Aromatherapy for Oral Hygiene

Clove bud essential oil is used for the symptomatic relief of toothache: the oil is applied directly without pressure on the carious tooth with a small piece of cotton. It is also extensively used as a major component in preparations for the treatment of postextraction alveolitis (dry socket) and in dental cements and fillings.

Myrrh is reported to have astringent properties on mucous membranes as well as antimicrobial activities in vitro. It is used as an astringent in certain mouthwashes and gargles. Traditionally it has been used for bad breath, weak gums, gingivitis and loose teeth.

Encyclopedia of Common Natural IngredientsUsed in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics - Leung and Foster.

Other essential oils that have been used in this field include Ammi Visnaga, traditionally the plant has been used as toothpicks; Cardamom Ancient Egyptians used to chew on this to whiten their teeth and freshen their breath; Cinnamon for periodontal disease; Mastic combined with Myrrh for periodontal disease or combined with Spikenard as a tooth whitener; Tea Tree as a germicidal.

Vinegar has been used for dental hygiene for many years and has been found to be helpful in reducing bacterial plaque. You can use vinegar diluted down 1:1 with water or unsweetened Cranberry Juice as your mouthwash base and as with any mouthwash just swirl around and spit out. Don't swallow. Essential oils or hydrosols can certainly be used effectively in mouthwashesIf you choose to use essential oils as part of a mouth wash routine make sure that they are in a low dilution and don't swallow.

Oral Care Blend
First make up the blend and store in a dark bottle
5 parts tea tree
1 part cardamon
1 part clove
1 part fennel
1 part myrrh
1 part peppermint

Store in a dark bottle.

Add 1 drop of the blend to a glass of water, swirl around your mouth, and spit out. Don't swallow.

For more informationon aromatherapy contact
Beverley Hawkins
West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy
http://www.westcoastaromatherapy.comhttp://www.wciablog.com/http://www.deltamassagetherapy.com/

Dealing with Anxiety Attacks

If you have ever had a panic attack, you know that these are absolutely without a doubt no fun. In fact, they can make you feel as if you are about to die and you have no idea what is happening.

Even if you have gone through a string of them, you may still have no idea that one is coming on. Once you have had one, dealing with panic attacks is not going to be easy, but if you pay attention, there are some things you can do when you feel another coming up - once you realize you are prone to them, of course.

Before you get begin dealing with panic attacks, you have to know what they are. There are many definitions, but one way you can look at it is rather simple and can be helpful when you feel another one forming. Your body is having a physical reaction to an irrational fear that is overcoming your mind. You may know your fear is irrational, but that does not stop it from happening. That does not make you crazy either, as some people fear. If you understand that when dealing with panic attacks, you can get them to stop much more quickly, or you can stop them from happening all together.

You have to think about triggers when you are dealing with panic attacks. There is always something that triggers you to have one, but you may not know what that is and why it bothers you so much. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to write down where you are, what you were thinking, what you saw, and how you felt right before you had your attack. If you do this for a few times, you are going to find dealing with panic attacks is easier. You will be able to go back through your notes and pick out what was constant with each one.

I know that dealing with panic attacks is hard because I have gone through periods of them twice in my life. The first was life circumstances as a whole, which I got over by making some changes, and the other was one specific thing that happened. Each time when I got to the root of why they were happening, dealing with panic attacks was much easier. I knew what triggered them and how the early physical feelings were going to affect me. I haven’t stopped them, but they do not scare me as much because I know why they are happening.

You can do the above to help with handling panic attacks, but you may not be able to stop them on your own. You may need help, and that is okay. Even when you are sure that you know why you are having them, and you can predict when they are going to happen, you may not be able to stop them and you may not handle them as well as you wish you could. They can be downright frightening, even when you know what they are. Don’t be afraid to get some books to help you out, or to find a good doctor that might know about dealing with panic attacks and what you can help you right away.

Pure Intimacy wins best small business at the WEBAs

Women in Ethical Business Awards say Yes to changing women’s lives from the inside

The women behind the world’s purest intimate lubricants are celebrating this week, having won a prestigious award recognising true entrepreneurs who are blazing a trail for doing business in a way that benefits people and the environment.

Yes Pure Intimacy founders Sarah Brooks and Susi Lennox received the winning prize in the Small Business category at the Triodos Women in Ethical Business Awards (WEBA) in association with The Times. The Awards celebrate the best of ethical business and the inspiring women driving it.

Sarah and Susi set up Yes Pure Intimacy to create the world’s purest intimate lubricants and moisturisers using pioneering plant-based formulations. They have been responsible for every aspect of the company’s operation, from designing and formulating the products to handling marketing and sales.

Sarah and Susi said “We are euphoric about winning this high profile WEBA, sponsored by Ecover. It justifies our commitment to not compromising our ethics, will make a real difference to our business and confirms the importance of our mission to ‘change the world from the inside’.”

