Known as the golden spice of life, turmeric, or haldi, contains a plethora of healthy nutrients beneficial for the skin. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been known for centuries in the East. The spice is widely incorporated in the Indian cuisine and has been used in the Ayurvedic skin care for centuries. Indian women have traditionally used it in their beauty routines for radiant and healthy skin. It is a common practice for the Indian bride to brighten their faces for the wedding with a turmeric paste made of the spice and olive oil.

The main ingredient in turmeric powder is curcumin, which represses an excess of melanin production. Curcuminoids work great for treating skin irritations, sun damage, and chronic inflammation that can all cause premature skin aging.  Turmeric contains a handful of essential nutrients including:

• Vitamin C encourages the build up of collagen, preserving the skin elasticity and tautness.
• Vitamin B is vital for the new skin cell formation and for keeping the skin moisturized.
• Calcium helps heal dry and withered skin.
• Magnesium slows down the aging processes and maintains the youthful and glowing look of the skin.
• Potassium has outstanding hydrating properties.

Want To Grow Your Own Turmeric Plant?

You may want to try growing your own turmeric, especially if you are one of those hard-core gardeners. The hardy ginger relative will do best in humid and warm conditions. Although turmeric is better suited for planting in open fields, it can survive in a domestic environment, too. Gardening experts advise growing your plant from a small piece of rhizome bought from a nursery or gifted to you by another gardener. Pick a partly shaded place with morning sun exposure. The best time for planting is in spring. Dig the roots up in the late fall or the early winter, while the greenery is dormant.

Turmeric +Milk+ Honey Face Mask

Although turmeric has unquestionable benefits, the spice can stain fair skin with its natural yellow colouring and make it look sallow. Luckily, the colour does fade away after a couple of hours. With this in mind, here is an easy idea on how to use turmeric in your everyday skin care routine.

Why Is It Good for You?

Honey is known for its anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and moisturizing properties. It also helps even out the skin tone and removes any discoloration marks, acne scars, and dark spots on the skin. Milk smoothes the rough skin and nourishes it with vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon milk
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

Directions:

• Mix the above ingredients in a bowl.
• Use a gentle cleanser to remove any trace of dirt or makeup.
• Apply a thin layer of the turmeric face mask on your face and let it sit for five to ten minutes.
• Rinse off with a mild facial cleanser and water.

Bonus Tip:

With this mask, you don’t need to worry that the yellow powder will stain your skin. If it does stain your face, use a sugar face scrub.  To avoid staining your nails, wear gloves. To get rid of the turmeric nail stains, rub them with lemon juice using a brush.

For more interesting tips and ideas on how to grow an organic garden and make your own natural remedies, visit the London Gardeners blog.

Further reading:

• Turmeric – Learn More about This Ayurvedic Herb
• How to Optimize Curcumin Absorption – With Golden Milk Tea Recipe
• How To Use Turmeric To Kill Cancer
• Turmeric’s Anti-inflammatory Properties Explained
• Healthy Skin
• Get Naturally Gorgeous Skin with These 4 Home Remedies

Sources:

• 6 Fruits and Vegetables You Can Easily Grow Indoor – Alternet
• Skin Care Treatments – Bellatory

If  you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance that you or someone you know has been diagnosed with hypertension (also known as high blood pressure). It may be a worrying condition, but still, there are several things you can do about it: physical exercise, managing stress, quitting smoking, and of course dietary changes.

One of the most significant yet uncommonly practiced approach is cutting out salt. A small decrease in sodium intake can actually lower blood pressure by 2 to 8 mm Hg. You can flavor your food with organic salt alternatives that are readily available just around the corner! Not only are they beneficial in the reduction of sodium intake, they are also rich in many nutrients like magnesium and potassium, which are helpful in the management of hypertension. Plus, the taste is just great!

Let’s identify the best ones.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are a really good salt alternative that comes from a common wildflower in North America. The taste is nutty and vaguely sweet.

Other Blood Pressure Benefits

There is more to sunflower seeds than being a salt alternative. They carry a peptide that helps lower blood pressure and they contain fiber, protein, folic acid, magnesium, copper, magnesium, tryptophan, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamins E, B1, and B6, for healthy blood and blood flow.

