Home Remedies

Natural Remedies

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The Hidden Benefits of Castor Oil



In recent years, there have been rumours as to its ability to prevent greying hair, reduce arthritis symptoms and boost immunity - so it seems there is no ailment this natural ingredient cannot cure.

It is stable oil, making it great for use in cosmetics as it last for years without turning rancid. It has excellent moisturising properties due to its high fat content, which is absorbed into the skin very slowly, creating long-lasting shine and moisture.

For reasons widely unknown, the substance has been used for many centuries to induce labour in pregnant mothers. These days, however, it is not recommended that the substance be ingested due to its unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. For this reason, it is often used in folk medicine as a natural laxative to treat chronic constipation.

In some cases, it has actually been known to cause foetal complications in pregnant women, so it's best avoided as an induction technique. If you're not pregnant, however, the ingredient can be used as an effective stomach cleanser when mixed with milk. Rumour has it than when combined with orange juice, castor oil can also be a great hangover cure.

However, it does have a variety of other uses, all of which are incredibly beneficial to the body, skin and hair. It is regularly used in massage blends to treat the whole body due to its slow absorption. It also draws in dirt, so it is ideal for cleaning or cleansing products.

Its sticky consistency means that is provides hair, nails and skin with a beautiful shine. It is ideal when combined with sweet almond extract, apricot kernels or jojoba. These combinations can help revive tired skin or hair and even reduce eye bags. It can also be used in rejuvenating face masks with ingredients such as camelina, avocado or moringa.

It can also dramatically reduce pigmentation marks or spots on the skin's surface and improve the overall quality of the skin. You'll need to mix 90ml of it with 8g melted beeswax, 1ml Vitamin E and 25 drops of lemon essence. These ingredients can be found in most health food stores or through an online specialist in natural cosmetic ingredients.

To create your own Castor Cleanser for use at the end of a long day, you'll need to combine 60ml of organic castor oil with 29ml of apricot kernel, 10ml of jojiba, 1ml of Vitamin E and a small amount (0.5ml) or any other essence of your choosing. This last step is optional, but can provide the cream with a nice scent - for example, lavender or chamomile.

Alternatively, if you intend to use your product for massage purposes, you can create a moisturising Swedish Massage Blend by combining 30ml of castor oil with 29ml of jojoba; 20ml of olive oil; 10g of coconut butter; 0.5ml vitamin E and 10ml of thistle.

Castor oil is incredibly thick, sticky and resistant, so it should only be used in very small quantities. If in doubt, find a natural ingredient supplier online and ask them which concentration you should use it in for your chosen homemade product.

If you're keen to reap the benefits of this natural ingredient, there are plenty of online recipes that will also offer instruction and guidance.

Aromantic is a leading UK-based provider of natural cosmetic and beauty product ingredients. The company provides 100% organic, natural ingredients, recipes and courses to customers, allowing them to make their own beauty products. Aromantic provide over 700 high-quality ingredients, ecological packaging and equipment to enable individuals or business owners to create their environmentally responsible and nourishing skin, hair and makeup products. Their natural, active ingredients will produce incredible results in hair, skin and body care and are suitable for all skin types and conditions. The company is also a renowned stockist of high quality essential oils, natural perfume concentrates, natural fats and waxes for the body. They can provide starter packs, educational materials and courses for both professionals and beginners. Visit: http://aromantic.co.uk/

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5 Low Cost Ways to Soothe the Sting of Sunburn



Each of us most likely has at least one memory of a nasty sunburn. Whether experienced personally, or by a close family member or friend, the symptoms are likely to include anything from red hot skin - either tender or painful to touch, to nausea, dehydration, blistering and flaking or peeling of the skin.

As anyone who has experienced bad sunburn will verify, the amount of time spent causing the sunburn, is largely disproportionate to the length of time that can be spent suffering the consequences of its effects. In this respect, and depending on the severity of burning, -- pain and discomfort can persist for several days after the event, as the body works to heal and recover from the unprotected UV exposure.

