Archive for the ‘Skin Care’ Category

Many spices and herbs, commonly found around the house, can be used for herbal healing to fight infection, sanitize and heal wounds, improve brain power and detoxify the body.  Be warned that many of these herbs have essential oils in them which are toxic in high doses so should especially be avoided during pregnancy.  Consider the following:

  • Rosemary is my favorite for herbal healing. It is called the herb of remembrance (or the herb of chicken) because it increases blood flow to the brain increasing memory, focus, concentration and mental endurance. Take the dried or fresh leaves and steep them like you would tea.  Rosemary is also one of nature’s best antioxidants as it helps prevent cell damage and helps the liver function to detoxify the body.
  • Tumeric is another easy way to help detoxify the body.  Also, to decrease inflammation in your joints or muscles or anywhere in the body, put 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a couple ounces of warm water and drink it quickly.  If you don’t like the taste, add some cinnamon or chase it with your favorite fruit juice.  This bright yellow powder is used as a clothing dye, so be careful, it will stain your clothes!
  • Cayenne is a strong, topical pain neutralizer.  Use this spicy, red powder for pain and inflammation of any kind: joint pain, muscle pain or nerve pain.  Combine 1 part cayenne powder with 5 parts flour, add some water until it becomes a thick paste and spread it on to a piece of fabric.  Fold the fabric so the cayenne paste is in the middle.  Apply this to the sore area for 15 minutes maximum, watching for redness or burning. Also, sprinkle some cayenne in your socks to keep your feet cozy on cold days.
  • When you’ve got that sensation in the back of your throat as if you’re about to get sick, chew on some sage leaves.  The essential oils in the leaves are antimicrobial and should prevent the infection.  A pure form of the essential oil can be put in some water and gargled.  Also, crush the leaves with a mortar and pestle then wrap them in sterile gauze and apply to scrapes and cuts to clean the wound.
  • Parsley can be used for speedy herbal healing of wounds, bruises, stings and bites.  Crush the leaves of this breath freshening garnish then wrap them in some sterile gauze and apply directly to the skin.

As you can see, herbal healing is possible from your own home – it’s effective and inexpensive!

Naturopathic medicine is a safe, effective and natural approach to you and your family’s health.  Naturopathic doctors can and will empower you to live a healthy lifestyle while treating and preventing disease.  Find more information on the services I offer at Arbour Wellness Centre at Nanaimo Naturopathic Doctor.

Stretch marks are a form of scarring that can occur when a person’s skin is overstretched. Stretch marks have the initial appearance of purple or red looking lines. Over time, they will fade until they are pale in color.

The two main causes of stretch marks are pregnancy and obesity. Stretch marks are a very common condition. A large percentage of the population has been overweight or pregnant at some time in their lives! It’s not just women who get stretch marks, either. Few people realize that they are a common complaint of male body builders as well.

The good news is that there are several treatments for stretch marks that have been shown to be highly effective. Here’s a look at three of the most common ways to deal with this condition.

1. Dermabrasion. General anesthesia is required when you undergo this kind of stretch mark surgery. The aim of dermabrasion is to remove or lessen the appearance of scars, damage from the sun or dark spots. In this procedure, the surface of your skin is sanded off using special equipment.

This procedure is most effective is the scar is raised above the skin’s surface. It’s generally much less effective when used to treat sunken scars. The procedure is very painful and the healing process can take several months. But the final result can be very impressive.

2. Microdermabrasion. Often referred to as microderm, this is a far less invasive procedure. It’s a popular, easily accessible treatment that doesn’t require an anesthetic. It involves removing the surface layer of the skin by using a special wand with a roughened surface to lightly sand the skin. People like microdermabrasion because it has a reputation for being a safe, painless procedure.

3. Skin treatment creams. There are hundreds of products marketed these days that claim to prevent or eliminate stretch marks. Creams and lotions containing Vitamin A, cocoa butter or an assortment of other ingredients are highly popular.

Some of these products have a lot of research behind them and can be quite effective at reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Some of the more effective treatments for stretch marks are Trilastin, Revitol and NuVectin. You should be aware that most of these products are best for preventing rather than eliminating stretch marks.

However, many products tend to overstate their ability to get rid of stretch marks. It’s important that you read some independent customer reviews on any stretch mark product before you buy it. Do a web search for the product you’re considering, and examine sites that aren’t associated with the manufacturer. Also, check out the company’s website and try to follow through on any of their claims.

27
Jan

Improve Your Skin with a Home Sauna

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Relaxing in a sauna after a good workout is a luxury not too many of us have the time for. And most people don’t even know where they could go to use a sauna. If you can’t get out to a sauna, how can you reap its many benefits? Bring the sauna to you!

A home sauna is a great addition to any home. It’s convenient and guaranteed to get lots of use, unlike that treadmill that’s gathering dust. It’s a worthwhile investment and it’s guaranteed to be enjoyed by all the family. It’s a great way to spend some time relaxing, and there are also lots of health benefits associated with a home sauna.

A sauna is a small room that is specially designed to be heated to very high temperatures, in order to induce sweating and offer significant health benefits. There are actually two different types of sauna that you can choose from, which are a steam sauna or a dry sauna.

Great Benefits

If you feel like your skin looks dull or tired then a home sauna could be a great way to restore a healthy glow to your skin. Very often, skin problems are a result of the toxins found in our bodies. When you wash your face using a cleanser, it only affects the top layer of skin.

If you want skin that’s deep down clean, a home sauna could be just the answer you’re looking for. The lymphatic system will be revved up and all those toxins that lead to a variety of skin problems will be eliminated.

Start your home sauna skin cleansing session with a workout. It needn’t be too intense. Just something that will get your heart rate up and produce a light sweat. After a bit of sweating, sit down and relax in your sauna for fifteen minutes or so.

Get in and out of your home sauna at fifteen minute intervals so that you spend at least forty five minutes in total in there. Following each session, you need to cool down by hopping in the shower briefly. Remember to keep hydrated by drinking lots of water before and during your skin cleansing session.

You’ll not only discover that your skin’s appearance is improved, but your overall health is enhanced. You’re likely to discover that you are more relaxed after spending some time in the sauna. It is a great way to ease stress if you’ve had a long day in the office and need a way to unwind and forget about all the annoying things in your day.