Sore/Strep Throat

Natural Help for Sore Throat/Strep

A Sore Throat is the result of Pharyngitis, an inflammation of the pharynx, which is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and the voicebox (larynx)

 

A Sore throat may be the first sign of any of the following:

· Common cold

· Influenza/Flu

· Laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box and vocal cords)

· A childhood illnesses including chickenpox, measles etc.

· Acid reflux may cause sore or different strange feelings in throat.

· Possible Strep

Many germs can cause pharyngitis. Viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis. Soreness brought on by viruses usually develops gradually, with little or no fever. A fever over 101 for more than three days is more likely to be strep throat. Multiple cold or flu symptoms accompany a viral infection, while strep throat usually does not cause multiple symptoms such as runny nose, cough, and congestion. A bacterial infection like strep throat (caused by Streptococcus infection) often comes on suddenly with high fever. Tonsils are red, swollen, spotted with white or yellow dots. Citrus juices, such as orange juice, often "burn" the sore throat caused by a virus, but are usually not painful to strep throat. Most cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months. The illness can often spread among family members, so scrupulous hand washing is a must.

Sore Throat irritation (Without an Infection) can also be caused by the following:

· Postnasal drip

· Smoking

· Air pollution

· Dry heat

· Allergic reaction

· Acid reflux

· Repeated vomiting (like bulimia) caused by stomach acids

Natural Help:

• Avoid antibiotics when a sore throat is due to infection with a virus. The antibiotics will not help. Using them to treat viral infections helps strengthen bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. 
• Gargle several times a day with warm salt water (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 cup water). 
•  Drink cold liquids or suck on Popsicles. 
• Suck on a spoon dipped in Honey to sooth the throat.
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to moisten and soothe a dry and painful throat. Add 2-3 drops Essential Oil and 1 tsp Salt for added help. Adding moisture to the air will help to prevent the lining of your throat from becoming too dry. 
• If your sore throat is recurrent, then buy a new toothbrush. Bacteria collect on the bristles and if you injure your gums as you brush, they can enter your system and re-infect you.
• Eliminate dairy products, sugar, and refined wheat foods as they cause mucous which creates throat irritation.  
• Place a warm towel around the throat area and leave on for up to 5 minutes. This mimics an isolated fever, allowing for more circulation and accelerating the gathering of white blood cells to the area to help fight any infection.

Herbal Help

Garlic

Garlic has antiseptic properties. At the first sign of a sore throat, place one clove of garlic in your mouth between your cheeks and teeth and keep it for a while. Repeat it several times a day.

• You can also eat two raw cloves each day without anything or chop finely and add to hot soup just before serving. 
• Can also crush one clove of raw garlic and add 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 drop Lemon oil. Take from the mixture 1 teaspoon several times a day.

Alkaline Gargle

Viruses and Bacteria strains can not live in an Alkaline environment.  

• Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of warm water. Gargle every 30 minutes.

Herbal Gargle 

• The best sore throat remedy is Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) bark or Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) root. They contain mucilage that coat the throat, ease soreness and calm inflammation.  
• To make a tea, mix 2 teaspoons of the dried root or bark in two cups of water, bring to boil and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, strain and gargle/drink every hour.
• A traditional recipe is to simmer 1 teaspoon marshmallow root and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger root in 8oz. water for 10 minutes in a covered pot. Remove from the heat, cover and steep for additional 10 minutes. Strain, add honey and/or lemon and/or 1/2 teaspoon of salt and gargle every 30 minutes if helps.

Onion Syrup
Place slices of onion in a mason jar and cover with honey. Cover and leave overnight. Next morning, strain liquid into a jar and take it sometimes as a lozenge for sore throat. (It is an excellent cough syrup as well) Keep refrigerated.

Essential Oil Help

*Please contact a Health Care Practitioner, trained in the safety and chemical understanding of essential oils and herbs, including the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pharmaceutical drug interactions BEFORE ingesting essential oils.

Essential Oils can help, not only with the pain of irritation, but also if there is a possibility of a viral or bacterial infection. A basic gargle recipe will have a Citrus and Salt in it. Lemon essential oil (or any citrus) helps with shrinking the swollen membranes of the throat and aids in the rapid removal of accumulated mucus in the throat. Salt will inhibit bacterial growth in the warm and moist places of the body like the throat, which is a perfect environment for bacterial multiplication and growth. Lemon juice and Salt dry up the throat, don't use them, if you have a dry throat irritation.