Preparation/Usage

Eat sunflower seeds raw or roasted and unsalted. Always note that sunflower seeds make a good snack, but you can also add them to salads, oatmeal, or wild rice dishes to add some crunch.

Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

The lemon is believed to be a hybrid between citron and bitter orange. Based on historical research, the fruit is found to have hailed originally from Asia. Lemons contain a lot of acid, making the flavor of the juice, tart and bracing.

Other Blood Pressure Benefits

The juice of the lemon keeps blood vessels pliable and soft, easing and improving the blood flow. Blood pressure becomes reduced – thereby blood can flow easily away from and towards the heart. Also, lemon juice is packed with Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Antioxidants neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals.

Preparation/Usage

Lemon juice can be used in so many ways. You can squeeze it into green tea or plain water for a little kick, or use it as a topping on salads, on fish or chicken, on pasta, or in your morning green smoothie.

Onion Powder

Onion powder is a dehydrated and grounded spice out of an onion bulb. The powder is commonly used as a seasoning ingredient in many spice mixes. Be careful not to confuse “onion powder” with “onion salt”. Onion salt is an onion powder with added salt. Stick with its plain powder form. Onion powder tastes sweet, spicy, and earthy, and in some cases, strong.

Other Blood Pressure Benefits

Onions contain Vitamin C and chromium. Pure onion powder induces the production of good cholesterol (HDL), and in doing so, it keeps your heart healthy and helps keep blood pressure in control.

Preparation/Usage

Onion powder is great in soups and stews, sprinkled on baked sweet potato wedges, and just about any other dish that will complement its complex flavor. Since powder is stronger than a raw, fresh onion, you should add it later in the process of cooking or baking.

Black Pepper Powder

The black pepper powder is a salt alternative that is native to India. It comes from a flowering vine that’s cultivated and dried for use as a spice and seasoning for a variety of foods. It tastes a bit acrid.

Other Blood Pressure Benefits

The peppercorn, whether whole or ground, aids in the breakdown of fat cells. Since obesity can lead to hypertension, this is a great way to keep weight in check.

Preparation/Usage

Peppercorn is delicious on egg whites, in tomato drinks, as a sprinkle on chicken or fish, and in just about any other dish you currently spice with salt.

Garlic Powder

Garlic is a bulb that is native to central Asia, but it’s been long associated with Italian food. Garlic powder has been used for over 7,000 years in the human diet, and was utilized as a medicine by the ancient Egyptians. The taste is rich and complex, with a slightly oniony undertone.

Other Blood Pressure Benefits

Garlic inhibits the body’s production of angiotensin II, a blood vessel constrictor that is responsible for increasing the pressure in your veins.

Preparation/Usage

You can actually take garlic powder in pill form as a supplement — a 600mg dose contains 3.6 mg of allicin, which is said to lower the blood pressure by 10% — but you can’t deny how it can tastier as an added ingredient to food. You may sprinkle it on healthy whole grain toast to make garlic bread, or use it on vegetable pasta.

Bay Leaf

The Bay Leaf is native to the Mediterranean, a product out of the old time favorite Bay Laurel tree. The flavor comes from its very sharp aroma, and tastes bitter.

Other Blood Pressure Benefits

Studies have shown that adding bay leaves to one’s diet can reduce glucose and lipids – aka, sugar and fat – in the blood.

Preparation/Usage

Add bay leaves to soups and stews, spaghetti sauces, and just about any dish you simmer. If you have headaches (a common symptom of blood vessel constriction and increased blood pressure), a well-known effective herbal remedy is  hot tea using three dried or fresh bay leaves, and letting them steep for 10 minutes before drinking.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a savory spice that comes from the inner bark of trees of the genus Cinnamomum. There are two varieties of cinnamon, Chinese and Ceylon. The taste is sharp, sweet, and warm.

Other Blood Pressure Benefits

The mechanism of action is not well understood, but clinical studies have shown that even short-term use of ground cinnamon can significantly lower high blood pressure. It also reduces glucose levels, making it especially helpful for people with diabetes in addition to hypertension.

Preparation/Usage

The spice is sweet, and a bit fruity, so it’s best in breakfast preparations such as whole grain toast or cereal, a healthy morning smoothie, a low fat yogurt, or hot oatmeal. It’s also well-fitting to have with herbal tea in its stick form. It’s good in some soups, as well.

