While every teen almost expects to have a few pimples or even full blown acne along the way, when it continues into adulthood, then it can become more of a nightmare.

 Our skin has thousands of tiny hair follicles, each with its own sebaceous gland that produces an oily substance known as sebum. Sometimes there is an abnormal reaction by the sebaceous gland in the skin to the male hormone testosterone that causes them to make more sebum. This is typical during puberty when the production of hormones (including testosterone) can dramatically increase in boys – and in girls. Apart from the extra sebum, hormonal changes also cause the cells of the top layer of the skin to overgrow. This overgrowth forms a thick layer which can effectively cut off the escape of all that sebum from the glands.

 One in five adults will suffer from adult acne. They may have had it in their teen years or it may be occurring for the very first time. In the same way as teens, adult acne can also be caused by hormonal changes but for different reasons – menstruation, pregnancy and other life changes. Certain cosmetics and personal products used on the face can also be the reason. Stressful situations such as studying or writing for exams, new relationships or the use of certain medications are other triggers for acne outbreaks in all age groups.

 So with extra quantities of sebum and nowhere to go, it is hardly surprising that pimples and spots appear. As far as teens are concerned, many will shed their skin faster during puberty – creating even more chances for those follicles and pores to become clogged up.

 Sometimes the spots are so tiny that they never reach the fresh air and they stay as whiteheads. Others are filled with a plug of sebum and dead skin cells and are big enough to reach the air supply when they have a chemical reaction and turn black – a blackhead. But contrary to what many will think, blackheads are not filled with dirt…they are clogged pores that are open.

 At the same time bacteria can be present on the surface of the skin and this will thrive and grow when it comes in contact with the excess sebum, leading to an inflammatory reaction and spreading to become nodules and cysts. The body detects bacterial inflammation and sends white blood cells to fight it. Unfortunately, the result is even more debris (those white blood cells) collecting in the already clogged pores. As the acne progresses, pustules may form which are larger lesions that are also filled with white blood cells, dead skin and acne bacterium. Left untreated, the situation keeps getting worse with nodules and then cysts appearing. Thick make up and sun block can also clog the pores and should always be avoided.

 While we tend to think of acne as mainly affecting the face, back acne can often be more of a problem than facial acne because the outbreak will consist mostly of the more severe nodules and cysts, and the condition is often exacerbated by wearing backpacks or tight fitting clothes.

 The hard facts are that everyone gets acne at some point or another even though some will appear to be acne-free while others suffer from very noticeable acne – it all depends on the level of sebum production. Boys are more likely than their female counterparts to develop severe cases of acne. When teens go on to become young adults, the odds are better but at least 20% of them will still suffer from acne after the teenage years.  But help is at hand in the form of H-Acne from Healing Natural Oils.  Made from pure essential oils, H-Acne will gently reduce the appearance of the acne while smoothing the skin, reducing any redness plus any irritation caused by this condition.  H-Acne is applied topically to the affected area after washing thoroughly with a mild non soap cleanser.

Remember how your doctor asks you to stick out your tongue when you go for a medical consultation. This is because the tongue can often be an indication of something wrong elsewhere in or on your body. In Chinese medicine, practitioners believe that the tongue reflects all the diseases of the body.

A normal tongue should be a warm pinkish color with no cracks, no pieces missing around the edge (teeth marks), no coating of any description, no spots and no excessively protruding bumps.

Here are some of the tongue abnormalities to look for and what they could mean from a Chinese medicine point of view. Incidentally, Qi pronounced “chee” means energy. You may see it spelled “Chi” or even “Ki” in Japanese, but whatever the spelling, they carry the same meaning:

-  Thin white coating on pale tongue with teeth marks around the edge and a few red spots could mean a Qi deficiency of which symptoms are spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath and anxiety.

-  Thin yellow coating on red tongue could mean heat of which symptoms are feeling hot, sweating, thirity, constipation, irritability and skin problems.

-  White greasy coating on a swollen tongue could mean damp retention of which symptoms are bloating, fullness in chest and abdomen, feeling heavy and lethargic.

-  Black spots on a purple tongue could mean blood stasis of which symptoms are cold limbs, varicose veins, painful legs, headaches, chest pain, liver spots and dull skin.

-  Thin white coating with a red tip to the tongue could mean Qi stagnation of which symptoms are stress, depression, anxiety, emotional instability and PMT.

-  Yellow greasy coating on a red tongue could mean damp heat of which symptoms are skin problems, urinary infection, clammy skin, anger and being uncomfortable.

-  Thick white coating on pale swollen tongue could mean yang deficiency of which symptoms are feeling the cold, craving warmth, pale complexion, back pain, anxiety attacks, emotionally low, impotence or infertility.

-  Red tongue with cracks could mean yin deficiency of which symptoms are hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, irritability, ringing in the ears, menopause, irregular menstruation.

-  Pale tongue could mean blood deficiency of which symptoms are dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, poor concentration and memory, insomnia, general female problems.

From a Western medicine point of view, here are some other tongue symptoms and possible causes:

-  White coating is usually an indication that there is an infection such as a bacterial overgrowth or an autoimmune-related inflammatory disease. A frequent cause is thrush, which is an overgrowth of candida (also called yeast) bacteria. H-Candida from Healing Natural Oils is an excellent treatment and once the infection clears up, the tongue will return to its healthy pink shade.

-  Too dark is often because of your lifestyle as the filiform papillae on the top of the tongue can easily take on stains from the foods, drinks, antibiotics and other items that you swallow. For example, drinking a lot of coffee, smoking or chewing tobacco can stain the tongue a brownish shade.

-  Small spots in the tongue can be painful and will often be canker sores or mouth ulcers. Sometimes those bumps on the top of the tongue (including the taste buds) become inflamed, red or sore. However, if they last longer than 10 days, please get them checked by your doctor.

-  If the tongue becomes red and painful, it may be due to nutritional deficiency such as lack of niacin or vitaminB3 or a temporary sensitivity to something you ate or drank. 

-  A yellowish tint on the tongue can also be the sign of fungal or bacterial infection or gastric reflux.

-  A pale and smooth tongue can mean you are suffering from iron-deficiency anemia. Get tested to bring any deficiency under control and the tongue will return to its normal pink color.

Always keep an eye on the state of your tongue and don’t forget to brush your tongue at the same time as your clean your teeth, two or more times per day.

Guavas are often one of those fruits that grow so easily in people’s gardens in warmer climates that they are not always grown commercially except perhaps for canning or juicing. You are more likely to find these pink or yellow fruits (roughly the size of a lemon) in gourmet, Indian or Hispanic markets rather than the produce aisle of your regular supermarket.

Guavas have lots of health benefits but top of the list is lycopene – one of the strongest antioxidants you can find. Include plenty of lycopene in your diet and you could be going a long way to block the growth of lung and breast cancer cells as well as preventing heart disease. Men also benefit with a much lower risk of developing prostrate cancer. The humble guava has 50% more lycopene in a single fruit than a tomato.

- Rich in dietary fiber, the guava contains about 9 grams per cup, helping to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Would you believe that there is more fiber in a guava than that in an apple, apricot, banana and nectarine combined? Its seeds, if ingested whole or chewed, serve as excellent laxatives. A high fiber diet has also been linked to a lowered risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

- Guavas are also a great source of vitamin C but as exposure to air and sunlight will diminish their levels of this important vitamin, make sure to store guavas in a cool dark place and not out in the fruit bowl. Guavas contain five times the amount of vitamin C found in oranges.

- Guavas are very good sources of vitamin A, the nutrient best known for preserving and improving eyesight.

- Rich in folate, guavas can also provide fertility-promoting properties.

- As one cup of guava is packed with almost the same potassium as bananas, it can be an important factor in regulating blood pressure by reversing the role of sodium in unbalancing normal blood pressure.

- Guavas are a good source of copper (a trace mineral which plays a role in thyroid metabolism especially in hormone production and absorption) as well as manganese to activate the enzymes.

- Magnesium is one of the essential minerals which needs to be obtained from food as the body cannot make them. Eating guavas with its high magnesium content can therefore can help relax the nerves and muscles.

