We acquired our first rocking chair when I was pregnant with our first child. After all, who can have a baby without a rocker? Babies and rockers seem to go together. In fact, studies have proven that the rocking motion calms babies, helping them to sleep. And when a baby sleeps, the entire family can sleep. But there are many other health benefits to rocking chairs—ones seldom discussed—that may interest you.

Learning Disabilities

Sensory Integration is the neurological course the brain uses to process multiple sensory input and utilize it to perform a response. Sometimes problems exist in the process and that condition is referred to as Sensory Integration Dysfunction. SID may be found in individuals with autism, traumatic brain injury, those with cochlear implants, and various other learning disabilities. The act of rocking has shown to improve SID. In fact, studies have shown that rocking chairs placed in classrooms help to calm children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, thereby facilitating their concentration and focus on the subject at hand.

Treating Varicose Veins

Because of the stimulation to the circulatory system, and exercise to the leg muscles, rocking in a rocking chair is recommended to prevent and treat varicose veins. This is especially helpful for the elderly or shut-in who cannot walk or swim.

Dementia

A study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia discussed the use of rocking chairs with nursing home residents with dementia. This study 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.”

Postoperative Healing

Typically, after any abdominal surgery there is a certain degree of decreased motor activity of the gastro-intestinal tract. This condition, referred to as postoperative ileus or POI, causes the patient pain. According to a dissertation by Dr. Robert Lee Massey, “rocking chair motion is effective in postoperative abdominal surgery cancer patients reducing the duration of postoperative ileus.

Childbirth Recovery

According to an article at Mothering.com, a rocking chair is a must for any new mother. It not only soothes a fussy baby and sleep deprived mommy, but “rocking assists an infant’s biological development and promotes the baby’s ability to be alert and attentive.” Since rocking reduces the amount of postoperative ileus, it promotes healing after a cesarean section. And, since the act of rocking burns about 150 calories an hour, it helps mom to lose her pregnancy weight gain faster.

Have you ever used a rocking chair for therapeutic purposes? We’d love to hear about it in the comments.

References:

RockingChairTherapy.org

AM J ALZHEIMERS DIS OTHER DEMEN November/December 1998 vol. 13 no. 6 296-308

http://etd.utmb.edu/theses/available/etd-06292007-111418/unrestricted/DissertationMasseyFinal07.pdf

 Photo by 1Sock

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Compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel of the forearm causes carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a space in the wrist surrounded by bones and ligaments that hold the bones together. Running up this tunnel is the median nerve and the tendons responsible for flexing the fingers. Often caused by lifestyle habits, carpal tunnel syndrome can manifest itself in different ways. However, the treatment measures for this debilitating condition are the same, no matter what the cause.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Numbness of the thumb and three fingers that worsens at night
• Pain in the wrist or hand
• Weakness or loss of strength in the hand

Who Is at Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The median nerve may be compressed by a subluxation of the bones, scar tissue, enlargement of the tendons, or fluid retention. Most often, these anomalies are caused by repetitive movements and strain from them. Occupations that require repetitive hand movements or awkward hand positions, excessive or prolonged gripping, or frequent vibrations put one at greater risk. Hairdressers or barbers, typists or computer operators, cashiers, meat processors that de-bone or cut meat assembly-line fashion, farmers that milk by hand or bakers kneading bread are all at risk for CTS.

Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Prevention is the key to CTS whether you are at risk from your occupation or a hobby like knitting. Here are some things to consider:

• Take a break a few minutes every hour from the task that puts you at risk
• Do strengthening exercises three times a day
• Perform a few stretching exercises prior to engaging in repetitive activities
• Check your posture making sure to sit up straight, keep wrists straight, and elbows bent

Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you already suffer from the signs of CTS, there are a few ways to manage the pain and numbness and prevent it from worsening.

