Natural acne remedies with homemade face mask recipes

Why spend tons of money on face masks that are filled with harsh chemicals that produce things such as cancer. Everything you will need can be found in your kitchen to create a healthier and more beautiful skin.

Honey is an antibacterial that has been used throughout the ages to dress wounds (one of my favorite ingredients). It is an excellent choice to use on troubled skin by itself or as a base with other ingredients.    **Always choose organic, raw honey.

Masks can be left on for up to 30 minutes, although some people put up with the mess to leave them on overnight. After that time, rinse thoroughly and use coconut oil as a moisturizer if your skin feels too dry.

Honey Mask Recipes for Facials:

Cinnamon and Honey

Two tablespoons of honey to one teaspoon of cinnamon. Cinnamon is also an antimicrobial. You can also use a 1:1 ratio for short or overnight spot treatments.

Yogurt and Honey

Use a 1:1 ratio. Be sure to use plain, whole- fat yogurt. This mask is very nourishing to the skin.

Strawberries and Honey

Mash up strawberries and mix with honey with a roughly 1:1 ratio. Strawberries are high in salicylic acid and vitamin C, providing nourishment for the skin along with opening and shrinking pores.

Avocado and Honey

Mash one avocado and add one tablespoon of honey. Mix well. This is a nutrient rich mask.

Lemon and Honey

Use a 1:1 ratio. Vitamin C from the lemon nourishes the skin and fights infection and lemon tones the skin as well. (You can also use straight lemon juice for spot treatments).

Turmeric, Milk, and Honey

Turmeric has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Use 4 tablespoons turmeric to 4 tablespoons honey. Add 1 tablespoon of milk or yogurt. Turmeric will leave the skin yellow. Use any astringent (like lemon or apple cider vinegar) to remove the yellow tinge.

Other masks to help clear your skin blemishes

Egg whites-- Whip and apply. Egg whites are said to help fade acne scars and to help with breakouts due to the protein and vitamins they contain. They also help curtail excess sebum.

Papaya--Mash and apply. The enzyme, papain, helps to reduce inflammation and prevent infection.

Orange peel--Grated, mashed peel with water or mix with aloe vera. The citric acid works as an astringent while the vitamin C helps promote new healthy cell growth.

Banana peel--Rub the inside of the peel over your face. Banana peel contain lutein, a powerful antioxidant that reduces swelling and inflammation while promoting healthy cell growth.

Oatmeal - make one serving of oatmeal and add 1 tablespoon of raw honey. Use after it completely cools. This is a mask to reduce inflammation and to soothe the skin; it is not a mask that will kill bacteria.

To truly heal your skin, you must treat more than the outside (the symptoms); you must treat the cause. A full healing will involve detoxing, balancing the gut and eliminating Candida, eating a very healthy diet, and balancing your hormones (men, women).

Sources:

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://www.healingthebody.ca

15 Reasons You Should Be Drinking Lemon Water Every Morning

If you are looking for an easy trick to improve your life and overall health, than look no further. Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning is a pretty simple routine to get into and will have tremendous effects on your overall health.

Since I started this simple and surprisingly healthy habit a few years ago, I definitely noticed the difference. Not only does the refreshing taste wake me up in the morning, it helps to kick start digestion and finalizes my body’s natural detoxification processes… And lemons are packed with vitamin C, B, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, enzymes, antioxidants, and fibers.

*According to the Ayurvedic philosophy, choices you make regarding your daily routine either build up resistance to diseases or tear it down.

So what are you waiting for to jump start your day with this incredible easy morning routine. Its benefits are endless.

1. Improves Digestion

Lemon juice has a similar structure to your stomach’s juices and helps to loosen and flush out toxins from the digestive tract. Lemon juice can help ease indigestion, heartburn, and bloating. It also helps to move your bowels in the morning, hydrates your colon, stimulate bile production, and infuses water in your stool.

2. Boost Immune System

Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immunes system and fights cold and flu. But not only vitamin C is important for a good working immune system, iron is another important nutrient, and lemons improve the ability to absorb more iron from the food you eat.

3. Hydrates Your Body

It is important to stay hydrated. Especially during the summer months. Plain water is best, but many people find this boring and are not drinking enough of it. That’s where lemon comes into play to make things more interesting. So feel free to not only start your day with lemon water, but drink as many glasses as you wish during the day to stay hydrated.

4. Boost Energy

Lemon water gives you an instant boost of energy and improves your mood right at the start of your day.

