The Rewards Of Using Homemade Bath Salts
Every time I went to the market store, I would see an entire aisle of bath products including colorful bath salts. Eye-candy as they were to me, I would simply look but not touch. Who actually uses bath salts at home? I hadn’t a clue on what they really were, and what they were for. Just no plain idea on what good they would do me.
Fortunately for me, I took to my curiosity and researched on mother nature’s ways of pampering my well-being including aromatherapy. And boy did I land on a gold mine of information! Who knew that my circulation would be so much better after rubbing in some homemade bath salts onto my skin? And who knew that this effect was first attained by stepping into a hot spring or a natural mineral bath? It is as if all of the epsom and dead sea salt were harvested just to help me exfoliate my skin. And who knew that the aromatherapy’s natural benefit of smelling so good be healthy for me?
And who knew that I would be able to treat my pimples a lot better by exfoliating all my pores from head to toe with these homemade bath salts? All the scrubbing to open up the pores, to free the dirt and sweat to be washed away. So great! I am imagining how rejuvenated my entire skin will be after all the unpleasantness is purged and removed. If I were to be this close to getting pimples on my face and back, I would be confident to know that the homemade bath salts would be the perfect assistance.
The added benefit of using homemade bath salts are not just revolving around cleanliness, but also with disinfecting properties, too. You can apply rubbing these epson bath salts to the skin when it is afflicted with Athlete’s Foot or eczema, or when you have some type of skin infection (or a rash). This can also be used to treat bug bites, too.
We won’t stop there, because there’s more! I’ve been talking about all of the abilities that homemade bath salts can do externally, but what is also great is what they can do internally. If you have any tension in your muscles, you can massage the salts into your arms. I am sure that you must have experienced muscle tenderness at least once in your life.
You yourself can also relax when you breathe in the lovely-smelling scents from the essential oils used to mix in with the homemade bath salts. You will find your mood lighten, your stress lift, and your well-being feeling that much better as you breathe in the Bergamot and Ylang Ylang oils.
If you stay in the bath long enough, be careful as your fingers will lose water and look like raisins. There’s only so much that the Epsom bath salts can do, as they do adjust the composition of the bath water and create a protective layer on the skin so that water does not enter or leave too much.
You can only imagine how much fantastic you will feel knowing that you made these bath salts right at home, where you got to choose what scents, what colors, and what beautiful jar you put the salts into. All those health and beauty benefits in one small jar.
Sydney Garrett loves homemade bath salts and probably has a lifetime supply of salt scrub ingredients for life.
Virtues of Sandalwood Extend Through Time
Overview
Sandalwood is one of the oldest aromatic materials, being acknowledged in ancient biblical and in Indian text as well as used in religious ceremonies throughout the ages. Botanically known as a small evergreen in the genus Santalum and family Santalaceae, this modest-sized tree (up to 10 meters) provides a great deal of commerce for India and to some extent Australia and is now being examined by the medical industry for its medicinal properties. There are several species of Santalum, but only a few are used commercially, most notably Santalum album (India) and Santalum spicatum (Australia). Other tress from such places as Polynesia and Fuji are in small numbers and in great decline. Oddly, other plants such as the Bead Tree or Candlewood are known as sandalwood but are not botanically parallel. Sometimes, non-related plants such as Red Sandalwood are used as fillers for the more expensive, genuine sandalwood.
Sandalwood from the Mysore region (known as “sandalwood city”) of southern India is generally considered to be of the highest quality sandalwood available, providing great commerce for this region of India. Of the traditional areas in Southeast Asia where sandalwood is found, India has been the front runner in creating plantations in which to continually harvest Sandalwood (The Australian Government has also set up reserves as well). Trade and harvest of Indian sandalwood is under strict regulation and the trees themselves are under government protection; only the government of India is permitted to own the trees. To produce commercially valuable sandalwood with high levels of fragrance oils, harvested Santalum trees are recommended to be at least 40 years of age, but 80 or above are preferred. However, trees at 30 years of age are still harvested but considered of inferior quality.
