the list was almost endless!

Different conditions require different formulations and to this end lavender oil blends well with cedarwood, clary sage, geranium, pine, nutmeg, and all the citrus oils.

If you have a specific condition that could be helped by the essential oils of lavender, perhaps Healing Natural Oils has a product ready and waiting for you.

Here are a load of easy cleaning tip for busy families that help you to avoid using toxic chemicals.

2. To clean the coffee maker, pour straight vinegar into it as if you are making the coffee minus the filter. Turn coffee maker on as if you were making a pot of coffee. Repeat this with a new batch of vinegar until it runs clear of calcium deposits.

3. Shower curtains can be refreshed by being washed on the gentle cycle with a pint of white vinegar.

4. Remove perspiration stains in clothing by soaking in warm vinegar and water.

5. Children’s stickers can be removed from wood by applying white vinegar to the sticker, letting it soak and then scraping off.

6. To disinfect smelly sponges, wash sponge thoroughly, then microwave it while it is wet, for a short period. ALWAYS place a cup of cold water next to the article to absorb the heat and microwave on high until the water is steaming. Remove carefully as it will be extra hot. Microwaves can also be used to emergency disinfect clothes (if you are worried about head lice etc) but make sure that nothing you put in the microwave has any metal components!

7. Sprinkle 1/2 cup Borax in the bottom of the garbage can to remove odor producing mold and bacteria.

8. If you get a build up of grime on shower doors, wipe with lemon oil. This also keeps doors protected longer from future buildup.

9. Use cooking or salad oil for lubricating non-essential mechanical things like hinges, tools etc. A light coat of oil will keep tools from rusting and avoids the need to use expensive and toxic chemicals like WD etc.

10. Normal rubbing alcohol can be poured straight on to ceramic tiled floors and swished around with a mop until dry. Good ventilation at the time of application is essential.

11. A lemon that is starting to go off can be cut into quarters and run through your sink disposal to freshen and clean your drain.

Bathroom toiletries can also be useful:

1. Removing crayon from walls by using a damp sponge and Colgate toothpaste. Rub carefully.

2. Use shampoo to rub on to dirty neck rings around shirt or blouse collars. Rub the shampoo in just like you were washing your hair and this works because shampoo is made to remove body oils. Try for other stains too – keep a bottle of shampoo next to the washing machine.

You can use various oils to get these useful items:

1. Air Freshener: 20 drops lime oil; 14 drops bergamot; 4 drops Ylang Ylang; and 2 drops rose. Mix with about 90 mls water and put in a spritz bottle.

2. Bath and shower scrub: 1/2 cup baking soda; 10 drops tea tree oil; 10 drops lavender and 10 drops geranium. Mix and use with a damp sponge or cloth.

3. Kitchen sink scrub: 1/2 cup baking soda; 1/8 cup vinegar; 5 drops lemon oil; and 5 drops orange mixed together with give stainless steel surfaces a shiny and fresh appearance.

4. Make your own furniture polish with a concoction of 1 tsp olive oil, juice of a lemon, 1 tsp whisky or brandy, 1 tsp water. Mix together and rub on furniture with cloth, buff for a deep shine.

Many of these tips will save you time and money and are safer for your environment.

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere where it is now the start of summertime, try these top ten tips:

1. Have you heard about natural peppermint scent and how it acts as a mood enhancer to boost your motivation, concentration and of course your energy? You can achieve this by adding a few drops of peppermint oil to your bath, by drinking and enjoying a delicious cup of peppermint tea or even chewing on some peppermint gum (as long as it has a natural sweetener and no toxic aspartame).

2. Are you supplementing your diet with those essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Often that slowing down feeling is caused by a lack of vitamin B12. Check your own level out and supplement if needed. Would you believe that we need need approximately 60 minerals, 12 vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, probiotics and enzymes for optimum health and that is just the start!

3. Are you moving around enough? The more you use your energy, the more energetic you feel in spite of the summertime weather. Exercise and working out ends up making you feel more refreshed because those happy hormones – endorphins – are released, making you feel great. Stick to exercise that is not going to overheat you, like using an air conditioned gym or enjoying a swim in the sea or an outdoors pool. Even walking or jogging in the early morning freshness or late evening coolness will be very beneficial.

4. Don’t forget to make sure you also add some peace and quiet to your daily routine. Find a quiet spot and engage in some meditation, reading or simply sit still with your eyes closed and focus on breathing slowly inhaling and exhaling. Have some iced tea on hand or a freshly squeezed orange or lemon juice drink to enjoy.

5. Fatigue or lack of energy is often caused by low blood sugar levels. Make sure you eat regular healthy meals with nutritious snacks in between when necessary. Don’t be tempted to snack on anything loaded with sugar, undoing all your good work in a flash.

6. Another cause of sapping positive energy is when your home is cluttered up and disorganized. Clear both your space and your mind by creating order in your home. Don’t try and do it all in one go if it is really cluttered – baby steps.

7. I am sure you have often heard how laughter is the best medicine. Well it is a great way to energize you too. By increasing your heart rate, working your muscles and eliminating stress, laughter is truly a great gift to yourself!

8. For a quick fix when you are feeling in need of a pick-me-up or a wake-me-up, a cup of freshly roasted organic coffee will work wonders. But not too many cups in a day please. If you are not a coffee fan, how about some green tea which is full of antioxidants too or a crisp and crunchy apple.

9. Copycat those who live in hot countries – Spain, Mexico and others where an afternoon siesa is commonplace. A short nap of just 20 to 30 minutes in the day time will definitely energize you.

10. Playing your favorite music is a great feel good pick-me-up – you will probably be energized enough to start dancing or multi tasking if it is loud and foot tapping or quieter back ground music will help you to work through other chores.

Now that you are feeling so energized, go ahead and enjoy your summer!