Natural Body Guru

Chronic back pain can come from specific physical reasons such as a slipped disc, lumbago, sciatica, or fibrositis and there are often medical remedies for these types of back problems. More often, back pain is the result of the strains of daily life. It may come from lifting heavy boxes, gardening, sitting at a keyboard all day, bad posture or even from lugging in the groceries after shopping. Falls and whiplash can come back years later in the form of back pain too.

Essential oils can greatly relieve chronic back pain. They penetrate deeply into contracted muscles encouraging them to expand and they increase blood flow to the area and the muscle tissues needing to be repaired by the body. The best way to use essential oils for this purpose is in a synergistic blend although you can use any of the oils alone. All three of the following synergistic blends are wonderful for alleviating back pain.

Synergistic Blend I

• 10 drops of rosemary
• 10 drops of marjoram
• 10 drops of sage

Sagging skin causes wrinkles. Wrinkles cause us to look old. What woman wants to look old? Firm up your skin naturally and retain your youthful look.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In this case you can prevent or delay additional sagging by avoiding too much exposure to damaging UV rays. Exercise also helps because it increases blood circulation which strengthens skin. For extra fighting power use skin tightening facial products, such as tightening masks and moisturizers before bed.

 Blackheads are ugly and can easily become infected. Blocked sebum become blackheads when surface cells develop sulphides that turn black when they come into contact with oxygen. When you remove them and the opening just fills up again with more sebum; this condition is related to seborrhea, overproduction of the sebaceous glands. Even people with dry skin can develop blackheads, especially on the nose or chin but blackheads can develop practically anywhere on the body, as well as on the face. Wherever they develop, the treatment for blackheads is the same, they need to be removed.

To remove blackheads, get a bowl of steaming hot water with 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar added, put 1 drop of lavender essential oil on the water and cover your head with a towel, being sure to close off the sides too and steam your face for 10 minutes, coming up for air every 3-4 minutes. Rinse the face with 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar mixed in a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water. If the blackheads are loose, squeeze gently taking care not to damage the skin. Then splash the face with a mixture of 2 ounces of mineral water, 2 teaspoons cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon witch hazel, 2 drops each of bergamot and cypress essential oils.

After patting the skin dry, massage the following oils into the skin. This will help to prevent blackheads from coming back and also loosen the ones that are already there:

• Lemongrass – 8 drops
• Lavender – 5 drops
• Clary-sage – 2 drops
• Thyme – 5 drops
• Jojoba oil – 5 drops

Use this massage mixture morning and night. When you wash your face, take care to use a pure natural soap. You can use eye makeup if you like but avoid face makeup and powder.

Yesterday we talked about using cold compresses so today we’ll discuss using hot compresses. Use a hot compress to draw out infection from cuts and wounds. The water in the bowl for a hot compress should be hot but not intolerable to the touch. Put the essential oil drops onto the water’s surface and then lay the piece of cloth over the oils as described for cold water compresses. Immediately remove the cloth and gently wring it out. Place the hot compress to the wounded area for about 20 minutes. Repeat the process 2 or 3 times in a row to draw out the infection. Again, if the injury is acute, seek medical attention. Below are some essential oil blends that will work well for hot compresses.

Synergistic Blends for Hot Compresses

• For grazes and scratches: 3 drops tea tree and 3 drops frankincense
• For deep infected cuts: 3 drops myrrh and 3 drops manuka
• For boils or infected pimples: 3 drops bergamot and 3 drops ravensara

You can use a hot or cold compress to treat such minor injuries as sprains, muscle strains, cuts and grazes. A compress is a few drops of essential oil placed on a cold or warm damp cloth to treat an injury. Simply use a piece of cloth like a muslin square or even a clean dish towel along with a medium sized bowl filled with cold or hot water depending on whether you want a hot or cold compress. Put up to 6 drops of the essential oil of your choice in the water so that it soaks up the essential oils (see below.)

Use a cold compress for sprained ankles or pulled muscles. After you add the oil to the water surface, lay your cloth on the water to soak up the oils without dipping it into the water. This will allow the cloth to soak up the oil and also dilute it somewhat. You can add ice to the water to help reduce swelling and inflammation plus sooth away pain. Wring out the cloth gently and then place it on the injury. Keep the injured area raised with the compress in place for at least 20 minutes.

If your injury isn’t too bad, use the cold compress  process at least 3 times total for relief. If the  injury is acute, please seek medical advice. The cold compress can be in place until you are able to get to the doctor. Below are some some essential oil blends for cold compresses.

