Health Alternative Medicine

Happy Holidays! Yes, the holiday season is upon us now in all ways - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and more. And celebrating takes on a life of its very own it seems. From high-tech parties to small intimate gatherings, in the aftermath, we are faced with recovering from hangovers, feeling of being overstuffed, headaches, weight gain, etc.. "Never again," we say, resolving to change our so-called bad habits especially during our New Years resolutions, often not succeeding for more than a couple of months at most.

There are however, many things one can do to help alleviate the after-effects of partying and indulging, both physical and emotional. Aromas establish and enhance the occasions and alter the mood of your surroundings during party time as well as after. By choosing and blending aromatherapy essential oils and adding it your surroundings, you can easily change the effect from the "'twistin and rockin' the night away" to relaxed, mellow and happy. Here are some oil choices that I would suggest, in combination or singly in an aromatherapy buer, light bulb or ring: geranium, jasmine, sweet orange, clary-sage, rose, bergamot, frankincense, vanilla, ylang ylang, sandalwood, and lavender.

It's a known fact that we do tend to over-indulge during the holidays. Sometimes however, rich and sweet food, alcohol, and other combinations of food that we are offered, tend to take their toll. Too much alcohol consumption can be counteracted to some degree by drinking plenty of water beforehand, which slows down alcohol absorption and helps flush out toxins.

Here is a gentle recipe for the "moing-after" to assist your body to retu to normal: 5 drops Fennel, 3 drops Lavender, 5 drops Sandalwood, 10 drops Lemon. Blend and use 8-10 drops in a bath, inhale 4-6 drops on a tissue, or rub 2-3 drops around your liver area and on the back of your neck. Drink lots of water. To facilitate digestion after the onslaught of rich and sweet foods you can choose from the following essential oils: lemon, mandarin, peppermint, dill, spearmint, ginger, coriander. Slice small pieces of raw ginger into a cup of boiling water and drink - this will help alleviate nausea and general abdominal discomfort. You can also mix 1-2 drops of your chosen essential oil with 1 teaspoon honey, mix with hot water and drink.

On the non-physical side of things, holidays and the tuing of the new year especially, can also be an emotional challenge - depression, anxiety, apathy, boredom, loneliness, and frustration and prevalent for many. One of the great advantages of essential oils is that they not only assist in detoxifying the body, but also help a person to feel and think positively. Even as something simple as feeling guilty for overindulging during the holidays and not being able to stick to your New Years resolutions can have long-lasting effects.

Essential oils can bring down aggression, reduce tension and anxiety, soothe the nerves and help us cope with the myriad of feelings that are produced. One of my favorite recipes to deal with body tension and anxiety includes 10 drops of geranium, 5 drops of lavender, and 15 drops of bergamot. These can be blended together along with 30 ml of your favorite massage oil. Use as a massage oil, in a bath or in a diffuser.

Although aromatherapy oils are by no means cures for any of these situations, Mother Nature's little helpmates certainly can alleviate some of these symptoms and problems. So in the spirit of the New Year, be kind to yourself and may good wishes and smells abound.

Copyright 2005

Olena Gill is a health holistic practitioner and health & wellness coach at The Mind-Body Connection Centre in Errington, BC, Canada. For more information you can visit: http://www.indigocrystalcoach.com or http://www.themindbodyconnectioncentre.com

Aromatherapy is Nature's Medicine in its purest and most essential form. Aromatic Oils are the very soul of a plant. Even a drop or two can produce significant results for your body, mind and spirit.

The increasing respect that aromatherapy commands from the general public, hospitals, and medical centers around the world speaks for itself, as more and more people benefit from this gentle and subtle, yet highly effective therapy.

Whether you use aromatherapy as a stand alone or as a complementary first aid treatment there are several aromatic oils I'd like to recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit.

My recommendations include important details for you to consider when purchasing an oil, such as its Latin Name, Country of Origin, Method of Extraction and Part of the Plant Used. I also list the best oils to consider when creating a synergistic blend.

BLUE TANSY (Tanacetum anuum ~ Moroccan Blue Chamomile) Wild crafted, steam distilled flowers from Morocco.

Blue Tansy's delightful scent is warmly herbaceous with a complex sweetness that to me is reminiscent of apples with a hint of spice. Most people invariably love the friendly and inviting scent of this oil!

Keywords: ALLERGY & PAIN RELIEVER Blue Tansy has a high azulene content which gives it a deep, vivid blue color. It can stain so take care! Azulene gives Blue Tansy its characteristic and powerful vascular and bronchio-dialating properties making it a very effective natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory.

Blue Tansy's natural anti- inflammatory action makes it an exceptionally good relaxant. It soothes nervous tension and calms stress and may be used alone or in a blend for relieving muscular soreness, aches and pains, sprains and strains, arthritis, rheumatism and sciatica.

Due to its bronchio-dilating properties Blue Tansy may be beneficial for allergy and asthma sufferers, blending it with Lemongrass will enhance this effect. Its analgesic properties may also help reduce any swelling or itching associated with allergies.

I've had great success using Blue Tansy with clients who have suffered for years from chronic allergic reactions to environmental allergens.

Blue Tansy is also known to relieve bus and inflamed or sun damaged skin. My friend Sylla, owner of Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, used Blue Tansy for relieving the effects of her radiation treatment for cancer.

Aside from a synergistic blend with Lemongrass to enhance its bronchio-dialating properties for asthma sufferers Blue Tansy is yummy alone!

Please join me for part II in this series of articles to lea about the next essential oil I recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit, German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita).

Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary and alteative health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Please consult with your physician regarding your health conces.

KG has utilized essential oils in her energy medicine practice for more than 30 years. During that time she has facilitated healing for thousands of people suffering from personal trauma, illness and injury. Through her unique AromaTest™ system KG formulates essential oil blends that heal.

Please note: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use organic, or ethically wild crafted oils whenever possible.

KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, OR USA PurePlant Essentials is her line of pure organic and ethically wild crafted essential oils. KG formulates aromatic oils for: colds and flu, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, menopause, anti-aging, skin care and more. KG's DVD & book about her AromaTest system, "Your Aromatic Signature ~ How to Formulate Blends that Heal," are scheduled for release in 2006. Click to see PurePlant Essentials Menu & Essential Oils Kits: Order Pure Organic & Wild Crafted Essential Oils Kit Click to see and order Complete Essential Oils Kit. KG invites you to Subscribe to Health Mastery Ezine to WIN FREE Aromatherapy Products. To lea more visit: Subscribe To Win Contact: KG Stiles at Springhill Wellness Center, 2520 Springhill Drive Ashland, OR USA (541) 941-7315 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KG_Stiles

Twenty years ago the word "detox" meant a trip to the drug rehabilitation center. Today it defines the conscious act of cleaning up our insides down to the cellular level. Preservatives, pesticides, chemicals and radiation treatments spur the health-conscious to detoxify their bodies while making life-long changes that will help keep their cells clear of harmful substances. In today's health-conscious home you are likely to find plenty of fruits and vegetables, raw dairy, grains and legumes – all preservative, pesticide and GMO free – but if you look under the kitchen sink you are also likely to find enough chemicals to wipe out the entire family.

The average American household has 3 – 10 gallons of hazardous, toxic chemicals, most of them sitting in colorful bottles right beneath our sinks. Many common products contain chlorine, alcohol, ammonia, bleach, formaldehyde, and lye. These toxic chemicals can cause allergies, birth defects, nausea, inflammation and buing of the entire respiratory system, confusion, headaches, symptoms of mental illness, and are linked to neurological, liver and kidney damage, blindness, asthma and cancer.

No health-conscious individual wants to consume pesticides, but we ingest them daily through skin contact as well as breathing them directly into our lungs by using commercial products in the home. Approximately 1,400 pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are found in consumer products – many of which are under the kitchen sink.

Checking labels doesn't help. Not only are companies exempt from listing all the ingredients in their bottles of chemical voodoo, but the New York Poison Control center found that 85% of product waing labels inadequately informs consumers of potential dangers, like the deadly respiratory irritant chloramine, which is made by mixing chlorine with ammonia. The Seattle Poison Center alone receives 70,000 calls per year regarding spillage or swallowing of harmful substances in the home, and 1 in 10 children under the age of 6 ends up in the emergency room due to accidental exposure to household products.

Think about it: mopping, spraying, and wiping our homes with toxic chemicals make our attempts at detoxifying our bodies much like trying to punch a hole in water- it doesn't work. A carefully watered and fed plant, for example, will still get sick if its surroundings are contaminated. Why should we be any different?

Luckily, detoxing the home is easy. All you need to do is get rid of the commercial cleansers undeeath the kitchen sink and replace them with vinegar, baking soda and castile soap. That's it. Age-old, tried and true, these are the ingredients for a healthy, chemical-free home.

Vinegar cuts grease, dissolves mineral deposits, removes mildew, soap or wax buildup, deodorizes, cleans windows and mirrors, is a wonderful fabric softener and hair conditioner - and tastes great in salads. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a useful all purpose cleaner. It can be used as a scouring powder without scratching surfaces; it neutralizes acids, deodorizes, softens water, and polishes metals, jewelry, porcelain and plastic. Baking soda softens fabrics and removes stains and can also be used as a non-toxic underarm deodorant and toothpaste.

