Botanical name: aloe bardaenis

Common name:  juice from lilies, desert lilies

Habitat:  Aloe Vera has pointed and fleshy leaves that produce a  gel and juice.  They are natives of  tropical Africa, where they grow in the wilds, but aloes also flourish in the West  Indies and Mediterranean countries on cultivated aloe plantations designed  exclusively for commerce.

Considered an easy plant to grow by most it  requires a sandy, well drained soil and sunny location.  It is not frost resistant so if you live in  colder climates, plants in pots should be brought indoors at the first sign of  cold weather.  It is easiest to start  from leaf cuttings, cut a large fleshy leaf from the mother plant and let it  dry out for several days, until the cut is sealed over and healed.  Place cutting in sandy dry soil, (just sand  will work fine) for several weeks until new roots form; plant in sandy, well  drained soil.

There are more than 200 species of perennial  aloe, but only aloe vera is considered true aloe.  True aloe produces a yellowish juice that  will seep out when a leaf is cut.

The color of aloe juices differ, according to the locations where the plants are grown and the methods used to extract the juice.  Both the gel and the juice come  from the aloe’s leaves.  As a rule, the  gel is not used internally, but the juice has a long history for internal use.

Healthy Info:  Truthfully, every household should have a plant or two  of this around, it is so valuable a medicinal.  It is one of the best herbs for burns and skin infections (except for  staph infections), and is used internally as a laxative and a cleanser.

• Constipation (stubborn) and Digestive Distress.  Aloe  tea is a well-respected digestive aid, particularly for severe or stubborn  cases of constipation.  It relaxes the  bowels, acts as a stomach tonic, and stimulates the large intestine.  It promotes bile flow to help regulate  digestion.  In India, a tonic wine is  made from fermented aloe gel, blended with honey and spices, and used for  anemia, poor digestion and liver disorders.  You can make aloe tea with honey and mint, spiced with cinnamon, to have  your own tonic.
• Moisture.  Aloe gel is an emollient that helps skin retain its moisture.  It has been called Natures Best Moisturizer.  In ancient Egypt, aloe was regarded as a  religious plant, and it is said Cleopatra used its gel to protect her skin from the damaging effects of the hot Egyptian sun.
•  Parasite Purge. Aloe vera is one of the most  effective treatments to expel worms or other parasites from the intestinal  tract.  It is also antifungal.
• Radiation Burns and Skin Surgery.  Aloe is a  healing stimulant that is used topically in the United States to speed healing  after radiation burns and skin surgery.  You can wash burns with cooled aloe tea, or take an aloe bath.
• Uses Through the Ages.  As far back as  the fourth century, aloe was used by Greek physicians to cure everything from constipation to liver problems.
• Caution.  In high doses, aloe can cause intestinal cramps.  For this reason, aloe is often combined  with an herb like peppermint, which eases cramping.   Prudent use would be to take aloe only for  stubborn digestive disorders or an aggressive attach on intestinal bacteria, for a short term only.  Aloe is not  recommended for internal use by children, pregnant women, or the elderly.

*Aloe Sunburn Bath

If you ever get one of those flaming red sunburns,  this recipe will save your skin and let you sleep at night.  Make 2-4 bags of aloe tea and pour the tea  into a cool bath.  Soak in the aloe to  take out the sting, activate healing and prevent moisture loss from your skin

*Properties;  purgative, tonic, wound healer, soothes-tissues, anti-fungal, expels worms and parasites, promotes bile flow

References: 20,000 Secrets of Tea, Victoria Zak pages 73-75

Jyll Renee Master Herbologist (765-644-0312)

Submitted by: Jyll Renee’, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

Visit our FREE Online Herbal Materia Medica

Visit our FREE Online Guide to Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants

Instructor:  Jyll Renee, Master Herbologlist

Class Price:  $35.00  – ** Gift Certificates Available for this class as well**

Class Book:  $15.00 – reference book purchase not required

*What you will learn:

• This  class is designed with Madison, Henry County in mind. We will discuss  growing and using herbs that can be cultivated in your own back yard and  how the herbs can be used to treat your family to assure good health and  heal common illnesses.
• Learn about when it is safe to treat at home, understand how herbs can  compliment traditional medicines safely.
• Learn  about the signatures of herbs and foods, do you know you can tell by  looking at a plant what it is used for?
• How to  go about planting herbs, how to select them and why.
• Bring  a picture of your pet, we will be learning animal communication
• This class we will be doing new  things…come prepared to let us know “what do you want to heal” – we are going to use these conditions to talk about what herbs to use, how you  would choose a tea versus tincture or how to  compound your own formulas to  put in capsules.