- We all need plenty of brain food to help promote our brain health. The B group of vitamins play a vital role in this function and guavas are rich in both vitamin B3 and B6. Vitamin B3 stimulates brain function and promotes blood flow, while vitamin B6 is an important nutrient for brain and nerve function.

- Eating guavas regularly is good news for our skin because of their vitamin E, helping us to maintain healthy skin through their antioxidant properties.

- The astringents in guavas are good for binding up loose bowel movements in diarrhea because they have disinfectant and anti-bacterial properties.

The list of health benefits for guavas goes on and on, so take my word for it and should you have the chance to sample some guavas yourself, grab the opportunity and see if they can become a lifetime habit.  And just in case you are wondering, they do taste good too!

Most of us enjoy eating fresh tomatoes but did you know that when you eat those tomatoes cooked rather than raw, you get the benefit of a very important antioxidant known as lycopene that is also the cause of the intense color found in tomatoes and several other fruits.

 Recent studies and research have discovered just how important lycopene is to our health, helping in the prevention of cancers of the prostate, pancreas, stomach, breast, cervix and lung, as well as in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cataracts. For example, in laboratory studies, Israeli scientists found that lycopene was able to quickly block the growth of lung and breast cancer cells. And in large study of almost 48,000 men, Harvard researchers found that men who got the most lycopene in their diets had a 45% lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those getting the least. Current studies now suggest that lycopene is even more powerful than beta-carotene, making it one of the strongest antioxidants. Some studies are claiming that lycopene is the strongest antioxidant of the carotenes and is as much as 8 to 10 times more potent than beta-carotene.

 Lycopene as an antioxidant is vital for helping to protect your cells from free radicals and the good news is that it is easily found in many natural foods:

 1.  Cooked tomatoes are the best known source. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, where usually nutritional content such as vitamin C decreases with cooking, the processing and cooking of tomatoes actually increases the concentration of bioavailablelycopene – 4 times as much in tomato paste than in fresh tomatoes. The lycopene content of tomatoes depends on species and increases as the fruit ripens. Of course such tomato paste or other tomato products should be organic and natural and not bought in cans (because the high acidity of tomatoes causes leaching of BPA from the lining of the can into the food itself).

 2.  Watermelon is another good source and always an easy fruit to include in your diet.

 3.  Pink or ruby grapefruit is an important source of lycopene, giving this particular type of grapefruit its rich color.

 4.  Cara cara navel oranges are grown in California’s San Joaquin Valley and are available December through April. The bright orange exterior of cara cara oranges is similar to other navels, but their interior is a distinctive pinkish red with an exceptionally juicy sweet flavor, a tangy cranberry-like zing and few to no seeds. An excellent source of vitamin C, A and fiber; a good source of folate and potassium, and of course a natural source of ycopene, the disease-fighting antioxidant.

 5.  Making guavas special is the presence of lycopene. Not always easy to find in the supermarket, these pink or yellow, lemon-size fruits (which may be more available in gourmet, Indian or Hispanic markets) are definitely worth searching for. While tomatoes have long been admired for their high lycopene content, guavas are an even better source – they have at least 50% more lycopene in a single fruit.

6.  Papaya are delicious. While the Hawaiian variety is smaller and pear-shaped, the Carribean and Asian papayas are long and large. All varieties are rich in lycopene. When shopping for a ripe papaya, look for skin that is turning from green to yellow. Parts of the papaya may look bruised but this is normal

 7.  Goji berries are one of the most nutritionally rich of all foods, containing along with lycopene, the carotenoids- beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, β-crytoxanthin plus at least 6 vitamins (C, B1,B2,B3,B6,E), over 30 essential and trace elements, polyphenolic antioxidants and 19 amino acids.

 8.  Rosehips contain the highest amounts of total antioxidants among fruits and vegetables . While these antioxidants include a range of organic substances such as vitamin C, E, and A, and carotenoids, the lycopene gives rose hips their red color. Rose hips from the south of Chile are said to contain the highest amounts of lycopenes due to the high sun intensity.

 9.  Gac (also known as Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) has the very highest content of lycopene of any known fruit or vegetable – an amazing 70 times more than tomatoes. Only drawback is that this product is very rare outside its native region of southeast Asia.

 10. The fungus known as Blakeslea trisporais a fungal plant pathogen of the genus Blakeslea but is also a source of commercial beta carotene and lycopene for dietary supplements and food additives.

11. Sea Buckthorn berries are clustered on the branch like shiny orange gems, remaining on the branch all winter and even extending the harvesting period in colder regions. Oil from the Sea Buckthorn berry is a deep red colour due to its high carotene content and is frequently harvested for use in supplements such as “seabuckthorn berry, leaf and fruit oil”. Among the carotenes found in sea buckthorn are alpha carotene, beta carotene, delta carotene, gamma carotene, lutein, beta cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, taraxanthin, phytofluin and of course lycopene.

 12. Asparagus may come as surprise to be included in the list because of its lack of intense color and you can also add two other green sources of lycopene – namely dried parsley and basil.

What ever source of lycopene you decide to include in your diet, remember that they work best along with a spoonful of good oil. Lycopene is fat-soluble, so the oil is said to help absorption. My suggestion is a teaspoon of coconut oil for its good taste and extra special nutrients.

Anyone who has to put up with the pain and discomfort of arthritis will be anxious to improve their symptoms and one of the best ways is through exercise. Arthritis often goes hand in hand with being overweight but exercise along with a wholesome diet can make you healthier and even lighter. Remember that every pound that you carry (around the abdomen) puts an extra 10 pounds of pressure on those vulnerable joints. Exercise also makes you feel good.

The advantage of exercise is that it can reduce joint pain and stiffness while increasing flexibility, muscle strength, cardiac fitness and endurance.

It is as well to get professional advice when starting an exercise program but there are 3 types of exercise that are best for those with arthritis and these are:

• Range-of-motion exercise to help maintain normal joint movement, while relieving stiffness. Dancing is a good example. Such exercise can be carried out daily but should be done at least every other day.

• Strengthening exercise to help keep or increase muscle strength because strong muscles help support and protect those joints affected by arthritis. Weight training is a good example. Such strengthening exercises should be done every other day unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints.

• Aerobic or endurance exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness while controlling weight and improving overall function. Walking and especially swimming are good examples and should be carried out for 20 to 30 minutes 3 x a week unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints. The exercises can be performed in increments of 10 minutes over the course of a day if this is found to be easier.

Many people with arthritis begin with easy, range-of-motion exercises and low-impact aerobics as set out by a professional trainer or physical therapist who will design a suitable home exercise program. Remember that if exercise causes pain that lasts for more than 1 hour, it is too strenuous and the program will need adjustment.

 Add strength training to your daily exercise program and you can decrease pain, increase muscle strength and general physical performance, while improving the clinical signs and symptoms of arthritis. Studies have found that the effectiveness of strength training to ease the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is just as potent, if not more so, as medication. Weight training can start with the use of weight machines before progressing to dumbbells. Resistance bands can be used at home for maintenance training. Strong muscles act as shock absorbers for the joints. If muscles are able to take pressure off of the joints during activities such as walking, there is less joint-related pressure and pain.

 While walking is always a beneficial form of endurance exercise, if you can include swimming this is especially helpful because when you are submerged in water, your body automatically becomes lighter so that being in water is the ideal place to exercise those stiff muscles and sore joints – particularly if you suffer from arthritis and are overweight.

 Here are some of the extra benefits of swimming with arthritis.

• While in hot weather, an outdoor pool can become pleasantly warm, a heated all weather indoor pool is ideal for the arthritis sufferer as the warmer the water, the more the joints can loosen up.

• It has been found that those with arthritis receive greater health benefits from participating in hydrotherapy, swimming or just gently exercising in water than any other activities.

• Water-based exercise improves the use of those affected joints and decreases pain whichever type of arthritis because swimming puts the body through a broad range of motion that helps joints and ligaments stay loose and flexible.

• Swimming means that the arms move in wide arcs, the hips are engaged as the legs scissor through the water, and the head and spine twist from side to side.