Castile soap is a vegetable oil-based soap. Olive oil castile soap works well without drying the skin. Castile soap can be used in place of laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, automatic dishwasher detergent, and as a mild, general cleanser and body soap.

With 2.1 million human poisonings reported to the U.S. poison control centers in 1999 and more than 50% involving children under the age of five, it's no wonder that the numbers are growing in favor of non-toxic homemade cleaners. After all, when was the last time you saw a waing label or poison control number slapped on a bottle of vinegar?

But can these simple ingredients really keep harmful bacteria and germs under control?

Vinegar is a powerful disinfectant. Undiluted vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold and 80% of viruses according to Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen. The only reason vinegar is not labeled as a disinfectant is because it would first have to be registered as a pesticide with the EPA - probably not good for sales in the salad section.

We may not be able to protect ourselves from all the harmful substances contaminating our planet, but we do have the power to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals we come into contact with on a daily basis.

The concept of becoming healthy begins in the mind. Once the concept becomes conscious it can expand into action, usually by a change toward a healthier diet. More consciousness will lead the health-wise to detoxify their bodies of accumulated harmful substances. Healthy steps in the right direction. But why stop there? Perhaps when our homes are free of dangerous toxic chemicals we will be ready to take the next step - the vital step toward detoxifying our planet.

Recipes

Each "detox" needs to be adjusted to the individual. In the same way, each home has different needs, so experiment with the recipes below to find out what works best for you.

Air Freshener: Air out your home daily. There is no air freshener like outdoor oxygen – even in Manhattan or L.A. You can also place small bowls of baking soda and/or vinegar around the home to catch unpleasant odors. Simmering your favorite aromatic herb in water will give a nice, overall scent to your home. You can also use essential oils for the same purpose. Use Lavender to relax and ease headaches.

All-purpose cleaner: Every moing I fill my kitchen sink with hot water, a handful of castile soap flakes and a tablespoon or two of baking soda. I use this to wipe down surfaces as well as a pre-wash for the dishes in the dishwasher. A more basic cleaner is simply baking soda in water. The proportions depend on the task at hand.

Oven cleaner: Make a thick paste of baking soda and water. First wipe down the oven with the hot water, soap and baking soda mixture, then scrub out any but spots, and after that apply the paste. Let stand for a few minutes before washing off.

Disinfectant: Plain white vinegar, undiluted. You can also use a couple of drops of tea-tree essential oil in hot soapy water.

Drain Cleaner: Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, then ½ cup of vinegar to follow. Cover the drain immediately so that the vinegar can react with the baking soda. Then run hot water to flush the drain out.

Floors: A few spoonfuls of vinegar added to the water in the mop bucket will clean all floor surfaces. For linoleum, add a few drops of olive oil, and to buff the old wood floors use equal amounts of olive oil and vinegar and rub in.

Brass and copper: Use lemon juice with a bit of salt. Either rub a lemon slice directly on the metal, or simply rub the mixture in with a soft cloth. If you are not pleased with the results, try a mixture of vinegar and salt instead.

Silver: Aluminum foil sprinkled with salt and baking soda in a bowl of water cleans silver beautifully. Submerge silver in the bowl. Let sit a few minutes, or until the taish has gravitated to the aluminum foil then dry and buff.

Laundry: Replace hazardous laundry detergents with pure castile soap. Adding a ½ cup of baking soda to the wash will help whiten whites and brighten colors. The baking soda also acts as a water softener, therefore boosting the effectiveness of the soap. Add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle as fabric softener. The vinegar also strips away any residual soap left on the clothes. Don't worry, your clothes will not smell like a bowl of salad. Vinegar leaves no odor once dry. Still, I like to add a few sprigs of lavender to the dryer in a small cotton pouch if I don't hang up the clothes to dry outside. You could also add a few drops of essential oil like ylang-ylang with the vinegar rinse if you wish. If you need bleach, try hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine.

Automatic dishwashing liquid: Dilute castile soap in water (if using flakes). Add any citrus essential oil or combination of oils. Lemon, orange, bergamot and lavender are nice. Store liquid in a bottle and place a tablespoon in the automatic dispenser of your dishwasher. For very dirty dishes, add ½ cup of vinegar to the cycle to cut grease and shine the glassware. I often simply fill the dishwasher dispenser with vinegar and wash at a higher temperature.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Use baking soda as a scouring powder on the inside of the bowl.

Window cleaner: ½ cup of vinegar in a spray bottle filled with water. Use newspaper instead of paper towels for streak-free windows and mirrors.

Marble surfaces: Marble is the only surface where vinegar is not recommended due to its acidic nature. Baking soda sprinkled on marble, then washed up with a wet sponge works well, or you could make a castile soap and baking soda solution as well.

Litter box: add a generous layer of baking soda on the bottom of the litter box to help keep odors at bay. Also spread baking soda on the bottom of the garbage can.

Sources:

http://www.ems.org/household_cleaners/household_toxics.html
http://www.ems.org/household_cleaners/facts.html
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/safe-fs.html
http://www.maripoisoncenter.com/public/household.htm
http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/node/80
http://www.healthychild.com/database/guide_to_safer_cleaners_and_disinfectants.htm
http://getfrugal.com/articles/bakingsodarecipes.html
www.preventcancer.com/consumers/food/cancer_toll.htm

Vida Evenson is a WAHM living on a small Greek island still largely unknown to the outside world. There, she and her family own a holiday villa rental business on a large private lot overlooking the Aegean Sea. She is an avid writer, painter and organic gardener. Vida loves to hear from her readers. Readers can contact her through her website at http://www.aegean-villas.com or at http://www.aegeanliving.blogspot.com

*This is a free article. The author only asks that her signature box remain in tact with any and all sharing, copying, reprinting and publishing of this article*

In Chinese Medicine, diabetes is considered to be a condition of disharmony in the body called Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome. Diabetics can often experience symptoms of severe thirst and hunger while losing weight. The ancient Chinese noticed these tendencies, and identified the condition according to its exteal symptoms, in spite of the fact that they could not determine a person's blood sugar levels at the time. There are many Chinese herbs that have been traditionally used for Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome. The beneficial effects of these herbs for diabetics are now being boe out by mode research being done in China.

One Chinese herb that shows promise in the treatment of diabetes in called mai men dong or ophiopogon. Research done in China has demonstrated that it can potentially stimulate regeneration of cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The cells in this part of the pancreas are responsible for the proper production of insulin, and therefore the proper processing of blood sugar in the body. Stimulating regeneration of these cells can potentially reverse diabetes in adult-onset diabetics.

Another Chinese herb that shows promise for people with high blood sugar is tian hua fen or trichosanthis. Tian hua fen has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in Chinese research studies. It is very commonly used in herbal formulas for diabetics. Other commonly used herbs include astragalus and Chinese wild yam.

An Asian vegetable which is also used as an herb, called bittermelon, or momordica charantia, has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics in studies done in China and in Thailand. This vegetable also may have antibacterial and antiviral properties. In Asia, it is being considered as a potential treatment for AIDS, HIV, and hepatitis C.

There are also other Chinese herbs that can be useful for the many symptoms associated with diabetes. The Chinese herbal formula Ming Mu Di Huang Wan is used in China for the vision problems that diabetics often experience. Other herbs can be used to improve blood circulation and stimulate healing. This can be very beneficial since diabetics often heal more slowly from cuts, wounds, and other injuries and also because they tend to have poorer circulation. Many of these herbs may be beneficial for diabetic neuropathy. Diabetics often have nerve pain or uncomfortable nerve sensations that can be alleviated with the use of herbs. Acupuncture can be beneficial for this as well.

As you can see, although the ancient Chinese could not easily monitor blood sugar levels in diabetics, many of the herbal treatments they used for people who exhibited the symptoms of this condition are being shown to be effective in mode research trials in other countries.

If you are diabetic and you are taking medication to control your blood sugar levels, it is best to have your blood sugar monitored while taking these herbs, and have your doctor adjust the dosage of your medications accordingly, so your blood sugar doesn't drop too drastically. It is likely that you will eventually be able to taper off of the herbs and medication, until you can control your disease primarily through diet and exercise.

Dr. Farah Khan, DOM is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She offers information and products related to different health conditions at her web site at http://www.yinessence.com. Her product, GlucoSupport, can be found at http://www.yinessence.com/catalog/item/1142101/1374330.htm.

A new cure is in the town, it is creative cure. Although it is here from ancient time, however it is coming back to cure especially in recent times. Here is example of Chennai based MV Krishnan, an air force retiree in his 60's. He is suffering from Parkinson's disease. His life has no purpose, until his daughter, a sculptor-artist, introduced him to painting. It has not only revived his sense of purpose, but also helped tame his involuntary movements. When his painting exhibition three year back drew gasps of admiration, then it is clear what alteate healing can do.

The life-affirming pleasures of creativity and art making, like finished works of art, can reinforce and enhance self-esteem and physical, mental, and emotional well being. The use of thumb and forefinger in painting or drawing is believed to kindle brain related acupressure points, offering a mean of escape from mental or physical stress and pain through concentration and involvement. According to American Art therapy Association, art therapy includes all kind of art therapy or creative art therapy. It includes visual arts, dance, drama, music and poetry.