DEMONSTRATIONS (THE FUN STUFF)

1. Tea, it’s not just for drinking. There will be plenty  of samples to taste.
2. Beauty preparations, Calendula skin wash, Herbal bath  pillows
3. Making tinctures or glycerites for herbal medicine, we  will demonstrate both preparation, straining and show you how to make the  glycerite
4. How to make an herbal oil – to use with creams and  cooking oils that are healing and yummy.
5. We’ll teach you some kinesiology to find out if you  need herbs or foods, even how to tell if you have allergies.
6. Essential oils – healing with scents
7. Tasty lip balm – we will make a batch so everyone will  have some.
8. Easy herbal creams – we will be making some Arnica to  use for sore muscles and everyone will go home with a jar.
9. Melt and pour soap, we will be making Glycerin soap as  well of course everyone will go home with theirs as well.

 If  you would like to attend a class Contact: 

Jyll Renee’ Master Herbologist

Click Here to Learn More About Jyll Renee’ 

(765) 644-0312

Call or email and make your reservation
today! 

jyllrenee@comcast.net

Great ideas to make for Christmas!

Saturday Nov 12, 2011

10:00am – 3:00pm

Breathing life into form is a manifestation of creativity and can take place on multiple levels and in varying degrees. Emotions and charges that are brought to surface when you witness an arrival or manifestation of new life are like sign posts, and at times like long ignored friends screaming for your attention. Unlocking them, expressing them and allowing yourself to experience and then release them has a potential to remove many of the blocks that might be hampering the power of your personal creative and manifesting power.

Joy of new life is so powerfully charged, because at that time the River of Joy flows ever so powerfully and freely from the heart center of the new bundle of life we are welcoming into the world. Its flow creates a powerful charge and a field that is felt by all who encounter it. 

Above is an excerpt from new book Urban Herbalist, Vol. 1 – Lessons Learned from the Plant Kingdom, that will soon be available at http://bodyandmindstl.com.

Below herbal blend recipes are also from that same exciting new project. To be informed of upcoming release dates join our e-News at http://bodyandmindstl.com

Happy Times – herbal blend

1 part Rose Hips
1 part Hibiscus flower
¼ part Orange Peel
several Lemon Slices (dried or fresh)

Combine all dry ingredients and keep in an air tight container. Use as needed to prepare a delicious herbal tea to share with your dearest beings regardless of their age.

Dream “Dust” – herbal blend

1 part Chamomile
¼ part Lavender
½ part Lemon Balm

Combine all dry ingredients and fill a small cotton sachet, doll pillow or a ‘charm bag’ with the blend. Decorate or tie with a silk ribbon and a small clear or rose quartz point.

This wonderful ‘dream pillow’ can be kept on a nightstand or close to one’s pillow. Remember to keep your dream journal close as you drift into the realm of sweet dreams with aromas of this charming combination.

Happy Smiles – herbal body oil

Calendula Oil
Chamomile Flowers

In a glass jar combine a handful of chamomile flowers with calendula oil. Let it stand in a sunny window for about two to three weeks. Strain through a fine cloth into a dark glass bottle and use as needed.

To learn more about services we provide or to join one of upcoming classes visit us at http://bodyandmindstl.com

In Health, Abundance, Love and Light,

Daniela Sales
Reiki Master Teacher and Wellness Consultant
The Avokado Studio of Arts for Creative Living

Disclaimer: The statements in this article are for educational purposes only and have not been evaluated by or sanctioned by the FDA. Only your doctor can properly diagnose and treat any disease or disorder. The remedies discussed herein are not meant to treat or cure any type of disease. The user understands that the above information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or a pharmacist.

By

As the weather turns dry and cold in the winter, our skin also becomes dry and dull. Vata dosha is responsible for both, so the way to keep our skin soft is through rehydrating it from the inside and the outside, and by balancing Vata dosha. Later in the winter, due to accumulated heat in the body, some people experience breakouts. Then, along with Vata dosha, we also need to keep Pitta dosha in balance.

The cold of the winter freezes our pores. This causes poor circulation in the skin. Our face and hands, which are exposed more to the conditions of the weather, are especially affected. Since the pores shrink, the skin is not able to absorb conventional petroleum based products. As a result, they will not have a hydrating effect on the deeper layers of the skin. Plus, chemical products can actually damage your skin, and your health. A warm ayurvedic oil massage, on the other hand, is an excellent method of rehydrating the skin and improving circulation. Almond oil is a good choice because it can go into the deeper layers of the skin and is suitable for all skin types.

REHYDRATE FROM THE OUTSIDE

A couple of times a week in the evening, do a whole body massage with 20% Youthful Skin Massage Oil and 80% Relaxation Oil. Leave the oil on for 20 minutes then take a warm (not hot) bath for at least three minutes. Use one of Maharishi Ayurveda’s new therapeutic Bath Salts to soften your skin. After your bath, apply the M•Spa Youthful Skin Advanced Lipid Support Body Glow. This new lotion provides both lipid and water rehydration to the skin and its pleasant aroma pacifies all doshas, especially Vata. Its molecules are so small that the skin absorbs it easily even in the winter when the pores are shrunk. The herbs in this formula feed the skin naturally and improve its ability to retain moisture. In addition to using it on your body, apply it to your hands during the day. Since the hands get drier than the rest of the body, they need constant moisturizing.