• Wear wrist splints, especially when sleeping. Most people sleep with their wrists in a flexed position and wearing the splints will keep them straight. Wearing the splints when performing repetitive activity will also help.
• Take the following supplements on a daily basis: B-complex, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
• Include anti-inflammatory herbs in your diet. Bromelain with quercitin works wonders on inflammation; as well as butcher’s broom, and capsicum.
• Use a topical agent like CT Cream or Penetrex to reduce inflammation.

There is one last thing to consider before succumbing to drastic, surgical procedures. Carpal tunnel syndrome has become a catch-all diagnosis for a collection of maladies involving the hand and wrist. Unless exact testing of the nerves is done, one would benefit from evaluation of various trigger points in the shoulder and forearm muscles. Consultation with a member of the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Body Workers, who specializes in CTS, is highly recommended.

References:

Balch, James F., and Phyllis A. Prescription for Nutritional Healing a Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements. New York, NY: Avery Group, 2000. Print.

Chaitow, Leon, and Judith W. Delany. Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques, V.1: The Upper Body. Great Britain: Churchill Livingstone, UK, 2000. Print.

“OSH Answers: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.” CCOHS: Canada’s National Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Information. Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, 15 Oct. 2008. Web. 31 Dec. 2011.

Photo by Mysterious Photographer

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Vegetable oils are great for restoring hair vitality and for adding gloss and shine to dry hair. The health of your hair is affected by a number of factors, such as diet, stress and the environment. Many store bought shampoos, conditioners and treatments contain a myriad of chemical ingredients that can sometimes leave your hair in a worse condition than when you started. Here are three natural vegetable oils that are popular for natural hair treatments.

About Vegetable Oils

Vegetable oils are used in aromatherapy in massage oils, skin care and beauty products, and hair treatments. Vegetable oils have natural therapeutic benefits, depending on the type of vegetable oil. However, you need to make sure that you use cold pressed vegetable oils in preference to oils that have been exposed to excess heat in the manufacturing process; excess heat destroys many of the original benefits of the plant from which the oil is extracted from (Source). Most store bought vegetable oils are not cold pressed; check with a reputable aromatherapy supplier for the best cold pressed vegetable oils.

1. Almond Oil for Hair

Sweet almond (Prunis dulcis) oil is extracted from the almond tree. It is a popular vegetable oil in aromatherapy because it is relatively cheap to buy and is not a heavy oil. Almond oil is pale yellow in color. It contains a high percentage of mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, in addition to vitamins such as A, B1, B2, and E (Source).

2. Coconut Oil for Hair

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil is extracted from the fruit of the coconut tree. It has traditionally been used in hair applications in tropical regions where it is said that the use of coconut oil prevents hair from turning gray in color (Source). However, there is no concrete scientific evidence to support this theory. It is a popular ingredient in hair shampoos and treatments because of its lubricating properties.

3. Jojoba Oil for Hair

Jojoba (Simmondsia sinensis) oil is extracted from the jojoba plant, a native of southern California and Arizona (and north west Mexico). Jojoba oil is in fact a golden colored wax and will solidify in cold temperatures; it is composed of long chain fatty alcohols and esters formed from long chain fatty acids. It has a long shelf life but is currently in short supply, making it expensive to obtain. Jojoba oil is good for conditioning dry hair.

How to Make a Natural Hot Oil Treatment

You can add all of the above vegetable oils to natural shampoo and hair conditioning recipes. However, one of the best ways to enjoy the full benefits of these vegetable oils is as a hot oil treatment. Simply mix your chosen vegetable oil with complementary “hair” essential oils. An example of an aromatherapy hot oil treatment for dry hair is:

• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 5 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 3 drops of chamomile essential oil
• 2 drops of ylang ylang essential oil.

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl, heat the bowl up in the microwave for 2 minutes and apply the hot oil directly to your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave the oil on for at least 30 minutes. Wash the oil out and shampoo as normal. After a couple of treatments, you should notice a difference in your hair.

Cautions

Consult a qualified aromatherapist for advice if you are unfamiliar with the properties of essential oils and how to use them. Never apply essential oils direct to the skin or scalp undiluted; adjust quantities for children, the elderly and pregnant women. You might have to experiment with various aromatherapy recipes before finding one that works well for your own hair but the above vegetable oils, in general, are suitable for hair treatments.