Unless the symptoms are severe, (in which instance you may need to consider medical treatment), here are 5 simple home remedies that will cost you next to nothing, and which will assist in soothing the sting and pain of sunburn:

1. Cool baths: Soaking in a cool bath is one of the best ways to draw heat from the skin and soothe the pain and discomfort of sunburn. (Avoid 'cold' as this can cause the body to go into shock.) Here are some additional things to add to your baths for further relief:

a. Add 10 drops of so of essential oil (chamomile or lavender) to the bath. Soak for 15 minutes or until relief is felt.

b. Adding baking soda (or oatmeal) to a lukewarm bath can also relieve sunburn pain. For this treatment to work best, try to make sure that all affected areas are submerged. Bath water can be poured over your body using your hands or a soft washcloth. Burned facial areas can be gently dabbed using the cloth, or alternately you can splash water directly onto your face. After soaking, lightly pat the skin dry with a soft towel (preferably cotton). If you've taken an oatmeal bath, let the light coating of oatmeal that clings to your skin remain.

c. Adding vinegar to the bath water will help in taking the sting out of sunburn.

2. Rubbing alcohol: Because it evaporates so quickly, dabbing on rubbing alcohol will quickly cool and ease the pain of sunburned skin.

3. Vinegar: Vinegar is an effective and cooling treatment for sunburn. Soak towels with it, and apply to the burned areas. Alternately you can fill a spray bottle and spray it directly on the skin as needed.

4. Egg Whites: If your burn is painfully hot, separating the white from the yolk of an egg, and then spreading the white over the affected area will help to cool the burning instantly. This can be repeated as often as needed.

5. Potatoes: Potatoes can also be used to relieve the pain of sunburn. Take 2 potatoes and wash them well. Cut them into tiny chunks and place in a blender to liquefy. (If the result appears too dry, add some water). Pat the affected areas with potato juice. Wait until dry, and then rinse off in a cool shower or bath.

Remember that as well as causing varying degrees of discomfort and pain, repeated sun exposure and sunburn also accelerates the aging process and can increase the risk of cataracts and skin cancer. Prevention therefore should also always be considered more preferable than treatment!

DISCLAIMER: These are home remedy tips only, and should not replace your regular health care provider. If in doubt at any time in relation to your sunburn, please seek the appropriate health care assistance.


Shoulder Health For Swimmers


The Achilles' Heal of Swimming

Swimming is a low-impact, safe, fun, and challenging form of exercise. If you have a history of injuries in your legs, then it's a great alternative form of cardio. Studies show that swimmers live longer and are less prone to various diseases, even compared to people who engage in other forms of exercise, including running, rowing, and cycling. Swimming can counter some of the negative effects of sitting and driving all day. It's a sport that actually elongates the spine.

Swimming promotes flexibility in many ways, but improving your shoulder health is crucial for optimal performance. It takes some time to promote shoulder health, and many swimmers often ignore it because they feel they don't have enough time. The other problem is that a stretching routine will only prevent injuries, so the benefits are subtle. But the cost of not doing it is an injury. The benefits outweigh the investment of time. You'll perform better, reduce the chance of injury and recover better.

Mike Harris is an aspiring professional swimmer in Northern Virginia. Harris was swimming everyday as an undergraduate college student for his team. His typical distance per week usually hovered around 50-60,000 meters. He felt strong but was always feeling sore in his shoulder after workouts. He had no recovery plan and continued to push through the pain. "I live for pain in the water, that's what I'm good at, but not this kind of pain. Very little strength training was involved in my routine. Almost all my training was done in the water along with the occasional 'extended stretching and flexibility' I would do on my own just to say loose.

He had been swimming his entire life since he was the age of. None of his coaches had ever shown him basic exercises to keep his shoulder healthy. While he learned some basic stretches that swimmers usually do before diving into the pool, he never learned how to properly recover from his long and intense workouts. Most of his coaches were a poolside presence, and prescribed a few dryland exercises.. Although he has a strong and large upper body, his shoulder health was becoming a limiter to his performance.