Sore Throat Gargle

Use this gargle to relieve sore throat, hoarseness, and respiratory congestion.

· 1 drop Cayenne oil (depending on individual tolerance, use more or less)

· 2 Tbsp salt

· 10 drops Peppermint oil

· 10 drops Orange oil

· 2 drops Thyme oil

· 2 drops Myrrh oil

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Reduce heat, add salt. Simmer 15 minutes. Stir vigorously, remove from heat, and add essential oils.

Gargle with 1 cupful. Rinse out mouth with plain water, and repeat with the second cup of gargle solution. Avoid swallowing the solution.

Ginger Gargle

Add 1-2 drops Ginger Root oil to 2 teaspoons honey. Stir into 8oz. Warm water. Add a trace of Cayenne to spice it up.

Use as a gargle every 30 minutes. (Get a trace of oil by dipping the tip of a toothpick into the Cayenne essential oil)

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Essential Oil is a very effective sore throat remedy.

· Mix together 2-3 drops Oregano oil and 1 ounce Carrier oil, then soak a Q-tip with the mixture and dab it directly on the inflamed area. (If you find it is too hot, add some more Carrier oil.)

· You may gargle with 2-3 drops of Oregano oil and 1 tsp Salt in some hot water as well. It can take up to an hour for soreness to be gone.

Drink warm liquids*

• Honey-Lemon Tea
• Place 2 drops Lemon oil and one Tsp. Honey into 8oz warm water. Stir and Sip.

• Honey-Spice Tea
• Place 2 drops per la Immunity oil and one Tsp. Honey into 8oz warm water. Stir and Sip.

Sore Throat Spray*

Add 5-20 drops per la Immunity (more or less depending on how much you can handle) to 1 ½ ounce water, in a 2oz spray bottle. (Use glass, if possible. Essential oils will break down plastics after awhile)

Shake and spray into back of throat several times a day.

Kids Sore Throat Spray*

· 5 drops per la Immunity

· 10 drops Pink Grapefruit

· ½ teaspoon Honey or Agave Nectar

· 1 ½ oz Water

· Add to 2 oz Spray bottle and shake and spray into back of throat.

If you have Strep Throat

Do any of the above helps to ease the throat pain, and do the following:

Place 2-3 drops Oregano oil in a capsule and fill the rest with a carrier oil. Take 2-3 times daily for 5-7 days.*

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eyes occur due to lack of tears being produced or the quality of the tear is suboptimal. There may be inflammatory cells within the tears, and because of this inflammation, (that cannot be seen unless under a microscope), the tears may not stick to the surface of the sclera or the cornea.

The eye depends on a constant flow of tears to maintain lubrication and comfort. When the eye becomes dry, this can be a source of irritation. Dry eye syndrome is a common and often painful condition that can cause damage to the cornea and harm vision. People who wear contact lenses often suffer from dry eye syndrome, as do many of those who undergo laser procedures to correct their vision. Women going through menopause also frequently develop this condition. There are many causes for dry eye syndrome and I have listed them below.

Symptoms include burning, pain, irritation, blurred vision, and the most common symptom of dry eyes is excess tearing as the eyes try to compensate for the dryness.

Causes: 

• Dry eye syndrome can be caused by Vitamin A deficiency. 
• Intake of too much Red Meat (Omega 6 fatty acids)
•  Fatigue or Lack of sleep.
• Demodex (Eyelash mites) or Blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelid) can possibly cause dry eyes.
• Exposure to many environmental conditions that have a drying effect, such as a dry climate, sun exposure, wind, high altitude, cigarette smoke, hot blowing air and the dry air that commonly occurs in the cabins of commercial airplanes. 
• Those who wear contact lenses or who have had LASIK treatment can have dry eyes 
• Medications that can cause dry eyes include diuretics, antihistamines and decongestants, certain sleeping pills, tricyclic antidepressants, and isotretinoin-type drugs for treatment of acne. 
• Allergies can also cause dry eye and it is medically known as Allergic Conjunctivitis. The allergic reaction can result in dry eyes, or the dust, mold, or mildew or dander that triggered the allergies can cause dye eye 
• Eye Drops are a little known culprit behind dry eyes. Eye drops that have preservatives or methylcellulose in them can actually cause allergic eye reaction that can dry out the eyes. 
• Estrogen Deficiency and dry eye are usually linked because of menopause or a hysterectomy. These conditions can either cause dry eye or make an existing condition worse.

What keeps the eye Moist?