Using natural oils on your hair is a great alternative to store bought shampoos and hair conditioners. You can help restore your hair to it natural condition with only natural oils – meaning both you and your hair will be happier and healthier!

Photo by Kara Allyson

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Candida. Yeast infection. Jock itch. Athlete’s foot. Thrush. Ringworm. Different words for the same beast—fungus. We’ve all been affected. But what do we do about it? A quick search through that big superstore we all love to avoid shows products up to $18 a tube. But do they really work? And what are the possible side effects of using them? Not to worry. There are some herbal alternatives.

Garlic

Studies have shown that the chemical constituent ajoene found in garlic (Allium sativum) is effective against several strains of fungi. Not only does it work to take garlic orally to treat systemic yeast infections such as Candida albicans, but it is even more effective when applied topically to skin and nail fungus.

I would suggest caution here and advice you to use the oil from a garlic capsule (which is diluted) rather than a garlic clove. Many years ago, as a young mother studying herbal medicine, I sent my babies to bed with smashed garlic cloves taped to the soles of their feet. It was supposed to be absorbed into their blood streams and fight their colds. It only caused blisters to form which made shoes impossible and walking painful—for days.

Teatree Oil

Teatree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has been shown to inhibit the growth of over 50 fungus strains. Applying a few drops of the oil, mixed with an equal amount of vegetable oil, directly to the affected area two to three times a day, has shown to eradicate infections better than some over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Taking Teatree oil internally can be fatal.

Black Walnut

Unripe hulls of the black walnut (Juglans nigra) have been used as a folk remedy for topical fungal infections, especially ringworm, for centuries. The active constituent in the hull that contains the antifungal properties is juglone. According to one study, juglone has “moderate antifungal activity” and is as effective as some commercially prepared products.

Black walnut hulls can be powdered and added to an antifungal powder mix. You can add them to your infused oils when making salves and ointments or you can make a black walnut tincture. To reap the antifungal properties, however, it is recommended for topical use.

Pau-d’arco

The bark from a tree found in the Amazon rainforest, Pau-d’arco (Tabebuia ssp.) contains three anti-yeast compounds and is effective in treating Candida albicans and other fungi. You can purchase Pau’d-arco in capsules or loose. It makes a mild and tasty infusion so herbalists frequently recommend drinking several cups of the tea each day.

Of course, herbs working synergistically together in a formula are more effective than those used singly.  When I used to make a salve for diaper rash, I would add several of the anti-fungal herbs to the mix. James A. Duke, PhD supports this in his book The Green Pharmacy, “In one test of ten plant species whose oils were antifungal, researchers noted that ‘combinations of the antifungal essential oils increased their activity remarkably.’”
 

Resources:

Duke, J. A.  (2000). The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook. Rodale Books.

S Yoshida, S Kasuga, N Hayashi, T Ushiroguchi, H Matsuura and S Nakagawa, Antifungal activity of ajoene derived from garlic. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. March 1987 vol. 53 no. 3 615-617

Nenoff P, Haustein U-F, Brandt W:
Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil) against Pathogenic Fungi in vitro.
Skin Pharmacol 1996;9:388-394 (DOI: 10.1159/000211450)

Clark, A. M., Jurgens, T. M. and Hufford, C. D. (1990), Antimicrobial activity of juglone. Phytotherapy Research, 4: 11–14. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2650040104

Photo by LensAlive

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I’ve told you before that Kloss’ Liniment is one of my favorite medicinals, and Arnica (Arnica montana) is a close second. With boys in the house, and gardening/homesteading chores to do, we see a lot of bruises and sore muscles. Also known as the mountain daisy, mountain tobacco, or wolf’s bane, arnica is recommended by the German Commission E (a German publication for medical professionals to reference when prescribing herbs) for “external use in injury and for consequences of accidents, e.g., hematoma, dislocations, contusions, edema due to fracture, rheumatic muscle and joint problems.” Also known for treating bruised tissues, sprains, burns, and other injuries, St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) blends nicely with arnica for formulating a liniment. It is also esteemed as for treating damaged nerve endings. For the recipe I’m going to share with you, you will need the flowers from these herbs. If you cannot get fresh, dried can be ordered online or purchased from your local health food store.