When I met Mike I introduced him to dryland exercises that he needed to do if he was going to keep his shoulder healthy, and if he was going to ever realize his dream of becoming a professional swimmer. These exercises were totally new and completely foreign to Mike. "Immediately after Kevin designed a dryland routine for me based on my personal workout load and training needs, I felt more flexible and able to perform drills with greater ease. Mobility is a must in my training schedule and is done every day."

Before your implement this program, it's important to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the shoulder joint. The glenohumeral joint actually comprises four muscles that surround the joint, and are referred to as the rotator cuff: the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor and the subscapularis. When they're flexible and strong, you'll avoid any kind of injury

The following program is the same one Mike uses to not only maintain his shoulder health, but to feel even more flexible and stronger in the water. He does them every day, including days he doesn't swim. He prefers to do them right after workouts.

Of course, you're probably not a professional swimmer. But even recreational swimmers and triathletes should include this program if they want to continue swimming without any problems. The program includes active-isolated stretching, a Swiss ball routine, and some dumbbell exercises.

Active-Isolated Stretches

Created by Aaron Mettes, the premise of active-isolated stretching (AIS) is that prolonged static stretches greater than two seconds actually decreases blood flow within tissue creating ischemia and lactate build up. AIS allows the target muscle to optimally lengthen without triggering the stretch reflex. AI stretching activates the opposing muscles, which contract, and force the target muscle to elongate. The body them remembers this new range of motion. Thus, the muscle is activated in this new position and isn't just stretched and released. AIS also increase blood flow and can increase core temperature.

Arm circles

Bend over and let your arms drop. Spin your arms in circles 10 times in each direction.

Horizontal Abduction

Bring your arms out and back. Hold stretch for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times. Extend your arms as far as you can.

Hyperextension.

Stand straight. Bring arms up behind body with fingers pointing towards ground. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

External Rotation

Stand straight Lifts arms out to sides with elbows 90 degrees and hands making a fist. Knuckles should be pointing towards the sky. Rotate backwards and hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times
Internal Rotation

Stand straight. Bend your elbows at 90 degrees. Knuckes should be pointing towards the ground. Rotate shoulders fowward. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Horizontal Flexion

Stand straight. Bring one arm across body. Place other hand on elbow that is crossing the body. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Horizontal Flexion

Stand straight. Bring one arm across body and place it over your shoulder. Place other hand on shoulder. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Triceps stretch

Stand straight. Bring one arm up and back with elbow bent. Place other hand on elbow. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10 times

Posterior hand clasp

Stand straight. Clasp hands in each direction. Try to grab the hands. If you cannot, you can use a towel. Always strive to reach the hands. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Ys

Lie on the stability ball in a prone (face down) position. Place feet on the floor and stomach on the ball. Hold light dumbbells (weighing no more than a kilogram or 2.5 pounds), and lift the arms to form a Y. Bring the arms towards the floor and then lift again. Lower your arms and repeat. Make sure the top of your abs or on the middle of the ball. Retract your shoulder blades down and back

Ts

In the same position, hold the dumbbells straight down along the side of the ball. Lift the dumbbells to your side and repeat Pul your shoulder baldes in toward your spie and extend your arms to the sides. Keep your arms at 90 degrees. Lower your arms and repeat

Ws

In the same position, hold the dumbbells straight down. Bring your hands towards your chest and bend your elbows and repeat. Squeeze your elbows toward you ribs. Take your thumbs and rotate them back toward the ceiling, squeezing your shoulder blades together to form a W

Ls

In the same position, hold the dumbbells straight down. Bring the arms up and bend the elbows 90 degrees. Turn the forearms forward. Turn them backwards and then drop the arms to the original position. Flex your elbows until they are 90 degrees with your upper arm. Squeeze your shoulder blades together to raise your upper arms so they're 90 degrees to your torso. Once they form an L, externally rotate your upper arms so that the backs of your hand stretch toward the ceiling

Side-Lying External Rotation

This is a great exercises for the infraspinatus and teres minor, your shoulder external rotators. Lie on your side and hold dumbbell in your top arm. Your arm should be 90 degrees and the dumbbell should be just above the floor. Rotate your elbow until your arm is parallel to the floor. Slowly lower to the starting position.