Hyaluronic acid (HA, hyaluronan) is a special protein that exists naturally in all living organisms. In the human body, it is found in greatest concentrations in the synovial fluid of articular joints for lubrication, the vitreous humor (fluid) of the eye, and most abundantly in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is known for its beneficial effects on patients suffering from dry eye syndrome. Applied to the surface of the eye, it reduces the symptoms and damage associated with dry eye. Hyaluronic acid makes up 95% of the fluid inside the eye. Acts as a shock absorber for the eye and also serves to transport nutrients into the eye. HA plays a major role in maintaining the health of ocular tissues such as the cornea, the retina, and the vitreous fluid that fills the inside of the eye. It is been said that after the 5th decade of life, the eye has lost 50% of its ability to product the needed HA. Without out HA, we fail to have proper eye health.

Natural Help: 

• Increase Omega 3 fatty acids, and decrease intake of Omega 6 fatty acids (as found in red meats)
  •  Good sources of omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, tuna, sardines, herring and cod liver oil, as well as certain nuts. Also, Flaxseed oil is recommended for the relief of dry eye symptoms due to it’s high levels of omega 3 fatty acids. Flax seed oil should always be taken orally – never applied directly to the eye.

• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. It is also known as a preventative of degenerative conditions, including cataracts. Foods that contain ascorbic acid are citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries, green peppers, potatoes, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, watermelon, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, guava, pineapple, cantaloupe, and sweet red pepper.

• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Vitamin B2 is essential for energy and in the production of antibodies. Deficiencies in riboflavin are characterized by corneal vascularization, among other things.

• Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate , taken together, have reportedly improved the symptoms of dry eye also. Chondroitin is a constituent of the eye drops used during cataract removal. People who are allergic to shell fish, however, should not take these supplements. (CosaminDS is a brand name that has both and can be purchased at Costco)

• Honey: For extreme dryness make a solution of one part honey and ten parts of water. Keep this chilled and put two drops in each eye every night before going to sleep. This will give some burning feeling and your eyes will start giving tears. Tears are helpful for curing this ailment. Tears will take care of this problem of dry eyes. Do not worry about burning, it will subside in a few minutes. After this, clean your eyes with cold water.

• Damp Wash cloth: Close the eyes to place a damp wash cloth in warm water over the eyes for five to fifteen minutes to get relief from this ailment Repeat this by re wetting the cloth in warm water to be placed over the eyes. This may be repeated as many times as is required. It can help to open the clogged oil glands in the eyes to restore moisture in the eyes to cure this disease immediately.

Essential Oil Help:

Keeping the body hydrated will in turn help keep the eyes hydrated and moist.  

• Drink half your body weight, in ounces. (Example: You weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water)  
• Add 1-2 drops of Lemon or Peppermint oil to a 16 ounce glass of water to cause a cell to cell communication within the body.
• Refer to our blog link on Water/Hydration.

Lavender Essential oil is beneficial to rejuvenate and assist in cell regrowth, as well as moisturize. Its considered to have antiseptic and analgesic properties which can prevent infection and promote rapid healing.  

• Mix 1 drop lavender in 1 ounce Carrier oil. 
• Rub 2-3 drops of the mixture over the closed eyelid 2x daily.

 

In the case of Demodex (Eyelash mites) or Blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelid) the use of Tea Tree oil should be used to reducing the amount of bacteria on the eyelids and give the meibomian glands a chance to regain their function.

• Mix together 1 drop Tea Tree essential oil to 1 drop Carrier oil. ( 1:1 or 50% dilution)  
• Dip a Q-tip into the diluted mixture and carefully apply a layer over the top of each eyelid. 
• Be sure to avoid getting into the eye, itself. Flush the eye with carrier oil, not water, if Tea Tree comes in contact with the eye. 

Cholesterol

Natural help for lowering Cholesterol (LDL)

Cholesterol is a fatty substance, also called a lipid, that's produced by the liver. It's also found in foods high in saturated fat, like fatty meats, egg yolks, shellfish, and whole-milk dairy products. It’s a vital part of the structure and functioning of our cells. However, high levels of cholesterol in your blood may lead to the slow buildup of plaque in the arteries over time, a serious disease called atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol can be harmful to your health when there’s too much cholesterol in your blood. Whether you have high cholesterol may depend on your lifestyle. Eating a lot of fats and not getting enough exercise can cause cholesterol levels to rise. Cholesterol is also, in part, a result of your genetic makeup. Some people inherit genes associated with high levels of cholesterol. People with this genetic makeup can eat a healthy diet and exercise, and still have high cholesterol.