Identifying the flowers

St. John’s wort grows in fields and along roadsides along most of North America and Europe. It is a perennial plant that grows from 1-3 feet tall with ovate leaves speckled with translucent glands. The flowers, which you will find from June until September, are yellow. They have five petals that surround a thick bunch of stamens. The petals have black dots along the rim. Arnica is found primarily in European wastelands, from Spain and Portugal to southern Scandinavia and along the Carpathian mountain range. It is not found in Britain. This flower grows from 8-24 inches with a single flower head. The base of the herb sports whorled, ovate leaves with another pair, or two, of leaves opposite up the stem. The yellow composite flowers generally grow about 1 ½ to 2 inches across and bloom from May until August. If you do not live in Europe, arnica can be grown in your herb garden.

Making the liniment

Combine equal amounts of arnica and St. John’s wort flowers in a clean quart canning jar about 2/3 full. Fill the jar with 70% rubbing alcohol, making sure to cover the flowers by at least two inches. Apply the cap and shake vigorously. Let stand in a warm, sunny window for 14 days, shaking daily. At the end of this time, strain the mixture through a clean muslin cloth, squeezing as much of the liquid out as you can. Store in a clean, glass bottle.

Variations

You can use witch hazel in place of the rubbing alcohol. Some herbalists prefer to use vodka for their liniments but I would rather stick with the rubbing alcohol for several reasons.

• Isopropyl alcohol (the chemical name for rubbing alcohol) has been used historically for massage. By itself, it is known to relieve sore muscles.
• Isopropyl also has a slippery feel to it, making it easier to massage with.
• Vodka, or any other ethyl alcohol, could cause issues for someone who struggles with alcoholism. Not only could the smell be a temptation, but anything applied to the skin is absorbed into the blood. For that reason alone, I would not recommend it for use on children.
• Because you want the herbs to do their work on your skin, you would not want to wash after using the liniment. But if you use ethyl alcohol, you will walk around smelling like an afternoon cocktail.

You may use this liniment for massaging sore, aching muscles or to gently rub on bruises and swellings. Only use on unbroken skin, as arnica is toxic if taken internally. However, there is a homeopathic arnica preparation that you can take simultaneously that will speed healing.

Photo by John Tann

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If you live in the south western states, you will be familiar with garden visitors such as hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are busy, little birds who, by all accounts, do not have a relatively long life; they need a constant supply of nectar (sugar) to keep them in the air. Many people try and attract hummingbirds to their gardens by planting hummingbird-friendly plants; however, if you don’t have the space for a large garden, you can still attract hummingbirds to your space by using a hummingbird feeder – and there are several natural solutions to make sure that your hummingbird feeder is hummingbird-friendly too.

Color of Your Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbirds appear to be drawn to the color red, whether it is a flower or a feeder. Although opinion varies on the scientific reasoning for this, many ornithophilous flowers (those that require pollination by birds) are naturally red in color. Some scientific studies have concluded that the color red is not seen by insects and therefore hummingbirds are free to feed on red-colored flowers undisturbed; however, other scientific studies have disproved this theory (source). Either way, you will find that most hummingbird feeders are red in color.

Food to Put in Your Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbirds naturally feed on the nectar found in certain flower species; nectar is rich in natural sugar, such as sucrose, glucose and fructose. It does not contain artificial colors or dyes and therefore you should not add the red food coloring that is sold in some retail outlets to your hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color of the feeder alone and it is not necessary to add red coloring to the food too. There have been no scientific studies carried out on the effects of red food coloring in hummingbird feeders but unverified reports indicate that it might possibly cause health problems for hummingbirds (source).