To cleanse your body, use natural and gentle soaps such as Maharishi Ayurveda Rejuvenation Soap or the M•Spa Youthful Skin Body Cleanse. For a special treat, try anoatmeal soap substitute which gently exfoliates and nourishes the skin (see recipe).

The face is another area sensitive to the environment. To take special care of the facial skin, use the M•Spa Youthful Skin line which is made with all-natural ingredients and absorbs into the skin easily. In the winter, you can steam your face once a week to open up the pores and deep clean your skin. Or try an exfoliating and nourishing facial you can administer yourself (see instructions).

REHYDRATE FROM WITHIN

In addition to moisturizing your skin from the outside, it is just as important to hydrate it from the inside. A Vata pacifying diet rich in heavy, warm and moist foods helps counteract the drying effects of the season. Leafy green vegetables, squashes, sweet juicy fruits, and lots of water are essential for rehydrating your skin. Add Vata Churna sauteéd in Ghee to your meals. For a balancing and nourishing snack, mix equal amounts of raisins, dates, sunflower seeds, toasted sesame seeds and almonds. Soak a handful overnight and eat them the next day when you feel hungry between meals.

Your routine also has to be regular in order to keep Vata in balance. Don’t skip or delay meals, get enough rest, and make sure your elimination is regular. Practice yoga asanas and the Transcendental Meditation® technique, both of which relax the nervous system and pacify Vata. Yoga also enhances the detoxification process and opens the channels of the body.

To nourish your body and your skin from the inside, take Maharishi Amrit Kalash regularly. The Rejuvenation for Men or Women formulas also strengthen and balance the entire system from the cell up. Amla-Berry, among other things, supports skin health and appearance.

HOW TO DO AN AYURVEDIC FACIAL

1. Cleanse face and neck with M•Spa Youthful Skin Cleansing Gel to remove makeup and impurities.
2. Apply several drops of Youthful Skin Oil on fingers and gently massage the face and neck. Repeat three times.
3. Massage milk foam onto the face and neck. Repeat three times. (Slowly bring organic milk to a boil, add a few drops of Organic Rose Water and beat until thick layer of foam appears.)
4. Use a facial steamer for 5 minutes or until the skin perspires. Make a tent for yourself using a towel or sheet.
5. Apply a thin layer of Youthful Skin Clay to the face and neck. Leave on for 3-5 minutes or until the skin begins to feel tight.
6. Remove clay with remaining organic milk and then rinse milk off with warm water. Use natural sponges for removal of clay.
7. Apply a thin layer of Youthful Skin Oil to the face and neck. Dab off excess with a tissue.
8. After one hour, apply a thin layer of Youthful Skin Cream to the face and neck.

SOAP SUBSTITUTE RECIPE

1. For Vata skin, mix a large quantity of 80 percent rolled oats, 10 percent marshmallow root, 5 percent jasmine flowers and 5 percent lavender flowers. for Pitta skin, mix a large quantity of 80 percent rolled oats, 5 percent rose buds, 5 percent lavender flowers, 5 percent Indian Sarsaparilla and 5 percent dried orange peel.
2. Place two tablespoons of the appropriate mixture in the middle of a small square of cheesecloth, gather up the ends of the cloth into a ball and tie with a string. Make enough balls for a month and store them in an airtight container.
3. Every night dip one ball into warm milk and pat your face to cleanse and moisturize your skin. Rinse with warm water.

MOISTURIZING HERBAL WATER

Boil 2 quarts of water. Add 1/4 teaspoon marshmallow root, 2 pinches Indian Sarsaparilla, 2 leaves of basil, 1 piece of clove and 1 black pepper corn. Sip this water during the day.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MAHARISHI AYURVEDA

ORDER SUPPLIES FROM MAHARISHI AYURVEDA

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• Health Improvement:  Use Sound Therapy to Improve Your Health
• Herbal Remedy Cures eBook
• Marharishi Ayurveda: Herbal Remedies and Supplements Produced Through Vedic Tradition and Knowledge
• Shop at MotherNature.com for Great Deals on Thousands of Health & Wellness Products!
• Standardized Herbs: Nature’s Sunshine Utilizes over 600 Tests to Guarantee the Quality of Herbs, Supplements, Essential Oils and Other Natural Health Care Products!
• Self Sufficient Life Website
• Super Antioxidant Juice MonaVie for a daily dose of Acai – the highest rated antioxidant currently known on the planet!
• Ultimate Guide to Vitamins and Minerals Book Info

Courtesy of

Weight loss is about much more than dropping pounds. Just ask anyone who has successfully lost weight, only to find himself or herself fighting those same pounds a few months or years later. Clearly the nuts and bolts of weight loss—eating habits and exercise—require a physical commitment. But lasting,successful weight loss involves a powerful emotional component as well.