5. Promote Healthy And Rejuvenated Skin

Lemons are a rich sources of antioxidants that prevent free radical damage. These free radicals are responsible for pre-mature aging of your skin. Vitamin C helps to maintain your skin’s elasticity to prevent the formation of wrinkles and decrease blemishes.

6. Reduce Inflammation

Lemons have the ability to remove uric acid from your joints. Uric acid built-ups are one of the major causes of inflammation.

7. Weight Loss Aid

Although lemon water on its own is no weight loss miracle, it can definitely help you to achieve faster and long term results. Lemons assist in fighting hunger cravings, boost metabolism, and give you a stuffed feeling, making it less likely to snack in between meals.

8. Alkalize Your Body

Although lemons have a sour taste, they are one of the most alkalizing food sources on Earth. Too much acids can cause inflammation, obesity, and major diseases like cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Click here to learn more about the importance of alkalizing your body.

9. Cleansing Properties

Lemons help your entire body to flush out more toxins to prevent built-ups and damage to your cells, tissues, and organs. It stimulates your liver to produce more enzymes and work more efficiently. Lemon juice works as a diuretic to keep your urinary tract toxin-free and can also change the pH levels which discourage bacterial growth. This is very helpful for people who often suffer from UTI (urinary tract infection). And like mentioned before, lemons loosen and flush out waste from your digestive tract and cleanse your colon.

10. Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties

Lemons have antibacterial and antiviral properties. They help fight the flu, cold, and soothe a sore throat. Although people who drink their daily lemon water every day are less likely to get these in the first place.

11. Reduce Mucus And Phlegm

Lemon water helps to reduce mucus and phlegm formation. People who drink cow’s milk are often more sensitive for mucus production. So starting your day with lemon water can definitely help to lessen mucus if you’re not ready to go dairy-free.

12. Freshen Breath

Lemons freshen your breath and fight mouth bacteria. Although lemons are great for your overall oral health, avoid drinking or using it undiluted. The citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so don’t brush your teeth with it, but have a glass of lemon water instead.

13. Boost Brain Power

The high levels of potassium and magnesium show beneficial effects on our brain and nerve health. Lemon water can give you the boost you need to fight depression and stress. It creates mental clarity and more focus, making it a great drink for students or people with busy and stressful jobs.

14. Anti-cancer

Lemon’s antioxidants not only protect your skin from ageing, but also reduce the risk of several types of cancer. They are great in neutralizing acids as well. Cancer loves to grow in an acidic environment. Alkalizing your body may stop cancer cells to grow and may reduce the risk of getting cancer in the first place.

15. Get Of Caffeine

Many people are able to get off caffeine by replacing their morning coffee by lukewarm lemon water. It gives a similar energy boost to wake your body and boost energy as one cup of coffee would.

How To Make Lemon Water

Making lemon water is super simple. It takes less than 5 minutes of your precious morning time. Just squeeze half a lemon in lukewarm water. If you weigh more than 150 pounds, use a whole lemon.

Why use lukewarm (or room temperature) instead of cold or hot water to make this healing morning drink? Well, hot or cold water takes more energy to process, so your first glass in the morning should be lukewarm or at room temperature to slowly wake your body and kick start digestion.

If you love the taste feel free to add more lemon water to your diet during the rest of the day, cold or hot. It adds up to your daily water need, is less boring than plain water, and adds tons of benefits for body and mind.

Enjoy!

Ear infection: Acute Otitis Media- Inflammation of the Middle Ear

Since entering my third semester in my ongoing studies for my associates degree in Complimentary Alternative Medicine I have learned a lot about the human body and how it's fascinating when it comes to fighting against bacteria, viruses, and other diseases.

 

This week I learned about the ear nose and throat, mainly about the inflammation of the middle ear also knows as earaches. This can be caused by bacterial or a viral infection in the middle ear is often associated with an upper respiratory tract infection. This is most common in children, the mucus and fluid build up in the middle ear and provide resistance due to poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, or faulty elimination.

 

Symptoms of an ear infection:
Usually, the first sign is persistent severe ear pain. There may be some hearing loss, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may all occur in young children. Infants and toddlers my repeatedly pull at their earlobe.