• In addition, with every stroke, as you reach forward, you lengthen the body making it more efficient in the water but also giving you an excellent stretch from head to toe.

• Extra flexibility can be gained by holding on to the side of the pool and gently stretching with the support of the water helping you maintain your balance for longer periods of time.

• Even if swimming laps is not possible, there are plenty of other good swimming exercises. Try walking or running in water, which many people find easier to do than on land.

• In addition, swimming is a relaxing and peaceful form of exercise, helping to alleviate stress. You can let your mind wander, focusing on nothing but the rhythm of your stroke, helping you gain a feeling of well-being. Swimming is so relaxing because it allows more oxygen to flow to your muscles and forces you to regulate your breathing. A pleasant side effect is the release of feel-good chemicals known as endorphins.

• Swimming is now recognized as one of the biggest calorie burners around, and it’s great for keeping weight under control which is so important when arthritis affects you.

 Often overlooked as a way of exercising with arthritis is the use of a rebounder or mini-trampolene. This low impact exercise for arthritis is really good for arthritic aching joints. Endorsed by the medical community, rebounding can be easily done at home. Look at having a mini trampoline in your home along with a rocking chair. A study by the Medical College of Virginia found that rocking one hour every day helped patients suffering from arthritis because the movement lulled the body into a natural rhythm that is believed to speed healing. Operating the rocking chair also increased muscle tone and flexibility around the knees.

There are so many exercise options for anyone suffering from arthritis that there is every reason to start as soon as possible.

Whether you use them inside or out, rocking chairs are a great way of exercising without too much effort, especially for those who have limited mobility. Rocking provides a way to tone the leg muscles of those who cannot tolerate weight-bearing exercise, bringing a safe activity to people who migh live an otherwise sedentary lifestyle. Forget about all those high tech gadgets when an old fashioned rocking chair (which may even already be in your home) can do the job:

1.  Rocking works the muscles and the tendons of the thighs, the lower legs and even the ankles, helping to keep you fitter.

2.  As little as 10 minutes of rocking per day can reduce your blood pressure and improve your circulation. A few minutes longer, even more benefits.

3.  Rocking can reduce the impact of diseases such as arthritis. This is because the increased blood flow sends more oxygen to the joints while the relaxation effect boosts the immune system. Just a minimum of one hour per day lulls the into a natural rhythm that is believed to speed healing while the physical operating increases muscle tone and flexibility around the knees.

4.  Recently undergone surgery? Rocking promotes healing as those who rock seem to have fewer complications and recover faster than patients on a more traditional recovery program.

5.  Rocking causes the release of endorphins that elevates the mood and relieves pain plus rocking can even lead to some weight loss as you burn 150 calories per hour with this form of exercise.

6.  Rocking causes a reduction in the anxiety and depression often present in the elderly. But rocking is a relaxing activity for all age groups and you can even do it while watching TV!

7.  Worried about your sense of balance? The motion of rocking stimulates the body to maintain the momentum, resulting in greater balance capabilities. This can be especially useful in older people who often fear the risk of injury by falling.

8.  Rocking in a rocking chair is recommended as the perfect exercise to stimulate the circulatory system and the leg muscles. This is especially helpful for those who are elderly or housebound and are unable to do other forms of exercise.

9.  Rocking chairs have become invaluable in those nursing homes caring for residents with dementia. A study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia found that “there were improvements in depression/anxiety and reductions in PRN pain medication significantly related to amount of rocking.” Those residents that enjoyed the program and wanted to continue rocking past the six weeks of the study “demonstrated significant improvements in balance as measured by center of gravity.”  Useful for those taking care of someone at home with mid-stage dementia as they are often the most difficult to calm. At this mid-stage, sadly they are losing their faculties at a noticeable rate but are still aware of what is happening leading to fear, anger and anxiety. The act of rocking  leads to a calming and relaxing effect to reduce anxiety as well as pain.

10. The rocking chair combined with some basic exercises can help relieve chronic back pain partically because of the relaxation it affords but also the flexibility and strengthening the act of rocking can bring to the muscles.  The late JF Kennedy frequently used his rocking chair to help ease his chronic back problems.

You are probably most familiar with the classic wooden rocking chair that perhaps you saw your grandparent enjoying while sitting on the porch. But now there is a style to suit every taste and every décor in a variety of colors and materials. You can find the perfect rocking chair for your comfort, exercise and general wellbeing. No excuses!

The rocking chair is that timeless piece of furniture found in so many homes in the USA and elsewhere. While rocking chairs will usually conjure up an image of a couple of elderly people rocking gently on their porch or a young mother rocking her baby to sleep, you might not be aware of the tremendous health benefits gained from rocking.

This post concentrates on those benefits for the new mother and her child. Rocking is very healthy for both:

-  We are all familiar with the idea of rocking a baby to calm and help them off to sleep but research has also found that the rocking of babies by their mothers is crucial in the bonding process between them both. So mothers and newborns will bond better when spending time rocking together.

 -  A rocking chair is helpful and beneficial during the different stages of pregnancy too as rocking regularly for a few minutes or longer at a time helps in the development of the nervous system of the fetus while soothing or even preventing back pain in the mother-to-be.

-   In addition, new moms and adopted babies will also benefit from this practice. Dr. Wendy Hanevold who is a therapist in the Atlanta, GA area, and also an adoptive parent of two (through international adoption), encourages rocking in a rocking chair towards fostering positive attachment with parents and adopted children. Dr. Hanevold says: “Rocking is marvelous – it has smell, touch, sound and kinesthetic approaches that combine to reward both parties.”

-  Studies have shown that new mothers who rock their babies in a rocking chair for an hour a day recover faster after a C-section delivery, reporting less gas pain after surgery, the ability to walk faster and if they have rocked in the hospital itself, they will spend less days in the hospital than those who have not. Rocking offers post operative relief from any acute, painful medical procedure.

-  Varicose Veins can benefit from rocking as it stimulates circulation and improves muscle tone, helping prevent and and even treat varicose veins.  Pregnant women may find rocking chairs especially beneficial because the chairs provide back support and often have matching stools that let the mom-to-be put her feet up and reduce swelling.

-  More good news for new moms is that rocking burns about 150 calories an hour, helping mothers recover more rapidly from the experience of childbirth and even leading to weight loss.

-  In newborn babies, rocking has been found to reduce crying and assessed as a beneficial comforting method for pain – especially those who suffer from colic – while improving the regulation of breathing in both premature and full term babies. Rocking soothes fussy babies and relaxes mothers but it also stimulates the balance mechanism of the inner ear, helping an infant’s biological development and his or her ability to be alert and attentive.

 In the womb, babies are lulled to sleep by the natural movement of their mother’s body but after delivery, rocking chairs re-create some of this natural movement and help newborns to relax. According to T. Farrimond of the University of Waikato, New Zealand, this can reduce the odds of apnea and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). “Some infants seem to be born with a degree of respiratory centre immaturity which in combination with other problems such as illness, head colds, exposure to cold, air or smoke, may result in cessation of breathing. Vestibular stimulation by rocking has been shown to be beneficial for premature babies in reducing apnea. There also appear to be other benefits, resulting in more rapid maturation of the nerve cells of the cerebellum which is still developing during the first six months of life. The suggestion is made that crib deaths may be reduced by the use of automatically rocking cribs, particularly during the night when most deaths occur.”

We have had a rocking chair in our home for decades – it is a mid century Swedish wooden rocking chair that I gave to my husband for his 21^st birthday before we were married. I found it invaluable when feeding and nursing my babies but was unaware of just how beneficial at the time. It was moved into the nursery for every new baby.

]]> http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/new-moms-and-that-all-important-rocking-chair/feed/ 1 http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/10-tips-to-get-those-taste-buds-working-as-they-should/ http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/10-tips-to-get-those-taste-buds-working-as-they-should/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:28:52 +0000 Jane Chitty http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/?p=6010 Taste buds are sensory organs in the form of little bumps on your tongue that allow you to experience all the different tastes whether they are sweet, salty, sour or bitter by sending messages to the brain. The average person has up to 10,000 taste buds and they are replaced every 2 weeks or so. But as a person ages, some of those taste cells don’t get replaced. An older person may only have 5,000 working taste buds and, of course, smoking can also reduce the number.