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines recommend that all adults over age 20 have a cholesterol test at least once every 5 years. Your total Cholesterol levels should be under 200, with the LDL (bad) Cholesterol under 130, your HDL (good) Cholesterol over 60, and your Triglycerides under 150.

Natural help:

Diet is a key factor in lowering Cholesterol, whether it is caused by genetics or a poor diet to begin with.

• Eat foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols. Up to 2 or more grams a day. Plant stanol esters help block the absorption of cholesterol.

• On a molecular level, sterols and stanols look a lot like cholesterol. So when they travel through your digestive tract, they get in the way. They can prevent real cholesterol from being absorbed into your bloodstream. Instead of clogging up your arteries, the cholesterol just goes out with the waste

• Plant sterols and stanols are found naturally in: Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Cereals, Legumes, Vegetable oils (especially soybean oil, extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil), Rice bran, Wheat germ (original, unprocessed) Sterols and Stanols are also added to manufactured foods like margarine spreads, orange juice, cereals, and even granola bars. Read the labels to find them.

• Soluble fiber can bring down bad LDL cholesterol by up to 15%.

• Soluble fiber appears to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in your intestines.

• Up to 25-30 grams a day of Soluble Fiber.

• Flax seed, Oats, Whole grain breads, Brown Rice, Kidney beans, Apples, Pears, Psyllium, Barley and Prunes.

• Grinding 3 teaspoons of flax seed in your food gives 10 grams of fiber.

• Tuna, salmon, with other omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish.

• Research has supported the cholesterol-lowering benefits of eating fatty fish because of its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

• Doctors recommend eating at least two servings of fish a week.

• The highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are in mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon. However, to maintain the heart-healthy benefits of fish, bake or grill it.

• Studies have shown that walnuts can significantly reduce blood cholesterol. Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, walnuts also help keep blood vessels healthy and elastic. Almonds and some other nuts appear to have a similar effect. To avoid gaining weight, replace foods high in saturated fat with nuts, up to a handful at a time.

• Increase Soy intake. The top health promoting components in soybeans are isoflavones and soluble fiber. Isoflavones act like human hormone that can lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. All soy products (soybeans, soy nuts, tofu, tempeh, soy milk, etc.) are complete proteins.

• Eliminate Trans fat products. Butters, ice cream, and fatty meats. Also eliminate hydrogenated oil found in processed and refined foods.

• Exercise everyday. Exercise itself can not burn off Cholesterol like it does with fat tissue. However when exercise is adequate in frequency and duration, it can reduce triglycerides and stimulate the enzymes in the muscles and liver to some Cholesterol to the HDL or good cholesterol.

• Choose dynamic forms of exercise that will last at least 20-30 minutes, which are performed at moderate intensities.

• A sample program would start out with 20 minutes of walking a day, 4 days a week. Over 6-8 weeks, graduate this program to 1 hour of more intense walking/jogging 6 days a week.. Can also incorporate 50 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 days a week, while walking the other 3 days.

Drinking the Herbal Vitamin and Mineral Tea will provide your body what it needs, along with helping it flush itself out.

• Chromium Polyniconate found in the Nettle and Red Clover offer a metabolism of cholesterol, fats and proteins. Maintains blood pressure and blood sugar levels. This organic version of chromium can help lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as raise HDL (good) cholesterol.

• Niacin (Vitamin B3) found in all the ingredients of the Tea has been shown to help reduce total cholesterol levels. Niacin is essential for proper circulation and healthy skin. It increases energy, aids digestion, and helps prevent migraines.

Natural therapy for opening up veins:

1 Cup Lemon Juice
1 Cup Ginger juice
1 Cup Garlic juice
1 Cup Apple vinegar

Mix above ingredients and simmer until reduced to 3 cups.
Let cool and add 3 Cups Honey.
Place in Mason jar. Keep refrigerated.

How to take: Take 1 Tablespoon of this juice each morning, before breakfast or upon arising.
Your blockage from veins will disappear slowly.

Essential Oil Help:
*Please contact a Health Care Practitioner, trained in the safety and chemical understanding of essential oils and herbs, including the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pharmaceutical drug interactions BEFORE using any suggestions on this blog.

Cinnamon Oil: A study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day significantly reduces blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces triglyceride, LDL, the bad cholesterol and the total cholesterol level.