Developing a healthy attitude toward our bodies, our weight and food can be quite challenging in today’s society. On one hand, food is a major element of just about every social gathering and occasion. We celebrate with food, fight stress with food, we even mourn with food. On the other hand, the media constantly presents us with impossible body ideals that are unrealistic and even unhealthy for the vast majority of us. Air brushing, PhotoShop® and other tricks of the trade allow models and celebrities to appear thinner than they are in real life, giving us the perception that we too can and should strive for that appearance. Even Barbie®, the famous doll, is way out of proportion.

Where does this leave us? For some it can be an emotional dependence on the wrong kinds of food. For others, a negative image of our bodies and false hope in getting thin without too much effort. More importantly, now that you’ve made the physical commitment to find a healthier you, how do you make the emotional commitment?

A good place to start is by finding your motivation. Are you losing weight to look better? To fit into a swimsuit before an upcoming cruise or reunion? To provide a healthy example to your children?  To combat Type 2 diabetes? To save money on your medical bills?

When beginning a weight-loss journey, be prepared to think long-term. Many weight-loss centers ban the use of the word “diet” because it tends to be associated with short-term and drastic eating plans. Rather than focusing on a “diet,” commit yourself to learning about what changes are necessary to fuel and nourish your body with healthful foods. It’s amazing what a simple change in mindset can do. The exact same nutrition program can be viewed by one person as a diet and another as a lifestyle change. Can you guess who will see greater success?

The stronger, more meaningful and realistic your motivation, the more likely you’ll succeed with your program. For that reason, those who are motivated by health tend to make lasting changes more often than those who are motivatedby magazines or social events.

Weight-loss experts encourage accepting yourself, loving who you are right now, and then finding the motivation to set goals to allow yourself to be the best you can be.

If you are one of the millions with “lose weight” on your New Year’s resolutions list this year, resolve something new: resolve to love yourself no matter what, and then plan the lifestyle changes toward a healthier body.

VISIT THE NATURE’S SUNSHINE WEBSITE

LEARN ABOUT NATURE’S SUNSHINE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS

Related Links

• $5 VITAMIN SALE!! Plus get FREE SHIPPING on ANY ORDER!. Coupon Code FREE5
• Essential Wholesale:  Wholesale Prices on Essential Oils – No Membership Needed!
• Great Deals and FREE SHIPPING at Dr. Leonards – America’s Leading Online Health Care Catalog!
• Health Improvement:  Use Sound Therapy to Improve Your Health
• Herbal Remedy Cures eBook
• Marharishi Ayurveda: Herbal Remedies and Supplements Produced Through Vedic Tradition and Knowledge
• Shop at MotherNature.com for Great Deals on Thousands of Health & Wellness Products!
• Standardized Herbs: Nature’s Sunshine Utilizes over 600 Tests to Guarantee the Quality of Herbs, Supplements, Essential Oils and Other Natural Health Care Products!
• Self Sufficient Life Website
• Super Antioxidant Juice MonaVie for a daily dose of Acai – the highest rated antioxidant currently known on the planet!
• Ultimate Guide to Vitamins and Minerals Book Info

Courtesy of

The following information is taken in part from the new Weight Loss Manual (Stock No.
5322-1) introduced at National Convention in August. Fitness expert and ab model Max
Wettstein, a Nature’s Sunshine distributor, contributed greatly to the booklet.

Getting Started

• Goal setting: Think big, but start small. Set reasonable goals. Be committed for the long
  run.
• Remind yourself that lasting weight loss requires a lifestyle change.
• Be accountable. Find a partner, coach, trainer, sibling or friend, and report your results to him/her regularly. This will help you stick to your plan and overcome temptations.

Do’s

• Choose nutrient-dense foods that provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and
  relatively few calories, e.g. fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Balance your diet with protein, complex carbohydrates (whole-grain breads, cereals and pastas) and unsaturated fats. These tend to promote overall lean-body mass and a healthier, longer life.
• Keep a food journal. Record what you eat, how much and when. You’ll start to see why you eat and may even decide not to eat something because you don’t want to have to write it down. Try keeping an exercise log too.
• Limit/avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. Get them out of the house so they cannot tempt you.
• Increase your fiber to 30–35 grams a day. (You may need to supplement to achieve this.)
• Get plenty of sleep; 7–9 hours a night supports greater growth hormone production.
• Move your body. Exercise is a critical component to weight loss. It increases lean-body mass and helps improve overall health and longevity. It also helps with bowel regularity. Start slowly and gradually increase the amount and intensity of your exercise.
• Pay attention to food labels. Carefully consider calories, carb/protein/fat ratios, saturated fat and sweeteners.
• Use quality NSP supplements to support your efforts.

