Health Alternative Medicine

The uses of essential oils were known to ancient Egyptians long before research began on their medicinal and aromatic qualities in the early nineteenth century. The sweet fragrance emitted by essential oils has had people going crazy on it for ages.

An essential oil is the extract of plant derived from flowers, stem, leaves, bark and other parts of a plant. The process is often complex and requires distillation through steam or water of the plant. The result is the pure essence of the plant, often in a highly concentrated form. In the following article we will list some of the common uses that essential oils are put to.

Diffusion
Diffusion means breathing the fragrance of essential oil. The oil is evaporated using accessories such as electric diffusers, lamp rings, aromalamps, scentballs etc. These accessories are available in various assortments in the market. They operate by continuously shooting out microscopic particles of essential oils into the air. To facilitate easy assimilation through the sense of smell, the oil is broken into fine invisible mist. Diffusion helps create a relaxing atmosphere and loosens tight muscles.

Massage
The therapeutic effects of essential oil when combined with the magical powers of touch, revives the anatomy and furthers overall well-being. When using essential oil for the purpose of massage, it is advisable that it be diluted with carrier oil. It is too concentrated to be used neat. Different proportions need to be devised for people of different ages, skin types, etc. For children, the advisable content of essential oils per ounce is 6 drops. When shopping for massage oil, a person will come across a large collection of readymade aromatherapy massage oils & lotions. These may be purchased only from reputable vendors after checking the contents well.

Baths
An essential oil bath can be quite relaxing. Moreover, this will help in combining the benefits of hydrotherapy as well. Just add a few drops of your desired essential oil to your bathtub or spa, and get that rich and nourishing feeling. Alteatively, the essential oil mixed with good carrier oil be applied to ones skin after the moing shower for that all day long refreshing sensation. This keeps skin soft, smooth and youthful.

Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is another prevalent method of using essential oils. 5 to 8 drops of essential oil of one variety or more is mixed in a pot of hot water, and the user sits with his face close to the pot, eyes closed and about 10-12 inches above the pot. As vapour rises, it gets absorbed by the minute pores on ones face and through the nostrils. A humidifier too can be used by adding a few drops of essential oil in it.

Household uses
You may not know but the essential oils can be put to several household uses as well. Like when one is doing laundry, a few drops of essential oil will give the clothes a lovable smell all day long. Lemon or tea tree oils are best used for ones garbage cans from giving that stinking smell. Lavender has long been associated with romantic evenings. So, use it in your bathroom along with essential oils of chamomile and marjoram.

The uses of essential oils are many. One can experiment on his own to find new uses of the oils and thereby contribute to the already spilling research works on the subject.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide. He has also been involved with research on plants. To find Aromatherapy essential oils, essential massage oils, essential oils wholesale visit www.ndaroma.com

Essential Oil Uses A Users Guide

The uses of essential oils were known to ancient Egyptians long before research began on their medicinal and aromatic qualities in the early nineteenth century. The sweet fragrance emitted by essential oils has had people going crazy on it for ages.

An essential oil is the extract of plant derived from flowers, stem, leaves, bark and other parts of a plant. The process is often complex and requires distillation through steam or water of the plant. The result is the pure essence of the plant, often in a highly concentrated form. In the following article we will list some of the common uses that essential oils are put to.

Diffusion
Diffusion means breathing the fragrance of essential oil. The oil is evaporated using accessories such as electric diffusers, lamp rings, aromalamps, scentballs etc. These accessories are available in various assortments in the market. They operate by continuously shooting out microscopic particles of essential oils into the air. To facilitate easy assimilation through the sense of smell, the oil is broken into fine invisible mist. Diffusion helps create a relaxing atmosphere and loosens tight muscles.

Massage
The therapeutic effects of essential oil when combined with the magical powers of touch, revives the anatomy and furthers overall well-being. When using essential oil for the purpose of massage, it is advisable that it be diluted with carrier oil. It is too concentrated to be used neat. Different proportions need to be devised for people of different ages, skin types, etc. For children, the advisable content of essential oils per ounce is 6 drops. When shopping for massage oil, a person will come across a large collection of readymade aromatherapy massage oils & lotions. These may be purchased only from reputable vendors after checking the contents well.