Conclusion

Hypertension can lead to heart attacks, strokes and even kidney failure. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or above is generally considered high. But fortunately, it’s a good thing to know that hypertension is a highly manageable condition. In fact, the DASH (Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension) was developed as a dietary plan to specifically deal with the condition. You may want to take a look at these DASH diet recipes.

Editor’s Note:

A limited diet of processed foods with refined salt leads to hypertension, but salt is not the bad guy here. The refined white table salt has beens stripped of its beneficial minerals so the companies can sell them back to you.  Make sure the salt you use is not refined and therefore not void of the nutritional benefits we need from it. Just like sugar, in its natural form salt is good for us and absolutely essential. On the other hand, cooking with herbs and seasonings is an easy way to improve your health and the taste of your food. If you want to lower your blood pressure quickly, try this protocol Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included for a few days and then get your blood pressure checked. You’ll be amazed.

Recommended Reading:

• Hypertension – How To Lower Your Blood Pressure Quickly and Naturally
• Salt is Good For You
• Cayenne and Capsaicin, Natures Miracle Medicine
• Cinnamon – Ceylon Vs Cassia, Health Benefits, and Other Interesting Facts
• Things You Should Know About Garlic – DIY, Recipes, Other Tips

There’s nothing like a good buzz, but add to it with another drink and tomorrow morning may be torture. Hangovers are terrible, horrible things, as many of us can attest. But ironically enough, while we’re all too familiar with the symptoms of too much drinking, a lot of us have no idea how alcohol actually causes hangovers.

Alcohol’s Effect

When we drink alcohol (ethanol, specifically), it makes it’s way through our digestive system. It is then absorbed into the bloodstream where it circulates until the liver is able to process it. Once it’s in the liver, the enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase, breaks it down into acetaldehyde – a toxin that’s far more toxic than ethanol itself. Luckily, the antioxidant glutathione is able to jump in with acetaldehyde dehydrogenase to break it down yet again, this time converting it into non-toxic acetate.

The metabolization of those Friday night cocktails is a pretty impressive process. However, as powerful an organ as the liver proves to be, there are limits to its detoxifying powers. The typical liver is able to process ½ oz of ethanol per hour (about one drink). When we tip back brews faster than we can metabolize them, our glutathione gets used up quicker than it can be replenished. There’s no other option but to put detoxification on hold while glutathione stores build back up. This leads to a build-up of the nasty toxin acetaldehyde, the culprit behind our hangover woes.

The Hangover

With alcohol in our system, our body stops producing the antidiuretic hormone ADH. Now all available water stores are tapped into — brain included — in order to flush the toxin out. This rise in fluid raises our blood volume, which leads to a spike in blood pressure. Luckily we’re able to offset this by sending fluids to the bladder, but every trip to the toilet deplenishes more of our water reserves, and precious electrolytes are being flushed as well.

With alcohol in our system, the body puts a halt on producing the stimulant glutamine — leaving us drowsy and ready to nap at a moment’s notice. This deep sleep won’t last though. Once our livers are able to process the last of the alcohol in our bloodstream, glutamine goes back into production and that booze-induced snooze is interrupted. Depending on the damage, waking up can be quite a doozy. All those lost water reserves leave us dehydrated, our brains shrunken, and our electrolyte levels low; a physiological recipe for disaster.

The “Cure”

We can try to prevent hangovers altogether by drinking plenty of water and giving our livers a much-needed break between drinks. However, there are bound to be nights that we get carried away. In that case, a dose of electrolytes, supplements, and eggs can be paired with a nice long Epsom soak.

The important minerals we call electrolytes play a crucial role in hydration, so they’re a must for Saturday mornings. Bone broth, potassium-packed bananas, and a dash of sea salt all offer a serving of these balancing minerals. Coconut water is especially popular thanks to its electrolyte content, so it’s a great thing to have in the fridge before you head out Friday. But if you want to step it up a notch, make it coconut kefir. A study through the American College of Gastroenterology showed that drinking one serving of alcohol per day (2 drinks for men and 1 for women) was connected to a higher count of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). This can leading to uncomfortable bowel problems like gas and  bloating, and it can even reduce our small intestine’s ability to absorb important nutrients.