Don’ts

• Don’t allow yourself to yo-yo diet. This increases the cravings for fat and often weakens the immune system. Also, a history of loss and gain is
  associated with greater amounts of fat stored in the abdomen, a pattern of fat distribution linked to greater risk of heart disease and diabetes.
• Don’t skip breakfast. You need fuel in the morning for the day’s activities.
• Don’t eat within two hours of bedtime.
• Don’t drink soda. Drink fresh-squeezed fruit juice and lots of pure water.
• Don’t check your weight daily. Weight fluctuates daily due to water consumption, metabolism, etc. Weigh yourself twice a week.
• Don’t try to lose more than 2 lbs. of weight/fat per week.

Source:  Nature’s Sunshine.  (January 2010.) Sunshine Horizons. “Tips for Weight Loss Success.” Extracted verbatim with permission on November 4, 2010 from http://www.naturessunshine.com/content/us/misc/jan2010.pdf

VISIT THE NATURE’S SUNSHINE WEBSITE

LEARN ABOUT NATURE’S SUNSHINE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS

Related Links

• $5 VITAMIN SALE!! Plus get FREE SHIPPING on ANY ORDER!. Coupon Code FREE5
• Essential Wholesale:  Wholesale Prices on Essential Oils – No Membership Needed!
• Great Deals and FREE SHIPPING at Dr. Leonards – America’s Leading Online Health Care Catalog!
• Health Improvement:  Use Sound Therapy to Improve Your Health
• Herbal Remedy Cures eBook
• Marharishi Ayurveda: Herbal Remedies and Supplements Produced Through Vedic Tradition and Knowledge
• Shop at MotherNature.com for Great Deals on Thousands of Health & Wellness Products!
• Standardized Herbs: Nature’s Sunshine Utilizes over 600 Tests to Guarantee the Quality of Herbs, Supplements, Essential Oils and Other Natural Health Care Products!
• Self Sufficient Life Website
• Super Antioxidant Juice MonaVie for a daily dose of Acai – the highest rated antioxidant currently known on the planet!
• Ultimate Guide to Vitamins and Minerals Book Info

HOW TO LOOK MORE BEAUTIFUL AS YOU AGE

Keep your skin looking like a teenager’s by paying attention to the four pillars of youthful skin: nourish, rehydrate, detoxify, and remove stress. “These four pillars increase prabha, the luster and glow of the skin. And all four must be addressed from the inside and the outside.”

Note:  All products mentioned in this article can be purchased at Maharishi Ayurveda

NOURISH

To nourish your skin from the inside, the Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians recommends following the ayurvedic guidelines for the season and your skin/body type. Adjust your diet to support healthy skin. Eat plenty of sweet, juicy fruits, such as a stewed apple or pear for breakfast, to enhance rasa dhatu (nutrient fluid) and increase suppleness.

• Include multiple grains in your diet (quinoa, couscous, millet, barley, amaranth, rye and wheat) to provide a variety of minerals and the full range of nature’s intelligence.
• Eat a variety of cooked vegetables with spices. Green, leafy vegetables provide fiber and nutrients such as iron and calcium, which help to nourish the blood and skin tissue.
• Eat light, easily digestible proteins such as milk, lassi, and panir (freshly made cheese), as well as proteins such as mung dhal.
• Take Youthful Skin tablets and ReGen Vitality tablets to enhance skin health and structure.

Skin-Friendly Spice Mixture

Spices not only enhance flavor, but research shows that they have therapeutic value. Below find a spice mixture from our Maharishi Ayurveda expert for creating a healthy, balanced immune system:

6 parts Turmeric
3 parts turmeric
6 parts coriander
6 parts fennel
1 part fenugreek
1 part black pepper

First saúte the spices in ghee, add steamed vegetables and stir. Cook for a few more minutes to allow the spices to be absorbed. Turmeric is the greatest friend of the skin because it is purifying and is a potent antioxidant. Cumin, fenugreek, black peper, and turmeric purify the blood and fatty tissues.

REHYDRATE

For internal hydration, drink more pure water, eat sweet, juicy fruits, and include high-quality fats such as ghee or olive oil in your diet. A fat-free diet is unhealthy for the skin, and diminishes both luster and aura. Youthful Skin Massage Oil is rich in herbs such as Shankapushpi, Gotu Kola, and Ashwagandha (photo on right). This oil enhances the absorption of our benificial herbs into the skin and has an anti-aging effect. This increases the glow and luster of your skin. For facial skin, the Youthful Skin Oil provides deep-layer lipid support, and the Youthful Skin Cream provides moisture balance and rehydration as well.