Baths
An essential oil bath can be quite relaxing. Moreover, this will help in combining the benefits of hydrotherapy as well. Just add a few drops of your desired essential oil to your bathtub or spa, and get that rich and nourishing feeling. Alteatively, the essential oil mixed with good carrier oil be applied to ones skin after the moing shower for that all day long refreshing sensation. This keeps skin soft, smooth and youthful.

Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is another prevalent method of using essential oils. 5 to 8 drops of essential oil of one variety or more is mixed in a pot of hot water, and the user sits with his face close to the pot, eyes closed and about 10-12 inches above the pot. As vapour rises, it gets absorbed by the minute pores on ones face and through the nostrils. A humidifier too can be used by adding a few drops of essential oil in it.

Household uses
You may not know but the essential oils can be put to several household uses as well. Like when one is doing laundry, a few drops of essential oil will give the clothes a lovable smell all day long. Lemon or tea tree oils are best used for ones garbage cans from giving that stinking smell. Lavender has long been associated with romantic evenings. So, use it in your bathroom along with essential oils of chamomile and marjoram.

The uses of essential oils are many. One can experiment on his own to find new uses of the oils and thereby contribute to the already spilling research works on the subject.

Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide. He has also been involved with research on plants. To find Aromatherapy essential oils, essential massage oils, essential oils wholesale visit http://www.ndaroma.com.

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Ecology

Chypre belongs to the evergreen plant family with needle-like leaves. It has about 20 different varieties, all growing to heights of 25 to 45 metres. Chypre has scale-like leaves growing on its trunk and branches. Both its pistillate (female flower) and staminate (male flower) grows on the same branch. The pistillate bears fruits and contains round winged seeds.

The Mediterranean or Italian chypre originates from the coastal regions of Europe but at present, chypre is also cultivated in the temperate zones of Europe and North America.

These chypre trees are grown very close to one another, thus making them a good choice for building windbreak forest in South Africa. Chypre is also seen in most of the gardens in South Africa, Greece and Italy.

Origins

Ancient Egyptians were very familiar with chypre. Many records have pointed to the medicinal usage of chypre. Even ancient coffins were made from chypre wood. Ancient Egyptians also used chypre as offerings to their gods, thus chypre was commonly used in funeral rites. Chypre was even used as a cure for hemorrhoids bleeding. In fact, in many unearthed ancient records, chypre was often quoted as having the power to stop bleeding. Many scientific experiments have also proven that chypre has the ability to contract blood vessels and cure many illnesses such as varicosity and hemorrhoids.

Benefits

Chypre essential oil is extracted from the tender leaves and round winged seeds via the process of steam distillation. The essential oil is colorless or sometimes pale yellowish. After distillation, the essential oil has a subtle scent of woody and amber muskiness. Its fragrance is very refreshing, allowing an easing of the heart and mind. Frequent usage of chypre not only purifies the heart and spirit, it is also believed that chypre helps to improve the respiratory system. Inhale your way to better health with chypre!

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If you experience a sharp pain in your heel at the first step in the moing, chances are you have plantar fasciitis (plan * tar fash* ee * I * tis). "Plantar" means the bottom of the foot. The "fascia" is a long ligament type structure. "Itis" means inflammation. Plantar fasciitis is a tearing of the ligament on the bottom of the foot. The tearing causes inflammation and the inflammation causes pain. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Many individuals with plantar fasciitis find that they hobble to the bathroom every moing because of the pain. They must grab onto the dresser or the wall to balance themselves. After fifteen minutes or so, the pain works itself out, only to come back with a vengeance at the end of the day. Not all individuals with plantar fasciitis experience pain in the moing. Many find that they only experience heel pain at the end of the day or during certain types of activity.

Five steps you can take to help decrease your heel pain:

1. Decrease your activity level: The more you are on your feet, the more tearing that occurs in the fascia. Tearing in the fascia leads to inflammation and more pain. Stop running or walking and try biking or swimming. Avoid the treadmill and the stairmaster at the gym. Limit the number times you go up and down the stairs at work or home. Avoid hills if possible. Do not lift or carry heavy items including your kids. Use a stroller or have your spouse/significant other carry them. Decrease your activity level for at least two weeks. If you have improved after two weeks, do not jump right back into your old routine. A gradual retu to your routine is essential.