Noticeable Benefits

Swimmer usually ignore dryland exercises, because they don't perceive the benefit or value. They simply don't think that stretching or strength training will improve their times like the thousands of meters they swim in the pool. But Harris disagrees: I believe that strength training is a must for any athlete who wants to achieve next level success. Every tool must be used in order to maintain a consistent level of peak performance," Harris says. Without a detailed strength training plan, my training intensity and load would steadily decline over time due to fatigue and strain. It's comforting to know that I can get the most out of every workout without losing a day to "being drained", or physically tired."

While you certainly won't set a world record or double your speed in the pool, that's not the point. A balanced strength and stretching program could give you the extra edge in a sport where hundredths of seconds separate 1st and 2nd place. "Times drop on a consistent basis and muscle fatigue has drastically decreased, which is great for any athlete to insure performing and drilling at the upper levels of your ability every time," Harris says. For Harris, the lack of stretching and strengthening was his 
Achielle's Heel, and it might be yours.

Kevin Burciaga is a personal trainer and head of Testosterone Lab, a personal training and nutrition service in Falls Church, VA. You can reach him at [http://www.testosteronelab.net] and automatically get a monthly
health and fitness newsletter, as well as free special reports.

What Color Should Your Teeth Be?


Although we live in a society that highly regards shiny white teeth, is that really the way we were meant to look? It seems that more and more people are decided to bleach their teeth beyond recognition because it is considered to trademark a healthy appearance. You are probably aware that drinking coffee or tea will tend to stain your teeth yellow, but were you aware that the aging process actually changes the colour of your teeth?

Have you ever seen an old piano? Think about it. All piano keys used to be made of ivory; the tusk bone of an elephant. These were gleaming white at the beginning, and now those pianos sit decrepit in a corner with yellowed, cracked keys which may even have warped out of shape. This is what is naturally in store for your own teeth, although you should not worry too much; yellowed, warped piano keys are often twice as old as you will ever expect to be! The point is that the tissues that make up your bones and teeth will change over time and as you age will become more yellow. This colour change can be confusing, and often foods and drinks are blamed instead of pure genetics.

Younger people will have the most naturally white teeth of anyone, but even if you look closely at them you will see that few can be said to have perfectly white teeth. This is because on the whole, white is not a natural colour! Certainly close shades are in existence and are very flattering, but there is no escaping the slow colour shift from near white to nearer yellow. Sad, but true! Regardless of this fact, you have probably already armed yourself (to the teeth) to defend a whitened front.

Essentially, teeth whitening can be seen as another way to stop the aging process. In the same way that you use moisturising creams to stop wrinkles and hair dye to keep away the grey, various teeth whitening products such as toothpastes, polishes and adhesive strips are being used to make teeth whiter and more youthful. It is a somewhat unconscious effort by Westerners to remain in the blossom of youth for ever longer; white teeth are the trademark of preteens and teenagers, but certainly not of the middle aged and retirement set! Whatever the conscious and subconscious reasons for whitening your teeth, it is best to come into the venture with the knowledge that you may not ever have a perfectly white set. But that is no reason to despair!

You know there are plenty of teeth whitening options available, so choose one that is right for you and do the best you can to bleach away stains and natural colour changes. Society (especially North American society) is cultured to put a lot of value on teeth, and obviously you are not expected to be any different. Medically speaking, teeth whitening is a safe procedure so long as you have it professionally done or pay close attention to packet instructions.

Do not be tempted to over bleach or you can damage your gums and the roots of your teeth, a painful situation that is best avoided. It can be appealing to squeeze a tube of bleach on the enamel and leave it overnight, but believe me, it is not worth it! Be patient, be safe, and most of all be understanding to the fact that your teeth are not horribly stained, they are just growing older like the rest of you! There is nothing wrong with that, now is there?

Should I Have A Face Lift?



Good question! A face lift is major surgery and surgery means blood, mess, discomfort, stitches and time out to recover. A face lift is expensive too.

There are risks to consider, one is hematoma when the blood collects under the skin and has to be surgically removed. Damage to the nerves that control your facial muscles is another although this is less common. Slow healing time can also be a problem although this is found mainly in smokers. Oh! and don't forget the usual risks that are involved with anesthesia.