Royal Milk Bath

This time-tested beauty aid was recommended by the royal physicians for the queens of India to enhance glow and luster of the skin. Mix a large quantity of 70 percent rolled oats, 10 percent Indian Sarsaparilla,10 percent Marshmallow Root and 10 percent Rose Petals.

• Place two tablespoons in the middle of a small square of cheesecloth, gather up the ends of the cloth, and tie with a string.
• Dip the cloth into warm milk and pat the entire body to deeply moisturize your skin.
• Make enough mixture for one or two months and store in an airtight container.

DETOXIFY

The number one detoxification target should be the colon. If you have a problem with Apana Vata and are constipated, for instance, your skin will only become dryer and duller. Take daily walks, eat more fibrous foods, and drink plenty of water. If you still have irregular bowel movements take Digest Tone (Triphala Plus), our premier digestion product. For a seasonal fall cleanse take Herbal Cleanse and take Elim-Tox-O along with Genitrac for 45 days whenever the seasons are changing (for example, in the transition weeks between summer and fall, and spring and summer).

DE-STRESS

If you are under stress, it often shows up in the face as a drawn, dull look. Stressed people have trouble sleeping — and lack of sleep causes stress, a vicious cycle, so it’s important to take care of both factors at the same time. Deep Rest and Worry Free are great herbal formulas that support sleep and emotional balance — it will reflect in your smile.

GOOD DIGESTION

This is often overlooked as a key element to keeping your skin healthy and radiant. Digest Tone (Triphala Plus) is our best herbal formula to support healthy digestion. It is rich in anti-oxidants, helps the body detoxify, and creates luster in the skin.

The Youthful Skin Four-Step Regimen

Step One: Youthful Skin Cleansing Bar or Cleansing Gel: Gentle botanicals and herbal extracts cleanse away make-up and impurities without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture content to help maintain a youthful radiance.

Step Two: Youthful Skin Toner: Refreshes and tones the skin. Completes the cleansing process and gently removes dead skin cells. Maintains the natural balance of the skin while rehydrating, conditioning and toning.

Step Three: Youthful Skin Oil: A delicate blend of pure essential oils and herbs provides lipid support for the deep layers of the skin.

Step Four: Youthful Skin Cream: Ayurvedic formula intercepts and neutralizes oxidants before they damage your skin. Provides nourishment for natural, healthy skin cell growth. It also helps stimulate collagen synthesis for elasticity.

VISIT THE MARHARISHI AYURVEDA WEBSITE

ORDER THE PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE

Source:  Marharishi Ayurveda, Personal Communication, November 2, 2010.

Related Links

• $5 VITAMIN SALE!! Plus get FREE SHIPPING on ANY ORDER!. Coupon Code FREE5
• Essential Wholesale:  Wholesale Prices on Essential Oils – No Membership Needed!
• Great Deals and FREE SHIPPING at Dr. Leonards – America’s Leading Online Health Care Catalog!
• Health Improvement:  Use Sound Therapy to Improve Your Health
• Herbal Remedy Cures eBook
• Marharishi Ayurveda: Herbal Remedies and Supplements Produced Through Vedic Tradition and Knowledge
• Shop at MotherNature.com for Great Deals on Thousands of Health & Wellness Products!
• Standardized Herbs: Nature’s Sunshine Utilizes over 600 Tests to Guarantee the Quality of Herbs, Supplements, Essential Oils and Other Natural Health Care Products!
• Self Sufficient Life Website
• Super Antioxidant Juice MonaVie for a daily dose of Acai – the highest rated antioxidant currently known on the planet!
• Ultimate Guide to Vitamins and Minerals Book Info

You probably don’t know this yet but product wastes and toxic build up in your system is one of the main reasons why you have acne or why your skin breaks out.

You see, your body has 4 channels of elimination…your bowels, kidneys, lungs, and your skin. Your bowels and kidneys are the primary channels that your body expels product wastes and toxics through.

The only time that your body expels product wastes through your lungs and skin is when your bowels and kidneys are overloaded with product wastes and toxics.

This can happen when you’re not drinking enough water.You see, water is the main carrier of nutrients throughout your body and is quite possibly the single most important contributor to healing and preventing acne flare-ups.

Drinking enough water will dissolve waste products in your system so it can be easily remove and flush out. Without enough water, there won’t be much to dissolve these product wastes and toxics…causing it to build up in your system and causing your body to expel these product wastes and toxics through your lungs and skin.

And this can and will result in acne breakout.

How much water should you be drinking each day to dissolve product waste and flush out toxins from your body?

The general rule of thumb is to take your weight in pounds, divide it by 2; this is the approximate numbers of ounces per day.

I say, you should drink only enough to see that your urine is mostly clear, which is probably much more than what you’re drinking now.

But I wouldn’t recommend you going overboard because drinking too much water will also flush out electrolyte minerals out of your system (which is not good).

Test!