If you are buying commercial hummingbird food, make sure it contains only natural ingredients. Another alternative is to make your own hummingbird food from sugar and water. Add a quarter of a cup of natural cane sugar to one cup of warm water (source). Make enough so that it will be used up in a day or two; this way you will not have to boil the water.

How to Keep Ants Away From Your Hummingbird Feeder

Ants are attracted to the sugary content of hummingbird feeders. Once one ant finds the food, it seems like the entire ant workforce turns up! However, there is a natural way to keep ants from invading your hummingbird feeder through the use of an ant moat.

Ant moats provide a barrier between the hummingbird feeder and an ant’s ability to reach the feeder. The moat is filled with water to prevent the ants from negotiating their way across the barrier. Simply put, the moat is hung between the hanger and the feeder itself; you can buy ant moats in most hummingbird feeder supply stores. However, you will need to keep refilling the ant moat every few days as in hot weather the water will evaporate.

How to Keep Bees Away From Your Hummingbird Feeder

Bees are also attracted to hummingbird bird feeders by the sugary sweetness of the food. Too many bees swarming around the feeder will deter hummingbirds from using the feeder. You can buy “bee tips” that fit onto your hummingbird feeder to prevent bees from reaching the food, but only if you have a specific type of feeder. The following alternative tip was given to me by a local bird food supply store.

Use a vegetable based oil, such as that used in aromatherapy or in ordinary cooking, and dab a drop of oil on each feeder hole; although this will deter the bees, who do not like the stickiness on their feet, it does not deter the hummingbirds. You will need to keep applying the oil on a regular basis (particularly if it rains or drys out) and it will make cleaning your feeder a little harder, but I found that this solution worked for me throughout the summer months!

Natural Tips for Hummingbird Feeders

Although some hummingbird species migrate further south to Mexico and beyond for the winter months, certain species of hummingbirds are present in southern California and southern Arizona year round. You might find these natural tips useful for your hummingbird feeder next summer or, if you are lucky enough to have year-round visitors, give these natural solutions a go next time you fill up your feeder. You can then enjoy the activity around your hummingbird feeder knowing that it is completely natural!

Photo by AnnCam

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Most store bought beauty products contain artificial preservatives because the products need to have a long shelf life. However, if you are making your own beauty products at home, you don’t have to add synthetic preservatives to your natural products; there are various types of natural preservatives that you can use instead. Examples of natural preservatives for homemade beauty products include beeswax, honey, vitamin E, herbal extracts and essential oils.

What Do Preservatives Do?

Preservatives prolong the shelf life of a product. If a product doesn’t contain any preservatives, it may start to discolor, change in viscosity or develop bacterial growth. The shelf life of a particular product is affected by a number of things that you do to the product such as:

• the cleanliness of your work place and tools that you use to make the product

• the type of container that you use to store your product e.g. jar vs. bottle

• the amount and type of preservative that you add to your product.

(source: Somerset Cosmetic Company LLC Fact Sheet: The Three Most Frequently Asked Questions About Making Cosmetics)

Refrigerating your homemade beauty products may prolong the shelf life of the product too.

When to Add Preservatives

Liquid homemade beauty products are more susceptible to contamination than those that contain dry ingredients (source: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, 2nd Edition, Kathi Keville and Mindy Green). Therefore, products that contain oil and water, such as lotions, creams and spritzers will have a longer shelf life if you add in a natural preservative.

If you are making a product from base ingredients, you will be aware of the actual ingredients that go into making the product; if you are using a pre-made cosmetic base that you can purchase from many cosmetic and aromatherapy suppliers, look at the list of ingredients on the product description to work out if a preservative has been added in.

Essential Oils as Preservatives

Perhaps the best natural preservatives for homemade aromatherapy products are essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from plants and all essential oils are antibacterial/antimicrobial, although some are more antibacterial/antimicrobial than others. Essential oils that have a high level of antibacterial/antimicrobial properties include:

• thyme

• oregano

• lavender

• lemon

• rosemary

• benzoin

• eucalyptus

• clove

• sage.