On the plus side, the effects of a face lift are quite dramatic. It is without a doubt the fastest and most permanent way of shedding your 'old' face and regaining some of that youthful beauty you were born with..

If you've considered these things and decided that the final outcome is worth it, then proceed, but first please ask yourself these questions.

Why do I want a facelift?

Am I doing this because its going to help me find the job that I really want? This is a valid reason for going ahead. It shouldn't matter to those that hire people how old the applicant is or what they look like, but in the real world we know that these things do play a part. If you have a job that has a lot of public exposure, this may also be a good reason to proceed.

Am I doing this because my partner wants me to?
Red alert! Never let anyone else talk you into having a facelift. It is a very personal decision and one only you should make. Ask yourself why are you with someone who values you only for your appearance. Honor yourself, you are more than your face! Perhaps you should be working on your relationship and leaving your face alone!

I'm thirty five and have lots of wrinkles around my eyes and cheeks, and my neck is all mottled
A face lift won't help this situation. You are better off exploring the avenue of laser resurfacing or even chemical peels, they will strip the old layer of skin off and reveal a smoother younger appearance. It sounds like you have a lot of sun damage, get educated on the use of sunblock! Its everybody's most important cosmetic.

I'm depressed and don't feel good about myself. Maybe a facelift will help me feel better?
It may for a little while, but it sounds like you have a self esteem problem. Learn to love yourself the way you are first. Then if you still feel a facelift would give your morale a boost, go ahead.

I'm in my early fifties and notice my face is starting to sag quite badly. I can afford the surgery and reckon I might just do this for myself. A good idea, you've thought it through and decided its something you want not something you need.

Find a professional surgeon in your area and follow all his/her advice on how to prepare for your face lift. Don't forget to mention any medication you are taking and if you are a smoker, stop two weeks before surgery is scheduled. It will speed your recovery time. Good luck!

Exercise Tips Without Joining a Gym


Exercise. I know.... I know, that word makes most people cringe, but it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to join a gym, you can exercise at home. Many people pay high gym membership fee's and never go back!! That's just crazy!!

No, I'm talking about the things we do everyday, like . This is known as low impact exercise and is especially good if you are extra weighty as they will put very little or no stress on the Hip, Knee and Ankle Joint.
Walking, Gardening, Swimming or riding our Bikes

Anything that raises our heart rates, gets you slightly out of breath and makes you feel warmer is classed as Exercise, but whatever activity you choose, you should always, always start slowly and build up gradually, even if it's only Walking. Start off by doing 30 minutes and build up from there. If you take on too much, too soon, you could injure yourself by pulling a muscle, then you won't get any Exercise done at all.

I think 30 minutes per day for 5 plus days a week is good enough. Even with a busy schedule, I'm sure most people could fit in 30 minutes per day, even if it just means walking briskly around your house or garden, or going up and down the stairs a few times.

The benefits of exercise are endless. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel after you get into the swing of it. Talking about swing, keeping fit should be fun, so when I do my 30 minutes, I just pop on my favorite CD and dance to my hearts content. "Exercise isn't Exercise when you are enjoying yourself".

Water is essential for your good health and well being, but even more important when you are Exercising, as you will need to replenish what you are losing through sweat.

For healthy exercise, before you start your 30 minutes, it's important to do some warm up stretches, to warm your muscles through and get them ready for action and is equally important to do more stretching at the end. Do this for about 10 minutes each time and it will help prevent any muscle stiffness. So go find yourself a dance partner and Have Fun getting fit.



Help to Reduce Belly Fat


Can You Lose Weight Where You Want?

If you have excess weight only in specific parts of your body, you still must look at yourself as a whole. It's not possible to spot reduce; in other words, you can't dictate that you only want weight to come off one place or another. In most cases your so called "trouble spots" is where the fat will come off last, so be prepared to lose weight in your fingers (rings fall off) and your face (friends may ask if you're feeling all right) first. There is hope for losing that belly fat though.