 

Wellness protocols:
Always ensure if you have a child with these conditions get diagnosed first by a healthcare provider. If they prescribe antibiotics in several cases, natural healing methods can supplement allopathic treatments.
A diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables, fresh juices, quality proteins, and whole grains is vital to build up the resistance to infection. Restrict dairy products to one or two servings per day and avoid completely during an ear infection. Avoid sugar, white flour, and processed foods, which provide calories but little micronutrients. Sleep is vitally important.
The nose, throat, sinuses, and teeth should also be examined to check for secondary infection, which will complicate the picture.

 

*Do not put any substances in the ear if the child has ear tubes inserted or if there is a possibility that the eardrum is ruptured.

 

• High doses of Vitamin C supplements
• Gently massage over the Eustachian tube in a downward direction.
• stimulate blood flow and drainage of the middle ear by applying hot (but not boiling), then cold towels over the ear and Eustachian tube. Apply hot for 3 minutes, then cold for 30 seconds.
• Propolis is a natural and effective antibiotic and can be given orally and used within the ear. Use 3-drops of propolis tincture to 7-drops of boiled water. Place a few drops in the ear three times a day. Mix the propolis with garlic or halibut oil for increased effectiveness.

 

Herbal Protocols:

• Warmed garlic and clove oils mixed can be dropped into the ear and are antiseptic and soothing.
• Warm Mullein oil is effective when 2-drops are placed into each ear. Be sure the mixture is not too hot. Test on your inner arm first before applying.

Homeopathic Remedies for Childhood Earaches:

• Belladonna 30c: Sudden, bounding pain, sudden high fever, red face; Often children wakes in the middle of the night screaming.
• Chamomilla 30c: Nothing pleases them, can't be consoled, will often throw toys after crying for them.
• Pulsatilla 30c: weeping, wants to be carried all the time.

Herbal Formulas:

Garlic Oil
8oz garlic, peeled and minced
olive oil, warm, sufficient to cover
Warm the oil in a bowl over a pot of water or using a double broiler. Never put oil directly over heat as it can easily catch fire.
Place the garlic in a large jar.
Add sufficient oil to cover the garlice
Shake and then place in a warm place for two to three days
Strain through cotton or muslin, bottle, and keep refrigerated
Use 10 drops three times a day

Chamomile Ear Blend
1/2 oz Chamomile (German) or (Roman)
1 Cup Boiling Water
1/2 Cup almond oil
1/2 Cup vegetable glycerin


Prepare an infusion of chamomile using the chamomile and boiling water. Strain and add the almond oil and vegetable glycerin. Shake the mixture well. Soak cotton wool in this mixture and insert into the ear.


Ear Blend
1oz distilled water
1oz calendula tincture
1/4oz propolis tincture
1 to 2 drops of fresh nasturtium juice (optional)
Measure the qualities with a syringe. A few drops of the juice from crushed Nasturtium leaves can be added. Use 4-5 drops in the ear, four times a day.

Natural antibiotics to stockpile now: 10 herbs and foods that kill superbugs

 

 

Today's crop of antibiotics are becoming less and less effective. This is becoming more and more of an issue each year during the flu season.

 

Alexander Fleming, the creator of the first antibiotic, penicillin, back in 1945 when he received his Nobel Prize for medicine warned us:

"It is not difficult to make microbes resistant to penicillin in the laboratory by exposing them to concentrations not sufficient to kill them. There is the danger that the ignorant man may easily underdose himself and by exposing his microbes to non-lethal quantities of the drug make them resistant."

And while bacteria have been a part of "life" on Earth for humans since the dawn of time, constant exposure to antibiotics -- which kill even "good" bacteria -- is responsible for the rise of superbugs that are resistant to an increasing number antibiotic drugs.

 

I have used all except Pascalite and seen amazing results. A personal testimony was back in April just about my entire office got sick with this nasty cough that has lasted about 2-3 months for most of them. I felt my immune system start going downhill, so I bought collidale silver and started taking 1 tsp each day. I never even got sick or even a sniffle. With that in mind, and before you find yourself in dire need of something that will kill the superbugs, here are 10 herbs and foods that will do the job naturally:


-- Honey: In a recently released study, researchers from the Salve Regina University in Newport, Rode Island, reaffirmed that raw honey is one of the best natural antibiotics you can have.

Lead author Susan M. Meschwitz, Ph.D., presented the findings at the 247th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.

"The unique property of honey lies in its ability to fight infection on multiple levels, making it more difficult for bacteria to develop resistance," she said.