Start by drinking 7 glasses of water a day for the next 2 to 3 days. (7 x  8 ounces = 56; or approximate weight 112 pounds) If you see that your urine is clear then 7 glasses of water a day is what you should be drinking. If you see that your urine is kind of yellow then you should add another glass.

By: Deborahe Prock ND

Submitted by:  Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

Related Links

• $5 VITAMIN SALE!! Plus get FREE SHIPPING on ANY ORDER!. Coupon Code FREE5
• Essential Wholesale:  Wholesale Prices on Essential Oils – No Membership Needed!
• Great Deals and FREE SHIPPING at Dr. Leonards – America’s Leading Online Health Care Catalog!
• Health Improvement:  Use Sound Therapy to Improve Your Health
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by Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist

Essential Oils

The skin is the largest organ it makes up 86% of the body. Aromatherapy you inhale, essential oil you put on the skin. It absorbs immediately into the skin that begins the healing process. In magical aromatherapy, the use of true essential oils is mandatory. Synthetics won’t work. Because essential oils are born of plants, they have a direct link with the Earth. This subtle energy, nourished by soil, Sun, and rain, vibrates within essential oils. Since we too are of the Earth and also possess this link, we merge and work together. Synthetics have no link to the Earth. In a magical sense, they’re dead. To create them, scientists mix together only what ingredients necessary to make the scent. Essential oils are the distilled or expressed products of naturally aromatic plant materials. Lavender essential oil is extracted from lavender, not from a plant which smells like lavender. Additionally, synthetics are not essential oils. Artificial rose is sickly sweet, antiseptic and easily produces headaches. True rose essential smells like a stimulating field of flowers contained within a bottle. It hums with soothing, peaceful energies. It is alive.

History of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy started in Europe more than sixty years ago and is practice by medical doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. Aromatherapy consists simply of using essential oils for healing. The origin of aromatherapy is usually attributed to Ancient Egypt and India. It would date back to the mysterious Kingdom of Sheba, located in the part of the world now called Ethiopia. The Kingdom of Sheba, the “land of milk and honey,” was a very prosperous country of the high antiquity. In particular, it controlled the production of the very precious frankincense and myrrh and the trade in spices coming by caravan from India and then by boat through the Red Sea. Sheba is the land from where the three magi came to greet the infant Christ with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the three most precious substances of that time. The Egyptian’s are considered the inventors of western medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetology. Parallel with the development of medicine and pharmacy, they also developed very refined techniques for skin care, creating beauty recipes that have endured to the present day. Aromatics were the major active ingredients in their skin care preparations. Cleopatra, of course, is legendary for her use of cosmetic preparations and perfumes to enhance her beauty and her powers of seduction. Her beauty regimes lasted hours. When she sailed to greet the Roman Emperor Marc Anthony, the sails of her ship were soaked in jasmine, one of the most aphrodisiac fragrances. Marc Anthony fell so deeply in love with Cleopatra that he gave up his empire to follow her. The Egyptians also practiced the art of massage and were famous specialists in skin care and cosmetology. During the Renaissance, the use of essential oils expanded into perfumery and cosmetics. Aromatherapy per se was formally developed in France in the late 1920’s and `grew into a mainstream movement in Europe. The term itself was coined by a French chemist by the name of René Maurice Gattefosse. As the story goes, Mr. Gattefosse, was a chemist working for the perfume industry, burned his hand in an explosion in his laboratory. A vat full of lavender oil was nearby, and he plunged his hand into it. The pain disappeared instantly, and he recovered so fast that he decided to investigate further the healing power of essential oils. Thus was born aromatherapy.

French estheticians have grown increasingly attracted to aromatherapy. The French in general, even in the skin care area, tend to use much higher dosages and concentrations than do other European practitioners. British aromatherapy began in the 1950’s with Marguerie Maury, a French cosmetologist who lived in London and emphasized uses in skin care and massage, with esoteric undertones. She gave British aromatherapy the spiritualist undertones that it still retains. Aromatherapy did not exist in any significant way in the United States until the early 1980’s. Essential oils encompass body care, skin care, and massage and touch every aspect of daily life. In summary, peoples all over the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, South America, the Pacific Islands, and those we have discussed above, have used the powers of fragrant plants to produce specific changes in their lives. These changes included inducing spiritual connection with Deity (gods and goddesses); drawing love or mates; heightening sexual arousal; purifying the body prior to ritual; healing the sick and guarding against negative energies. Magical aromatherapy, in one form or another, has been with us from the earliest great civilizations. It is as old as the moment when a human being first smelled the delicious scent rising from a flower and recognized it as pure energy springing from all mighty Mother Nature.