Work Toward Building Muscle and Reducing Body Fat

If you work toward building muscle and reducing body fat you will eventually tackle those trouble spots though, and develop a better physique in the process. Muscle tissue is active meaning it requires calories to be maintained. If you were stranded without a food supply, eventually your body would turn to its own muscle tissue as a source of nutrition first (muscles are protein) while saving the fat stores for last. Simply put, fat is nature's way of ensuring survival during times of famine. That's why the prevalence of heart failure kills someone who is severely malnourished. By building more muscle you become a more efficient energy burning machine which translates to mean you can eat more food! That to me is a good thing.

The More Active You Are, The More You Get to Eat!

That explains why some people can eat so much more than others yet not gain weight; your efficient energy burning friend simply has a greater proportion of muscle to fat than you. Muscle is more dense than fat. It's often said that a pound of muscle is heavier than a pound of fat, but the truth is a pound is a pound. What they mean is a one pound volume of muscle is a smaller package than a one pound volume of fat, or put another way, fat is billowy and fluffy while muscle is sleek and compact. Lady No. 1 weighs 120 pounds with 30% body fat so she has 84 pounds of lean tissue and 36 pounds of fat, while Lady No. 2 also weighing 120 pounds but at 18% body fat is carrying roughly 98 pounds of muscle and 22 pounds of fat. Would you rather be Lady No. 1 or Lady No. 2? Which do you think takes up more space, 22 or 36 pounds of fat? I'd say 36 pounds of fat would be a lot bigger package than 22 pounds.


How Much You Weigh is Meaningless

That is why body weight as a number by itself is meaningless, but your ratio of fat to muscle is very important and worth working to change. Strive to decrease your body fat and increase your muscle mass and you'll look better, you'll feel stronger and more energetic and you'll simply be healthier.

You can generally have your body fat tested at fitness centers and most gyms so ask about having it done. It's better to know you have 30% body fat and work to reduce it to 29, than not to know and only think in terms of body weight. Most people who think only of how much they weigh tend to do everything to reduce that weight, and it's usually at the expense of losing more valuable muscle.

The best way to increase muscle and decrease fat is through a consistent exercise program. Start at whatever is your beginning, but do start.

Begin with an overall body conditioning type exercise program, doing whatever you enjoy, whether it be a sport, gardening, weight lifting, biking, hiking, or any other activity. Any physical movement you do regularly counts as exercise even if it is doing laundry or taking out the trash. Get as much as you can out of every chore you do, and stop thinking of it as a chore but instead as an opportunity to move your body.

In the early 1900s a washing machine was a new invention. People used to wash their clothes by hand, and hang them outside to dry. Being a housewife was actually a pretty strenuous job. It's no wonder women were thankful for modern conveniences like automatic washers and dryers, but now we've come to where our daily activities are not taking our bodies at all, so unless we want to get fatter and fatter we must do something about it.

Get Fit and Belly Fat Disappears

It doesn't make sense to drive around and around in the parking lot looking for the closest space when you're on your way to run or walk on the treadmill. Why take the elevator five flights every day at work and then pay a monthly fee to do the StairMaster after work? What if we all started to notice that our world is full of exercise equipment.

We could become so much more fit if we'd just start to notice all the opportunities for physical movement we miss in the name of convenience. Look around and see if you can spot some exercise opportunities, and then get busy and get fit.

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How To Start Using Teeth Whitening

For any one who has not used teeth whitening before, it can be a little daunting, many questions can be going around in your head and one of them most certainly will be, "how do I get started?'

First of all do not rush the first time that you wish to whiten your teeth, take your time and read the instructions carefully. They will explain the procedure fully and reassuringly.

What may daunt people the most about teeth whitening is how to make the mould that is used to hold the teeth whitening gel in place over your teeth.

This mould can be done at the dentist for a professional fit; it will be expertly done but will be very expensive.

There is nothing to stop you doing one for your self at a fraction of the cost.
All it takes is a little patience, two or three single arch thermo forming bleaching trays.

One for the bottom set of teeth, one for the top and a spare just to practice on and some water, just off the boil.