But taste buds don’t work alone. Olfactory receptors inside the upper part of the nose contain special cells that help you smell and that also send messages to the brain. As you enjoy your food, it releases chemicals that travel straight up to your nose. These work together with the taste buds to create the true flavor of whatever it is you are eating. This why any head cold or allergy that stuffs up your nose can make the food you are eating seem less flavorsome. Those chemicals are just not able to reach the olfactory receptors.

 There are many other reasons why your taste buds might not be working to their full potential:

1.  If you are not paying attention to your meal as you eat it because you are distracted by watching TV or working at your desk. At such times, your digestive processes can become 30 to 40% less effective in breaking down your food, leading to less flavor and increasing the possibility of bloating, gas and constipation.

2.  If you eat too quickly, you miss out on inhaling deeply so that less chemicals are sent to those olfactory receptors in the nose. Slow down the eating and you are more likely to stop when you feel full, avoiding weight gain.

3.  Too many complicated tastes. Simplify your meals by breaking them down to the basic whole foods. If you eat just one type of fruit or vegetable at a time – completely on its own – you will help to re-set the taste buds. Keep up this way of eating for at least once a day when you can enjoy the unique flavor and texture of a fruit or vegetable without any accompanying sauces. You will learn to notice that celery is slightly salty while some apples are tart and others sweeter.

4.  A common side effect of taking medications is that they can affect your taste buds and alter your taste sensation. Over 250 prescription drugs have this effect while chemotherapy and radiation actually kill off receptor cells.

5.  Learn to cleanse your palate between courses so that it is neutral for the next taste. By re-setting your taste buds, you will enjoy your meal so much more. You can do this by sucking on a lemon wedge or orange segment or snack on a soda cracker or breadstick. Even sipping luke warm water will work. Another tip is to eat a small piece of fresh or pickled ginger between meals to neutralize both the flavor of the food and help with digestion. You could also make your own sorbet, which has traditionally been served between courses to cleanse the palate. You will need 4 cups frozen cubed mango, ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 3 tablespoons raw honey, a dash of stevia (optional), plus a pinch of natural sea salt and 1 cup of ice cubes. Gradually blend together until the ice is smooth (for about 60 seconds) and then pop in the freezer until needed.

6.  Always eating the same things and never trying something new and different can be another reason why your taste buds are letting you down – boredom!  A good way to change this is to add one new ingredient to your recipes or meals every few days in order to re-educate your tongue and expand your gastronomic horizons.  Try to avoid always eating the same things in a monotonous manner. New flavors and smells help you to pay attention once more to what you are eating.

7.  In the same way, it can be a giant step for you to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to tastes and to meals. Start trying those foods that are enjoyed by people of different cultures to that of your own.

8.  Forget about processed salt. Most people eat much more of this processed salt than they should and of course it is used in just about every type of processed food as well, so no wonder your taste buds are affected. We all need some salt but it must be natural salt.

9.  Too much sugar is another problem affecting our taste buds and, of course, every other aspect of our health. Once again, processed food is often the culprit being full of sugar and, even worse, high fructose corn syrup. Remember that your taste buds are constantly replaced so that if you can restrict your intake of sugar for a couple of weeks, you will then notice how sweet foods taste naturally without any additional sugar. Once you are no longer overloading your taste buds and olfactory cells with sugary foods, you’ll start to notice other more subtle but equally rich tastes.

10. Smoking has already been mentioned but nicotine suppresses the nerve activity in the areas of the brain associated with taste. Those dangerous and toxic chemical compounds in cigarettes interfere with both the sense of taste and smell by dulling the ability of the taste buds and olfactory cells to send those sensory messages to the brain. In addition, the bitter taste of the nicotine can also overwhelm the senses so that you are less likely to taste and smell other flavors. Anyone giving up smoking will start to notice an improved sense of taste and smell in a matter of just days because the taste buds and olfactory cells are constantly regenerating.

It is time to develop more sensitivity and intelligence in your taste for food.

Unfortunately, it did not stop there as flame retardants, made with bromine which is a persistent, bioaccumulative toxin, ended up being used in many fabrics for items such as sleepwear, undergarments, pillows, bedding, mattresses and more. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) pushed for its inclusion in virtually anything that could burn.

But in recent years, there has been significant controversy about flame retardants in general, and in infant clothing in particular. In 1999 a Swedish study found a 60-fold increase in these chemicals in breast milk from 1972-1997 with the San Francisco Bay area breast milk showing an average of 6-10 times higher than the national with these toxins. Related to PCBs and PBDEs, the toxins in flame retardant items interfere with brain development, can alter hormone function, and are linked to cancer. Children are testing positive for these toxins in treated sleepware as well as from the computers, TVs, building materials and other items in the home and the general environment. They are even showing up in the food chain – particularly in fish.

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are a class of man-made organic chemicals while PBDEs are chemical compounds that are used as flame retardants.  They can be found in almost anything that carries an electrical current or is highly flammable.  In addition to the TV and the computer, they can also be found in your cellphone,  your car, your toaster and your sofa.  PBDE stands for polybrominated diphenyl ether – a compound which contains bromine atoms. 

Here are two studies about the link with PBDES and PCBs and breast milk. Breast milk from North American women contained much higher amounts of PBDEs: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/…/PMC1069057 - PBDEs and PCBs in breast adipose tissues of California women participating in a breast cancer study: www.mendeley.com/research/high-concentrations-polybrominated-diphenyle.

PBDE flame retardants leach from clothing, spandex, mattresses, curtains, computers, car interiors, packaging and more continuously over a long period of time. Unfortunately, they are not washed out after going through your family’s washing machine a few times. PBDEs are everywhere – they accumulate and they spread.  And they’re really not good for us It is hoped that with enough bad publicity, flame retardants will be phased out.

To safeguard your family, change to natural organic cotton bed linen, sleepwear and other clothing that has not been treated with such flame retardant chemicals. Eliminate the 100% toxic exposure and rather focus on ensuring your home has up to date smoke detectors, escape routes and other fire safety methods in place.

Most people will feel uneasy when they turn on the light in the kitchen in the middle of the night and see a cockroach scuttling away.  They will usually rush for a can of pesticide. Cockroaches need food, water and a place to hide if they are going to choose your home over others so removing these home comforts is the first step in ensuring your house is cockroach-free.  They mostly come out at night – so sleep-over in a dark hiding place in the daylight hours.

I live in a harbor city by the sea where the homes and utility pipes were built in Victorian times so there can be an ongoing problem with these creatures.

Here are some tips for keeping cockroaches out of your home:

1. Always wipe down, immediately after use, any surfaces where food is prepared or eaten. At the same time, wipe down the hob every night after cooking.

2. Never leave dirty dishes standing over night – a ready made invitation to come and feast. If you cannot wash them, then at the very least rinse or leave to soak in soapy water.

3. Never leave dirty dishes sitting overnight in the dishwasher without rinsing them off completely. Also make sure your dishwasher is clean itself. There could be food remains in the filter or along the seals. The filter should be cleaned out after every dishwasher cycle . I spritz the seals and give them all a clean plus I put in a cup of white vinegar (sitting on the top shelf) while pouring another half cup into the bottom of the dishwasher.  I then  run a very hot wash without any dishes.  Try to follow this routine at least every month to keep your dishwasher spotless.

4. Wash any pet food dishes every day and never leave out any pet food over night. Pet water bowls are of course a source of water for lurking cockroaches so perhaps you should think about how you can resolve that problem too.

5. Clean the inside of both the oven and the microwave regularly as well as the extractor hood.  Also clean those hard to reach areas behind and beneath the refrigerator and the stove frequently.

6. Store all non-refrigerated foods (pastas, flour etc) in containers with well fitting lids (remembering that glass is much safer than plastic) and keep any shelves in the pantry or store cupboards clean and tidy. Get rid of any unnecessary clutter.

7. Try to remember to take garbage and compost out of their kitchen bins every night and put them in their appropriate outside bins. If you cannot do this, then make sure that the inside bins are tightly closed.