Honey uses a combination of weapons including polyphenols, hydrogen peroxide and an osmotic effect. Honey is practically an ambidextrous fighter, using multiple modalities to kill bacteria.

-- Colloidal silver: As noted by Gregory A. Gore, in his book, Defeat Cancer:Silver was used 1,200 years ago by Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, sailors, and then by the pioneers who populated our country. They used it for various illnesses and to keep their foods and liquids from spoiling. Prior to 1938, before antibiotics, colloidal silver was used by doctors as their main substance to fight bacteria in a more natural way than through the antibiotics they use today. Antibiotics can harm our kidneys and liver functions. Colloidal silver promotes healing.

-- Pascalite: This is a type of bentonite clay found only in the mountains of Wyoming. It possesses remarkable healing powers. When it is used topically, it is known for its ability to draw infections from wounds in a matter of hours or days, thereby bringing about total recovery. The first recorded use of Pascalite was in the early 1930s when a trapper named Emile Pascal set his traps near a cold, clear mountain lake, where he had noticed a large number of animal tracks; after getting some of it on his chapped hands, he noticed some time later that it appeared to help them. So he continued to experiment with the substance and found that it had a number of topical uses, including for burns, minor wounds and infections.

-- Turmeric: This herb has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for many thousands of years to treat a wide range of infections. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities have been known to be highly effective in the treatment of bacterial infections. It can also be used topically for MRSA and additional lesions of the skin.

-- Oil of Oregano: This is an essential oil known best for its bacteria-killing abilities, as well as controlling staph infections like MRSA. It contains antioxidant, antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and pain-relieving properties. In 2001, Science Daily reported on a Georgetown University study which found that oregano oil's germ-killing properties were nearly as effective as most antibiotics.

-- Tea tree oil: This is also a very potent and essential oil that has been shown to be effective in killing antibiotic-resistant MRSA on the skin. One important note: Therapeutic-grade tea tree oil must be used undiluted if it is to be used for this purpose.

-- Olive leaf extract: This substance has been used for a number of centuries to battle bacterial infections and is now currently being used as well to fight MRSA infections in some European hospitals. It provides immune system support while fighting antibiotic-resistant infections.

-- Garlic: This tasteful seasoning veggie has been used for medicinal purposes around the world for thousands of years. It was even used in the 1700s to ward off the plague. It possesses very potent antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties.

-- Echinacea: This compound has been used to treat aging and a wide variety of infections for centuries. It was traditionally used to treat open wounds, as well as blood poisoning, diphtheria and other bacteria-related illnesses. Today, it is used mostly to treat colds and flu.

-- Goldenseal: This is one of the most popular herbs sold on the American market and has recently gained a reputation as an herbal antibiotic and immune system enhancer. American Indians used goldenseal as a medication for inflammatory internal conditions such as respiratory, digestive and genitourinary tract inflammation induced by allergy or infection, according to Herbwisdom.com.

Benefits of Herbs in your daily diet

It's been some time since I have posted anything. I hope you are all enjoying the World Cup 2014, I know I have been!😊

I have just started my 2nd semester for my Associates with Complimentary Medicine. Last semester I had Aroma 203 and Herb 201. What an amazing class, filled with challenges, learning new remedies, and benefits of herbs that I started incorporating into my daily diet.

One of the herbs I would like to share with you is the amazing benefits of Parsley!

There are several varieties of parsley: the common plain-leafed, the curl-leafed, the broad-leafed or Hamburg that is grown for it's fleshly taproot, and the celery-leafed or Italian.

 

 

Most people think of parsley as a garnish, but there is so much more to parley than meets the eye!

 

 

Therapeutic Actions:

*Antimicrobial

*Antiperiodic (juice)

*Antispasmodic

*Aperient

*Aromatic

*Carminative (seeds)

*Digestant

*Diruetic (lithotriptic)

*Emmenagogue (seeds)

*Expectorant

*Febrifuge (seeds)

*Hypotensive

*Laxative

*Nutritive

*Stomachic

*Tonic

*Vulnerary

 

Parsley is chiefly used for it's beneficial influence on the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and gallbladder, although it's contraindicated for inflammatory kidney disease.

 

Fresh raw parsley juice is a specific tonic for the adrenal glands and is a powerful tonic to the whole nervous and circulatory systems. Again, take small doeses, perferably mixed with carrot and celery juices, and do not use the concentrated juice if the kidneys are inflamed. Parsley has a high mineral content, particularly in iron, makes it valuable for anemia and muscle complaints. This is great for women to take before and during menstration.

