Healthy Body

Eczema is a skin condition which causes red, dry skin, and it can appear anywhere on the surface of the body. Although there are topical creams such as hydrocortisone medications that can be used to alleviate the symptoms, organic coconut oil to treat eczema can be more effective.

Since coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids and has an anti-inflammatory agent, when applied to the affected area it not only penetrates rapidly but can reduce the inflammation caused by eczema.

In addition, the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil prevent bacterial infections from forming on the skin. While the topical creams available today can be readily used to ward off dry skin, the difference is that these creams contain other agents which may or may not offer relief. On the other hand, organic coconut oil is unprocessed and its results are immediate. It is a more natural method to use for a variety of skin conditions.

Eczema can present itself in many different forms, including:

- Atopic dermatitis which is inherently genetic, especially among families who have a history of allergies or asthma.      - Contact dermatitis which is caused by irritants such as cleaning detergents, cosmetics, and related allergens.
-Â Seborrheic dermatitis which is predominant among individuals who have oily skin.
-Â Stasis dermatitis which is a condition caused by excessive fluid that accumulates beneath the skin.
-Â Neurodermatitis which can be developed by irritants such as clothing.
-Â Perioral dermatitis which is similar to acne and could be caused by topical creams or makeup.

One of the ways to prevent eczema is by avoiding those products that irritate the skin such as make-up, scented creams and soaps, perfumes, fabric softeners, and other allergens.

Eczema is an irritating condition that affects children and adults. As a general rule, keeping the skin moisturized on a daily basis can alleviate the symptoms and prevent skin inflammation as well. This is especially true during winter months. Having organic coconut oil on hand is not only a great idea to treat eczema, but it can also be used to massage your skin.

As we learn more about the health benefits of natural remedies, we are also less likely to depend upon prescription medications or over-the-counter topical creams to cure skin conditions. Coconut oil is just one of the many effective alternatives used to treat a variety of health problems. Besides treating eczema, it assists in weight loss, can be used as an alternative to other oils, can be used on salads, and has absolutely no chemicals, additives, or preservatives. No wonder the palm on which it grows is called ‘The Tree of Life”.

The kitchen is often one of the most complicated rooms in the house to clean. Most households have numerous cleaners just for the kitchen. These include floor cleaners, oven cleaners, dish detergent, and one or more surface cleaners. This is often not only expensive, it can also results in a lot of added chemicals in our homes.

Making our own natural cleaners can save money and avoid the hazards of cleaning the kitchen with harsh chemicals. Here are some cleaners you can make easily:

Oven

Traditional oven cleaner can be smelly and hazardous. To keep the oven from getting so messy in the first place, try sprinkling a generous amount of salt on spills right after they happen, while the oven is still hot. Once cooled, you can usually scrape the spill up easily.

For regular cleanings, a mixture of equal parts baking soda and hot water is safe and effective. This will make a paste that you can apply and let sit for one minute before scrubbing and rinsing off. For tough stains, add an equal part of salt to the mix, apply and heat the oven to 500 degrees for one hour, then let it cool and rinse off.

Dishes

If you wash dishes by hand, adding baking soda to liquid soap makes a cleaner that can be more effective and less damaging to the environment than regular dish detergent. There are also organic dish detergents available in health food stores. In the dishwasher, washing soda and borax are a good home-made alternative to traditional dishwasher detergents.

For the rinse cycle in the dishwasher, adding vinegar will keep your dishes spot-free. It’s also good for keeping the dishwasher itself clean. The rinse compartment in many dishwashers will not hold vinegar very well, so you might want to add it at the beginning of the rinse cycle.

For pots and pans that are greasy or have food stuck on them, soak in a solution of baking soda and water. Coarse salt and lemon juice work wonders on copper pans.

Drains and Garbage Disposals

Clogged drains can often be cleared by pouring a cup of baking soda and a cup of table salt down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Let that sit for ten minutes, then flush out with boiling water.

Baking soda and vinegar are also great for cleaning the disposal. Pour those ingredients down the disposal, let sit for ten minutes, then put a few ice cubes in the disposal and run it. Citrus peels or cut up citrus fruits that are going bad will freshen the disposal between cleanings.

Floors

Floors can often be cleaned with nothing more than a damp mop. If you need something more potent than water, white vinegar is effective and safe for almost any type of hard flooring. Dish detergent also does a good job.

Walk into any grocery or drug store, and you’ll see a myriad of tooth whitening products on the toothpaste aisle. There are whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, and entire tooth whitening systems. Some of the toothpastes use natural ingredients such as baking soda, but most products use harsh chemicals that many of us would think twice about putting into our bodies.

There are home treatments that can give us whiter teeth without the questionable chemicals. Baking soda has been used to whiten teeth for years. Some people use it directly from the box, while others find baking soda toothpastes more palatable. Either way, it is well known that baking soda is a great tooth whitener.

Another treatment that has received a large amount of praise is strawberries. The strawberry has an enzyme called malic acid that has been found to be quite effective at whitening teeth. And as a bonus, it tastes better than those store-bought treatments.