The guiding principle is that subconscious feelings and disturbed thoughts find a comfortable outlet in art. There is research going on to support all these facts. However there are lot of studies are published in renowned jouals which supports the creative cure by using various ways of art. According to the art therapist, with an increase in the emotional distress faced by people these days, the popularity of art therapy is going up. Art therapy attempts to unlock our body's capacity to communicate through the use of creative movements, therapy revealing hidden emotional and triggering self-expression.

Though the art emerged as a formal therapy only in the 1930s, the idea dates back to ancient shamanism, Sufi, mysticism and Greek tragedies. "Beautiful objects and brilliancy of colour," wrote Florence Nightingale, "are actual means of recovery". Art therapy is useful to all ages where the primary need is emotional care. This is very useful way for children for express themselves, as limited verbal capacities make it difficult for them to convey traumatic experiences. Their natural mode of communication is playing it out rather than taking it out. Art therapy provides use a good alteative for treating our emotional distress and make our life more purposeful.

http://www.geocities.com/arvindkatoch1
http://www.bloxster.net/truthforeveryone

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia can make you extremely ill, exhausted and weak. It means you only have a fraction of the waking hours that most people enjoy - and even those waking hours are often spent feeling ill, exhausted and with brain fog.

But you **can** do something in your day - it just may not be much...

... so all you have to do is 'focus your light' - focus your energy!

Most healthy people have oodles of energy - but many don't focus on anything in particular and so they don't feel that they get anything done.

In essence, many people - healthy or otherwise - sadly lack direction. They lack focus...

Even the tiniest amount of energy - directed every day (or every other day or basically, when you feel well enough) towards a goal - in the end, and after time, forms a huge result.

No matter how much energy you have - if you focus that little amount of the energy on working from home - setting up your own project - you will get there. After all...

... the snail wins the race!

It's not a question of:

"But how can I make money? I have nothing to sell!" - that's the one objection pretty much every Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia sufferer that I have talked to, initially comes up with.

I say 'initially' because after I've explained to them the different ways in which they can make money online, something 'clicks'...

All you need is a computer, the Inteet, and a passion about something. ANYTHING!

We live in a world where knowledge is KING. People are hungry for knowledge - and everyone - EVERYONE - knows something about SOMETHING.

It might be about how to manage 3 kids during the holidays. It might be about your faith in a religion or about spirituality. It might be about your interest in history, pets, makeup, knitting, fishing, model planes, sport, massage, quilting, sewing, gardening, computers, chess, cooking, traveling, cars...

You might know about ways to entertain toddlers and young kids (for baby-sitters and young mothers). You might know about how to be super organized - or maybe you're good with numbers?

You may know a lot about your local area - its history - or great places to go out to - or beautiful nature trails in your area. You may know about an area you visit often on holiday...

What matters is that you know about something that you can write about - that you can either sell in the form of an e-book (easier than you think), or that you can put on your own web site (also easier than you think), to attract visitors.

Having your own web site on a topic you are passionate about is the BEST way to generate long-term income - if you do it properly.

The point is that YOU know SOMETHING about SOMETHING that SOMEONE ELSE wants to lea about! YOU have knowledge - that someone else is looking for!

The point is that the only thing you need to bring to the table is passion and the motivation to work...

...which won't actually feel like **work** when you're doing something you love anyway!

And the great thing about working on your own project is that you can work WHEN you want, for HOW LONG you want, and on WHAT you want.

If you can only manage 25 minutes one day, then that's 25 minutes more than you would have done if you had done nothing! If you can manage 2 hours on another day - even better! If you can't manage to do anything another day, then so be it!

It doesn't matter because you have no-one to answer to but yourself! Because it's YOUR project!

YOU set the pace...

... focus your energy and you can have your own income-eaing web project in months.

This is so important that I'm going to repeat it!!!

Focus your energy and you can have your own income-eaing web project in months!!!

And remember - nowadays you don't even need to know how to code a web site to succeed online. It really is easier than you might think! Find out more about this here:

http://www.sleepydust.net/running-your-own-website-is-easier-thank-you-think.html

And if you'd like to lea more about the different ways in which you can make money when you run a web site (as briefly mentioned above in this article), visit:

http://www.sleepydust.net/different-ways-you-can-make-money.html

And good luck! This is the beginning of a fantastic jouey!

Copyright, Claire Williams, 2004-2005. All Rights Reserved.

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The article above may be freely reproduced provided that:

(1) you only mail to a 100% opt-in list; (2) ALL links are

LIVE hyperlinks (3) the article is published in its entirety

including the title, copyright notice, & the author's

bio & resource box (which must be placed directly below

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Claire Williams is editor of sleepydust.net and has suffered from Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome since 1995.

She created sleepydust.net to help ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia sufferers deal with their condition - from handling their money worries, to recovering from their illness.

To lea more about working from home when you are chronically ill or disabled, visit:

http://www.sleepydust.net/WORK-FROM-HOME.html

A Bach Flower Therapy Introduction and the 12-7-19 Method of Bach Flower Essence Classification:

Dr. Edward Bach, developer of flower essence therapy, classified the original 38 essences he used in his practice according to the 12-7-19 method: the Twelve Healers, the Seven Helpers, and the Second Nineteen. In part I of this series, the Twelve Healer flower essences were reviewed, along with the underlying theory of flower essence therapy – here we'll have a look at the rhymes and reasons of the Seven Helpers.

Dr. Bach prescribed one or more of the Seven Helper essences to patients who did not seem to be responding sufficiently to therapy with one of the Twelve Healers. The Twelve Healer flower essences – Impatiens, Gentian, Mimulus, Clematis, Agrimony, Chicory, Vervain, Centaury, Scleranthus, Water Violet, Rock Rose, and Cerato – were developed by Dr. Bach to address what he saw as the imbalances of the twelve archetypal personality types. It is through the vibrational transformation of these imbalances that healing of overlying disease states can, in many cases, be initiated. However, Dr. Bach found there were individuals that did not respond to flower essence therapy with the Twelve Healers; this lead him to the discovery of the Seven Helpers.

The Purpose of the 'Seven Helper' Flower Essences:

The purpose of the Seven Helpers is to address chronically ingrained negative vibrational pattes which may be obscuring the primary personality type. For example, Olive, one of the Seven Helper flower essences, is prescribed for states of exhaustion, where one has been wo out by the struggle of healing or other life event. In this case, it may be difficult to see what the primary personality type of the individual may be, as true fatigue does not let a whole lot else show through - this real weariness may mask other personality traits or pattes.

Or it may be that the chronic state simply prevents progress on the healing path that could otherwise take place. Again, using Olive essence as an example – An individual may clearly be in need of one of the Twelve Healers. Perhaps they live in fear and are in need of Mimulus, and clearing this fear would allow them to heal. However, their fatigue is so great as they do not have the strength to work with these issues – in this case, it may be helpful to use Olive along with Mimulus to offer a more complete support from the flower essence therapy.

The Seven Helper essences can certainly be administered individually as well, particularly if a specific flower essence is strongly indicated. Dr. Bach had also written that if an individual is not responding to other essences, Wild Oat (one of the Seven) may be used: "If ever a case does not respond to treatment, give either Holly or Wild Oat, and it will be obvious which of the other remedies may be required. In all cases where the patient is of the active, intense type, give Holly. In patients who are of the weak, despondent type, give Wild Oat."

Beyond the original works of Dr. Bach, the Flower Essence Repertory from Flower Essence Services offers descriptions of these seven essences beyond what a physician may see. FES broadens the application of the flowers to include their use for those needing change that may or may not be related to a health condition. This is an important point, as one may have tendencies they may wish to transform, but are at no serious risk. This application of flower essence is encouraged, for any support for personal and 'soul' evolution is indeed invaluable. So within the following descriptions of the Seven Helper flower essences, a broad view will be maintained, so that the greatest audience may find a suitable essence.

As always with flower essence therapy, in cases of illness, treatment is not a substitute for proper professional care. It may be the case that an illness may have emotional roots, and that flowers can be of help, but one should not solely rely on self-prescription of flower essences as a cure.

And on to the descriptions…

The Seven Helpers:

Olive – As stated earlier, Olive flower essence is indicated where great fatigue has set in. An individual may be pale, wo out and / or exhausted after excessive worry, illness, grief or other struggle. The individual perhaps feels they do not have the strength to continue; that both their physical energy source has been spent. The Olive remedy allows one to tap into a new source of light, helping one see and feel a rejuvenation that comes from establishing (or re-establishing) a connection to a universal energy. This connection may provide the impetus needed for change in other areas, or may be transformative in and of itself through helping on realize that the etheric 'spirit' body and the physical body are inseparable.

Gorse – This flower essence is used where one has lost will due to discouragement, becoming hopeless and resigned to one's condition. They have perhaps been giving too much energy to the negative possibilities, solidifying this outlook so no progress can be made. This remedy restores hope to such individuals, so they may be able to have a brighter outlook, perhaps more joy, when confronted with life's challenges.

Oak – The remedy for those committed to over-striving, regardless if that striving is having a positive result. Those in need of the Oak flower essence have great determination and strength, which can be true assets. However, at times it is crucial to balance this force with subtlety and grace. The individual may have even become resigned to the inevitable failure of their endeavor or succumbing to an illness, yet they continue with their efforts. Oak helps restore a balance, allowing one the freedom of letting up or resting when that is in fact what is required. An important essence in today's hard-striving world.