After drinking some liquid remedies, consider supplements like n-acetylcysteine. It can be taken before ordering that first drink to help the body process acetaldehyde and reduce the after-effects. Milk thistle extract is another helpful supplement that contains liver-protecting antioxidants that can also boost production of glutathione. Combine this with Vitamin C and the liver will get an extra shot of power in metabolizing alcohol. However, if your cupboards are bare of any vitamins or supplements you can always turn to the fridge for some eggs. Fried in a skillet or baked up as a frittata, they offer a punch of cysteine for inexpensive damage control that will help break down acetaldehyde.

If your joints are aching, draw up a hot bath infused with Epsom salt (aka electrolyte-balancing Magnesium Sulfate). Magnesium has much to offer aches and pains thanks to its anti-inflammatory nature. Plus, a good soak in hot water offers an increase in circulation that will help blood flow through the liver quicker, thereby speeding up the process of detoxification. And for more hangover magic, consider adding aromatherapy to your weekend bath. Thanks to the highly volatile nature of quality essential oils, the beneficial compounds can be inhaled as well as absorbed by the skin. Lavender is particularly relaxing and therapeutic while rosemary works wonders with migraines. Should help be needed with easing nausea, soothing digestion, or taming headaches, peppermint makes an excellent ally.

Important Factors

We’re always reading about different drinking limits for men than for women. This has many of us ladies ready to wage a drinking competition, but there’s a reason drinking recommendations differ. Levels of ALDH and glutathione are generally lower in women, so we aren’t able to be metabolized alcohol as quickly. There are also differences in the body’s ability to process alcohol between races across the globe, with people of East Asian descent often getting a bigger impact per drink because of the how their alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase process alcohol.

However, male or female, the suggested remedies above have great potential with those haggard weekend mornings. But while they can do much to tame the pains of a night out, they’re meaningless when it comes to binges and regular drinking. High amounts of alcohol over a period of time can do serious damage to our bodies. It’s also a sign of a bigger problem like alcohol dependency. A healthy body takes a healthy liver, and that means taking a break from the stress of alcohol. So, every now and then, show your liver some love with a virgin margarita or Bloody Mary. No hangover – 100% guaranteed.

Editor’s Note:  A high-quality probiotic is essential for recovering quickly from a night of drinking. Alcohol kills our beneficial microflora, but it does not kill Candida or other fungal spores that take over right away. If you drink frequently and are ready to cut down and repair the gut, check out the further reading below.

My own personal protocol includes 15 FloraMend or Bio-K, goat milk Keifer (plain), a B vitamin complex, and I do my usual cranberry and salad routine which will flush the body and detox the liver.

Further Reading:

• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Natural remedies for a Hangover
• Boost Your Liver Function Naturally

Resources:

• Hangover Hacks You Can Hang Your Hat On – Mercola
•  Your Body: The Liver & Alcohol –The Molecular Circus 
• Why Do Hangovers Give You A Headache And How You Can Banish Them –Daily Mail
• Hangover Cures – Mark’s Daily Apple
• Healing Plants 101– Avant Garden Decor
• The Essential Oils For Hangover Cure – Essential Oils Natural Living
• Alcohol Abuse In The United States – 1-800 Addicts
• Moderate Alcohol Consumption Is Associated With Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, Study Finds – Science Daily 

Human parasites are unwanted inhabitants of the gastrointestinal system that have the potential to cause serious damage to their host.  These pathogens consume key nutrients from the foods we eat and release waste products that harm the human body.  They also puncture holes in the intestinal membrane which leads to leaky gut syndrome and chronic inflammation.  Use natural herbal remedies to reduce inflammation and restore integrity to your digestive system (1)

Parasites can range from 10 foot long tapeworms to microscopic amoeba.  These organisms can drop their eggs into the gut lining where they can enter the circulation and travel to major organs such as the liver and cause serious harm.

The Power of Anti-Microbial Herbs

Various different forms of herbs have antimicrobial factors that reduce pathogenic bacteria, yeast and parasites.  These herbs can be used to reduce the microbial load and be an important part of reestablishing a healthy microbial balance.  Here are some unique ones that are clinically proven to be effective:

Sweet Wormwood

Also known as Artemisia annua, sweet wormwood is one of the bitterest herbs on the planet and this bitterness works to drive out worms and parasites.

This is also a potent anti-malarial agent and can kill the most deadly malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum (2).  It works to break down iron bridges in the pathogenic organism, causing massive oxidative stress and death of the parasite.