Principles of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy treats symptoms by addressing the specific physical, energetic, and psychological background of the individual client. All essential oils are antiseptic to some degree. The milder oils, but very effective oils are rich in alcohols such as geranium, all the various lavenders, palmarosa, tea tree, margoram, and ylang ylang. These oils are much milder and are very safe to use. They are useful for home remedies and first-aid kits, and they work well on minor wounds, as prevention from infectious diseases, or for skin care. Most essential oils stimulate cellular activity and regenerate. Some of these oils include geranium, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood, and generally, all the oils rich in alcohol.
Essential oils are extremely beneficial for the skin. In fact, the use of essential oils in skin care can be traced back to the Egyptians, the inventors of cosmetology (has we talked about in the History of Essential oils). The Egyptians had extremely elaborate skin care regimens, which could take hours to complete. Their skin care preparations made extensive use of aromatic substances. The skin must filter germs and unwanted substances such as pollutants to maintain its beauty. Essential oils help the skin to perform its role as a barrier or protector. Essential oils and their fragrances have deep effects on the emotional plane.

For instance:

• Gratifying/indulging/warming/loving – Jasmine, ylany-ylang, rose, and sandalwood
• Vitality/stimulating – Rosemary, peppermint, and juniper
• Balancing/calming/soothing – Lavender, chamomile, ylang-ylang, and Melissa
• Dream work – Mugwort, clary sage, rose, hops, chamomile and lavender
• Psychic work – sandalwood spikenard, and rose

These are just some of the few mood-enhancing oils. When doing skin care or body care treatments in particular, there will be not only physical effects and effects on the skin, but also effects on the energy level and on the emotional level. Each level of action works together for the overall effect.

Essential oils for Health, Beauty, and Well-Being

In massage, the hands are channels of healing energy; they heal at the physical, emotional, and psychic level. Therefore, aromatherapy massage is an excellent therapeutic combination as essential oils and massage having mutual enhancing effects. (Demonstrate putting your hands together for energy before doing massage)

Preparations

Sweet almond oil is the most commonly used, but becomes rancid very easily. Grapeseed and canola oils are fine oils with a good shelf life. Peanut, coconut and palm oils are too heavy and may cause skin break-out. A small amount of vitamin E oils will bring some vitamins to your skin and act as a natural antioxidant. Applied to the skin, essential oils regulate the activity of the capillaries and restore vitality to the tissues. The most pleasant scents (especially flower oils) are the most useful for skin care. They can be used in facial steam baths, compresses, masks, and body wraps. They can be added to any kind of lotion, skin cream, gel, toilet water, or perfume. As a rule never apply essential oils undiluted on the skin. Floral waters (such as rose water) are particularly well suited to skin care. Milder and easier to use than essential oils, they are recommended for sensitive and inflamed skins. Essential oils and floral water have more or less the same indications. You can use plain floral water for compresses. You should use floral water instead of water in any skin care preparation. Finally, you will get an excellent facial tonic and astringent using floral water with a spray bottle (rose, sage, rosemary, lavender, etc.)- This is very refreshing. Floral waters retain the water-soluble plant chemicals, which do not appear in the finished essential oils.

Rosemary’s Perfect Cream (Rosemary Gladstar)

Waters
2/3 cup rose water
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
1 or 2 drops essential oil
Vitamin E

Oils
¾ cup coconut, apricot, almond or grapeseed oil
1/3 cup cocoa butter
¼ teaspoon lanolin
½ to 1 oz grated beeswax

Facial Compresses

Add five drops of the appropriate blend of oils to a bowl of warm water; soak cotton or cloth. Apply on your face for five minutes. Resoak and reapply up to three times.

Eye Compresses

Use cotton pads soaked in warm floral water. For puffiness, irritation, and most eye compresses use chamomile floral water. For wrinkles around the eyes, use rose floral waters.

Masks

Facial masks are cleansing, nourishing, and revitalizing; they promote the eliminations of waste material and stimulate local blood circulation. They can be soothing and moisturizing, depending on the ingredients. Basic ingredients for a mask are:

• Clay and soaked oatmeal in a bowl, add the fruit (or vegetable) pulp and juice
• 1tsp. Vegetable oil (wheat germ)
• 5 drops essential oil
• Stir in Floral waters, herb tea until you have the right consistency
• Apply to your face with your fingertips and let mask dry for 15 minutes, and gently remove with wet sponge.
• Apply floral water to close the pores.

Normal skin needs a mask every one to two weeks.
Skin types: (just to name a few)
Normal skin – Lavender, ylang-ylang
Dry skin – Sandalwood, rose, carrot
Oily skin – Lavender, lemon, basil, ylang-ylang
Sensitive skin – Roman chamomile, floral waters
Wrinkles – Lemon, patchouli

Jyll Renee Master Herbologist
765.644.0312
jyllrenee@comcast.net

Three Locations:

Home Office
45 Cambridge court
Anderson, Indiana 46012

Healthy Living Therapeutics
6252 W. Kilgore Ave
Muncie, IN 47304

Days Healthy Living
1110 S. Peru Street
Cicero, Indiana 46034

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