• Less than 1 drop Cinnamon Oil equals ½-1 tsp Cinnamon Powder. Add the Cinnamon Oil to Oatmeal, as a flavoring, or to a 8oz warm water and 1 tsp. Honey for a nice spice tea.

Take any one of the following capsule mixtures:

Rosemary Oil is used by the British physicians to lower Cholesterol and strengthen cardiovascular weakness.

• Take 3-5 drops Rosemary Oil in a capsule, filled with carrier oil, 2-3 times daily.*

Oregano Oil can also be taken in acute situations.

• Take 3 drops Oregano oil in a capsule, filled with carrier oil, 2-3 times daily.*

Myrrh oil helps reduce Cholesterol and Hypertension. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory.

• Take 4-5 drops Myrrh oil in a capsule, filled with carrier oil, 2 times daily.*

Body Cleansing

I have been asked many times what I do for a Total Body Cleanse.

The following are ways to cleanse the body that I personally use and I know work:

I am partial to the Liver cleanse that uses essential oils. It is very mild. But there are several out there. Here is the link for Liver cleanse information.

For a total body cleanse. Natural Factors 7 day Total Nutritional Cleanse Program RevitalX and Detoxitech is a good one. I have used it myself with great results. This is the 7 day cleanse that cleared my daughters worts out by day 3.

For a Colon cleanse, I like Dr. Christophers Colon Cleanse. I know if you do a google search on any Dr. Christopher product, you can find some good pricing. I also have used this with great success.www.iherb.com has good pricing on Colon Cleanses.

Taking a hot bath, while using essential oils, will continue to eliminate toxins from your system through the epidermis(skin). For Essential oil bath recipes, click here.

The Herbal Vitamin and Mineral Formula will give your body the nutrients it needs. Georgetown University Medical Center conducted a study, and found that most store bought vegetables lack vitamins and minerals. This is because farmers are not rotating their crops and are pumping the ground full of nitrates, to create a nice looking plant on the outside, but no nutrients on the inside. The Herbal Vitamin and Mineral formula is made up of five different organic herbs that have many of the nutrients your body needs. It will give you energy and take away the desire to "snack" between meals. The herbs, from this drink, are assimilated on a cellular level, in contrast, a multi-vitamin pill can go right through your system, providing little nutrient value.

Remember your water intake!! You should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces. (ie: if you weigh 150 pounds, then you should drink 75 ounces of water) Unfortunately water that has been treated (Like water from the tap or even water that's been bottled) has had a molecule breakdown. Water filtration processes used to clean our water supply frequently de-structures the water. By drinking structured water or adding a plant base to your water, your body will be able to become more hydrated.

Well, there are many cleansing choices to get started with. I suggest the following program, for a thorough cleanse;

1. Start with the Three day Cleanse or the Seven Day Total Cleanse.
2. Follow that with the Mucusless Diet
3. While you are eating well, with the Mucusless diet, take the Liver Cleanse each morning.
4. Drink 1-2 cups of the "Herbal Vitamin and Mineral Formula" each day to give your body the nutrients it needs.
5. Drink plenty of water...half your body weight in ounces each day. Add a drop of Lemon or peppermint Essential oil to create cell communication for better hydration.
6. After following the above steps, continue to eat well, and then you may begin a healing program.

Cleansing the body and eating a well balanced diet will keep the body healthy.

A Note on Body Detox: http://theresanoilforthat.blogspot.com/search/label/Body%20Detox

Healthy Foods to help with cleansing: http://theresanoilforthat.blogspot.com/search/label/Healthy%20Diet

Deodorant

Why Home Made Deodorant?

Over the counter deodorant and antiperspirants provide a synthetic fragrance and are loaded with toxic ingredients, such as aluminum compounds, which have been linked to Alzheimer's disease, brain disorders, respiratory disorders, and possibly cancer.

Aluminum compounds or aluminum salts, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), are the key ingredients in almost every antiperspirant. They are powerful astringents that close pores, stopping sweat and odor from escaping the body. This may leave the outside of the body smelling fresh and clean – but inside, the toxins that would have escaped the body in the sweat have nowhere to go. For this reason, antiperspirants have been linked to problems with the sweat glands and lymph glands in and around the underarms. Also, antiperspirants are designed to be absorbed. The aluminum and other chemicals are taken into the body and affect the endocrine and lymphatic systems, as well as being a potential risk factor in breast cancer. Some suggest the use of aluminum-free products, but even most deodorant, labeled “aluminum-free”, still contain parabens and other harsh and toxic substances, such as DEA and propylene glycol.