Yes lubricants have helped to restore the sex lives of thousands of women whose bodies stopped responding in the way they used to as a result of hormonal changes related to menopause, stress, pregnancy, medication or one of many other causes.

Susi continues: “This national award endorses our achievement in dignifying and elevating the category of intimate lubricants. It will help to raise awareness of Yes Pure Intimacy and empower women to make choices about using organic plant based products, rather than those containing synthetic chemicals, skin irritants and hormones. The heartfelt and moving feedback we receive from our customers across the world, confirms that we are putting the smile back on their faces, and improving the quality of their intimate lives.”

In today’s challenging economic climate, this inspirational business is expanding: Yes Pure Intimacy now exports to more than 44 countries, including 200 stores in Australia and New Zealand. They are breaking new ground in Japan where Yes will be the first product of its type to be made available in five star hotels.

Yes Pure Intimacy is also enjoying increased success closer to home, where products are stocked by independent pharmacies and health food stores, including Holland & Barrett, Whole Foods Market and Fresh & Wild, and can also be bought directly from the website at http://www.yesyesyes.org/.

Sue Cooper from Triodos Bank added, “We are delighted to reward the hard work of the remarkable women behind Yes Pure Intimacy. Everyone profits from the work of Yes and the other inspiring enterprises highlighted through the Awards, because they’re as focused on their impact on people and the planet as the money they make”.

Drug Free Alternative for Menopause Symptom Relief

A growing number of women are taking responsibility for their health during menopause in a DRUG FREE and NATURAL way that does not involve taking prescription drugs for something that is perfectly normal and natural in a woman’s life.

LadyCare is a discreet, but powerful, non-invasive magnetic device that simply attaches to the front of your under garment. Its patented static magnetic technology is backed by an Extensive National Consumer Surveys and years of successful use by over 250,000 women across the world in countries like Great Britain, Ireland, France, Norway, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, USA and many more. It is available in many pharmacies plus….Harrods of London.

LadyCare is believed to stimulate blood flow – thereby improving the body's ability to self heal and restore natural hormone balance.

Users of LadyCare have reported:
Less hot flashes
Decrease in night sweats
Weight loss
Reduced bloating
More restful sleep
Improved confidence
Increased energy
Enhanced libido

“Most symptoms were reduced and the results were significant. There is no doubt that menopause can be a challenging time both psychologically and physically for many women. I would be bold enough to say that the LadyCare device referenced here, may prove to be one of the greatest natural solutions for the alleviation of menopause symptoms”.

Dr Nyjon Eccles BSc MBBS MRCP PhD. Harley Street, London.

* Harley Street enjoys a worldwide reputation as a center for private medical excellence and technological advancement.

http://www.ladycareusa.com/images/reduction.gif

http://www.ladycareusa.com/

Caring for Elderly Parents

It can be a rewarding mission, a two-way street filled with joy!

When your parents grow old and are no longer able to adequately take care of themselves, there are a number of ways to deal with this natural development of aging. Too often, their grown children opt for a nursing home solution, even when they know their parents would prefer to stay in their own home, or perhaps move in with you. It's easy to rationalize this choice. Some kids of aging parents feel they're not qualified to give the proper time and care required in caring for elderly parents. Others feel that such an arrangement will eventually result in discordant relations among family members, or that their own hectic schedules will become unmanageably disrupted. What most people in this position fail to realize is that, instead of being a burden, caring for elderly parents can be a wonderful blessing.

Many children of the elderly also end up feeling guilty, believing they just don't really want to provide the necessary care. In fact, it's usually more a case of feeling fearful. After all, your parents raised and nurtured you until adulthood, continuing to provide support, good advice, a shoulder to cry on and sharing the good times long after you were out of the nest. Now, it's your turn to give some of that nurturing back.

If you feel beset by fears of caring for elderly parents, which is typically the basis of any reluctance to take on this responsibility, here are a few facts you should know.

First, as for being able to provide competent care, there are many avenues by which you can become educated in care giving for the elderly. Your first stop should be at your parent's doctors office. Make an appointment to discuss the sort of care the doctor feels your parent needs. Ask about community-sponsored classes in care giving as well as caregiver support groups. Such venues can boost your confidence tremendously and acquaint you with common problems encountered in a care giving environment. You might also investigate online support groups and forums which focus on caring for elderly parents. You'll learn everything you need to competently and compassionately provide care for seniors.

If you fear that having your parent move in with you will disrupt your family life, schedule and activities, think again. Elderly people still enjoy their privacy, too and likely have a circle of friends they remain in contact with and arrange outings, visits and activities on a regular basis. They want to maintain an independent life of their own as well. It's just that, at this point in their life, they need to rely on you to do certain tasks they're no longer capable of performing for themselves. Perhaps you need to remind them to take medications, drive them to doctor's appointments, or help them in and out of the bath.