2. Try an ice massage: Freeze a sports water bottle and place it on the floor. Roll your arch over the water bottle for 20 minutes twice a day.

3. Stretch your calf: Place a towel or a belt on your dresser. In the moing, before you get out of bed, wrap the towel around the ball of your foot. Pull the foot towards you, keeping your leg straight. You should feel a stretch in your calf. Stretch for 30 - 60 seconds. This will help to decrease your pain once you step down. Spend about 5 minutes each evening stretching the calf as described above or with the runners stretch. To really help keep the calf and the bottom of the foot stretched out, try and stretch for 30 seconds 10 times a day.

4. Take anti-inflammatory medications: Anti-inflammatory medications, like naproxen or ibuprofen, will help decrease the inflammation that occurs in the fascia as a result of the tearing. The anti-inflammatory medications will also help decrease the pain. Be careful, you don't want to mask the pain. If the medications decrease your pain enough to allow you to run, jog or walk more, you may be doing more harm than good. Rest, ice and stretch while you are taking the medications. If after two weeks you have improved, slowly start your exercise or work routine again.

5. Wear supportive shoes: This step may seem logical, but most individuals don't realize how poor their shoes are. A supportive shoe will bend only where the foot bends, at the toes. To test this, take your shoe and flip it over. Grab the toe area and the heel and try to fold the shoe. If the shoe bends in half, then the shoe is not supportive. You should wear supportive shoes at all times. Don't go barefoot. Get up in the moing, do your stretch and then slip your feet in a supportive slipper or clog. Having a running or walking shoe does not guarantee a good shoe. Many of these shoes have lightweight designs and tend to breakdown in the middle of the shoe after two or three months. Test all of your shoes.

If your symptoms do not resolve, see a podiatrist.

About The Author

Christine Dobrowolski is a podiatrist and author of Those Aching Feet: Your Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Foot Problems. For more information about Dr. Dobrowolski or her book visit www.skipublishing.com.

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Originating in 1978 by Dr. David Nathanson, Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) has been used as a therapeutic approach to increase speech and motor skills in patients who have been diagnosed with developmental, physical, and/or emotional disabilities, such as mental retardation, Down syndrome, and autism. It is suggested that the unconditional love and support a dolphin offers can benefit children and other mentally ill patients by helping them lea to develop trust. Many believe that dolphins have human-like emotions and the compassion that they're able to give increases self-confidence, social skills and academic achievement in children and others who may be lacking these skills.

Since its' introduction, dolphin assisted therapy has become a very controversial topic in the medical world. Theories such as the one by Nathanson suggest that dolphin assisted therapy is simply a program that works to modify behavior by rewarding the patient with dolphin swims for performing a desired function.

Scientists, however, are considering the possibility that the sonar of the dolphins can actually trigger the healing process by increasing T-cells and endorphins.

In some cases, scientists have suggested that dolphins actually have the ability to target areas in the human body with their sonar and repair damaged tissue.

DAT has been suggested for use in healing and pain relief as well as increasing attention span, enhancing leaing, and increasing motor skills and coordination in children. While dolphin therapy seems to work best with children, it's also a popular therapy for handicapped adults.

Although no scientists claim to know exactly how it works and there is really no scientific data to back up their claims, dolphin assisted therapy is increasing in popularity and is being offered at several aquariums in the United States. At the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida, for example, children can participate in several programs designed to modify their behaviors with rewards such as swimming with and feeding the dolphins. These programs, however, come with a hefty price tag that can range anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 for 5 or 6 days.

Those critical of DAT, however, argue that simply buying a child a small pet will have the same effect and some actually argue that holding dolphins in captivity for what they deem �strictly recreational purposes� should be considered cruelty to animals. Scientists also doubt the ability of a dolphin to sense and target specific tissue with their sonar. The absence of any scientific data to prove these claims is referred to often in the scientific community.