8. Vacuum and/or sweep floors regularly (especially in the kitchen and eating areas) to remove any food debris. You can use the vacuum cleaner’s tube attachment to suck up debris and possibly cockroaches too from any cracks in the wall or floors as well as behind furniture and appliances but remember that the vacuum bag itself could be a source of food for cockroaches. Dispose of your vacuum cleaner bag in a sealed container.

9. Look out for any cracks and gaps in floors, walls, cupboards and around water pipes and electrical cables. Check underneath sinks and basins and at the same time look for any water leaks which should be repaired.

Even the cleanest of homes can have cockroaches in residence because they can simply walk or fly in from elsewhere. They can also catch a lift in a bag or box containing food or already be resident in an item of furniture or an appliance that you buy second hand.

My husband always tells the story of how, when he worked in construction, he had to supervise the re-building of a Holiday Inn in South Africa after a fire had destroyed the original building. When they went to inspect the remains of the hotel kitchen, they saw a large of expanse of wall which was brownish/black in color.  But looking closer they found it was actually completely covered in cockroaches (thousands and thousands). They did not know whether this was their permanent home or whether they had all taken refuge there because of the fire. They quickly called in the pest controllers!

To avoid using a pesticide to control these pests, here are some natural remedies instead:

10. Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled in hidden areas such a cabinet tops and behind appliances. Harmless to people, the tiny particles cut the waxy exo-skeleton, killing the insect within 48 hours. For a week or so after the treatment, the dehydrating insects will search more actively for water so you might see more of them just for that period before they die.

11. Catnip is a natural repellent to cockroaches. Small sachets of catnip can be left in areas of cockroach activity or catnip can be simmered in a small amount of water to make a “catnip tea” which can be used as a spray to apply around baseboards and behind counters. This natural repellent should only be used in homes without cats unless you want them partying the night away!

12. Keep a spray bottle of soapy water on hand. Spraying roaches directly with soapy water will kill them or use an large empty coffee can in which you place a couple of pieces of bread that have been soaked thoroughly with beer. Place these in appropriate areas as traps. Another method is to place some boric acid on top of kitchen cupboards only (as it is toxic by mouth to children and pets). Cockroaches will then take the boric acid to their nests, eliminating them all.

There are also non-toxic cockroach traps available online.

We can lose minerals in the following ways:

1. Sweating during exercise
2. Stress and anxiety
3. Poor eating habits such as having processed foods, sodas, artificial preservatives and other baddies
4. Using cell phones and other electronic devices
5. Exposure to toxic pesticides
6. Exposure to heavy metals such as amalgam dental fillings

The problem with losing minerals is that our living cells will not function to their best ability plus it becomes difficult for us to absorb our vitamins whether in our food or as a supplement.

The good news is that you can take the twelve basic tissue salts in a supplement format.

Here are those important twelve:

Calc Fluor which works to restore tissue elasticity and is especially helpful in treating hemorrhoids, varicose veins and stretch marks.

Calc Phos which helps to restore the cells themselves to assist just about any part of the body that is injured or in pain but especially headaches, joint and back pain and slow-to-heal wounds.

Calc Sulf which helps as a blood purifier for those with allergies and for any conditions that lead to yellow pus including acne pimples and sore throats.

Ferr Phos is an important anti-inflammatory tissue salt which is particularly helpful for any inflammatory conditions such as colds, joint pains and skin breakouts.

Kali Mur is a detox agent helping to break down any mucus and white discharge in conditions such as oral or vaginal thrush, acne and sore throats.

Kal Phos is a nerve and brain cell agent helping to overcome restlessness, insomnia, fatigue and trauma from injury, while calming the nerves from headaches and other painful conditions.

Kali Sulf is the one tissue salt to use if you have a yellowish coating to the tongue or suffer from joint pains. It stops your system from stagnating.

Mag Phos works quickly on painful symptoms of cramps, neuralgia, headaches and more – especially in cold weather.

Nat Mur is especially useful in dry conditions – whether dry heat or dry cold – to sort out thick, clear mucus as well as dry skin, cold sores, cracked heels and similar conditions.

Nat Phos is an acidity neutraliser to releive heartburn, diarrhea, gas and colic.

Nat Sulf is a liver cleanser effectively relieving nausea, heartburn, indigestion, headaches and joint pains.

Silicea is a skin and connective tissue conditioner helping to expel irritants in the skin like splinters, acne and corns while improving the hair and nails.

If you would like to start replenishing your own tissue salts, you can order them online or buy from your local health store. Many companies sell tissue salts that come in a specially prepared formula of micro-doses of those 12 essential minerals listed above. They are usually absorbed in the mouth and it is best to take your dose in a clean mouth at least 30 minutes before or after eating, drinking or cleaning your teeth.

Kale (Photo credit: Another Pint Please...)

Kale has suddenly become a very fashionable vegetable with its many health and nutritional benefits and delicious flavor. One of the healthiest vegetables you can eat, kale is also known as borecole and this leafy green comes in curly, ornamental or dinosaur varieties. It belongs to the same family as those other invaluable brassicas – cabbage, collards, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

Here are 10 good reasons why you should include kale in your diet:

1. Antioxidants – full of carotenoids and flavonoids, two powerful antioxidants that protect our cells from free radicals that cause oxidative stress.
2. Anti-inflammatory – just one cup of kale provides about 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids that helps regulate the body’s inflammatory process plus being rich in vitamin K further helps in the fight against any inflammatory-related problems such as arthritis, autoimmune disorders and asthma.
3. Anti-cancer – the presence of the flavonoids kaempferol and quercitin (plus a further 45 other flavonoids in kale) have been shown to specifically fight against the formation of cancerous cells. Kale also provides glucosinolates, which have been shown to prevent colon, breast, bladder, prostate, ovarian cancers, as well as gastric cancer.
4. High fiber – the fiber content of cruciferous kale especially when eaten raw binds bile acids and helps lower blood cholesterol levels while reducing the risk of heart disease. The high fiber also helps to create the bulk you need to fill you up and to keep you full for longer.
5. Detox – the isothiocyanates from glucosinolates found in kale greatly aid the body’s detoxification process. The high sulfur content of kale has further been shown essential for phase 2 of any detoxification.
6. Beta-carotene – this together with other important carotenoids – lutein and zeaxathin – all help to protect the eyes from damage from UV rays and from cataracts.
7. Vitamin K – if you can eat a diet rich in the powerful antioxidant vitamin K you can reduce the overall risk of developing or dying from cancer. Kale is rich in Vitamin K which can also be found in parsley, spinach, collard greens as well as cheese. Often considered to be the forgotten vitamin, vitamin K is necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions, including normal blood clotting, antioxidant activity and bone health. Strengthening the composition of our bones, vitamin K also prevents calcium build-up in our tissue. Vitamin K is essential for synthesizing sphingolipid, the fat needed to maintain the myelin sheath around our nerves and our nervous system as a whole.
8. Vitamin A – just 100 g of kale leaves provide 512% of RDA of vitamin A which is necesssary for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin while being essential for vision. Further, foods rich in this vitamin A offer protection against lung and oral cavity cancers.
9. Vitamin C – the same amount of fresh kale leaves contain 200% of RDA of vitamin C with the Scottish curly leaf variety offering even high levels. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen free radicals.
10. Calcium, vitamin B6, magnesium, copper, potassium, iron, manganese and phosphorus are all found in kale.The manganese in kale helps your body’s own antioxidant defence system protect you from damaging free radicals while its folate and B6 team up to help prevent heart disease, dementia and osteoporosis bone fractures. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids helping to control heart rate and blood pressure by countering effects of sodium or processed salt. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme while iron is required for cellular oxidation and red blood cell formation.

This superstar vegetable is a nutritional powerhouse so try to find ways to work kale into your diet. 

You might decide to grow your own supply of kale. It is an annual plant, flourishing well in rich organic soil and preferring a cool climate and light frost conditions. So it is grown mainly for autumn and winter harvest because cool weather further enhances its sweet taste quality

Here is a natural tip for looking after your kale and other greens in the veggie garden and protecting them from destructive insects. Mix 2 tablespoons of red-pepper powder and 6 drops of liquid soap in 1 gallon of water. Let the mixture sit overnight and stir thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, shake well and spray weekly on the tops and bottoms of the leaves.