 

It is used for acidosis, adrenal gland exhaustion (which I have used and has helped), Amenorrhea, anemia, arthritis, asthma, baldness, colic, conjunctivitis, convalescing, coughs, cystitis, dandruff, to decrease lactation, difficult urination, dropsy, dysmenorrhea, dysepsia, fevers, gallbladder tonic, gout, gravel in kidneys, hair growth (stimulation), halitosis, head lice, hepatitis, high blood pressure, insect bites and stings, jaundice, kidney tonic, irritation, inflammation, menstrual obstructions, nephritis, obesity, obstruction of liver or spleen, paiinful urination, pancreas, tonic, prostrate inflammation, rheumatism, sciatica, swollen glands, and thyroid tonic.

 

Parsley also has the reputation of absorbing the odor of garlic, which makes it useful for garlic eaters who value their social lives. :) It can lower the risk of cancer, enhance our immune system, reduce inflammation and so much more!! Here is some insight...

 

Lower your risk of cancer

 

Parsley is rich in a flavonoid known as apigenin which has been shown to reduce certain cancers, such as skin, breast and prostate cancer. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Enhance your immune system and conquer inflammation

Parsley's essential oils have been proven to suppress overstimulated immune responses, which makes it a crucial player in the fight against allergies and autoimmune and persistent inflammatory disorders. Eugenol, one of the oils found in parsley, has been shown to have anti-arthritic properties. This oil, combined with the anti-inflammatory benefits of parsley, can significantly reduce joint swelling. Parsley can help protect us from many disorders such as diabetes, colon cancer and asthma.

Improve your heart

Parsley contains a significant amount of the B vitamin folic acid, also known as folate, which reduces homocysteine (an amino acid that can damage blood vessels) in our bodies, thus lowering the risk of stroke, heart attack and atherosclerosis (thickening of artery walls).

Ease urinary tract infections

Along with drinking cranberry juice, homeopathic experts list parsley as an antibiotic alternative to be used at the first signs of urinary tract infection. Be sure to check with a doctor if symptoms persist for more than a few days. ***THIS DOES WORK!!!***

Liver health

Two compounds found in parsley, apigenin and myristicin, boost the production of a liver enzyme which can detox our bodies. Additionally, a report on apigenin found that the compound also improves the effects of some drugs used to treat colon cancer. This is in line with a study published in February 2011 in the journal Clinical and Experimental Metastasis.

Fight bad breath

Parsley is chock full of chlorophyll, which has antibacterial properties. That is why people eat the parsley sprig from their plates after a meal. It fights oral bacteria that causes bad breath.

**Possible side effects**

Parsley can cause some side effects. Headaches can occur when first using parsley but often pass as your body becomes accustomed to the compounds. Also, higher levels of parsley can cause loss of equilibrium, so show care when walking until this side effect passes, should you experience it.

***Watch for signs of kidney damage when taking parsley supplements. These signs can include severe pain in the flanks, back pain, fever, abdominal swelling and blood in the urine.

In rare cases, seizures can occur when using high amounts of parsley supplements. Seizures can be either convulsions (writhing or jerking movements) or simply loss of awareness.

If any of these problems occur, visit a doctor or emergency room as soon as possible. Never hesitate to check with your primarycare physician before incorrporating herbs into your daily diet. Always look to see how long you should take an herb for as well. Some herbs you shouldn't take more than 7-14 days at a time with a rest period in between.

Sources:

Peterson, Dorene. "Module 7-Parsley. Herb201. Portland: American College of Healthcare and Science, 2013. 232-38. Print.

 

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com

http://www.naturalalternativeremedy.com

2014 ~ A New Year ~

Hello Everyone!

I just wanted to sit down and actually let everyone who reads this know how amazed I am reaching people all over the world. Thank you!

I realize I have been slacking on my blog and hopefully I will have some great things to share since I decided to go back to school for my Associates in Natural Medicine with a minor in Aromatherapy. Right now I am taking an Aromatherapy class and Herbal class. Once I am finished with school I hope to have an opportunity to study abroad then take my knowledge & passion to help others in a natural way that could be more cost effective as well as a natural benefit to their bodies. 

If there is anyone who reads this and would like to know something specific please hit the email icon at the bottom of the page and send me a message.  I am more than happy to try and help. 

Enjoy the 2014 year and all this year has in store for each one of you! 

Juliet