While research into the validity of dolphin assisted therapy continues, it is cautioned that DAT is not a miracle cure and any organization promising such should be avoided. If you're interested in reading more on dolphin assisted therapy, the links below provide some excellent information on available programs.

Laurent Mikhail is a dolphin fan. You can find all the information about dolphins in his site http://www.dolphins-world.com

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The revolution is indeed underway. Money married to desire, imagination and necessity has produced a technological revolution which will see incredible changes and potential. This is not about any morbid fixation, but rather about complimentary technologies. Some religious ideologists, or ethically sensitive groups, may not approve. They may not feel they have to.

But, someone dealing with paralysis, for example, may have some hope for a productive future. Cybeetics, which is the introduction and implementation of hardware or non-organic components, into the body, has enormous potential. Micro processors and less invasive wireless technologies ( no need for physical connection ), result in the remote control of peripheral devices. A robotic arm, to mention a simple application that everyone is familiar with, can be controlled to manipulate the exteal world, or perform relatively simple tasks like switching on the kettle. Simpler again, and often more important, would be to scratch oneself, when itchy. If you ever wore a cast, you'll know what is meant by that.

Artificial muscles, however crude, can be made to perform simple functions, electrically. More sympathetically though, our own muscles behave in a similar way with the chemistry replacing the "wire" or conductor.

Relatively simple, fabric-like heart valves have been made, where the finance was limited and when life demanded something.

Artificial limbs are fairly common, and can range in complexity or performance. It is fairly safe to say that we all know someone who depends on these (though it might not be obvious ).

The artificial eye is a breakthrough and is here, and though it requires refinement, it will improve. And why wouldn't it? We all know of cameras and how their images are transportable. Compare any analogue camera with its mode digitial, and versatile counterpart, if at all possible and "see" what has been achieved. The thing here is to allow a blind person, for example, to access what a camera sees, where the eye has been irreversibly damaged or impaired. The optic nerve, however, may be just fine, so an interface between a camera and it, is one approach, and the approach that has retued some results.

Artificial hearing, in its earlier form was a microphone, and then a hearing aid. An implant within the head, dramatically increases its potential. It is this type of hardware implants that cybeetics encompasses. A merging of the biological and electronic environments, if you will.

People who suffer physical injury or disease, that render them into a limited field of possibility, will be the initial beneficiaries. It is said that there is an area of the brain called the paroidal reach region, that can function, where complete paralysis exists. It runs through the plan before a physical act occurs. Some believe that where this region is functional, exteal manipulation is possible. A processor can be implanted; it picks up on the electrical firing activity produced, and communicates this information wirelessly, to an exteal device.

The theory is that if we can think it, well then we can do it.

Wasn't it Napoleon that said "If we can perceive it, we can achieve it". I really doubt though, that he was referencing cybeetics. However, it is well known that the hardware to device communication is possible.

It is also known that the device control is possible. Mode machinery from production machinery to marine vessels have what is known as dynamic positioning control. Research vessels can hold position to within five inches of any point, in the Atlantic or other oceans, under normal sea conditions. Twenty years ago, this tolerance was two foot, or feet. Special electrical motors ( though no longer considered special ), make this possible. The older technology was mechanical gearboxes that had a limited reaction time/control.

So, these or similar motor technologies, can be used for robotic arms, legs, eyes, ears, switches, switches for switches, inteet connection, or indeed anything that a futuristic mind can contemplate.

What is not understood entirely, is the brain coding. Can it be figured out? Yes!

Look to the inteet and the advances that have occurred. Anyone with a phone connection has access to databases, and software features to limit their labour, and such things can be thought of as brain extension. Well isn't it? If you didn't have it, you would be less capable! Complimentary tools are indeed complimentary. We are not bo with them, but we are bo with the power or ability to create them, where resources and some support exist, and when the time in a technological sense is right, or close to it. What is meant by that is that a caveman, for example, could have been a genius, but definitely lacked support from his peers, and the framework to achieve much.

At any point in time, none of us can do all that we want, whether we start early enough or not. Or else we don't want much, which may mean that progress is more reliant on chance than technology. Heavy debate may suggest that they are the same thing, and I suppose that none of us will surely know that either.