For preparing and serving kale, you can use it in much the same way as you would spinach. It should be washed thoroughly in clean running water and even swished in saline water for about 10-15 minutes in order to remove soil, dirt and any fungicide/insecticide residues. Remove any tough stems or wilted leaves.

• Fresh young crispy borecole can be used raw in salads.
• Mature leaves and stalks are typically steamed or sautéed.
• Tuscan kale leaves are popular winter staples all over the Mediterranean, used in soups (ribollita toscana), stews, salads, pizza and pasta.
• Kale leaves can also be used in a variety of traditional kale recipes with potatoes, green beans, poultry, and meat.

Eating a variety of natural, unprocessed vegetables can do wonders for your health, but choosing super-nutritious kale on a regular basis may provide significant health benefits.

If you are one of the increasing numbers of people who have become a victim of arthritis, now is the time when you should try to take control of your own health and change your lifestyle. But in doing so, don’t become one of the many who equate weight loss with a diet that shuns all the healthy whole foods such as butter, nuts, red meat, cheese and any other food that is high in fat. They have been misled for too long in thinking that eating healthy fat will make them fat when it will not. They go for low fat items which invariably have had fat replaced with sugar and other carbs. This is the exact opposite of what you need to do to lose weight.

So to improve the pain and discomfort of arthritis naturally, here are some lifestyle changes that can be made:

1. Increase your healthy fat consumption and severely restrict sugars, fructose and grains in your diet.

2. Include plenty of fresh vegetables in your daily diet (while eating as many raw as possible). Include some raw ginger every day for its anti-inflammatory properties. Other especially good items are: broccoli, pineapples, pumpkin seeds and flesh, onions, sesame seeds, salmon and strawberries.

3. Include free range chicken and eggs, grass-fed beef plus organic or if possible raw dairy products.

4. Drink only pure filtered (not bottled) water with an occasional drink of milk or tea.

5. Take regular exercise (at least 30 minute sessions several times per week) and of course walk rather than drive, take the stairs rather than the elevator and more. The very best exercise for helping combat arthritis is swimming. When you are submerged in water, your body automatically becomes lighter. The more water covering you, the less weight you have to bear. This means that being in water is the ideal place to exercise those stiff muscles and sore joints – particularly if you suffer from arthritis and are overweight. And the warmer the water, the better the results.

6. Ensure you get a good 8 hours of quality sleep every night.

7. H-Arthritis from Healing Natural Oils is specially formulated from pure essential oils to safely and gently reduce the symptoms of arthritis, including pain, stiffness, inflammation and swelling.  The different properties of the essential oils offer circulatory stimulants, anti-inflammatories, analgesics for relieving or diminishing pain while additional properties can eliminate those harmful toxins in the system.  You can massage the joints with a few drops of H-Arthritis three times a day, you can add a drop or two of oil to your relaxing bath time routine plus you can ensure a good night’s sleep by putting a drop of lavender essential oil on your pillow at bedtime.

Although arthritis can be a debilitating condition, often with considerable pain and discomfort, it is possible to use a more natural approach when treating the symptoms of arthritis.

Competitive swimmers are always in fantastic shape but even those who just swim for leisure and for pleasure know that they not only look great on the outside but feel just as good on the inside. The health benefits of swimming are almost unmatched by just about any other sport or exercise.  I have enjoyed swimming all my life – whenever and wherever I can.

Swimming is a great workout because you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water. Swimming helps with all round exercise, including the heart, lungs and muscles, but with very little joint strain. It conditions the whole body and the best strokes for this are freestyle, breast stroke and backstroke. And don’t forget that even if laps are not your forte, there are plenty of other good swimming exercises. Try walking or running in water, which many people find easier to do than on land. Treading can be exhausting but it will help tone your legs and arms.

Here are many more health benefits:

1.  Swimming is a relaxing and peaceful form of exercise, helping to alleviate stress. You can let your mind wander, focusing on nothing but the rhythm of your stroke, helping you gain a feeling of well-being so that you leave the water refreshed and ready to go on with the rest of your day. Swimming is so relaxing because it allows more oxygen to flow to your muscles and forces you to regulate your breathing. A pleasant side effect is the release of feel-good chemicals known as endorphins. Apart from the metaphysical benefits of swimming, research has shown that it can actually change the brain for the better through a process, known as hippocampal neurogenesis, in which the brain replaces cells lost through stress.

2.  Swimming provides a good low-impact therapy for some injuries and conditions because there is no stress on your bones, joints or connective tissues due to buoyancy and the fact that you weigh 1/10^th less in water. You can carry out a rigorous work out with a reduced chance of swimming injuries, putting the body through a broad range of motion that help joint and ligaments stay loose and flexible. With every stroke, as you reach forward, you lengthen the body making it more efficient in the water and helping to give you a good stretch from head to toe.

3.  Pregnant women benefit from swimming because it helps strengthen the shoulder and abdominal muscles, which can be strained when carrying a baby. Many people with certain health conditions such as arthritis find swimming particularly helpful because it is low impact, relaxes stiff muscles and isn’t weight-bearing. Swimming also increases circulation. When the human body is submerged in water, it automatically becomes lighter. When immersed to the waist, your body bears just 50% of its weight; dip down to the to the chest and that number reduces to around 25-35% while with water all the way to the neck, you only have to bear 10% of your own weight.

4.  Swimming can improve your blood pressure because studies have shown that a workout routine that includes swimming can reduce and possibly prevent high blood pressure, which in turn lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke.

5.  Swimming can even rectify your cholesterol levels because of its aerobic power, ensuring higher levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) and lower levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

6. Swimming keeps your heart rate up because it is an aerobic exercise. Swimming strengthens the heart by helping it to become larger and more efficient in pumping, leading to better blood flow throughout your body. The American Heart Association reports that just 30 minutes of exercise per day, such as swimming, can reduce coronary heart disease in women by 30-40%. In addition,swimming can also keep your endothelium in good shape. The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that lines the arteries but which tends to lose flexibility as you age.

7.  Swimming is now recognized as one of the biggest calorie burners around, and it’s great for keeping weight under control. Of course the number of calories burned would depend on your make up and how hard you exercise but every bit helps.

8.  While swimming does not help with bone density, because you need weight bearing exercises for that, it does improve bone strength - especially in post-menopausal women. Every kick and every arm stroke becomes a resistance exercise, helping to build muscle tone and strength.

9.  Swimming improves coordination, balance and posture.

10. Swimming provides the perfect way to cool down on a hot day whether in a pool, lake, ocean, dam or river. Just make sure the environment you choose is safe. And when the weather is no longer hot, find a way to use a heated pool for year round exercise.

Swimming is a healthy activity that can be continued for a lifetime – so make swimming part of your regular exercise routine.

]]> http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/swim-as-often-as-you-can-for-at-least-10-health-benefits/feed/ 0 http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/understanding-the-hpv-virus/ http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/understanding-the-hpv-virus/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:45:22 +0000 Jane Chitty http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/?p=5935

The problem is that often the HPV remains invisible which means that although the virus has altered the DNA structure of the affected skin cell, there is no visible sign on the skin itself and so no warts. As a result, people are unaware that they have HPV but they pass on the virus to others through skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact or intercourse.

The good news is that firstly, the majority of women who contact the HPV virus will have it naturally eliminated by their immune system and secondly, they can be safely tested for a possible HPV infection by a PAP test where the doctor takes cells from the cervix. A positive test can then result in the necessary treatment.

It is obviously very important to treat any visible warts anywhere on your body immediately for your health’s sake. It is also thought that this makes it less likely that you will pass on the HPV virus to others.

It has also been found that a nutrient – folic acid – destroys HPV when given to women with dysplasia (abnormal cells that are pre-cancerous). A prescribed mega-dose treatment comprising b-vitamin folic acid 20 milligrams (NOT micrograms) twice daily along with a nutritional program can be successful in leading to normal PAP smears. Some people have a genetic condition preventing the body from utilizing folate/folic acid and they need prescription treatment with either intramuscular or very high dose oral folinic acid. Methyl-folate is the natural form of folic acid.