The manufactures would have you believe that all the ingredients have their purpose, but at what price? Propylene glycol, helps the deodorant go on smoothly, but is linked to irritation and immune toxicity. Phthalates are plastics used to help the fragrance stay on the skin, but block endocrine function. Parabens, are used as preservatives and can be linked to breast cancer. Most deodorants contain aluminum zirconium, which is toxic to the nervous and reproductive systems, and a chemical called BHT, which is believed to be a hormonal disrupter and neurotoxin. Even some “natural” deodorant crystals still contain aluminum.

If you are not convinced that reading the labels of deodorant is good enough, consider making your own deodorant.

This deodorant uses Cornstarch as a natural absorber, while the Baking Soda works as natural deodorizer. Tea Tree is a natural anti-bacteria/fungal oil and will help with the “stink”. Of course, you are what you eat, so consider eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water to help with body odor. Many other essential oils can be used, as well. The coconut oil is used to “hold” the deodorant together, and consists of medium chain fatty acid esters, which is the closest substance to human sub-cutaneous fat and therefore more compatible with skin than vegetable oils.

Home Made Deodorant Recipe

Ingredients:
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch
10+ drops Tea tree oil
2+ TBSP Coconut oil

Directions:

1. Put baking soda and cornstarch in a bowl with tea tree oil. You can even use up to 20 drops of tea tree oil, if you like it. Lavender oil will work as well.

2. Stir enough Coconut oil in until it's a consistency you like.

3. Smash into empty deodorant container. It will be a bit sturdier once it sets a day or so.

Tips:

• ~When applying this deodorant, use a lighter hand than you would with normal stick deodorant, especially the first couple of days or it'll drop little balls on your bathroom rug.

• ~Used correctly, this stuff is invisible and lasts for ages, as it works with a very light layer. You should not be able to SEE it once applied.

• ~If you don't want a stick, exclude the Coconut oil and use the deodorant as a powder.

• ~If you have especially sensitive skin, increase the amount of cornstarch to 6T and decrease the baking soda to 2T.

• ~Be sure to store in a cool place. Coconut oil can possibly melt at 76 degrees.

Athletes Foot

Athletes Foot (Fungus)

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin, caused by fungi in the genus Trichophyton and is typically transmitted in moist areas where people walk barefoot, such as showers or bathhouses. Although the condition typically affects the feet, (the space between the fourth and fifth digits most commonly afflicted) it can spread to other areas of the body, including underneath the toenails and the groin. When it spreads, there are three different categories of infection, Toe Web, Moccasin-type, and Vesicular.

· Toe web infection usually occurs between the fourth and fifth toes. The skin becomes scaly, peels, and cracks. If there is a secondary bacteria infection, the skin break down even more.

· Moccasin-type infection starts with a little soreness on your foot. The skin on the bottom or heel of your foot can become thick and crack. The toenails can also get infected and can thicken, crumble, and even fall off.

· Vesicular infection usually begins with a sudden outbreak of large fluid-filled blisters under the skin, appearing anywhere on the foot, but mainly on the bottom. A secondary bacterial infection can occur with this type of athlete’s foot.

Main Symptoms:

· Scaling and flaking of the skin

· Itching and/or burning of the affected skin

· Blisters and cracked skin may also occur, leading to exposed raw tissue, pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Natural Help:

The fungus that causes Athletes Foot thrives in warm moist environments.

· Be sure to dry well between your toes after showering or swimming.

· Wear Sandals to allow the foot to breath.

· Wear Cotton socks to absorb excess moisture and sweat.

People get Athletes Foot by walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces near swimming pools or in locker rooms.

· Wear Sandals while in public, “wet” areas.

The Athletes Foot fungi can grow in your shoes, especially if your shoes are so tight that air cannot move around your feet.

· Consider purchasing new shoes (Buy shoes that are leather or another breathable material. Shoe materials, such as vinyl, that don't breathe cause your feet to remain moist, providing an excellent area for the fungus to breed.)

· Use *Athletes Foot Sneaker Tamer inside shoes.