However, be aware that many of these essential oils but not all (for example, lavender) are more reactive than other essential oils, so use with caution.

Items in Your Kitchen Cupboard That are Natural Preservatives

You might be surprised to learn that you can find some natural preservatives in your kitchen cupboard! Honey, for example, is an ingredient that is often added to homemade body scrubs; however, make sure that you use natural honey and not commercial honey that is sold by most grocery stores. Borax, sodium borate, is also used as a natural preservative in homemade beauty products such as lotions, bath salts and bath scrubs.

Beeswax as a Preservative

Beeswax is a common ingredient in homemade body butters, lotions and lip balms. It has several therapeutic properties, the most important of which, for preservative purposes, is antibacterial. Beeswax has an aroma of honey and flower pollen so can add some great fragrance to your product too!

Vitamin E Oil as Preservative

You can add in vitamin E either as a separate component or you can find it in several carrier oils, such as wheatgerm, carrot and linseed oil; vitamin E is high in anti-oxidants. Vitamin E goes by several other names, such as tocopherol, and in various formats, so research the ingredient before choosing one that is suitable for your type of cosmetic product.

Rosemary Oil and Grapefruit Seed Extracts

There are various extracts and oils that you can use as a natural preservative too but two of the most commonly used extracts for homemade beauty products are rosemary and grapefruit seed. Rosemary oil extract is high in natural antioxidant components, although it also has its own aroma, which may change the aroma of the product that you are making. Grapefruit seed extract has high antibacterial and antifungal properties. It has a long shelf life and has proven to be effective against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (source: From Nature With Love: Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)).

Natural Preservatives Prolong Shelf Life

Other things that you can do to prolong the shelf life of your homemade products once you have made them is to package them in suitable containers, store away from heat and don’t contaminate them with dirty fingers. The above natural preservatives will ensure that your product is 100% completely natural – and it will have a longer shelf life than a product without any preservatives.

Phoyo by Cascadian Farm

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 26 million Americans have diabetes. They also predict that if current trends continue, 1 in 3 Americans will have diabetes by 2050.  In light of these staggering statistics, I’d like to share five sure-fire ways to help lower your sugar—for those who feel they’ve tried everything.

Lose weight

A friend recently went for his yearly check-up with his physician. His sugar was borderline. Concerned, he asked the doctor if he needed to go on a special diet. “No. Just lose 20 pounds and you’ll be fine,” the doctor said.

Whatever that means for you, drop any excess weight that you carry around—and I don’t mean the big purse on your shoulder. Being overweight prevents your body from making and using insulin properly. Having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 puts you at a much higher risk of type-2 diabetes than your lighter friends. To figure your BMI, use this National Institutes of Health calculator.

Exercise

Physical activity helps to improve your body’s use of insulin, thereby controlling your blood glucose levels. Most Americans lead a sedentary lifestyle, which puts them at risk for diabetes. If you work a sedentary job, getting moderate exercise such as walking briskly, mowing the lawn, riding a bicycle, or swimming at least 30 minutes five times per week, will greatly lower that risk. It is also important to do something physically active every day. Better 10 minutes of exercise every day, than one hour once a week. Physical activity not only helps to control your blood glucose, but also helps you to lose weight, and lower your blood pressure.

Senior citizens, or anyone with pre-existing health issues, should consult their family physician before beginning a regular exercise program. However, they should not hesitate to just move—walk around the block, park at the far end of a parking lot, or pull the weeds in the flower bed.

Stop smoking

Smoking cigarettes not only increases your risk of diabetes, the activity brings with it a tremendous boatload of issues. Stopping smoking just makes sense no matter what physical condition you are in. If you sincerely desire to stop and need help, see your doctor. He can prescribe medications to help you wean yourself off nicotine. Or, at least you can try the over-the-counter patches on the market. Just do it.