According to Heidi Fagley, she writes in her article on HPV and folic acid that:

Folic acid has been found to reduce the severity of the infection and aid the cells in stopping viral replication. All women can support their own systems in preventing cervical dysplasia by simply adding adequate amounts of folate in the diet. If you choose to use a supplemental form of folic acid, please check with a holistic practitioner to find the dose that is safe for your specific situation. Foods rich in folic acid can help support the immune system. Some of nature’s most popular fruits and vegetables that are high in this B vitamin include oranges, cantaloupe, asparagus, avocados, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, brussels sprouts, papaya, cabbage, bananas, peaches, peanut butter, and nuts (soaking and sprouting nuts and seeds enhances digestibility and allows greater absorption of nutritional content).

The raw version of these foods contains higher amounts of folic acid. Cooking can destroy most of this beneficial vitamin, so consuming fruit and veggies in their raw form as much as possible will help increase the amount the body absorbs.

http://www.naturalnews.com/028711_folic_acid_HPV.html#ixzz1lsZPBmRe

You can also reduce your vulnerability to contracting HPV by living a healthy lifestyle and being aware that you put yourself at higher risk for getting HPV:

- When you start to be sexually active at a young age
- When you don’t know the status of your sexual partner or when you have multiple sexual partners
- When you abuse alcohol and nicotine
- When you suffer from other viruses such as HIV or herpes
- When you suffer from stress related illnesses
- When you have a weakened immune system
- When you don’t follow a healthy and nutritious diet

While the much publicized vaccines have recently come on the market, these are highly controversial with evidence of deaths and serious side effects in many young girls who have had the shots. Many experts will advise that you should never have a vaccine that has not been on the market and tested for at least 10 years. It is just too risky to your health and wellbeing. And once you or your daughter has had the vaccine and suffered side effects, there is no turning back the clock.

1. Washing machine laundry soap – use just 1 tablespoon per light load or 2 tbs for an extra heavy load and, for the average family, this amount will last approximately 9 months and can be used in HE washers too. It will have a mild scent but you can add a few drops of essential oil if you want something more fragrant but please avoid artificial fragrances.

Ingredients:

1 x 4lb 12oz box Borax

1 x 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

1 x 3lb 7oz box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz

3 x bars of Fels-naptha soap (or you can use Ivory soap or Zote soap)

Optional 2 x small containers of oxyclean or store brand oxyclean (total 3.5lbs)

Method – grate all the soap – you can even use a food processor and put with the rest of the ingredients in a 5 gallon bucket lined with a garbage bag. Mix it all up and store in a large container along with a tablespoon size scoop to make it easier to use when adding to your washer’s dispenser. In the case of a HE washer, add to the barrel instead of the dispenser.

2. Natural fabric softener – use 1/3 cup of white vinegar which you can pop into the softener dispenser of your washer. Once the clothes are dry, there is absolutely no smell of vinegar.

3. Dishwasher detergent

Ingredients:

1 x 4lbs 12oz box Borax

1 x 3lbs 7oz box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

24 small packets of unsweetened lemonade drink mix, like kool-aid – (the lemonade will stain soap dispenser yellow so an alternative option is to use ½ to ¾ cup of citric acid instead which you can usually find along with canning supplies at your local store)

3 x cups Epsom salts

1 x Lemi Shine rinse aid – sprinkle a tablespoon in the bottom of the dishwasher

Method

Mix Borax, washing soda, salt and lemonade together in a very large bowl and put into a container large enough to hold whole batch if required. A pouring spout will make life easier and you just need 1 tablespoon per wash cycle.

These three recipes come from www.beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com while Shayla Groves of www.designfinch.com has the following suggestions;

4. All-purpose Cleaner

Ingredients:

¼ cup white vinegar

2 tablespoons baking soda

¼ gallon hot water

a few drops of essential oil (optional)

Method – combine ingredients in a bucket, stir and let the mixture cool before pouring into a suitable spray bottle.

5. Glass Cleaner

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons white vinegar

1/4 gallon water

Few drops of lemon essential oil (optional)

Method – combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake. Wipe the glass surfaces with crumpled newspaper.

6. Furniture Polish

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil

4 tablespoons white vinegar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Method – combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before use. Remember to store extra in the refrigerator to prevent lemon juice from souring.

Safer for the environment but also easier for sensitive skins, eyes and noses.

In fact, many academics, scientists, environmentalists and even the man in the street believe urban farming could be the green solution to future food shortages instead of relying on the worrying and downright dangerous GMOs as a way to resolve such shortages. It is all about trying to become more self sufficient and less reliant on others to provide for you. It is also about eating a more health-promoting and organic diet and even caring for a few chickens who will reward your devotion with a regular supply of free range eggs. Urban farming could be the answer to so many modern problems.

Only last year, there was a huge outcry on the internet when Julie Bass of Oak Park, Michigan was facing 93 days in jail after being charged with a misdemeanor. Her crime was planting a vegetable garden in the front yard. Julie explained that she planted the garden after her front yard was torn up for some sewer repairs. Rather than wasting the opportunity to start with a clean slate by planting a lawn, she decided to really put the area to use, and plant a vegetable garden. Her garden consists of 5 raised beds, where she grows a mix of squashes, corn, tomatoes, flowers, and other veggies. She was threatened and persecuted by her local council but in the face of such opposition, the council soon backed down. In her own small way, Julie was instrumental in sowing the seed (pun intended) whereby people were encouraged to start their own vegetable gardens or fruit orchards in place of water guzzling and labour intensive lawns.

Urban farming is generally practised for income-earning or food-producing activities, though in many communities the main impetus is recreation and relaxation. In the UK, town and village allotments have been popular for decades. An area of land is divided up into small plots and rented to interested people to grow veggies and fruit. Such urban farming can contribute to food security and safety in two ways: firstly, it increases the amount of food available to people living in cities and secondly, it allows fresh vegetables fruits, eggs and even meat products to be made available to urban consumers.

While there many urban farming schemes, you can also benefit from growing your own city vegetable garden. All you need is a window, balcony, patio, deck or roof that receives six or more hours of sun together with a few containers. These can produce an adequate supple of produce for you without the need for a large garden plot. With containers, you can grow anything from lettuce and tomatoes to beans and peppers. You can even grow potatoes and vine crops, such as squash and cucumbers. As long as there is adequate drainage, nearly anything can be used to grow vegetables.

Just remember that:

1. Smaller containers are used for more shallow-rooted crops like carrots, lettuce, and radishes. Vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and beans will benefit from using containers that are big enough to accommodate their larger root systems. In fact, the use of five-gallon buckets is not uncommon. To make use of all available space, consider growing vegetable plants in hanging baskets too.

2. In order to help improve drainage and airflow, it may be a good idea to raise your containers about an inch or two off the ground with blocks. Place vegetables in a sunny area that is well protected from wind, which can dry out plants. Container plants usually require daily watering particularly when it is dry, hot and sunny.

I live in a mostly warm and sunny climate but only have a small city courtyard garden. In spite of this, we manage to have a successful urban mini farm! We have 4 blueberry bushes in containers, raspberry and gooseberry canes, a prolific lemon tree plus newly planted grapefruit and tangerine trees. We have a container garden for herbs plus two large deep containers for growing spinach, carrots, shallots, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers and cabbages. The tomato plants have their own 5 gallon pots. Everything is organic including compost (we make our own in 2 compost bins) and fertilizer. It is great fun and very satisfying. The image for this post is our very own first cucumber!  The image for the front page of the blog shows the wonderful veggie garden of my friend in Maine.

If you plan on starting your own city vegetable garden, you will find so much help and advice on the internet. There are even specialist web sites and magazines devoted to the urban farmer so there is no excuse not to get going.

Only honey actually bottled, tested and authenticated in New Zealand can use the UMF label (standing for “unique manuka factor”) and an 8 oz jar or bottle will probably cost you about $37 in a US health store. So genuine UMF New Zealand honey can be rather expensive. There is an American alternative available that is still from New Zealand but bottled in the US but for the very best results, Manuka honey should have at very least a 12+ UMF/”Active” rating but preferably 15+ or higher.