These trays are firm when first bought and have a tab at the front for you to hold while creating your mould. They are very pliable when placed in the boiling water and quickly change shape so you have to work quickly.

Using your fingers to hold the tab, hold the mould in the hot water for just a few seconds, then withdraw the mould from the water and with out shaking it, place over either the top or bottom set of teeth. You them suck strongly, to get the air out of the mould, this allows the mould to take the shape of your teeth. Hold the tray in place for a few seconds before you remove it. Repeat the process putting the tray over the opposite set of teeth.

You now have a good cast of the shape of your teeth, it only remains now to cut off the tab from the front of the mould and to trim any surplus of the tray which may cover the gums.

This is done so that the gum will not be exposed to the gel during whitening and will not cause any sensitivity to soft tissue.

You are now ready to use the whitening gel and the trays will last over many uses.

Aromatherapy Massage - Benefits


An aromatherapy massage combines the benefits of massage therapy with the use of essential oils. 

They can have many different effects on the mind, body and spirit, and make an aromatherapy massage an uplifting experience.

Essential oils are an aromatic essence distilled from a single botanical source and are renowned for their sedative, stimulating and analgesic properties. They have many different therapeutic uses.

A few drops in the bath, for inhalation, or added to creams and lotions can be very pleasant, but the most relaxing and therapeutic use is through aromatherapy massage.

The Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Massage, dates back around 4,000 years where massage was used in traditional Chinese medicine where it was used as a healing therapy.

The benefits of massage affect the body as a whole and it particularly influences the activity of the following areas of the body:

Musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems.

Massage is a 'hands-on' therapy and there are many variations, ranging from a gentle stoking and kneading of muscles to firmer, deeper, manual techniques.

Many studies have shown that massage therapy is an excellent way of reducing stress. Many people from all walks of life enjoy regular massages for this reason.

With the correct techniques and the right blend of essential oils, an aromatherapy massage can provided symptomatic relief to a variety of problems.

Stress for example, can cause and exacerbate many chronic problems including digestive problems, migraines, hypertension, back ache and muscle tension.

An Aromatherapy massage can be an effective way of inducing relaxation, combating stress and ensuring continuation of good health.

Aromatherapy Massage - What You Can Expect

On your first visit for an aromatherapy massage, you will be expected to provide your therapist with in-depth information into your current state of health and wellbeing.

This is likely to take the form of an initial consultation. During this consultation, your therapist will need to ascertain if you have any illnesses or injuries that may affect the massage.

Your therapist may also want you to consider what factors in your life may be contributing to the symptoms you are experiencing. For example, backache or muscle tension might be related to stress at work or family worries.

The therapist will be looking to treat you as a 'whole' - mind, body and spirit. He or she will blend oils to relax and calm, to ensure you get the best from your aromatherapy massage.

A good therapist may also make suggestions for dealing with the issues that are contributing to your symptoms. They may suggest alternative forms of treatment or help.

Aromatherapy Massage - How does it work?

Armed with the information gathered from your consultation your therapist will select and blend essential oils that they feel best meet your individual need.

The essential oil blend will be added to a 'carrier oil' and this will be used for your aromatherapy massage.

During the aromatherapy massage, much of the essential oils are inhaled and absorbed through the mouth and nose stimulating the production of relaxing, sedative euphoric or sedative neuro-chemicals, providing beneficial mental and emotional effects.

Aromatherapy Massage - Choosing a Therapist

Massage is a very personable experience. It is important that you choose a therapist whom you are comfortable with, as you will be expected to remove some of your clothing, but only as much as you feel comfortable with.

Clear communication, understanding and consent are vital and you should feel confident to advise your therapist if any specific technique hurts, or you feel discomfort at any time.

An aromatherapy massage usually lasts about one hour, but can be shorter or longer on request. After the session, your therapist may suggest a blend of oils that you can continue to use at home.

The amount of sessions you have will depend on your personal circumstances. Many people recommend the use of aromatherapy massage as a maintenance tool to be used as often as possible.

Finding the right aromatherapist for you

You should take the time to find a therapist with the appropriate skills and training. If in doubt you should ask to see any relevant certificates of training.