One most important element of caring for elderly parents is giving them a sense of a warm and loving environment. Sitting with the family at dinner helps ward off loneliness, creating a sense of belonging, which a nursing home, no matter how lovely, simply doesn't provide. Remember how enjoyable it was for you, as a child, to share conversation and laughter around the kitchen table? Don't make the mistake of thinking that your parents have now outgrown this simple pleasure.

When you are caring for elderly parents, you'll soon see that the arrangement is a two-way street. You'll derive as much pleasure as they, recalling times past, reviving old, but pleasant memories. You may also be surprised to learn about your parents' younger years, events and thoughts they never previously discussed. Indeed, you may find their lives to be fascinating, in a way you never imagined, when your Mom was always busy cooking, cleaning, helping you with your homework and dispensing love galore. Dad might have been always working, but also managed to squeeze in a ball game and grill your dates for suitability.

Caring for elderly parents is a wonderful opportunity for you to get to know your parents in a fuller, richer way. Embrace this blessing! The rewards may well astonish you.

Smart choices for a colesterol reducing diet

We all know that too-high cholesterol levels spells trouble for your heart health, especially during menopause. If your doctor has advised you of a high cholesterol condition, it's wise to take immediate steps to bring those numbers down. While there are cholesterol lowering medications you can take, there's so much you can do to accomplish your objective through dietary changes.

Here are some of the best cholesterol reducing foods, herbs and spices to work into your cholesterol reducing diet program. Including plentiful amounts of these foods and nutrients can whip those numbers into shape within as little as three months. These healthy dietary inclusions also offer an array of other benefits to your general health. Let's take a look.

Garlic is a top notch ingredient for any cholesterol reducing diet program.

Many studies have found garlic equally effective in reducing cholesterol readings, when compared with pharmaceutical medications. Garlic also lowers your blood pressure, is an anti-cancer agent and effectively wards off colds and flus by enhancing your immune system response. Garlic is also a natural antibiotic, proven effective against 27 specific pathogens, including streptococcus. Douse your salads and entrees with garlic and save some cash on the meds!

An apple or two a day is another smart choice for your cholesterol reducing diet plan. While lowering cholesterol, they're loaded with vitamin A, warding off cancer and those nasty colds. Replace that candy bar with an apple for a healthful snack.

When you make salads, use raw spinach instead of lettuce. Packed with antioxidants and fiber, you'll reduce your risk of cancer while getting those cholesterol numbers down. Fresh spinach is most effective. You can add a side of lightly steamed spinach as a side dish to an entree of cold water fish, such as salmon, for a power dinner of a cholesterol reducing diet menu. A sprinkling of garlic in your meal certainly doesn't hurt!

Dress that salad with olive oil. Olive oil dissolves cholesterol deposits and is certainly an essential in any cholesterol reducing diet program. Don't forget the garlic! Incidentally, olive oil is good for your nerves and digestion.

Make broccoli a frequent snack or side dish. Pair raw broccoli florets with a spinach dip and eat to your heart's content. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, you can protect your body from cancer while simultaneously reducing cholesterol. Broccoli is a great food for diabetics, regulating blood sugar levels.

Soy products significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels. Try substituting a glass of soy milk for your afternoon soda. Tofu is a chameleon food, taking on the flavor of any food or broth it accompanies. Soak some sliced, extra firm tofu in chicken broth and fry lightly. Combine in a chef's salad of spinach, garlic and mushrooms for a tasty treat and a premium cholesterol reducing diet dish. Soy is an undisputed anti-cancer agent as well.

Speaking of mushrooms, Shiitake mushrooms are a powerful addition to your cholesterol reducing diet plan. Available fresh or dried, not only do they reduce your cholesterol, but simultaneously reduce HBP and reduce your risk of cancer.
Make cold water fish a regular part of your cholesterol reducing diet.

Salmon, halibut, sea bass and tuna are all high in the Omega-3 fatty acids. While improving your cholesterol readings, you're decreasing cardiovascular risks, such as heart attacks by a whopping 50%!Explore curry recipes. Turmeric is the main ingredient, a spice which lowers cholesterol, aids digestion, reduces blood sugar levels, as well as your risk of cancer. If you suffer from arthritis, turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

It's interesting to note that foods which regulate cholesterol levels are most often potent anti-cancer agents. These foods are also easily combined into tasty recipes that make it easy to create a cholesterol reducing diet plan that's a pleasure to consume. Go for it!

Testosterone and Women

Review study shows many benefits and few risks with a commonsense approach to testosterone replacement for women.

Although sex drive or libido in women is multi-faceted, it’s often closely tied to testosterone levels, and a new review study from researchers at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, published in the journal Maturitas, shows that testosterone replacement can bring many health benefits and few risks.

Women with low testosterone often have little or no desire to have sex. Using testosterone replacement therapy may seem like an obvious solution, but some doctors and researchers have been concerned that supplemental testosterone may convert to estrogen and thus create an increased risk of breast and uterine (endometrial) cancers. There has also been concern that testosterone replacement may increase a woman’s risk of heart disease, because men have a higher overall risk for heart disease than women do.


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