Much of the valuable wood is found in the roots of sandalwood and thus harvested by uprooting the entire tree versus cutting it at the trunk. In the last few years alone, the price of sandalwood has skyrocketed, mainly due to rising demand and limited supply. Increased demand has mainly come from the perfume and aromatherapy industry. Sandalwood essential oil and paste is used in Indian and Chinese medicine and of course aromatherapy botanical medicine. The perfume industry covets this oil for its ability to blend well with other perfume oils; hence, it is used extensively in hundreds of cosmetic products.
Over the centuries, the use of sandalwood and its products have been an integral part of several religious cultures. It scent, either as an essential oil or ground as incense, is thought to bring one closer to the Divine. Hindus burn incense made from sandalwood oil in burial pyres and at funerals. It’s also used in temples to remind people of the heavenly realms. Yogis in India use the oil to anoint each other during ceremonies and before meditation as well deity statues often made of sandalwood itself.
Sandalwood Used to Fight Anti-microbial Bacteria
Opposition to antibiotic use in food agriculture has been gaining momentum. In years past, it was known that severe illness-causing microbes such as Salmonella and E. coli could be contracted through eating contaminated meat. Now, it is proposed that contraction of bacteria, in this case antibiotic resistant bacteria, can possibly be transferred through ingestion, handling of industrial animal manure, as well as through drinking manure-contaminated ground water. With these scenarios coming to the surface, scientists and government officials alike are in alarm and strongly suggesting the decrease if not absolute elimination of non-therapeutic uses of antibiotics in the meat industry. Recent media has brought attention to the proposed link between the steep increase of antibiotic-resistant microbes with use and perhaps misuse of antibiotics in agriculture. Modern industrial agriculture raises animals in tight often inhumane quarters which results in animals being much more susceptible to sickness and disease, thus the administration of antibiotics is very common. Because bacteria and other microbes can easily mutate (in as little as 20 minutes), it is no wonder that great concern is now mounting.
Concern for antibiotic-resistant microbes is worldwide. A need to find alternatives to conventional antibiotic treatment is rising. Essential oils have been gaining attention by research scientists for their antimicrobial properties. A collaborative study of researchers in Austria and Germany (Flavor and Fragrance Journal 2006 May/Jun; 21(3): 465-468) found that santalols of sandalwood (the main chemical components of sandalwood) in medium and/or high concentrations showed significant antimicrobial potential against the yeast Candida albicans, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, and the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Other Promising Uses
In a 2007 science review (Food and Chemical Toxicology 2008 Feb.; 46(2): 421-432), researchers found that sandalwood oil and its major constituents (namely alpha-santalol) have anticarcinogenic, antiviral and as well as bactericidal activity. Phenomenally, a study conducted by the Department of Virology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany (Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2007 May; 51(5): 1859-62) found that sandalwood essential oil exhibited virulence against isolates of drug-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1. The dreadfulness of virulence spread by mosquitoes is well-known, especially in Africa and South America. Mosquito-borne diseases include such maladies as malaria, dengue fever, encephalitis and yellow fever. Conventional mosquito treatment relies on chemical pesticides which are often administered in water where mosquito larvae reside. Yet, the risks to people and the environment are well established. Naturally derived insecticides, especially from aromatic plants and their essential oils was recently investigated at Omar Almuktar University, Elbieda, Libya, Africa (Parasitology Research 2006 Sep; 99(4): 466-72). Sandalwood essential oil (as well as other essential oils) induced 100% mortality of various mosquito larvae species within 24 hours or less.
Concluding Remarks
It is rather evident that the value of sandalwood extends across centuries and continents. It is revered by various religions, scientists, aromatherapists and perfume enthusiasts alike. What is remarkable is that uses of plants and their essential oils are bringing such world-wide engagement as their promising applications are uncovered in scientific research. A need for alternatives to conventional antibiotics as well as insecticides is clear. As less-than amiable agriculture practices surface and resistance to current antimicrobials increase, it is apparent that humankind will revert back to solutions found in nature and perhaps make a more diligent effort to conserve the very earth that sustains us.