The best we can do is to add something and if the time/circumstances is/are right, it could blow up into something phenomenal.

Indeed, whatever we do, is in addition to what has been done before us. The neurosurgeons of today are simply adding to the knowledge base of their eighteenth century counterparts. Needless to say, you wouldn't let such counterparts near your feet, let alone your head. But they have a part to play in the success stories of today. Indeed, some might say that they were "freed" from the "blight" of litigation. That is true, but a little distractive.

You can no longer say "never", only "never, within my lifetime", and you could still be wrong, such are the mode day variables.

About The Author

Seamus Dolly is the webmaster of http://www.CountControl.com. His background is in engineering and analogue electronics.

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After a long hard day at the office wouldn�t it be nice to get a massage. Unfortunately you have to first find a certified or licensed massage therapist. If you�re lucky and happen to know someone or have a regular therapist you work with, you still have to schedule an appointment. After you call and set the time you�ll have to get back into your car and drive to therapist�s office.

In today�s world most of us want instant gratification and have limited time in our hectic life. If money was no object most of us would get a massage every week, or possibly two or three times a week.

Let me pause here for a moment. It is very ironic that I would be writing an article about massage recliners because I am a certified massage therapist. As a therapist my first goal is to help the client get healthy. Sometimes I refer a client to a chiropractor or to an acupuncturist that can better serve the clients needs. The same is true about massage recliners. With new technology massage recliners have advanced beyond clunky massage rollers to high tech massagers that can emulate the human touch.

There are many health benefits from a massage from a trained therapist or a massage recliner. A trained massage therapist knows how to get the kinks out of your back and relieve the muscle tension from everyday stress. Massage recliners have superior technology and do more than rub your back. New models from Human Touch, iJoy, Panasonic and Sanyo can also massage the legs, feet, arms and shoulders.

Health Benefits of Massage

* Improves lymphatic flow. The act of massaging and kneading the muscles increases blood flow. Health benefits are better circulation and absorption of nutritional elements into the muscles and tissues. In addition, kneading the muscles helps clear out toxins out of the muscles.

* Decreases muscle tension and improves flexibility. Body tension and stress causes the muscles to tighten and shorten. Health benefits include loosening tight muscles and restoring range and flexibility.

* Massage therapy produces the �feel good chemical�, the same endorphins that are increased after working out at the gym. This �feel good chemical� helps speed recovery, reduces pain and reduces anxiety.

Another benefit seldom discussed is clearer thinking. When you are out of body pain and the range of motion is restored to your neck, your mind can better concentrate on your everyday tasks.

Rates for a massage therapist can range from $40 to $100 depending on the therapist�s level of training and the city they are located in. Massage recliners are not cheap and can cost thousands of dollars. But over time, a massage recliner can pay for itself and provide many health benefits. Other considerations of cost savings are other family members using the massage recliner. In addition, some massage recliners are very stylish and are a handsome addition to any home d�cor.

Another benefit of a massage recliner is the fact it is a recliner chair. Anybody who has ever sat in a recliner knows how comfortable it is. Even if you do not activate the features of the massage recliner, the recliner itself has health benefits. The simple act of just sitting in a comfortable chair relaxes your body and eases body tension.

It�s your choice. Buy a massage recliner or call a massage therapist. Either one that you choose will have many health benefits. To make your buying decision easy I�d suggest scheduling two or three appointments with a certified or licensed massage therapist. Then try several brands and models of massage recliners to compare results.

Copyright 2005 Wayne McDonald

Wayne McDonald is a licensed Life Practitioner and the founder of 123relax Massage Directory http://123relax.com Find the right brand and model of massage recliners at http://massage-chairs.123relax.com

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Do you get static electric shocks?

Do radios buzz when you walk past them?

Is your child (or you) addicted to computer games?

Do you get a headache if you use a computer for very long?

A simple but rather strange self-help technique from HK can be used safely by anyone. An electric hair drier is used to degausse [demagnetise] the body. The hair drier is switched on and then the side of the motor is run over the whole of the body.

This needs to be done on average once a week, or even more frequently for anyone who is particularly sensitive electrically. The whole procedure takes less than 5 minutes.