Pumpkin Seed

Pumpkin seed extract is a rich source of zinc and B vitamins and helps to reduce parasite formation.  The vermifugal properties have been demonstrated in studies to be extremely effective at reducing gastrointestinal nematode (roundworm) levels (3).

Grapefruit Seed Extract  

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) has very high amounts of disease-fighting, free-radical eliminating antioxidants and phytonutrients called bioflavonoids. One of these powerful bioflavonoids (plant antioxidants) include the chemical component hesperidin, a well-known natural immune system stimulator and booster.

A recent study from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that grapefruit seed extract was effective in killing over “800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, and a large number of single and multi-celled parasites.” (4) No other naturally occurring anti-microbial can come close to these results.

Wormseed

Wormseed, also called Chenopodium ambrosioides, are seeds that contain a compound called ascaridoles, which is highly toxic to fungus (5).  Wormseed has been shown to reduce skin infecting fungus and fungal spores on food (6, 7).  It has also been shown to be very effective against gastrointestinal worms (8).

Guarana

These seeds contain a strong antimicrobial and anti-oxidant effect against a wide variety of microorganisms (9).  These seeds have a similar nutritional makeup as cacao and are a natural source of caffeine so they are stimulating and speed up metabolism and fat burning properties.

They also contain cardiac stimulants such as theophylline and theobromine and polyphenol anti-oxidants catechin and epicatechin (ECGC also found in cacao and green tea).

Passion Flower  

This herb has been used for centuries to treat anxiety, hypertension, and insomnia.  It has mild sedative qualities that improve mood and relaxation.  This herb contains plant alkaloids, phenols, glycoside flavonoids, and cyanogenic compounds that have been shown to have profound antimicrobial effects against pathogenic microorganisms (10).

Lavender

This popular essential oil has great anti-microbial, anti-fungal, sedative, antidepressant, and carminative effects in the body (11). Research has shown it is effective against antibiotic-resistant staph infections (12).  Other research has shown that it is highly effective against yeast overgrowth (13).

For more information on testing and overcoming parasitic overgrowth see What Type of Parasites do You Have?

Recommended Reading:

• Common Parasites and How to Kill Them
• How to Kill Fungal Infections
• How to Kill Candida and Balance Your Inner Ecosystem
• Inexpensive, Easy Detox – The One Gallon Challenge

Sources:

1. History of Human Parasitology – American Society for Microbiology
2. Artemisinins: their growing importance in medicine – PubMed.gov
3. Anthelmintic efficacy of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo Linnaeus, 1753) on ostrich gastrointestinal nematodes in a semiarid region of Paraíba State, Brazil. – PubMed.gov
4. The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity. – PubMed.gov
5. Composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil of the Brazilian Chenopodium ambrosioides L. – PubMed.gov
6. Fungitoxicity of essential oils against dermatophytes. – PubMed.gov
7. In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of essential oils of Cymbopogon martini and Chenopodium ambrosioides and their synergism against dermatophytes. – PubMed.gov
8. Effects of aqueous extracts of Mentha piperita L. and Chenopodium ambrosioides L. leaves in infective larvae cultures of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats. – PubMed.gov
9. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of guarana seed extracts – Science Direct.com
10. Antibacterial properties of Passiflora foetida L. – a
    common exotic medicinal plant. – Academic Journals.org
11. Biological activities of lavender essential oil. – PubMed.gov
12. The antimicrobial activity of high-necrodane and other lavender oils on methicillin-sensitive and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA). – PubMed.gov
13. Antifungal activity of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil against Candida albicans yeast and mycelial form – PubMed.gov

Depression and anxiety can cause your life to feel like it’s caving in on you and you have nowhere to run. While these conditions often exist together and can create deep rivers of stress that flow throughout various areas of your life, there are natural remedies that can help reduce and even eliminate the negativity. Consider the following methods for reducing anxiety and depression.

Create Routines and Goals

When you’re depressed, everything feels like a struggle. It is for precisely this reason that structured routines and clearly-defined goals can help you wade through the muck. In addition, structure gives you something to fall back on when motivation lags. Finally, setting goals can help you keep your eye on something you look forward to in the future, something to work toward. Anticipation promotes optimism.