Vine – For those who see their way as the 'right' way or the only way, Vine essence allows an opening in one's perception for other points of view. An individual in need of Vine may have a domineering personality, insisting that everyone else follow their lead, including health professionals. Such a point of view can lead to great stress when it is perceived do not share the same ideas, and that harm, or at least lack of healing, may come about. Vine essence may soften this selfish nature, assisting one to understand that other points of view may be entirely valid, and in fact, more complete than one's own. This allows the individual to receive needed support, often a key component in any personal transformation.

Heather – The Heather type appear self-obsessed, talking continually about their own situations and problems. Such persons are in fact truly lonely and often in great emotional pain. They may feel an emptiness or hunger, which they feed from the attention of others. This flower essence helps one make a connection to the Higher Self, finding peace and solace in the unity of all being. This realization helps one overcome the loneliness and disconnection they may feel, drawing on emotional self-sufficiency and true shared relationship with others for assistance.

Rock Water – For those that are too hard on themselves. Being reflective and aware is one thing, to go so far as to limit one's (and one's friends and family) enjoyment of life is another. Flexibility and spontaneity are key components to the 'life well lived'. Further, a rigidity in lifestyle can prevent one from finding joy, an important factor in healing from many illnesses. This essence is sometimes indicated for those beginning flower essence therapy or those who do not see results, as it may assist in opening the soul to the energies of the plant realm.

Wild Oat – Health and happiness are very much connected with one's ability to find one's true vocation. Wandering through life feeling a lack of purpose can lead to distressed states, with addictions or despondency being possible results. Wild Oat flower essence may help align one with their true calling, so that both the individual and the greater environment can benefit. When one finds this sense of meaning, there is a strong inner light that can shine forth, supporting one's own health, and the health of those around them.

These are the Seven Helpers, as categorized per Dr. Edward Bach's 12-7-19 flower essence method. It is said that with the Twelve Healers and the Seven Helpers, one can support transformation of many vibrational/emotional states. At the same time, it is important to keep one's mind open to possibilities; there are a great number of researched flower essences available, one's that may be even more precisely applied to a particular situation. The Healer and Helper essences are however, a fantastic place to start if one is seeking an effective collection of remedies, suitable for the needs of many beings.

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

Misty Cech ND is a practicing naturopath. She uses Bach flower essences and essential oils with her clients. The first part of this article is at www.anandaapothecary.com.

If you have ever been bitten by a tick, flea, mosquito, gnat, or mite or have been sexually active with someone who has been bitten, then you are at risk for Lyme Disease. Lyme can also be transmitted from mother to unbo child and through breast-feeding. Contaminated food can also pass along the disease.

Forget what you have been told about "bulls-eye" rashes and deep woods excursions – they only make up a small percentage of the population infected by Lyme. Lyme Disease is not rare. It is an epidemic. Lyme disease and the inflammation produced because of it are also most likely a factor in the severity of many individuals' autoimmune symptoms – if not the cause. (The Lyme Disease "outbreak" of the mid-1970's caused arthritis.) According to the renowned Dr. Cowden, "…more than 50% of chronically ill people may have Lyme contributing to their condition". (http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/25/lyme_disease.htm)

Lyme, which was not even recognized in the United States until 1975, may be one of the most misunderstood and devastating diseases of our day. The test normally used to detect Lyme disease is extremely unreliable. This test does not look for the Lyme causing borreliosis bacteria. Instead, the test looks for the antibodies that your body has produced against Lyme causing bacteria. The problem is that Lyme can go undetected by your immune system for a long period of time, so those antibodies are not produced against it. Even after antibodies are produced, they are generally found in the tissue, not the blood of an infected person. The result is a negative blood test even if Lyme is present all over the body. Many organ systems can be invaded before an infected person even feels any symptoms. Some will never feel symptoms. (http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/25/lyme_disease.htm)

Dr. Jo Anne Whitaker (no known relation to the author) developed a test that looks for the Lyme borreliosis bacteria, not the antibody. Dr. Whitaker's lab has tested thousands of people for the presence of Lyme causing bacteria. Every test performed by her lab since 1999 has been positive for Lyme disease. (http://www.healthynewage.com/herbal-health-newsletter2.htm)

Lyme causes autoimmunity in the brain and central nervous system, not just the joints. It can mimic MS, Chronic Fatigue, and many mental illnesses.

Heidi Whitaker is an author and speaker on the topic of nutritional support of autoimmune disease. She is also the co-owner of http://www.healthydivas.com. To read other articles written by Heidi or to lea how to participate in her next free teleseminar, visit her blog at http://autoimmune.myblogsite.com/blog. .

Many people, for various reasons, can not take antibiotics. Unfortunately, I am one of these people. They either cause yeast infections upon termination of the treatment or they simply don't offer a permanent solution, causing a rebound where the original problem comes back even more severe, necessitating stronger and stronger antibiotics for longer periods of time. This is exactly what happened to one of my clients.

He contracted a blood infection so his doctor prescribed an antibiotic treatment which seemed to work. However the infection came back stronger so his doctor put him on a stronger antibiotic for a longer period of time. Sound familiar? He had just finished this second antibiotic when he and his wife happened to come into my office on another matter. We invariably chatted a little about his condition and it was all I could do to restrain my horror at what had happened. I knew he was on dangerous ground. I just didn't know how dangerous.

I told him about my experience with an ultraviolet light treatment that purifies the blood called UBI or Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation, also known as Photoluminescence. I had used it the previous year to cure the flu in a single day. If you are interested in leaing more about this life-saving therapy, it is one of the topics being discussed at The Delaware Conference on Alteative Medicine being held in Wilmington in March. More information can be found at altmedangel.com.

A week later he called for the name and number of the doctor who was a 2 ½ hour drive from his home. I gave him the information and he booked an appointment that same week. Two days later and two hours into his trip, he got lost and stopped to ask for directions. Upon getting back into his car, his knee went out. It got progressively worse the rest of the day. Since it happened so suddenly, no one thought it was an infection, but it was. It was a candidiasis infection in his knee joint. An extremely rare condition. His wife told me later that there were only 40 cases in existence of this particular problem.

The UBI treatment worked to get the blood infection under control, but after two weeks of testing to find out what the other problem was, they decided that it was caused by the second antibiotic. His treatment would consist of removing the knee joint, waiting six to eight weeks for the infection to totally clear, and replacing it with an artificial knee. They put a temporary spacer in the leg. He could not move the knee at all or put any pressure on the leg. He was bedridden and in extreme pain the whole time.

Well, it took three months for his infection to clear and another several weeks before the knee replacement took place plus recuperation time. All in all, five months of his life were stolen by an antibiotic.

Common Sense Medicine

I recently received a third degree bu which took all the skin and some of the muscle off a one inch section of my finger. It was really raw. I washed it and disinfected it with liquid oxygen and all was fine for two days. But the band aid slid off center during the third night and allowed infection to set in on that side. Over the course of the next 48 hours, my finger on the infected side of the wound swelled to almost twice its usual size. Although the skin on that side of the cut was red, the finger was not. It was just swollen and getting worse by the minute as it moved down my finger toward my hand.

I figured the infection was deep inside the finger and a topical treatment wouldn't work. I knew if I called my doctor he would want to see it and then he would prescribe an antibiotic. Since I wasn't thrilled about either missing work to see him or taking the drug, I decided to take the next 24 hours and try to treat it myself. However, not having been in this situation before, all I had was my common sense.

I knew that salt water was good for keeping wounds clean. I also knew that cleaning was not enough. I needed something to kill the bacteria deep inside my finger. I knew that the most powerful natural antibiotic is garlic and that grapefruit seed extract kills bacteria on contact. But how could I get these substances deep inside the finger to work at the cellular level?

At first I thought of DMSO. That would probably work but it would also probably hurt and I don't like the smell or the garlic taste in my mouth after using it. Then I thought of Active H and it's mechanism of action. It can pass right through the cell wall and carry nutrients with it. It can also change the pH of the cells to create a bioterrain that is inhospitable to bacteria… definitely worth a try.

I filled a bowl ½ way with very hot water and mixed in some sea salt, Active H, garlic, and grapefruit seed extract. I then soaked my hand in the solution for ½ hour. Voila! The next day the swelling had subsided significantly. I did the same the next evening and by the following day my finger was back to normal. No losing time from work and no antibiotics.

I would imagine that it may have worked just as well using only garlic and water but I don't know how it would have penetrated without the Active H.

The reason I chose hot water instead of cold is because that's what the body does. It increases the temperature at the site of infection because bacteria need a certain temperature to survive and they can't stand the heat for too long. Cold may work well for inflammation from other causes but it would simply put bacteria into hibeation. But by the time I finished mixing the ingredients and settling in with my hand, the water was pleasantly warm.

By the way, I used 4 squirts of the spray garlic from Omaha Steaks, one scoop of powdered Active H (about 2 capsules), three drops of grapefruit seed extract and some sea salt in about 3 cups of water. I had planned on doing this twice a day, moing and evening but my schedule did not allow moing. So I left the bowl on the bathroom sink and the next moing just dipped my hand in for about 10 seconds after washing.

So if you're like me and either can't or hate to take antibiotics. Try common sense. It just might work.

About the Author

A. Angel is a former teacher and radio talk show host who currently runs a non-profit site altmedangel.com that offers broad based research on natural cures for various health conditions, including cancer.