• While treating athlete's foot, dry your groin area before your feet after bathing. Also, put on your socks before your underwear. This can prevent the fungi from spreading from your feet to your groin.
• Use hot water and bleach to increase the chance of killing fungi on your clothes and socks. Can also add 3 drops Tea Tree oil and 3 drops Lemon oil, mixed with warm water, to the Water Softener compartment or rinse water.
• Use lamb's wool between the toes (to separate them), and/or wearing wider, roomier shoes that have not been infected by fungi can help prevent Athletes Foot. Lamb's wool is available at most pharmacies or foot care stores.
• To help keep the feet dry, soak your feet in a drying solution of aluminum acetate (Burow's solution or Domeboro solution). Can also use diluted white vinegar soaks using 1 part vinegar and roughly 4 parts water, once or twice a day as 10-minute foot soaks may aid in treatment.
• If the fungal infection has spread to the toenails, the nails must also be treated to avoid re-infection of the feet. Often, the nails are initially ignored only to find the athlete's foot keeps recurring.
• Tomato-and-herb sauce. Clean your body from inside out. Take advantage of some herbs that have fungicidal properties, by creating a tomato sauce and going very heavy on the basil, celery, carrot, dill, fennel, sage and thyme. In one quick meal, you'll get a dish with dozens of fungicides: Just heat it up and pour over pasta. If you're willing to put up with the mess, you could also spread a bit of this sauce between your toes for a couple of hours.

Herbal Help:

Each of these herbal remedies should be used 2xr each day until the athletes foot is cleared up, which takes from three days to roughly one week in most cases.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Because of the Ajoene (a compound found in garlic)Garlic is the number one herbal fungus killer.

· Rub it on with a fresh garlic clove, or use garlic powder or oil.

· Garlic footbath- Place several crushed garlic cloves in a basin with warm water and a little rubbing alcohol.

· Garlic Tincture- Crush several cloves of garlic and steep them in olive oil for one to three days. Strain out the plant material and use a cotton ball or clean cloth to apply the garlic oil between your toes once or twice a day.

· Tape a sliver of garlic between the toes of athlete's foot. Leave on for the day or at night.

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger contains many anti fungal properties. Ginger ranks second among all herbs in the number of anti fungal compounds with a total of 23. That compound being caprylic acid.

· Just rub Ginger Root oil on or soak your feet in warm water that has ginger added to it.

· You can prepare a strong decoction by adding an ounce of chopped ginger root to a cup of boiling water. Simmer for 20 minutes and apply it directly to the problem areas twice a day with a cotton ball or clean cloth.

Onion (Allium cepa)

A close cousin to garlic, onion will also kill the fungus pretty easily.

· Drip Onion juice between toes and over infected areas each morning.

· Create a bathsoak, using Onion.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Although garlic has more potent fungicidal compounds, Licorice contains the largest number of anti fungal compounds. (Licorice has 25 reportedly fungicidal compounds, while Garlic has only 10, but they are quite potent.)

· Add some chopped licorice sticks to the garlic footbath mentioned above.

· Brew a strong decoction using about five to seven teaspoons of dried herb per cup of water. Bring it to a boil, simmer for 20 minutes, then let it cool. Apply the decoction directly to the affected areas using a cotton ball or clean cloth.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

This herb contains berberine, a powerful anti fungal and antibacterial compound, which makes it an excellent antibiotic.

· Add Goldenseal tincture to juice three times a day.

· Use it externally-Make a strong decoction with the dried herb. Add five to seven teaspoons to a cup of water, bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 20 minutes. After the liquid cools to a tolerable temperature, use a cotton ball or clean cloth to apply it to the affected area, up to three times a day.

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

This is a natural antiseptic that is high in iodine, which is known for its anti fungicidal properties.

· Simply rub the tincture or oil onto the affected areas.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon, various species)

Scientists have demonstrated significant fungicidal activity for lemongrass oil against several common infection-causing fungi.

· Drink lemongrass tea one to four times a day.

· Use the spent tea bags as compresses directly on the affected area, for additional anti fungal benefit.

· Apply 1-2 drops Lemongrass Essential oil directly onto infected areas. Dilute with carrier oil for sensitive skin.

Essential Oil Help

*Please contact a Health Care Practitioner, trained in the safety and chemical understanding of essential oils and herbs, including the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pharmaceutical drug interactions BEFORE using any suggestions on this blog.

 

Place any of the following Single oils or Oil mixtures between the toes and weave a Strip of Cotton Coil between the infected toes, Do not allow the cotton to become saturated with the oil. This will keep the oil on the surface of the skin longer and absorb any unwanted moisture. It will also help separate the toes, allowing air to circulate between them.

Apply 2-3 drops Lemon oil (Neat) to the effected area, in the Morning (After showering) and in the Evening (Before retiring to bed)

Can also apply Tea Tree oil (Neat) in the same way as recommended for Lemon oil.