Make dietary changes

Giving up Cokes and Snickers bars is not enough to tackle something like diabetes. If you want to see some real changes, consider the following:

• Eat your food as close to the way as God made it as possible. That means rather than eating apple pie, eat apple sauce; and rather than eating apple sauce, eat an apple.
• Eat smaller meals with some form of protein throughout the day. Choose beans, peas, and nuts as your protein sources over meat and dairy.
• Eat the rainbow. That means white (sugar, flour, pasta, and rice) is out.
• Add plenty of whole grains to your diet—brown rice, old-fashioned oats, and whole wheat bread products.
• Discover a variety of fruits and vegetables and eat freely of them. Ditch the banana and potato routine. French fries do not count as a vegetable.
• Stop eating out—especially fast food. Just don’t do it.
• Give up the boxes. Cook your food from scratch. You never know, what triggers a rise in your blood sugar just might be the additives in that box of factory food you had for dinner last night.

Try a few supplements

Dr. Andrew Weil, founder of the integrative approach to medicine, recommends four different supplements for those with type-2 diabetes:

• Chromium improves a person’s glucose tolerance and works to balance blood sugar levels. Take 1000 mcg of GTF (glucose tolerance factor) chromium daily.
• Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that enhances the body’s glucose uptake. It also helps to promote and maintain eye and nerve health. Start with 100 mg a day.
• Magnesium helps to promote healthy insulin production. Four hundred milligrams daily is recommended.
• Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that maintains a healthy cardiac function. Because diabetics are prone to heart disease, take 60-100 mg with a meal.

Several herbalists also recommend the use of cinnamon for diabetes. Studies have shown it to improve the body’s utilization of insulin. You can purchase this common kitchen spice in capsule form for this reason. However, caution must be used if combining cinnamon with other supplements that lower blood sugar, such as chromium and alpha-lipoic acid. Also, those with liver damage must use caution with large amounts of cinnamon as it can increase liver problems. Taking cinnamon with drugs that affect the liver (such as acetaminophen) can increase its risk.  If you take any medication, consult your physician before taking any alternative treatments.

 Photo by chris.peplin

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If you make your own aromatherapy and beauty products, you might want to consider honey as an ingredient; honey isn’t just for eating, it can be added to many different homemade beauty products. Although beeswax is a popular ingredient for homemade aromatherapy products, honey, in its raw form, is useful too. Honey has many health benefits when you apply it externally but you need to make sure that you choose the right type of honey, and in the right format, in order to see the benefits.

Historical Use of Honey

The use of honey medicinally and in beauty products is not a new phenomenon; the ancient Egyptians, who used many plants for medicinal purposes, knew the therapeutic value of honey. The Romans and Greeks also valued honey. In Medieval times, honey was used as a form of payment because it was considered so valuable (source).

Constituents of Honey

Honey is made by honey bees from the nectar of the flowers from which honeybees frequent; honey varies in color and flavor, depending from which plant it was sourced from. However, the main components of honey are usually the same. Raw honey is the type of honey that you need to use if you are using it for aromatherapy, beauty products or medicinal purposes. The type of honey that you find in the supermarket or store has usually been pasteurized or processed to make it more visually appealing; however, this process can remove some of the healing benefits. Raw honey is primarily made up of fructose, glucose and water, with sucrose, maltose and traces of other sugars and undetermined constituents.

Types of Honey

As stated above, raw honey is the type of honey that you should use for making aromatherapy and beauty products; however, there are several different types of raw honey to choose from too. Raw honey with healing benefits include:

• manuka – the Manuka bush is native to New Zealand and is now one of the most popular types of raw honey from which to make aromatherapy and natural beauty products; honey produced from the manuka bush has many healing benefits (see below)

• buckwheat – buckwheat honey is produced in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Minnesota; it contains a high level of anti-oxidants.

(source)

Benefits of Honey

Honey has several medicinal and beauty benefits; today, manuka honey is one of the most popular types of raw honey to use in aromatherapy and beauty products because it contains the following healing properties:

• anti-bacterial properties for wound healing

• anti-inflammatory properties, useful for treating sunburn

• skin healing properties, useful for acne, eczema and other types of skin infections.