We are proud to sponsor the first-of-its-kind Delaware Conference on Alteative Medicine where nine doctors and alteative practitioners will speak on 15 different topics (several life-saving treatments and therapies) not usually discussed in allopathic circles.

Topics To Be Discussed on Saturday 3/18/06 -- Natural ways to deal with Anxiety, Depression, Panic Disorder, Cancer, Attention Deficit Disorder, Addiction, Aging, and Strengthening the Immune System, as well as Alteative Healing Techniques such as the use of Herbs, Acupuncture, Nutrition, Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy, Eye Care and more…

Some come join us or visit our website at altmedangel.com.

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the excessive accumulation of uric acid inside the organism. In large amounts, uric acid forms crystals which deposit in various regions of the body, causing inflammation, pain and swelling of the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that results from purine metabolism. Although most cases of gout are hereditary, occurring due to genetically acquired renal dysfunctions which determine an inappropriate elimination of uric acid, gout is more likely to occur in people who consume large amounts of purine-rich foods. Thus, an appropriate diet and lifestyle improvements can successfully alleviate the symptoms of gout and can actually reverse the undesirable effects of the disease.

There are many natural products that can reduce serum uric acid concentration. Gout sufferers are advised to eat plenty of fiber-rich vegetables (preferably raw) and fresh fruits, as they contain low levels of purines and they are also a great source of vital nutrients. Among all fruits, cherries seem to be the best natural remedy for gout. Apart from being irresistibly delicious, cherries have anti-inflammatory, sedative and analgesic properties, and they can considerably ameliorate the clinical manifestations of gout. A frequent intake of cherries can considerably reduce the duration and the intensity of gout attacks, by normalizing uric acid levels inside the body. Recent studies have revealed that by including cherries in their diet, gout sufferers are able to eliminate more uric acid through urine. Thus, cherries act as a purgative agent, aiding the process of excretion.

Both sweet cherries (dark cherries) and sour cherries (ruby-red cherries) have proved to be very benefic for gout sufferers. Sweet cherries contain few calories and are rich in natural fibers. Sweet cherries contain melatonin, a chemical that has sedative and analgesic effects. Thus, the intake of sweet cherries can also ease recurrent gout pain. In addition, this type of cherries contains a powerful natural antioxidant that acts similarly to vitamin C. Sweet cherries can also lower the levels of inflammatory substances such as nitric oxide and C-reactive protein, chemicals that are related to gout, diabetes and heart disease.

Sour cherries seem to reduce gout pain and inflammation and they also contain natural antioxidants that can decongest the arteries clogged with uric acid crystals. Sour cherries are rich in vitamin A, they contain very few calories and they can be safely introduced in any gout diet. Recent studies have revealed that by consuming around 100 grams of cherries each day, gout sufferers can experience a rapid amelioration of their symptoms. Although it is best to consume them raw, cherries can also be introduced in various recipes. Thanks to their remarkable qualities, cherries should be included in any diet.

Given the rather toxic environment we live in today and the plethora of unknown substances and chemicals that are included and lodged in the things we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe, it is necessary that everyone undergo some sort of detoxification program at one point in their lives to stay healthy.

Most detox programs start with strict diets, which not just benefit and strengthen our blood circulation, kidneys, liver, bowels and lungs, but our general health in the long run.

Getting Started, Slowly

There are a number of detox plans you can take, but each one differs from the other in terms of how they are designed to cleanse your body. Some detox programs concentrate on flushing out toxins from your bowels, while some focus their attention on your liver, blood or skin.

If you combine these detox plans, you will be able to jumpstart your bodily functions and restore your health to its maximum level. Why, you can even look a whole lot younger after. Of course, you have to combine your detox diet with proper exercise, rest and positive state of mind.

Detox is equivalent to giving your body a break. By staying away from foods that are a challenge to metabolize and taunt your blood sugar levels, you will be able to generate enough energy required to regenerate and cleanse yourself.

Your Liver is Your Best Asset

Even if our bodies already have built-in detox systems, we still need to detox once in a while. The most important organ you should consider when thinking about starting a detox diet is your liver and how it will thank you dearly after.

Our livers rarely complain when we abuse our bodies, but it is actually the most hardworking of all our inteal cleansing organs. It produces heart, balances cholesterol levels, makes the bile we need to digest fat, processes proteins, stores vitamins and activates our hormones. Apart from the that, the liver also filters out all the bad elements we put into our bodies by drinking alcohol, smoking or inhaling chemical substances.

While our livers can still function despite a lot of damage, once you've started feeling sluggish, digest poorly, have dull skin and start developing dark eye circles, it's time to reward it for its hard work by undergoing a detox phase.

Seek Help

You can start your detox program by searching for information on the Inteet or by asking your doctor for advice. Foods that aid in effective detoxification include those that are limonene-rich like lemons, or slightly bitter veggies like fennel, broccoli or artichokes. Water is also a no-fail beverage. But if you truly want to get the maximum benefits out of your detox plan, seek professional assistance.

It is important to note, however, that people usually experience some form of nausea or headache while undergoing a detox process. This is because of the toxins released. If this happens to you, slow down on the program and start again very gradually. Your body will need to be properly primed and readied for the detox program so it can respond well. You simply can't demand your body to cleanse itself immediately.

Good health is not that difficult to achieve. You just have to keep your body healthy inside and out. Do this through proper exercise, enough rest and a healhty diet. Of course, a good detox program will also work wonders.

Ayurveda which has been evolved around 600 BC, apart from treating ailments concentrated more in its prevention. This was followed by the Aryans & Dravidians who were inhabiting India and has been practiced ever since. In the 21st century, Ayurveda has become an indispensable branch of medicine due to its naturalistic approach, that depends on the diagnosis of ones physical base ie Vata, pitta and kabha, and to maintain a right balance.

One of the important principle of Ayurveda treatment is that , treatment is given not only to the ailments or the affected part, but to the person as a whole. This creates an envioment for purifying your body naturally, which eliminates all toxic imbalances from your body, enabling you to regain natural resistance from diseases and attain good health.

Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests, which caters to the demand for herbs and medicinal plants, and the cool monsoon season (June-November) are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.

Every object-plant, animal or human - according to the Panchabhootha Philosophy (5 elements of philosophy), is constituted of Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

The concentration of these elements vary in each individual and therefore the time, place, duration and kind of treatment required to restore the balance also needs to change. This is why Ayurveda have a separate system of diagnosis and treatment for each patient. And a season for undergoing Ayurvedic programmes - the monsoon. The atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy.

Rejuvenative Programmes The following are the major rejuvenational therapies practacied in Ayurveda.

Rasayana chikitsa Tones up the skin and rejuvenates and strengthens all the tissues so as to achieve ideal health and longevity. Increases Ojas (primary vitality) and improves Sattva (mental clarity) and thereby increases the resistance of the body. Includes head and face creams, body massage with herbal oil or powder by hand and foot intake of rejuvenative medicines and medicated steam bath. Herbal baths are also used.

Kayakalpa Chikitsa Prime treatment for retarding the ageing process, arresting the degeneration of body cells and immunization of the system. Includes intake of Rasayana (special Ayurvedic medicines and diet) and comprehensive body care programmes. Most effective for either sex if undertaken before the age of 50.

Sweda Karma Medicine steam baths eliminate impurities from the body, improve the tone and complexion of the skin, reduce fat and are recommended for certain rheumatic diseases, particularly for pain. Precious herbs and herbal leaves are boiled and the steam is passed over the entire body for 10 to 20 minutes daily.

Hand massage with herbal oils or herbal powder improves blood circulation and tones up the muscles.

Meditation and Yoga Mental and physical exercises meant to isolate the ego from the body and mind-designed to home your concentration, improve health and help attain peace of mind through 8 stages of training.

Disciplined behaviour yama Self purification niyama Bodily postures such as the lotus position asana.

Control of breathing Pranayama Control of the senses Pratyahara, fixing of the mind on a chosen object dharsana. Meditation dhyana and Samadhi - a state of being where you experience absolute tranquility and well being.

Beauty care Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea etc. improves complexion and beautifulness of the body.

Body Slimming Medicated herbal powder and medicated herbal oil massages, and Ayurvedic diet of herbal juices etc. are part of the programme.

Overal Fitness Panchakarma Treatment A five fold treatment for mental and physical well being tunes the body, organs, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood.

Therapeutic Programmes Treatment for chronic head-aches, insomnia, mental tension and cases of hysteria, hallucination and insanity.

Dhara: Herbal oils, medicated milk or buttermilk and decoctions are poured on the forehead/whole body in a special manner. Variations include Oorhwanga Dhara (good for diseases of the eyes, ears and skin). Takra Dhara (for those suffering from memory loss, severe headache or insanity) and Sarvanga Dhara (for both head and body). Treatment to alleviate osteoarthritis, leukemia etc.

Snehapanam: Medicated ghee is given inteally in a gradually increased quality of specific periods.

Treatment for spondilosis, rheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, nervous weakness and nervous disorders. Pizhichil: Lukewarm herbal oil is applied with fresh linen all over the body by trained masseurs in a rhythmic manner for a period of 1 to 11/2 hours daily for 7 to 21 days. Treatment for diseases like hemiplegia, paralysis, obsety and certain rheumatic ailments.

Udvarthanam: Therapeutic massage with herbal powders. Treatment for musculoskeletal ailments due to trauma or accidents.