· Use a Q-tip and massage between the toes and effected area. Make sure to work into the nail.

Create a foot soak. Soak each evening for 10-15 minutes. Blot feet Dry.

· 10 Drops Tea Tree

· 5 Drops Lemon

· ½ cup Epsom Salts

· 1 Gallon Warm water.

In extreme cases, try any of the following:

• Apply 2 drops Thyme oil (Neat), on location. If it gets too hot, apply a carrier oil to dilute and cool the area.
• Can also apply Oregano. Mix 3 drops Oregano oil with 1 oz. Carrier oil, Apply liberally to the affected area of the feet, 2-3 times per day, until infection is cleared up. Be sure to apply in and around toes.
• Take 2-4 Drops Oregano, in a capsule, filled with Carrier oil, 2x daily. Any external body fungus, is also an internal problem. Be sure to clear fungus problems from inside out.*

Athletes Foot Recipe

· 10 drops Lemon

· 10 drops Tea Tree

· 5 drops Lemongrass

· 2 drops Peppermint

· 2 drops Oregano

Apply 2-3 drops of the oil mixture (Neat) to affected areas in the Morning (After showering) and in the Evening (Before retiring to bed) until infection has cleared. There may be some skin discoloring, but this is nothing to be concerned about and will clear up after discontinued use of the oils.

*Athletes Foot Sneaker Tamer Recipe

· 1 Cup Baking Soda

· 2 drops Peppermint

· 5 drops Thyme

· 3 Drops Lemongrass

· Put 1 Tablespoon in each shoe, shake around, leave overnight.

Fungicidal Essential Oils for Internal Use*

Make an Herbal Tea to enhance internal cleansing of the body. 

(1-2 drops in 1 tsp. Honey, per 1 Cup of warm water) 

Change it up and add 1-2 drops into drinking water or as a tea each day, any one of the following:

· Cinnamon Bark, Fennel, Peppermint, Dill, Tarragon, Basil, Orange, Sage, Thyme, Lemon and Spearmint.

Healthy Hair

Healthy Hair using Essential oils

The following essential oils are listed from less evasive to strongest.

• Tea Tree can be very affective on dandruff. It is the least evasive and should be used for young children and babies.

• Rosemary stops dandruff, and helps hair look shiny and healthy. It promotes hair growth. It is used effectively with alopecia, receding hair lines, and promoting hair regrowth.

• Thyme is good for the scalp, helps treat dandruff and hair loss. Stops hair loss. The soothing and purifying properties make the scalp dandruff free by deep cleaning of hardened sebum, while keeping hair soft and shiny. The conditioning property of Thyme helps detangle the hair making it easier to brush and comb.

There are several ways to use the above oils. Here are some suggestions:
• Add 15-25 drops of oil of choice to a 12oz bottle of Organic, Chemical/Dye free shampoo.
• Use internally, 2-3 drops in a capsule filled with carrier oil, 2x daily.
• Use as a scalp treatment, by adding 10-12 drops to 1 ounce Olive oil, apply to scalp, wrap your head in a warm, damp towel, cover with a sheet of plastic wrapped around the towel, to maintain heat as long as possible. Keep on your head until it cools completely.
• NOTE: Be sure to keep these oils out of the eyes.

Shampoo Recipe, for hair loss/regrowth and dandruff:
• Put 12 oz Organic, Chemical/Dye free shampoo, in a blender. Add the following;
• 25 drops Peppermint
• 25 drops Lavender
• 25 drops Rosemary
• 5 drops Thyme
• Blend all together well, pour back into shampoo bottle. Wash scalp daily with “blended” shampoo.

Oregano oil can be used, if the problem is extreme. 15-20 drops of Oregano can be added to Organic, Chemical/Dye free Shampoo. Shampoo the hair and scalp thoroughly. Let the shampoo sit on the scalp for 2-3 minutes before rinsing. When rinsing, cover eyes well, and rinse thoroughly. Take 2-3 drops Oregano and carrier oil, in capsules 2x daily.

Birch oil can be used in Personal care products to support hair growth. Add 2 drops per ounce.

Lemon oil restores the function of the epidermis, helps with thinning hair and nails by balancing the sebum / oil production.

For Hair loss from Chemotherapy
• Create a warm compress, using 4 drops of Rosemary, 4 drops Lavender, and ½ ounce of Olive oil. Massage into scalp, place warm compress on head, and leave on until cold.