Exercise

While rigorous exercise produces endorphins, even something as simple as a short walk can calm your mood and provide a heart-healthy boost. The body craves movement, so everything from dance to weight training to yoga increases your health and well-being. Depressed individuals are less likely to feel motivated to exercise, and this is precisely why they should. Getting out and moving can often help shake off a dark mood, and the satisfaction of accomplishing something mentally and physically challenging can be a boost unto itself. Getting out and moving in nature is even better! Nature has been proven to alleviate depression simply by being in the midst of it.

Reboot Your Diet

We are what we eat, and for those with chronic depression, food becomes particularly important. Depression and anxiety can originate from poor nutrition, so making sure you are getting enough B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D are essential to balancing your mood and evening out your emotional responses. For individuals living in the Pacific Northwest, Vitamin D is particularly important, as we do not activate our natural stores as often due to reduced sun exposure during the long, rainy winter months. A naturopathic physician can help you develop self-care routines and examine your diet in more detail, aiding you in determining what best to eliminate from your diet and what to keep.

Increase Sleep

There’s a reason that cults use sleep deprivation to emotionally manipulate their members. Missed sleep can produce highly detrimental states of mind, particularly in those who are prone to depression. When you are exhausted, you’re much less likely to ignore the lure of negative thinking. In addition, you’ll have less energy to seek productive, mood-enhancing behaviors like exercise and natural healing. Aim for 8 hours per night for positive results.

Stay Involved in Your Life

Depressed individuals often fall off the wagon in terms of keeping up with friends, participating in activities they love, etc. However, these are the very uplifting exchanges that are vital for feeling supported and loved. Do your best to engage in conversation or activity with one person you care about every single day, and do your best to continue to attend to your job and your various responsibilities. The more you invest in your life, the more it will give back.

Eliminate Negative Thinking

Negative thoughts cause negative feelings. Vow to identify and reduce all negative thinking by keeping a thought journal. Each time you experience a negative feeling, identify the thought behind it. Then, create a positive, believable thought with which to replace it. By running through your mental patterns, you’ll be more likely to maintain a positive outlook and move forward with enthusiasm.

Depression and anxiety can be strong adversaries, but you are always stronger. Consider the above strategies your guide to natural health and wellbeing!

Recommended Reading:

• How Candida Leads to Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and Other Mental Disorders
• Insomnia – A Comprehensive Look with Natural Remedies
• Understanding Stress, Chronic Stress, and Adrenal Fatigue

Joint pain may result from injuries, rheumatism, arthritis, or by maintaining bad posture for long periods or time. Essential oils are widely used for relieving joint pain due to their anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. These effective oils may be used individually or blended together before they are applied to the affected area.

Depending on the location and severity of the pain, application of the essential oil may be through massage, soaking in the bath, or hot or cold compresses. The best essential oils for joint pain alleviation include clove, rosemary, lavender, ginger, marjoram, chamomile, peppermint, eucalyptus, and juniper.

Technique 1: Massage Clove Oil on the Affected Area

Clove oil is a popular essential oil with strong antibacterial, antimicrobial, and hemostatic properties that is used to counter inflammation. Apply small quantities over the painful muscle or joint to avoid skin irritation or you can dilute clove oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil) if you have sensitive skin. Add up to 12 drops of clove oil to 2 ounces of carrier oil, and massage it into the affected area.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, clove oil should be avoided.

Technique 2: Apply a Blend of Essential Oils

A blend of clove oil with other essential oils such as cinnamon, rosemary, peppermint, lavender, and geranium is also effective for alleviating joint pain. Mix at least three of the oils with your preferred carrier oil to make a 1% dilution (6 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil). Apply to the painful joint two times a day.

You may increase the concentration to 3% (20 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil) or more or apply more than twice a day depending on the reaction.

Another combination that works well with sore joints is 1 drop of black pepper, 1 drop of ginger, 2 drops of V’Nilla blend, 3 drops of rosemary, 3 drops of coriander, 4 drops of marjoram, and 6 drops of roman chamomile with 2 ounces of carrier oil. Massage the area with this blend on a daily basis until the pain decreases.

Technique 3: Bath Soak With Oils

Pain involving many joints is best relieved by taking a warm bath in water blended with essential oils. Mix 2 drops of rosemary, 4 drops of juniper berry, 2 drops of cypress, 2 drops of lavender and 1-2 cups of bath salts. Make the bath salts by mixing Epsom salt and baking soda in equal amounts.