(source)

Aromatherapy and Beauty Products With Honey

There are many aromatherapy and beauty products that you can make with honey; you can add in essential oils, to enhance the product, as well as other beneficial ingredients, such as floral waters, olive oil and sugar. A few of the homemade products that you can make with honey as an ingredient include:

• sugar and body scrubs

• lip moisturizers

• hair rinses

• facial masks.

Raw Honey and Homemade Beauty Products

There really are no rules to adding honey to homemade aromatherapy and beauty products; by experimenting with several ingredients and products, you will find the right type of product that works for you. If you want to add in essential oils, just remember to consult a qualified aromatherapist if you are unsure about using a particular essential oil for a certain condition. Honey is an ancient remedy for skincare that is enjoying a return today.

Photo by  justus.thane

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One of my favorite medicinals to have on hand is Jethro Kloss’ Liniment. In his classic book Back to Eden, Kloss recommends this liniment for “all pains, painful swellings, bruises, boils, skin eruptions of any kind, pimples, etc.” He also claims that it is useful for headaches by applying to the temples, back of the neck, and the forehead and that it is “good for athletic foot trouble.”

It does, indeed, help with sore muscles and joints.

Kloss’ recipe for this amazing liniment is as follows:

Combine two ounces of powdered myrrh, one ounce of powdered goldenseal root, and one-half ounce of powdered cayenne pepper with a quart of 70% rubbing alcohol. Let stand for seven days, shaking well every day. After the week, strain through clean muslin and bottle.

Variations:

I keep the herbs in the alcohol for two weeks or more as that is what is recommended for most alcohol-based herbal infusions. I have also used apple cider vinegar in place of the rubbing alcohol with some success. Master Herbalist Debra Nuzzi St. Claire uses 100-proof vodka. “Isopropyl is less expensive but highly poisonous if accidentally taken internally,” she says in her text Herbal Preparations and Natural Therapies. Using the vodka also makes the liniment safer to use in the mouth.

St. Claire recommends the liniment for “sprains, strains, bruises, and insect bites.” She calls it the “herbal sister to Betadine” and recommends using it for poison ivy.

A look at the ingredients:

Myrrh is known to have anti-fungal properties. This fact supports Kloss’ claim that the liniment helps athlete’s foot. In fact, it would be appropriate for any type of fungal outbreak on the body.

According to James A. Duke, Ph.D. in his book The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook, “Berberine and hydrastine give goldenseal its broad-spectrum antibiotic, antiseptic, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, and all-around antimicrobial might.” Another weapon against fungal infections, goldenseal historically has been used to treat canker sores, cramps, dermatitis, eczema, gingivitis, herpes, oral inflammation, and sores of any kind.

Capsaicin, the main active ingredient in cayenne, blocks a chemical that transmits pain impulses. It is well known for its effectiveness on cramps, muscle aches and pains, joint pain and inflammation, nerve pain, and other strains or sprains. Clinical studies have shown its value at soothing arthritis pain and that of cluster headaches. It is the active ingredient in over-the-counter preparations like Zostrix and Capzasin.

Finally, what’s the first thing a nurse does before inserting a needle into your arm for an IV? Rub it with an alcohol pad. Everyone knows that rubbing alcohol is used as an antiseptic. Historically, it has been used alone as a massage liniment for sore muscles. Combining it with the herbs only enhances its effectiveness.

Additional Uses:

• At the first tingling sensation, apply Kloss’ Liniment to the site of an oncoming cold sore with a cotton ball. Repeat the application several times a day. If it erupts, it will be much smaller than normal. I have used this treatment many times with great success; especially if you follow the application with a bit of comfrey ointment.
• For inflammation of the gums, rinse the liniment in the mouth after brushing the teeth. Do not eat or drink after application. You may also brush it on the gums with your toothbrush.
• Apply with a cotton swab to canker sores in the mouth as often as needed.

Warning:

Any alcohol based preparations applied to broken skin will sting.

 Photo by Vanessa Roanhorse

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