This important UMF rating will only be known if the honey has been tested. If a producer has gone to the expense of testing, they will definitely display it on the container. The testing is expensive and accounts for a reasonable amount of the cost of tested honey.

I know you have been waiting to read about these healing properties and here they are:

1. Use as a natural antibiotic for nasty infections, such as in the chest, by taking a couple of mouthfuls of the honey several times a day, between meals.

2. Use as a natural cough treatment by taking ¾ teaspoon of the honey every time you start to cough. It should resolve in about 24 hours.

3. This raw honey can be used effectively in the treatment of abrasions, acne, bacterial infections (including MRSA), eczema, leg ulcers, puncture wounds, psoriasis, septic wounds and surgical wounds. Manuka honey will kill h-Pylori bacteria that is known to cause ulcers.

4. For abscesses or deep wounds that have been cleaned, the honey can be packed into the cavity before applying an adhesive dressing. According to an article recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, honey provides a moist healing environment, deodorizes, rapidly clears infection while reducing inflammation, edema and any oozing.

5. Apply to the face for a few minutes (or as long as you can take it) before showering, to soften and condition the skin.

6. Use when troubled with mouth sores by swishing a teaspoon of the honey in your mouth for several minutes 3 times a day until the sores are gone (usually within a day).

7. Very effective when used in the treatment of burns. According to Professor Keith Scott-Mumbly “Many clinical studies have demonstrated honey’s effectiveness in treating burns. An article in the British Journal of Surgery compared the topical use of honey with silver sulfadiazine (SSD)— one of the most widely-used, common treatments for burns—in 104 cases of superficial burn injuries. In the honey-treated group of 52 patients, 91% of the burns were infection free within 7 days, compared to only 7% of the 52 patients in the SSD group. Pain was also significantly reduced.”

The more recent emergence of dangerous antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria has sounded a wake up call to many in the medical community to consider natural substances with proven medical uses as a means to fighting such strains.

Active manuka honey is one such natural substance and of course it lasts forever.

Dr Deepak Chopra has his insomnia protocol which I thought was well worth passing on to anyone who suffers from insomnia – however infrequently. His protocol tips are in bold. I have added my comments afterwards:

The natural human biorhythm is to sleep between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. For many this means the unusual fact of being in bed with the lights out by 10 pim. So many people are sleep deprived because they go to bed too late but still have to get up early the next morning for work. So they never catch up though they may try to do so at weekends which is when they then put the biorhythm even more out of sync.

Decrease your mental activity after dinner. This means not too much TV or computer activity but perhaps a little light reading just before turning out the light.

Make preparations for the next day. To avoid the early morning rush the next day, get things ready the night before such as laying the breakfast table, putting out clothes to be worn, packing lunches and popping in the refrigerator and more. If you keep a diary, you can make a note of what you hope to accomplish the next day whether at home or at work.  You will rest more easy if you know that everything is ready for the morning.

Take a hot bath for up to an hour with calming fragrances. Use a drop or two of natural essential oils in your bath water and use the soaking time to let go of any daily stress. Healing Natural Oils can provide the natural aid you need to help with sleeping problems. H-Insomnia is a product that is perfect for a safe way to enjoy a full night’s sleep. This should be your goal.

Use your bed for sleep and sex only.

Turn all lights off. Make sure you are comfortable – not too hot and not too cold – relax and concentrate on your breathing while you start to relax.

Try reciting a mantra for five minutes. If you are religious, this could be the time for a prayer or if not, make this the opportunity to listen to soothing music like the sound of oceans waves breaking on the shore.

Something warm, like a hot water bottle, may help soothe your anxieties. It will also keep you warm in cold weather and soothe any painful areas of the body.

If you wake during the night, try repeating some of the techniques above or massaging your head or feet.

If you find it difficult to sleep in your bed, pick another area of the house to sleep in. And get to the root of the problem that might be causing the difficulty such a partner who snores, a room that is too hot or cold, a room that is too light, or the presences of electro-magnetic fields. All cell phones, cordless phones, laptops and other superfluous appliances should be put into another room at night along with their chargers etc.

In addition to Dr Chopra’s tips, remember:

1. When you wake up in the morning, strip back your bed to air it the old fashioned way while you are getting ready for the day. At the same time, open the windows wide (it is best to have windows open at least slightly at night anyway) to keep the air supply fresh and full of oxygen. Once you are ready, come back and make your bed. I am afraid that dust mites love it when you make you bed the minute your jump out of it so that they stay warm and snug!

2. Change your bed linen at least every 5 to 7 days and wash on a high temperature, using a natural laundry detergent and softener. It is a good idea to hang your duvet or blankets together with the pillows out in the sun for at least 3 hours on a regular basis. This helps to to get rid of dust mites, mould and mildew.

3. When changing your sheets, leave the new set off for a while and let your mattress air. Run the vacuum over it to get rid of dust mites and a good tip is to spritz with eucalyptus oil.

4. Keep the bedroom as minimalistic as possible to provide a clean and dust-free environment in which to relax and sleep. Always use natural and non toxic materials to clean and care for your bedroom area.

5. Melatonin is vital to ensure good sleeping habits and this is only produced during darkness so make sure your room is darkened when it is time to sleep. During the day, light stimulates that part of the brain that tells the pineal gland to decrease the melatonin level when it is daytime and light, and to increase it when it is night time and dark. The brighter the light, the bigger the decrease and the darker the dark, the bigger the increase of melatonin. If you find it difficult to sleep without some light, reduce any light source gradually to improve both the quality of your sleep and the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep.

When your bedroom is environmentally friendly, you will awake refreshed and energized so that your day will go so much better and your health and immune system will benefit.

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Fortunately, lemons are easy to get hold of all year round, even if you do not have your own lemon tree. Lemons have so many health and other benefits that they should always be part of your diet and especially in the winter months. And don’t forget that it is not just the flesh and juice of the lemon – try to use the pith and the zest too.

1. Always start your day with a lemon as a glass of water with a slice of lemon will rehydrate your body after a long night’s sleep while supporting the kidneys and the digestive system. If you can drink more of the same during the day or add fresh lemon to your cup of black tea, even better. Then end your day with a glass of warm water with lemon before bed to help the body cleanse whilst you sleep.

 2. Use lemon to detox and cleanse that very hard working organ, the liver. Alcohol and sugar can really exact a heavy toll on the liver so give it a break by kicking the sugar habit, taking a rest from alcohol and including plenty of lemons (or grapefruit) in your diet to help to cleanse the liver while preventing toxins from spreading to other parts of the body.

3. The bitter taste of lemon helps the pumping motion in the bowels to spring into action for improved and regular bowel movements. So that lemon juice in warm water first thing has another benefit.

4. Of course everyone knows about lemon and vitamin C which together with flavonoids work to prevent infection. In addition, lemons contain citric acid, B-complex vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and fiber.

5. The vitamin C found in lemons helps to neutralize those free radicals that have been linked to aging and most types of disease. In addition, Vitamin C helps to boost the immune system while also assisting in the production of collagen which fights wrinkles by keeping the skin firm. This incredible vitamin helps the body absorb calcium and iron and has also been shown to reduce acne flare-ups.

6. Not only anti-infection, lemons have anti-viral properties too and can be very effective against all types of viruses including viral colds and flu.

7. Although lemons are acidic, strangely enough they interact with our body’s metabolism to have an alkalizing effect on the body’s fluids. This helps to restore the body’s PH.

8. A very important benefit is the presence of 22 anti-cancer compounds (including limonene which studies have shown slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors in animals while flavonol glycosides prevents cell division in cancer cells.

9. Rutin is found in lemons and its presence has been shown to improve the symptoms of eye disorders, including retinopathy in those who have diabetes. Another plus for diabetics is that lemons contain hesperetin which lowers blood sugar levels.

10. That citric acid found in lemon juice helps with kidney health by dissolving gallstones, calcium deposits and painful kidney stones.

So stock up a supply of lemons when you do your grocery shop every week and ensure a continuous supply of health benefits from this powerhouse of goodness.