Synergistic Blends for Cold Compresses

• To relieve muscular pain: 3 drops chamomile and 3 drops lavender
• To cool and calm inflammation: 3 drops peppermint and 3 drops yarrow
• To ease pulled muscles: 3 drops chamomile and 3 drops marjoram

More tomorrow on how to use a compress

If you have ever had a urinary tract infection you know how painful it can be. The purpose of the urinary tract is to carry urine from the kidneys where it is made to the bladder and on through a single tube to the outside. The tube is longer in men because it has to go through the penis but the short distance the urine travels to the outside in women makes us more susceptible to bladder infections, mostly cystitis, caused by bacterial infections from the outside.

When I worked in educational administration, we had a large institutional coffeepot that we used all day long and I drank coffee all day. I thought the caffeine was making me have bladder infections. I had so many that I could tell when one was coming and I would call the doctor and tell her I needed to come pee in a cup again. I was right every time and she would give me an antibiotic.

You should never ignore a bladder infection because of the risk of it spreading through the ureters to the kidneys. Use this aromatherapy treatment but do not hesitate to consult your doctor if the symptoms last more than 2 days. A number of essential oils can be used but the best ones are bergamot, chamomile, eucalyptus, juniper, sandalwood and tea tree. Apply the oil of your choice with continuous hot compresses over the lower abdomen. At the same time, drink a lot of spring water as well as chamomile tea. Fresh garlic or garlic capsules will help with this treatment too.

If your hair is dry, it is probably because your sebaceous glands are not producing enough oil to keep it  healthy. The protective oils produced by your hair are essential for protecting it from the elements but exposure to sun, wind, heat, and chemicals can damage hair, leaving it frizzy.  Split ends, broken shafts and a rough texture are all signs that your hair is lacking a sufficient sebum coating.

Dry hair fixes include:

• Using a gentle shampoo with added essential oils followed by a cream conditioner that you leave on for several minutes (on your hair, not your scalp)
• Avoiding the use of chemical products such as hair dye and styling products because they can be very harsh on hair and wearing a hat if you’re going to be out in the sun, and a swimming cap if you’re going to be in chlorinated water
• Adding a few drops of oil (coconut, jojoba, olive oil, etc) will give protective moisture to hair if you simply place a few drops  in your hands, rub your hands together and then work through your hair to give it a light sheen
• Drying hair on the low or coolest setting if you must blow it dry
• Combing your hair in the shower with conditioner in it because this is the time your hair is at its smoothest and strongest; otherwise, use a boar bristle brush, which will be more gentle and less likely to tear hair, as well as helping to distribute oil through the hair
• Washing your hair less often and using a weekly deep conditioner
• Having your hair trimmed if you are experiencing split ends- at least 1/2 inch above the splits

Almond oil is the most popular carrier oil used for facial and body massage because its excellent emollient properties help the skin to balance absorption. It is a great moisturizer that is suitable for all skin types, helps relieve irritation, inflammation and itching, and is fantastic when used for lubricating because it penetrates slowly.

Almond oil is a good massage medium to use to assist the spread of the carrier oil and essential oil mixture, while still allowing you time to do a good massage before it is absorbed by the skin. Not only does almond oil help protect the surface of the skin, but it is a wonderful emollient, skin soother and softener, conditioner of the skin, and it promotes a clear, young looking complexion. Almond oil is suitable for all skin types but is especially good for dry or irritated skin.

My great grandmother told me to eat my carrots because they would help me have great eyesight. This may be an old wives tale but it is true that the beta carotene which gives carrots their orange color has been shown in studies to help protect the eye, particularly the cornea, and to be useful in the prevention or slowing down of cataract formation and age-related macular degeneration.

Carrot oil is also an abundant source of carotenoids or antioxidants which  are important for fighting the effects of harmful oxidants, or free radicals in the body. Free radicals can attack and destroy healthy tissue, causing many health problems, one of which is cancer. Because of the antioxidants it contains, carrot oil can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer and it is often used in sun tan oils to prevent over exposure to UV radiation from the sun.

Today’s blog will be about ways to use lemon essential oil for healthier living.  When taken internally, lemon essential oil contains  a powerful antioxidant called d-limonene and is believed to boost the body’s natural defenses. Lemon oil’s zesty, fresh scent is uplifting to both body and mind.

Topical Uses

• place a drop on oily skin or blemishes to help balance oil glands and minimize oil production
• massage lemon oil into cellulite to help improve circulation and eliminate waste from cells
• soothe or prevent corns, calluses or bunions by rubbing some on the affected area daily

Internal Uses

• add a few drops of lemon essential oil to water for a great antioxidant boost
• substitute lemon oil for lemon juice or lemon seasonings to flavor seafood, vegetables, beverages and desserts

Cleaning

• use one to two drops of lemon essential oil to remove crayon, gum, oil, grease spots, glue or adhesive from most surfaces
• put four to six drops in a plant spray bottle with 1 cup of water and spray the room for a light lemon scent and to cleanse the air.