Marma Chiksta: Treatment that works on the extremely sensitive vital points of the body (the 107 marmas).

Treatment for nasal ailments: Nasyam: Inhalation of medicated herbal preparations, decoction oils, ghee etx. to eliminate the morbid factors from the head and neck area.

Treatment for ear ailments Kaapooranam: Medicated oils are applied to the ear for 5 to 10 minutes daily to clean as well as treat specific ailments.

Preventing cataract and strengthening vision: Tharpanam: A treatment for the eyes effective in preventing cataract and strengthening the optic nerve.

Treatment for wasting of muscles, all types or rheumatism, sports injuries, pain in the joints, emaciation of the body or parts of the body and certain kinds of skin diseases.

Navarakizhi: The whole body is made to perspire by the exteal application of medicated rice packs in the form of blouses tied in muslin bags. Treatment for dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, facial paralysis and buing sensation in the head.

Sirovasti: Lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a leather cap fitted on the head for specific durations as per physician's recommendation.

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Jayachandran.R. Author is a freelance content writer who also owns http://www.aayurmart.com. For more details mailto:ayurmart@gmail.com ********************************************************************************************

With the growing number of people being affected by newly discovered chronic degenerative diseases such as AIDS and chronic fatigue syndrome,
Are you worried or wondering....

Is it possible to maintain good health?

What your body needs to function properly?

Why conventional medicine is becoming more complicated and costly and in some cases simply ineffective?

A growing number of people are tuing to alteative medicine and natural healing--simple, traditional low-tech methods of preventing illnesses and solving everyday health problems.

Do you have unanswered questions on....

Why are people flocking to health food stores, with their lotions and potions, and what keeps them going back for more?

What to do if you or someone in your family falls ill?

Are these therapies really old wives tales or can they really work?

Even mainstream doctors have begun to recommend natural drugless therapies' to treat both everyday complaints and serious illnesses. Dietary modifications, for instance, has become the weapons of choice against a number of diseases that would have been treated mainly with prescription drugs a generation ago.

It is now known that many conditions are caused by the wrong diet and can be reversed by the right diet. Heart disease, cancer, weight problems, arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure--they can all be treated to some degree with foods.

Natural therapies found in alteative medicine are actually much older than Weste treatments such as surgeries and antibiotics. Experts estimate that herbal remedies and Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, has been around for 5,000 years.

Many alteative medicine remedies began with scientific research or clinical impressions reported by physicians working with safe, natural substances. But we live in a generation now that has been cut off from this age-old
tradition of self-reliance. Healing and health care have become almost-
-the exclusive province of duly licensed physicians.

While doctors and other professionals-are indeed great to have around, what is not so great is when you cannot do anything without them.

Shouldn't we be able to do something to save our health--maybe even our lives--without a doctor?

What happens when medical help is not so readily available?

What happens when doctoring simply does not work?

Some of us go to doctor after doctor, and still no help. Is that the end of the line?

While antibiotics have saved millions of lives, they have not really solved some resurgence of germs that are tuing up in new forms that do not respond to conventional therapies.

There has been a real shift in the way people think about their health. Rising health care cost is a factor in the recent surge of interest in alteative medicine. Many people are attracted to the alteative physicians emphasis on treating the whole person--body, mind and spirit.

Most importantly some physicians use intensive counseling to help patients find out whether aspects of their daily lives, such as job stress, marital problems, diet or sleeping habits might be behind their symptoms. In this age of managed care and impersonal group practices patients find this individualized approach of alteative medicine particularly appealing.

One of the principal goals of alteative medicine and natural healing is to break the cycle of dependency and allow people to be more in control of their own lives.

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

Ruby Boyd's website offers information on achieving Natural Health, Natural Beauty using natural, drug-free methods. Visit www.natural-health-and-beauty.com/Alteative-Medicine.html for information on how to achieve health and beauty fitness goals naturally.

What is "it"? Oils-Pure Essential Oils. Frankincense and Myrrh, for Christ's birth; Christ anointed with oils for healing. The Egyptians used it for healing, so why don't we? We have been exposed to oils for basic smells, but what about using them for more therapeutic purposes?

Why are we sick in America? Our lives are out of balance; we have 4 parts to our lives, physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional. Finding ways to put these four aspects into balance will allow healing and happiness to manifest. With your body in a state of imbalance you are not in a place where your body can heal. People and drugs can assist you to get to a state where you can heal, but they don't heal you; you heal you - the healing power is within you. Essential Oils assist the body to rebalance the body and they assist in creating a state where it can heal. Oils assist you to be in a healing place more easily, allowing your body to heal physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally.

125 million Americans are chronically ill. Over 100,000 people die annually from complications of legally prescribed drugs. All prescription drugs, even over-the-counter medications have side effects. Pure Essential Oils do not; there are no side effects and no residue, just healing. What used to be simple illnesses to treat are now killing people due to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and vicious new viruses.(By the way antibiotics will not assist in the body healing from a virus)

What is the answer? Therapeutic grade Essential Oils. There are many poor quality oils in the market place, which cost less because they are not therapeutic grade. Therapeutic grade Essential Oils are the essence of the plant or its life force. Oils contain amazing healing properties that move more quickly through your system than injected or ingested medicine.

Drugs were originally derived from the properties of plants, but as we have developed as a human race, we have added synthetic properties and chemicals, ignoring the use of the plant we were given by nature. Oils that are pure from the plant allow your body to heal and possibly get to a point where the "medication" dosage can be dropped or eliminated from your life.

A large aspect to our health is the intake or lack of oxygen. Just breathing deep breaths is one method of healing. Exciting news is that Therapeutic grade Essential Oils increase the oxygen in your body, which strengthens the immune system. Essential Oils have also been documented with properties that are anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiviral. Essential Oils also play a major role in bringing nutrients and oxygen into the body. The use of Essential Oils will rebalance the physicial, mental, emotional and spiritual parts of your body.

This information if for educational purposes only. It is not provided to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any illness, disease or injured condition of the body. Any person who has a disease should consult a physician or health care provider.

Diane Castell studies and uses natural healing methods. She is a Reiki Master, RET, Touch for Health, Professional Kinesiology, spoken at natural healing conferences. She also works with people one on one and in groups to assist them in becoming vibrantly healthly. Visit her web site at http://www.discovervibranthealth.com

If you have a health problem with your body, go to a doctor. With your mind, go see a psychologist. With your spirit, see your pastor, priest or rabbi.

What could be wrong with that?

Do you know when most heart attacks occur in American society? Mondays between 6am and 8am. Why is that? Well, of course, it's because we wake up after our happy weekend and we think "Ugh, Work." And that bothers some of us so much, we just die. Literally.

Is there a physical cause to this heart attack? Of course. Maybe the person was overweight, or maybe they had too much cholesterol in their blood. But why did they kick off on a Monday?

Most health problems have a mental aspect as well as physical. Remember Fred Sanford in Sanford and Son? Everytime his son would aggrevate him, he would fake having a heart attack. "I'm coming, Elizabeth!!" Obviously, he was just pretending, but it is true that an emotional event can bring on all kinds of physical problems.

So, what happens when you go to a doctor about your heart, or your elbow, or your sore throat? He can only inspect the physical. He doesn't feel qualified to delve into the emotional, mental or even spiritual aspects of your problems. And yet, you know those things are there, and you know they're contributing to your problem.

Your doctor might refer you to a psychologist if he suspects that your problem includes something mental, but that's usually only after he's exhausted all his "physical options." It used to be doctors would say "Don't worry, it's all in your head." Now that's not considered very good manners. But what a strange thing to say! What disease isn't at least partially in your head?

Cancer has been proven to be a problem with the immune system. If your immune system is operating at full power, it fights and beats the cancer cells before they have a chance. And it's also proven that your immune system takes a dive whenever you feel bad emotionally.

Can you imagine? Depression could be linked to cancer?

Most doctors would not admit that. They say cancer is linked to genetics and possibly to diet. That's it. Physical causes only.

But there's so much more we can do.

For our example of a better approach, let's look at Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Medicine is a very interesting combination of therapies that address body, mind and spirit.

They also focus on the "in-between." These therapies recognize, not only body, mind and spirit, but the intangible "something" that sits in-between each of these. They even have a word for it. They call it "chi." This is a kind of life force that regulates all the parts of "you:" body, mind and spirit. If your chi is good, then your health is good.

Chinese therapies include acupuncture, where tiny needles are put into the skin in certain parts of the body. The focus? To improve chi. It also includes chi gong, which is a set of exercises and meditations to improve, you guessed it, chi. Chinese massage, tai chi, herbs, and many other therapies are all focused on the "in-between," the "chi."

Many ancient health systems have a similar concept to chi. With the medicine practiced in India, called ayurveda, there is a concept called "prana." It means the same thing. It's a life energy, and all Indian therapies focus on improving that life energy, bringing it up to full force so your body, mind and spirit can thrive.

In America, we tend to want medications that will mask over the symptoms of our problems, not those that go after the root cause. In fact, the top five selling pharmaceutical drugs were all symptom-fixers, including Lipitor, a cholesterol-reducing drug, and Zoloft, an anti-depressant. Does this really seem like the best way to combat illness? To throw a blanket over the problem so we can't see it?

Next time you have a health problem, no matter how small, I'd like you to think about how it might be your "chi." It might be a problem, not with your throat, or your butt or your head, but it might be something that a qualified Chinese medical doctor could help you with, and, in the process, help your overall health in every way.

