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Essential Oils Guide

by Lee Dobbins

Aromatherapy uses aroma or smells to heal and invoke a certain mood. What makes the smell is something called essential oils. These oils are actually oils that are extracted from plants and they have been used for centuries in all kinds of natural healing including aromatherapy.

The sense of smell can be one of the most interesting and odd effects on your body. Your sense of smell comes from olfactory nerves which are located on your nose forms a response to your brain which is called the Limbic system which control your memory. An example of how this works, when someone remembers a homemade meal that your mother have made, and now every time it is cooked you can remember the smell whether it is good or bad.

You can either inhale the essential oils used in aromatherapy, or apply them directly to the skin. They will be absorbed and can have health effects as well as perfuming your skin. Essential oils can also be used in massage oils, lotions, and other skin products.

You can use these oils by visiting an aromatherapist and there are many techniques you can use at home. You can buy your own oils and mix them yourself or purchase them pre mixed.

Aromatherapy can even be an alternative to prescription medicines when used along with your doctors permission. They are typically safe although if you are allergic to a certain plant you will probably be allergic to the essential oils from that plant. Also since essential oils are highly concentrated you want to dilute them before using them on your skin or you could have adverse side effects from too much being absorbed into your blood at once, conjunction with your doctors advice of course.

You can treat minor health problems with essential oils, and they may even help your immune system. Use aromatherapy to alleviate joint pain, cramps, insomnia, headache, and to improve skin health by increasing circulation and tone.

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Posted by Lee Dobbins on October 14th, 2008 No Comments

How To Detox at Home - Eat and be Cleansed

by Lee Dobbins

When most people think of learning how to detox at home, they think about the fasting detox that requires you to give up food and drink glasses full of strange inredients. That is one way of detoxifying your body. But if you have never done a detox or it has been a long time since you have done it, you should be aware that going into it with full gusto can be shocking to your body. The best way to detox at home is to go healthy by cutting out foods and substances that are overworking your liver and add foods that have been shown to have beneficial effects.

How To Detox at Home - The Guidelines

Fruits and vegetables will be the mainstay of your detox plan. You can have up to three servings of fruit in a day and unlimited amounts of most vegetables. Do not eat bananas, potatoes or corn. If you eat peas, add them to your servings of legumes rather than counting them as vegetables. All of these are high in sugars and starch. You should get your starch from whole grains and legumes. Whenever possible, eat your food whole or put the fruit or vegetable in a juicer with skins intact. Remember to always wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them!

Whole grains should be eaten twice a day. Morning and evening are good times to add them. In the morning, you can have a serving of steel-cut oatmeal. In the evening, eat a serving of brown rice or a slice of 100% whole grain bread.

For the duration of the detox, steer away from animal products, including meat, eggs, cheese and milk. Eating raw almonds, unsalted sunflower seeds, beans and legumes will give you enough protein to get you through your detox at home.

The only fat you should eat will come from olive or canola oil. These have omega 3 fatty acids as well as other ingredients that are good for you. Eat a tablespoon or two a day mixed with some balsamic vinegar or lemon juice for a salad dressing. No butter, margarine, mayonnaise or bottled dressings.

Your detox at home plan should include a gallon of water or more a day. Water helps to flush out the toxins that are being released into your system. This is essential if you wish to get the detox done quickly and without all the nasty side effects involved.

There are people who should not detox at home at all. Children and elderly adults are advised to steer clear of a detox program. Those who are battling alcohol or drug addiction should only detox under professional supervision. If you take medicines or have a health condition you must talk to your doctor before detoxifying. Detox at home is a big change in your habits and can be shocking for the body. Make sure your health can take these abrupt changes.

Detox diets are naturally low in calories so it is best not to stay on them for longer than a week to 10 days. If you choose to go longer, you need to add proteins and yogurt to your daily menus. Salmon, tuna and chicken breast are all good low-fat proteins. Plain yogurt with active cultures may be mixed with fruit. This will give you calcium and help to keep yeast growth in the body at a healthy balance. It should be stressed again: When learning how to detox at home, it’s always a good idea to include your doctor in on any detoxing plans you may have.

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Posted by Lee Dobbins on October 13th, 2008 No Comments