How to Whiten Teeth With Strawberries and Baking Soda

There are a few ways that you can include strawberries and baking soda in your dental care regimen. One way is to simply cut a strawberry in half, rub the pulpy side on your teeth, and then brush with baking soda. But you can also make mixtures that include the two ingredients, for added convenience and effectiveness.

One popular method is to puree the strawberries and apply to the teeth with your toothbrush or a cosmetic brush. Let this remain on your teeth for five minutes, then brush with the baking soda. You could also mash up a strawberry or two with a small amount of baking soda and apply, then brush with regular toothpaste.

Things to Consider When Using Strawberries

It is very important to brush your teeth well after using any strawberry treatment. Strawberries do contain natural sugar, and leaving them on your teeth for long periods of time could cause cavities. And the very ingredient that whitens our teeth, malic acid, can be harmful if left on too long. Any type of acid could eat through our teeth’s enamel, and that also provides ample opportunity for cavities to form.

Due to the strawberry’s acid content, it’s probably a good idea not to use strawberry treatments too often even if you do brush well afterward. Once a week should be sufficient. It’s also important to continue to go to the dentist for regular cleanings.

While it is important to take some precautions when using strawberries and baking soda to whiten teeth, these natural whiteners are less expensive than commercial treatments. The strawberries loosen the hold of the stains on the teeth, while the baking soda buffs the stains away. And best of all, the danger of using chemicals on your teeth is not a concern.

Whether you’ve had a bad day at the office or had a stressful day at home, there is nothing like relieving  stress with aromatherapy. What is so distinctive about aromatherapy is the aroma part. That is, the use of oils which provide mental, spiritual, and physical healing. The aroma, which is experienced by using various scented oils, invokes emotions and it is the brain, therefore, where all emotions are controlled. Thus, when trying to overcome stress, the therapy is provided by the aroma.

Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways: scented candles, baths, fragrances, showers, or even a wood-burning fire. It is the essence of the aroma that reduces stress and provides a calm, soothing, and relaxing state.

Lavender is one of the most popular oils used in aromatherapy. Whether used in baths or scented candles, it is touted as being the most important part of any aromatherapy ritual.

While lavender is known to alleviate stress, lemon oil is another healing substance which has similar properties for use in stress reduction. According to studies, it clears the head, improves concentration and memory, and combats depression. It is probably the most refreshing of oils used today.

Another well-known oil which has become beneficial to one’s health is chamomile. In the form of tea, it not only calms and relaxes, but offers stress relief as well. This herbal medicine is primarily used to alleviate anger and anxiety.

Interestingly enough, aromatherapy has been around since ancient times. It was used mainly by the Egyptians, who recognized the physical and spiritual properties of scented oils. Cleopatra would take milk baths strewn with rose petals, and the aroma would contribute to her physical wellbeing. In fact, Egyptians used scented oils in the mummification process.

Aromatherapy has been used to prevent disease, help in weight loss, and treat depression, but primarily is used for stress relief today. Everywhere you look, you can find aromatherapy products. The next time you feel anxious or stressed out, take a soothing bath using your favorite bath oil, and light some scented candles. In no time you will become relaxed, calm, and probably get a little shut eye as well.

If you’re approaching menopause, you’ve probably experienced the heat, chills, flushing, sweating, and heart palpitations associated with hot flashes. These experiences can not only be terribly uncomfortable, with some lasting up to thirty minutes, they can severely distracting in your life. There are medical treatments that can help with hot flashes, but most are extreme and will not be used unless there is a problem. You can always turn the heater or air conditioner to “really cold”, but other people who live in your house may not be as willing to make this change. If you’re under the impression that you just have to live with hot flashes, then think again. Soy beans have been used for a long time to help relieve some or all of the symptoms associated with hot flashes.Â

Soy has chemicals in it called isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen (plant estrogen). These compounds are similar to estrogen and act like human estrogen in your body. Not only have studies shown that women countries with higher soy content have fewer hot flashes than women in cultures that eat less soy, many women who begin getting more soy in their diet report fewer and less severe hot flashes. While soy does have the benefits of acting like human estrogen, its effects are fairly weak. Many women with mild to moderate hot flashes report decreases in their symptoms, but women with more severe symptoms will probably not experience much relief.

Soy can be found in many different forms. Not only can you get it in supplement or food, there are also various types of soy food products. As with any supplement, you should only take soy isoflavone supplements if it is impossible for you to get enough soy (or other isoflavone sources) in your diet. While taking a pill is probably easier, food is the natural way to absorb chemicals and it’s generally more effective.Â

As with any supplement or dietary changes, there are concerns associated with soy. One is that because it acts as an estrogen in the body, it could result in an increased chance of breast cancer. This is why it’s important to have regular mammograms and self exams, you may already be doing this. You should also monitor your soy intake. More than 50 grams per day may increase the associated problems. Consult your doctor before making major dietary changes; they can help you figure out if soy is right for you.Â

While you can’t avoid going through menopause, there are breakthroughs that can alleviate some of the symptoms. If you have problems with hot flashes and night sweats, eat right, get exercise, and add some soy to your diet.Â