Daryl Kulak is the author of Health Insurance Off the Grid, a book to help you be able to afford your holistic lifestyle.

Whether you use aromatherapy as a stand alone or as a complementary first aid treatment there are several aromatic oils I'd like to recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit.

My recommendations include important details for you to consider when purchasing an oil, such as its Latin Name, Country of Origin, Method of Extraction and Part of the Plant Used. I also list the best oils to consider when creating a synergistic blend.

VETIVER ( vetiveria zizanoides ) - Wild Crafted, Hydro diffused Root, Haiti.

Full rich, earthy and sweet, honey textured oil that's wonderfully grounding. Ideal for use alone! The Wild Crafted hydro diffused Vetiver is an excellent example of how this oil should smell.

It is a light and lovely oil and I keep it close at hand, using it frequently in my aromatherapy practice

Keywords: GROUNDING & REASSURING A sweetly grounding and reassuring oil, a heart bottom note I can rely on to instantly relieve anxiety and panic.

May use as a mild sedative to aid sleep. Clients readily open to its grounding, reassuring scent!

Vetiver's nature is wonderfully embracing to the senses like a breath of fresh air. It is restorative and revitalizing to the mind and body and lends comfort and support in any situation.

Vetiver has a balancing effect on the mind and body and stimulates the production of red blood cells to relieve muscle and joint aches and pains.

Beneficial for treating servere nervousness, exhaustion and physical or mental debility.

Good for tension relief. Helps you to settle down and be at peace with life's realities, bringing contentment and solace to a weary wo soul.

Helpful for those who reject their physicality or sexual energies.

May be beneficial for treating anorexia nervosa and nervous eating disorders.

I've had great success using Vetiver blended with Helichrysum for resolving Heart Palpitations or Rapid Heart syndrome!

It is also an excellent hair, skin and scalp reconditioner as it regulates and balances sebum production.

Try a synergistic blend of Vetiver with any of the following aromatic oils: Neroli, Petitgrain, or Orange. Vetiver works well as a stand alone, yet blends well with a variety of oils. Use it whenever you need to anchor a blend, or need a low base note to help your formula sing!

I hope you enjoyed and benefited from this series of articles about the essential oils I recommend you have in your aromatic first aid kit. MAHALO!

Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed.

Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary and alteative health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Please consult with your physician regarding your health conces.

KG has utilized essential oils in her energy medicine practice for more than 30 years. During that time she has facilitated healing for thousands of people suffering from personal trauma, illness and injury. Through her unique AromaTest™ system KG formulates essential oil blends that heal.

Please note: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use organic, or ethically wild crafted oils whenever possible.

KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, OR USA PurePlant Essentials is her line of pure organic and ethically wild crafted essential oils. KG formulates aromatic oils for: colds and flu, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, menopause, anti-aging, skin care and more. KG's DVD & book about her AromaTest system, "Your Aromatic Signature ~ How to Formulate Blends that Heal," are scheduled for release in 2006. Click for PurePlant Essentials Menu & Essential Oils Kits: Pure Organic & Wild Crafted Essential Oils & Kits Click to order Deluxe Essential Oils Kit. KG invites you to Subscribe to Health Mastery Ezine to WIN FREE Aromatherapy Products. To lea more visit: Subscribe To Win Contact: KG Stiles at Springhill Wellness Center, 2520 Springhill Drive Ashland, OR USA (541) 941-7315 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KG_Stiles

Control Appetite

In studies of 105 subjects, it was found that people who inhaled a chocolate-like aroma when they felt hungry lost almost 3 pounds in 2 weeks. A research study of 3,193 people found that a whiff of banana, green apples or peppermint scents find out an average weight loss of 30 pounds in 6 months.

By sniffing the above aromas often, and remembering to smell all foods before you eat. This will make your brain believe that you're eating more, while in reality lessening your appetite.

Boost Energy Levels The following scents stir the portion of the brain that enhance wakefulness...

Jasmine causes a high level of beta waves in the brain, which will rev-up alertness, drinking jasmine tea is agreat pick-me-up.

Stawberries and buttered popco will cause people who exercise to bu more calories.

Peppermint will also work to boost alertness. Chewing peppermint gum or eating a peppermint candy can result mid-day wake up call.

Freshly Brewed Coffee aroma and its connection with caffeine helps the brain feel the energizing effects without the caffeine rush.

Improve Your Romance

Men and Women are sexually aroused by scents, but smells that stimulate are not the same.

For men: The blood flow to the penis is increased by 40% smelling lavander or pumpkin pie. Get a sniff of doughnuts, black licorice, vanilla or women's fragrances will also cause sexual stimulation in men.

For women: The scent of cucumber and licorice are arousing. Tu offs for women are scents of cherries, barbecued meat, and believe it or not men's cologne.

Lower Your Anxiety Fresh, natural aromas, in general cause a calming effect. A study of very confinded subject (small dark closet or room) showed people became very agitated, but when scents of green apples and cucumbers were pump in the subject seemed to calm down, their is some correlation these ordors have with the emotional center of the brain.

If you feel a condition may arise where you may feel anxious, wash your hair with green-apple-scented shampoo and/or place a portion of the shampoo on a cloth and bring it with you.

Increase Memory Power Studies show people who smell a floral scent have a 17% boost in new information retention. So, when reading new information take a whiff of a floral aroma, then smell it again to recall it. Neurologist refer to this as state-dependent leaing. The information you lea from one state--from smelling honeysuckle aroma--will increase your rention of that same information when getting a sniff of honeysuckle.

Robert runs an man health information website at http://todays-man-health-advocate.com You can find up to date information on men's health,fitness,and other helpful tips on men's issues at his website.

One of the most common cleansing diets is a detox diet. This is a diet that will release the toxins in the body that have been stored in the fat cells and will allow the body to excrete them and cleanse your body.

Why use a cleansing diet? This is used to eliminate toxins and other contaminants from the body. The main purposes of doing this is to:

Improve health
Feel more energetic
Improve immunity
Improve your mental condition
Aid in digestion
Help with weight loss

There are various ways to do this.

You can do a complete fast. This would entail not eating or drinking at all. Just drink water. This would be not eating or drinking anything but water Just drink water and juice-the same as above accept you would be adding juice Eat certain foods-some diets will consist of just vegetables and fruits others will be just liquids. There are many variations on this. Use herbs: Herbal cleansing has been used since ancient times. Certain herbs are used as cleansing medicines to release and excrete toxins from the body. Reduce calories: Some cleansing diets are used to reduce calories and aid in weight loss. The most common diet is one composed mainly of fruits and vegetables. Preferably these should be raw, unmodified and unprocessed. More water is recommended and complete absence of alchahol.

However cleansing diets are not without side effects. If done rapidly the toxins can be released into the bloodstream more quickly than the body can get rid of them. This condition is known as Herxheimer reaction.

This can result in:

· Headaches
· Muscle pain
· Weakness
· Insomnia
· Irritability

Herxheimer reaction: this is the name given to the body's condition when detoxification is occurring too rapidly and the body is not being given enough time to excrete the toxins. Some detox diets will produce this effect. This often leads to people abandoning their cleansing diets thinking that the diet is making them more sick. In actual fact if they continue with their diet the symptoms diminish and they will feel healthier.

Here are some ways that people have tried to lessen the symptoms of Herxheimer reaction:

· Drinking as much pure water as they can-this in effect will help the body flush out any toxins.

· Taking more exercise-this will improve circulation and help the body work more efficiently. This could help the body work more efficiently and excrete the toxins faster.

· Getting more sunlight
· Detox baths
· Excessive sweating-with saunas, baths and use of herbs
· Avoiding refined processed foods and toxic environmental chemicals
· Aromatherapy oils are used to help aches and pains brought on by rapid detoxification

Cleansing diets have been used from ancient times and can often help you to improve your health and make you feel better. Some people do these diets on a regular basis others more seldom. However you want to do these diets you should exercise care and possibly consult your doctor before commencing on one as sometimes side effects can be severe. If you have any underlying disease especially metabolic ones such as diabetes then it is very necessary to consult your Doctor before trying any type of cleansing diets.

Using crystals in the context of healing has a very long history (primitive paintings dating back to 25,000 BC). Evidence shows that the ancient Egyptians used crystals for therapeutic purposes. Lapis Lazuli, a beautiful blue stone with freckles of "Fools Gold" Pyrite, was ground down and rubbed onto the eyelids to prevent eye infections from the sandy deserts, is one such example. Blue eye shadow is far more dated than the 1960's! It is also believed that the ancient lost civilizations of Atlantis and Lemuria also understood the healing properties of crystals. In more recent times, crystals have found resurgence in popularity. People are buying crystals for their aesthetic qualities, dabbling in the beliefs that they will bring them love, prosperity and healing.

Crystals are very powerful energy systems and, when used in a treatment by a qualified practitioner, can be haessed to bring about profound healing benefits both physically, mentally and emotionally. It has been long known and recognised by scientists that crystals have a "charge". They have been used in technology for this very property for years, such as in computers, watches and televisions. In fact, we would not have technology without them.