Add a few flakes of sea salt and magnesium chloride, and pour the mixture into a tub. Fill the tub with water and allow it to blend for about 30 minutes  before bathing.

Technique 4: Hot and Cold Compresses

Medics have found that hot and cold compresses alleviate joint pain, and adding essential oils improves the effectiveness of this therapy. Heat water to a favorable temperature. Select at least three essential oils and add 4 drops of each oil. Dip a towel in the water, squeeze out the excess water, and place it on the affected area. Apply the hot pack for 15 minutes for each session, alternating with a cold pack after a few hours.

Conclusion

Applying the right combination of essential oils on affected areas is an effective way to relieve joint pain. These oils also reduce muscle spasms and muscle tension and create a soothing effect.

To learn more about essential oils, subscribe to our email updates and get 2 free audiobooks on essential oils and a 9-day free essential oil eCourse.

Recommended Articles:

• How I Replaced Medications With Essential Oils
• Joint Pain – What Causes it? How to Stop it Naturally
• What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good
• Understand Hypothyroidism – Prevention and Natural Remedies

 Sources:

• Arthritis and Joint Pain Relief Using Essential Oils – Birch Hill Happenings
• What Essential Oils are Best for Joint Pain? – Chronic Body Pain
• The Top 16 Essential Oils to alleviate Inflammation and Pain – Healthy and Natural World

We have become concerned about the outside air we breathe, and legitimately so. With factories, automobiles, heavy machinery, chemtrails, and Fukushima to contend with, we have no shortage of clean air supply problems. But what if our inside air was as bad, or worse, than the pollution outside? It’s a very real question, one that we are about to answer.

The Causes of Sick Building Syndrome and the Increased Dangers

“Indoor air pollution in residences, offices, schools, and other buildings is widely recognized as a serious environmental risk to human health,” explains Michael Hodgson, M.D., M.P.H., of the School of Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Dr. Hodgson notes that most people in industrialized nations spend more than 90% of their time indoors, that indoor concentrations of pollutants are often substantially higher than those found outdoors, and that small children, the elderly, and the infirm are likely to spend all their time indoors, leading to permanent chronic exposure to low grade toxic factors.

In most cases, problems with a building’s engineering, construction, and ventilation systems are the causes. Studies suggest that symptoms occur 50% more frequently in buildings with mechanical ventilation systems. Among 2,000 office workers in Germany with work related symptoms, there was a 50% higher that average rate of upper respiratory tract infections that were directly traceable to problems with mechanically ventilated buildings. A U.S. study found that 20% of office workers had job-related  SBS (sick building syndrome) symptoms, including a subjective sense of being less productive in their work.

Besides ventilation problems, other sources of indoor toxic pollution include volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) released from particleboard desks, furniture, carpets, glues, paints, office machine toners, and perfumes. All contribute to a complex mixture of very low levels of individual pollutants. Bioaerosols are also indoor contaminants that originate as biological agents from mild spores, allergy producing microbes, mites, or animal dander, and they are distributed through an indoor space by ventilation, heating, or air conditioning systems.

Of buildings classified as sources of SBS, one study showed that 70% have an inadequate flow of fresh outside air. It also found that 50% to 70% of such buildings have poor distribution of air within the occupied space, 60% have poor filtration of outdoor pollutants, 60% have standing water that fosters biological growths, and 20% have malfunctioning humidifiers.

Sick Building Syndrome Symptoms

In the early 1980’s, physicians began using the term sick building syndrome (SBS) to refer to a host of symptoms caused by low-grade toxic environmental conditions found in living, work, or office spaces. SBS symptoms are numerous and include:

• Mucous membrane irritation (eyes, nose, and throat)
• Chest tightness
• Skin complaints (drying, itching, abnormal redness)
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Asthma
• Chronic nasal stuffiness
• Temporary weight loss
• Infections
• Emotional irritability

All of these depress the immune system, rendering the individual susceptible to long-term chronic illness. Combat SBS by taking more breaks outdoors, investing in plants that filter the air, and by ensuring you support proper liver function to facilitate easier removal of these indoor toxins. Sources for this article include: Trivieri, Larry. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 2002. Print.