Some people are anxious about using a hair drier because they have been told that they should reduce their exposure to electrical equipment as much as possible. However, here the alteating motor of the hair drier against the body is being used to demagnetise the body and so make it less susceptible to electro-magnetic pollution.

This is not the way in which people normally use a hair drier!

Adults and children who are �addicted� to television or computer games, people who are susceptible to static electric shocks, and those who develop headaches, etc. if they use computers, seem to particularly benefit from this procedure.

Jane Thuell-Read is a writer and researcher on health, stress, alteative medicine, and happiness. Visit her web site http://www.healthandgoodness.com for tips and information on how to live a happier, healthier life no matter how busy you are.

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Camomile
Matricaria Chamomilla

Common Names: German camomile, chamomilla, wild camomile.

Medicinal Part: Flowers

Description: German Camomile is a Southe European annual plant found wild along roadsides, in fields, and cultivated in gardens. The round, downy, hollow, furrowed stem may be procumbent or rise upright to a height of 16 inches. The leaves are pale green, bipinnate, sharply incised, and sessile. The flower heads are like those of Roman Camomile, and the white ray-flowers are often bent down to make the disk-flowers even more prominent.

Properties and Uses: Anodyne, Antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, calmative, carminative, diaphoretic, tonic. German Camomile tea is valuable in many nervous conditions, insomnia, neuralgia, lumbago, rheumatic problems, and rashes. It also tends to reduce inflammation and to facilitate bowel movement without acting directly as a purgative. Use it as a wash or compress for skin problems and inflammations, including inflammations of mucous tissue. Keeping a mouthful in the mouth for a time will temporarily relieve a toothache. To help asthma in children or to relieve the symptoms of a cold, try a vapor bath of the tea. German Camomile can also be used as a relaxing, anti-spasmodic, anodyne bath additive. Use it for a sitz bath to help hemorrhoids, or as a foot or hand-bath for sweaty feet or hands. For hemorrhoids and for wounds, the flowers are also made into a salve.

Preparation and Dosage: Use 2 tsp. Dried (or fresh) flowers with � cup boiling water. Take a mouthful at a time. Or add 2 tbsp. flowers to 2 cups cold water and heat to just short of boiling.

Bath Additive: Use 1 lb. Flowers with 5 qt. Cold water. Bring to a boil then steep covered for 10 minutes. Strain and add to bathwater. A less effective way is to hang a linen bag containing the flowers in the tub. Use proportionately smaller amounts for partial baths.

Chamomile is perhaps one of nature�s most benign herbs. Its calmative and restorative properties make it one of those rare �any time� cures for whatever might ail you. For parents, whose children might be going through one of �those days� a weak cup of chamomile tea can help to calm an overwrought child. Chamomile has been used for hundreds of years as a cure for stomach problems; from lack of appetite to an upset stomach. In my grandmother�s house, a cup of camomile was always the cure for a restless mind at bedtime.

On rare occasions, people have complained of allergic reactions to chamomile. However, because chamomile is a low growing plant, ragweed can easily become mixed with chamomile and this is where most allergic reactions occur. It is always wise to exercise caution when you are purchasing herbs. Be certain that you are using a reputable supplier that guarantees both the quality and purity of the herbs you are purchasing. You can find many quality suppliers at our website: UsingHerbs.Com

Chamomile also plays an important part in skin and hair care. Chamomile is an excellent tonic for fair hair. Use it as a rinse after shampooing to restore shine and bring out your hair�s natural highlights. Or better yet, steep together a pot of chamomile flowers and nettles for 20 minutes, then add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Place this mixture in a spray bottle and generously spray on your hair after shampooing. Do not rinse. The slightly vinegary smell will go away in a few minutes. This hair tonic is absolutely fabulous for blond hair. It will remove tangles, strengthen the hair and prevent breakage and split ends. The vinegar will also help to restore the hair to its natural ph balance and you will love the results.

For soap making, chamomile flowers can be added to any mild handmade soap. Its properties make it an excellent addition to olive oil soap and are excellent for treating dry, problem skin and soothing rashes and inflammation.

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