There are various professional bodies that you can contact for details of aromatherapy massage and a number of organizations will provide an aromatherapy massage in the comfort of your own home.


Cupping Therapy - The Heath Benefits of Chinese Cupping Therapy


Body pain is associated with every individual's life in this world. Pain basically indicates that there is some disorder or imbalance in the body due to some external or internal factors. Right from the ancient times to this modern world various medicines and therapies have evolved to treat different pains in different parts of the body. The modern therapies used are some modification of ancient ones only but the basic concept or logic behind them remains the same.

Among so many therapies, one is cupping therapy. This is basically a 3500 years old China based therapy for reducing body pain. Cupping therapy mainly includes use of plastic or glass cups to create a vacuum on the body part which enhances circulation of blood and lymph through tissues. During ancient times, heat was generated among the glass or bamboo cups and then this heat was applied to the painful part of the body. This heat would help in healing that particular area.

Cupping therapy mainly works on the meridians. Meridians are the energy pathways lying all across the body reaching to all tissues and organs. The energy inside our body, also called as chi, flows through these pathways only. Any disorder in our body is caused due to blockage in smooth flow of energy. So this therapy mainly clears the energy pathways through increasing circulation of blood and oxygen and smooth working of lymphatic system. This is mainly carried out on back portion as our back have maximum no of meridians i.e. five. Moreover this helps in releasing body toxins from the tissues and organs. As the vacuum creates the suction, it reaches deep inside the cells and tissues which causes toxins to move out of cells.

This Cupping therapy is performed in two methods. One is Stationary and another is moving. Basically oil is applied on the body for creating smooth movement of suction cups. Sometimes these cups are kept on a particular part for 5-7 minutes without any movement. This comes under stationary method. While when vacuum pumps are continuously moved on body covering a large area then this is called as moving cupping therapy. At times, five to six cups are placed on different parts simultaneously and removed cyclically. This is termed as Flash Cupping.

Once you are over with this therapy, you may feel some sensation and tingling deep in the tissues. This sensation is the indication of fast blood flow after this therapy. It is very beneficial to apply essential oils just after this treatment so that it reaches inside the tissue, nourishes them and makes your skin glow and shine.

There are so many health benefits of this Chinese cupping therapy. It mainly reduces back pain, headache and fatigue. This regulates and balances hormones in the body, helps in ovulation in women, solves the constipation problem, eliminates skin problem and makes your skin healthy and reduces weight problems. It also strengthens our immune system thus giving us power to fight with attacking diseases.

If you want to try this therapy for yourself then you may visit any health centre who will offer you complete package. You may also get the instruction from the internet so that you can do it for yourself. For this you will have need of cupping set which can be purchased from any medical supplier or you can also order it through on internet from anywhere in the world. Due to the increasing health benefits of this Chinese cupping therapy, it's becoming popular day by day.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Makes Things Easy


Are you having someone old in the house and has Alzheimer's disease? Having a hard time adjusting to your new patient? Then here are some tips to make things easier for you and the whole family.

In its early stage, your loved ones with Alzheimer's disease can still perform a lot of daily tasks that allows them to function independently. But these abilities dwindle as time progresses. It may already be advisable to treat the patient with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. One thing that is good about hyperbaric oxygen therapy is that you can own it personally. You can buy or rent your own hyperbaric chamber. Then you can place your personal hyperbaric chambers at your bedroom or the office. Having your own personal hyperbaric chamber will make things easier because you don't need to travel to get treated you can just get it straight from home.

By the way, hyperbaric chamber are available in two sizes, the single and the double bag. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an alternative medication that is U.S. FDA approved and requires no surgery. Sessions only lasts for less than an hour.

Still about making things easier, a good tip is to schedule wisely the tasks and routines for the loved one who has Alzheimer's disease. This tip comes with determining the time and day which the patient is calm and agreeable. With such information, now schedule the difficult tasks like bathing and medical appointments around that time period. This tip will really make things easier.

That is just about it for now. I'll be writing more soon about the topic. Have a nice day! Good luck!

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