Aromtherapy practitioners are growing in number in the US, as the use of essential oils for for immune support increases. For more on the therapeutic use of essential oils, visit http://www.anandaapothecary.com
Get a Total Relaxation System at Your Beauty Salon
Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everybody suffers from stress in some form or another. And the stress we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, feelings and minds.
Feeling strung out, worn out by fatigue or simply having a sad day, the neatest thing to do is relax, but what’s the easiest method to relax?
Watching TV could be a kind of relaxation for some, but is not a popular technique by professionals. When we watch television we are inundated with commercials, ads, sounds and photos.
So how can we achieve total relaxation?
If there are thousands of ways we can get stressed, one of them is not meeting cut off dates, there are also many ways we can relax.
In recent studies, experts have determined that heart Problems is interlinked with hate and bad temper and linked to mental stress. Too much stress brings about high blood pressure that can end up in or cause a heart attack. Relaxation takes on added importance in light of this matter.
Managing your hate and viewpoint is important to heart health, and relaxation will help you manage stress.
One way of relaxation is transcendental meditation.
Fresh studies have also shown that this system might reduce artery blockage, which is a major cause for coronary and stroke. People practice transcendental meditation by repeating letting out calming sounds while meditating, this is to attain total relaxation.
The researchers discovered that supporters of transcendental meditation significantly reduced the thickness of their arterial wall compared to folk who didn’t practice transcendental meditation.
Another study on another method of relaxation, acupuncture, seems to reduce high blood pressure by initiating many body functions for the brain to release chemical compounds known as endorphins. Endorphin helps to relax muscles, ease panic, ease pain, and reduce hysteria.
One superb way of relaxation is getting a full body beauty massage with natural aromatherapy essential oils at your local beauty salon.
To gain full relaxation, you must fully surrender to the handling and touch of a pro specialist.
There are some types of massages that also give assorted levels of relaxation..allowing the warm oils to penetrate your skin delivering total relaxation, while you are there your trained consultant will debate with you different types of cosmetic treatment and body care to compliment your beauty regimen.
How Aroma Therapy Can Help You
Aromatherapy is a good way to improve the life of all individuals. The key is to ensure that the aromatherapy is customized according to the needs and wants of the individual. An aromatherapy practitioner will be able to identify the blend of essential oils that will create the desired results. Whether an individual seeks stress and pain relief, beautification and cleansing, or general relaxation aromatherapy can be a great tool to improve your life
The use of aromatherapy to aid in the relaxation of the mind and body is highly recommended when one is under extreme stress. It is important to implement aromatherapy in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. There are blends that are created to promote happiness, calm and serenity.
Aromatherapy can be used in a number of different ways. It can be applied as relaxing massage oil, added to a soothing bath as a salt or oil, or used in air fresheners or diffusers. Aromatherapy blends can also be created as inhalants or skin applications. The goal of aromatherapy in stress relief is to help create an over-all sense of well-being. The aroma and a good massage can help improve an individual’s sense of well-being.
Aromatherapy essential oils can also help promote weight loss. The scent of vanilla-infused candles can be inhaled to reduce cravings for sweets. Patchouli can be inhaled to lessen hunger. Reducing snack intake and hunger will result in weight loss.
Need help overcoming insecurities? Try mixing your own blend of jasmine and bergamot. It is said to be a confidence boosting aroma. Blend 16 drops of bergamot with 4 drops of jasmine and add to your diffuser. 4 drops of veviter should give you that extra boost you need.
It is common as you age, that new body aches and pains sneak up on us. Fortunately, these aches and pains can be eased with aromatherapy blends in massage oils, skin lotions, and booboo juice. You can purchase a ready-made aromatherapy remedy for aches and pains or create your own. For an ideal massage oil, mix an ounce of your favorite carrier oil with 10 drops of a pleasant essential oil. Use the mixture to rub and soothe away aches and pains wherever they occur on your body.
It should come as no surprise that aromatherapy has been used in skin care for years. It is a natural approach to a fresh, youthful look. You can make your own natural skin products from shampoos and conditioners, to facial toners and moisturizers. Mouthwash, lotion, nail care, perfumes, and cologne can all be made using the soothing aroma and benefits of essential oils.
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