Through my own theorising I have come to understand the way crystals can bring about healing. All living (and 'non-living') things vibrate to certain frequencies. We're taught at school that atoms are in constant motion, so this idea is not alien to us. Crystals have a pure energy due to their regulatory lattice structure. When the vibrations of these crystals come into contact with our own vibration, they will affect our vibration in much the same way as we experience sound waves. When an individual is out of balance, the crystals pure vibrations will change our own vibration, and bring the imbalance closer to harmony.

These ideas rest on the assumption that the world is made of differing frequencies of energy. The physical world is made from very dense frequencies which is why we can see them. Other energies such as microwaves, radio-waves, sound-waves and radiation are frequencies of energy that are less dense and so we cannot ordinarily see them. Around physical objects there is a frequency of energy that we do not ordinarily see, scientifically known as the electromagnetic energy field, or aura. It is in these layers of energy around animal and human bodies that are thought by many, for thousands of years, to contain emotions, thoughts and our connection with the universe. Scientific research is now finding ways to show this to be true.

In a crystal treatment, crystals are placed around, on and over the client. The treatment may be seated or lying down; the removal of clothing is unnecessary. There are many different treatments that can be used for specific illness and ailments, and a practitioner may adapt these to tailor for the needs of the individual.

Specific treatments that I have been taught through the Vantol College of Crystal Therapy help with symptoms such as; the common cold, migraines, lethargy, depression, blood sugar disorders such as diabetes, high/low blood pressure, kidney and urinary conditions, reproductive issues including fertility conditions and menstrual imbalances, ear and sinus problems and general detoxification and cleansing of the body system. I have personally found crystal therapy to be very powerful in my emotional and spiritual development.

Before a treatment commences, the client or recipient will be required to give some personal information about their physical health, which will be the basis of the decision as to the course of treatments, and indeed whether a treatment should be given or not. A treatment usually lasts about an hour, in which time the recipient may have many different sensations arising such as emotions, physical sensations, or mental images. It is not unusual, however, for a client not to feel anything, just very relaxed.

The best way to find a qualified Crystal Therapist is to contact the Crystal Healing Federation, or the British Crystal Healers. You can find these organisations through the Vantol College website; www.crystaltherapy.com Practitioner's who have been trained to the standards met by these organisations, two years of training being one of them, are entitled to register with the NHS Directory. You can then be sure that you are being treated by someone who has a sound knowledge of crystals and their affects.

Samantha Thurlby-Brooks is a practitioner and teacher of Seichem both in London and Reading, working under the name of The Butterfly House Complementary Therapies & Training. She is also qualified in Massage and Indian Head Massage and Crystal/Gemstone Therapy to NHS standards. She is soon to teach with the acclaimed Vantol College of Crystal Therapy. Through her unique experience with crystals she is currently researching her first book on crystals and their self-development properties. You can contact her through her website http://www.butterflyhousectt.co.uk

Samantha Thurlby-Brooks is one of the UK's top Crystal Therapists, and an inspirational practitioner and teacher of Reiki-Seichem.

Samantha is currently writing a book on crystals and their self-development properties, entitled "Jouey to the Spirit of the Stones".

'Butterfly' is a FREE monthly newsletter bursting with the latest information and inspiration in the mind-body-spirit field.

Subscribe online today at http://www.butterflyhousectt.co.uk

Going on a trip is usually thought of as a wonderful experience, one that you and your family may have planned and looked forward to for some time. To have the most fun - to get the most out of the experience - it's important that you and your loved ones have the means to overcome those little ailments and discomforts that can make the experience range from mildly unpleasant to downright unbearable. How can we include a little "Trip Insurance" to our already overstuffed carry-ons or mini-vans? Aromatherapy has an answer with some readily-available essential oils.

Motion sickness, bug bites, digestive difficulties, and general travel weariness - to name a few - are common discomforts experienced when venturing away from home. A small collection of inexpensive essential oils can provide great relief from these amusement-threatening ailments. "Treatment" with these oils is simple - ranging from inhaling a little oil from a tissue, to adding to a bath, to drinking a drop with a warm cup of water. And, thankfully, relief often comes quickly because of the oils' powerful properties and compatibility with our own bodies.

Peppermint and Ginger Essential Oils - Motion Sickness, Stomach Troubles, and Waking Up

Well begin with "getting there" - the beginning of any trip starts with traveling. By car, boat, plane, or otherwise, motion sickness commonly effects many people, particularly children. This can easily make the traveling portion of your experience absolutely no fun. Enter Peppermint essential oil.

Peppermint has long been used to calm uneasy stomachs, and is easily used. One drop (it is strong!) in a cup of warm water, sweetened if you like, can be sipped before and during the voyage. For the fussy ones, a drop can be added to a small amount of honey and taken from a spoon for the same effect.

Ginger essential oil is also known for it's calming of upset stomachs - a little inhaled from a tissue or diluted in a carrier oil and rubbed on the abdomen may bring relief. A drop of Ginger can also be taken in warm water as a strong ginger tea - this may be effective for some food-related stomach issues, particularly when combined with the abdomen massage method.

Peppermint can also be uplifting to the weary driver or passenger - a drop or two placed on tissues in the car or near your seat will release the aroma into your surroundings. Be careful with this oil however, as getting it on sensitive areas of the skin (directly under the nose, and certainly near the eyes) can bu a little. Tissues with the oil on it should not touch these areas directly.

Lavender Oil - The Great Soother

Lavender has been called "a medicine chest in a bottle" due to its wide range of effects. The aroma of Lavender is uplifting and relaxing, useful for stress in congested airports or crowded highways. Breathing this very safe essential oil is effective for adults and children alike - inhaling drops from a tissue directly, or from one"s placed in your surroundings can help you and your companions be at ease.

Thyme, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus - Cleansing and Keeping Bugs and Bits at Bay

Lavender essential oil is also an effective wound-healer, due to it's anti-inflammatory, mild antibacterial, and skin-regenerative effects. It can be used directly in case of bus, mixed 50:50 with Tea Tree and put on band aids to prevent infection, or blended with Thyme Linalol and Eucalyptus (2:4:2) and added to a bowl of water for an effective disinfectant wash.

Lavender is very useful for treating bites and stings - just place a little "neat" (undiluted) on the affected area. This versatile oil is also a component of an insect repellent blend comprised of equal parts of Lavender, Thyme Linalol, and Peppermint, and a double-dose of Lemongrass essential oil. A drop or more placed on tissue or cloth about your room can keep the insects out of your space; 3 drops of this blend per teaspoon of carrier oil can be regularly applied to the skin - or you may mix a similar amount into any lotion you may have.

Lavender can be used in combination with Geranium, Chamomile, Peppermint and Eucalyptus oils in relieving the effects of jet-lag. Getting out of this weary state as quickly as possible makes any trip more enjoyable. This requires getting yourself and companions in-synch with local time, having good rest at night and perhaps a gentle lift in the moings and throughout the day.

Add Chamomile to Calm the Kids

To get yourself into the swing of local time, relax and be ready for bed with equal parts of Lavender and Geranium essential oils - Chamomile may also be used in place of the Geranium, and works especially well for soothing children (if they are irritable for ANY reason). Add a few drops to a bath or use in a massage oil. For a moing eye-opener, do the same using equal amounts of Peppermint and Eucalyptus. You will find these useful at other times when you need a little clarity and lightening-up.

Lemon Oil - Purifying

Lemon Oil also has some wonderfully diverse uses. It is effective as an antibacterial, but not so strong as to be an irritant. Adding several drops per quart to your drinking water will help purify it, and the water can act as a disinfectant to be used in washing your fruits and vegetables – the need for this certainly depends on your location, but it not a bad idea whenever bacterial contamination may be a possibility. Further, regularly drinking water with added lemon oil can gently stimulate the lymphatic and digestive systems, helping alleviate that sluggish feeling that often accompanies extended plane and car travel.

Eucalyptus Oil for Cooling and Colds

Eucalyptus - the Narrow Leaf variety is a favorite - has a great range of uses as well. It can cool the body when too hot, and protect it when too cold. It is found in almost all formulas used to relieve congestion, can support circulation, and bring lightness to a travel-weary head.

Eucalyptus oil can be used like peppermint to uplift and invigorate during long intervals in an automobile. It can be added to a cool bath or used on a cold compress in cases of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (accompanied by, of course, copious amounts of water and electrolytes!), and used in a similar manner to reduce fever. Eucalyptus oil may be blended with Geranium as a massage oil (3 drops Eucalyptus and 2 drops Geranium per teaspoon of carrier oil) to relieve heat cramps. For congestion relief, to a drawn bath, add 1 drop Eucalyptus, 3 drops Lemon, 2 drops Thyme, and 2 drops Tea Tree - soak and breathe deeply - or simply add a few drops to a steaming bowl of water and inhale.

These are just a few examples of ways to make your travel experiences more enjoyable with aromatherapy. With a little effort, you can expand your knowledge of these oils, discovering further uses, and find other oils that work well for your particular needs. These essential oils are readily available, and fairly inexpensive - though caution should be used when buying oils, as some can be adulterated, and others are mass-produced with techniques that may limit their therapeutic benefits. The more pleasant and "well rounded" an oil"s aroma, generally the higher the quality. Your nose will know! And as with any aromatherapy application, start slowly - essential oils deserve a healthy respect.

Misty Rae Cech, ND, is a naturopath practicing in Boulder, Colorado. She is the owner of http://www.anandaapothecary.com and http://www.ananda-aromatherapy.com.