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Herbal Baths For Health And Beauty
Posted On 2010-05-30 , 11:27 AM
 Herbal baths not only smell good, but also perform the important function of soothing and hydrating the skin, leaving it looking and feeling younger. Not to mention the broad range of health benefits.
Some herbs act as diaphoretics, opening up the pores to allow perspiration and waste matter to escape; others act as astringents, tightening poor old tired pores.
Herbs are used in baths to help one sleep, as aphrodisiacs, in weight loss, to relieve itchy skin, relax a tense back - just about anything you want them to do.
The skins surface is covered with hundreds of pores that function as passages for accumulated waste matter to escape from the body. If the pores are encrusted with dirt or oil, the waste matter can not escape and the body loses one of its main excretory surfaces and begins to suffocate on its own poisons.
Your skin breathes for you. It also has a healthful effect on circulation and metabolism. It is beneficial that one learns and practices the gentle art of bathing.
Methods Of An Herbal Bath - Hot baths are enervating. Warm baths are pleasant. Cold baths are stimulating.
Method 1
1. Take a ½ cup of herbs and simmer in 1 quart of water in a covered nonmetal pot for 10-20 minutes.
2. While your herbs are simmering, take a quickie shower to remove the surface dirt.
3. Fill the tub with warm or hot water, strain the decoction and pour the herb liquid into the tub. Wrap the solid herbs residue in a wash cloth and tie with a ribbon or rubber band.
4. Enter the tub and soak for at least 20 minutes. Relax and rub your body vigorously with the herbs tied in the wash cloth.
Method 2
1. Place a large handful of herbs in 2 cups of boiling water in a covered nonmetal container. Simmer for 10-20 minutes. Strain.
2. While your herbs are simmering, take a quickie shower.
3. When through with your shower, wrap the solid herbs residue in a wash cloth and rub the body vigorously.
4. Use the liquid as a rinse after the shower and the rub.
Method 3
1. Wrap a large handful of herbs in a cloth bag (bath bag) and tie securely.
2. Place the bag right into the bathtub or onto the shower head and let the hot water run through it.
Method 4 - Steam method.
1. Mix a little coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil with water.
2. Plug in a vaporizer into a bathroom outlet.
3. Add the oil and water mixture into the container and drop in some fresh pedals and scented herbs.
4. Keep the bathroom door shut and sit, the steam will rise, perfuming the air and steaming your skin of impurities.
Herbal Bath Remedies
Calming Bath
Mix together a small handful each of cannabis, chamomile, hops, linden, passion flower, valerian and yarrow. Simmer in one quart of water in a covered nonmetal container for 10 minutes. Sip ½ cup of the liquid with a little lemon and honey. Pour the rest in your bath water and soak for at least 30 minutes.
Dry Skin Bath
Mix equal parts of orris root, almond meal, oatmeal and cornmeal - enough to equal 1 cup - wrap and tie firmly in a bath bag or wash cloth. Put it in your bath water, it will release slowly a milkiness that soothes dry, itchy skin.
Oily Skin Bath
Mix equal parts of lemon grass, orange buds, mint, white willow bark and witch hazel leaves - enough to equal 1 cup. Simmer in a covered nonmetal pot for 15 minutes, strain and pour the liquid into your bath water or use as a rinse after you shower.
Tranquil Bath
Mix together 1 handful each of valerian, linden, lavender, chamomile, hops and burdock root in a cloth bag and tie securely. Place the bag right in the bath water and soak for 30 minutes.
Simple Bath
Mix together equal parts of sage, rosemary and lavender. Use any herbal bath method.
Beauty Bath
Mix together equal parts of lavender and rose flowers, leaves of rosemary, mint and thyme and comfrey root. Use any of the above methods.
Any number of herbs and flowers can be used in a bath. Other additions to the bath bag are oatmeal and bran, which act as gentle abrasives. You can also add a tablespoon of sea salt or a cup of powdered milk or honey to the bath water. Herb and flower vinegars may be added also, for softening skin, soothing muscles and relieving skin irritations.
Suggested herbs for bathing for beautiful skin include chamomile flowers for cleansing and softening; comfrey leaves for soothing; dandelion leaves for revitalizing tired skin and improve circulation; fennel leaves for softening and smoothing; horsetail leaves as an astringent and toner; lemon balm leaves as an astringent; linden flowers whiten skin, improve circulation and smooth wrinkles; mint leaves for scent, as an astringent for their stimulating, antiseptic properties; mullein flowers used for lightening hair; parsley leaves whiten skin and improve circulation; rosemary leaves for scent and astringent properties and for darkening hair; thyme leaves for deodorant and antiseptic properties; and yarrow leaves for their astringent effect on oily skin and improve circulation.
Do you have an herbal bath recipe you would like to share?
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Skin Cancer And The Health Benefits Of Nutrition Supplements
Posted On 2010-05-15 , 12:19 PM
 The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Each are named after the type of skin cell from which it arises.
Basal and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common and curable types of skin cancer. Melanoma is less common, but the most serious, and is responsible for 75% of all skin cancer related deaths.
Skin cancers are most often caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. These UV rays destroy the genetic material (DNA) in the skin cells, causing severe tissue damage and cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of the three forms of skin cancer. Overexposure to strong sunlight is the major factor. It rarely spreads elsewhere in the body or kills. Although, it is still considered malignant because it can cause substantial disfigurement and destruction by invading surrounding tissue.
The first sign of basal cell carcinoma is a large pearly looking lump usually occurring on the face near the eyes or nose. The lump then becomes an ulcer with a raw, moist center and a hard border that may bleed. Scabs continually form over the ulcer. The scabs come off, but the ulcer never heals.
In squamous cell carcinoma, the underlying skin cells are damaged. This leads to the development of a tumor or lump under the skin. The ears, face, hands and lower lip are affected in most cases. The lump may resemble a wart or an ulceration that never heals. Detected early enough, treatment is effective.
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It can be cured if discovered and treated early. With this form of skin cancer, a tumor occurs from the pigment producing cells of the deeper layers of the skin. It often begins as a lesion that looks like a mole.
Most moles appear early in life, so be aware of new moles that appear after the age of 40. Also be aware of any mole that appears unusual; changes in size, color or texture. They should be looked at right away by a dermatologist.
WARNING SIGNS OF SKIN CANCER
1. A skin growth that increases in size and/or appears pearly, translucent, brown, tan, black or multicolored.
2. A mole, birthmark or beauty mark that changes color, grows in size or thickness, changes in texture or becomes irregular in outline.
3. A spot or growth that hurts, itches, crusts, scabs over, erodes or bleeds.
NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS
Manufacturers are now incorporating vitamins A, C, D and E in sunscreen to help protect the skin. Many nutritionists and holistic doctors recommend oral supplements of all the antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals created by ultraviolet radiation; as well as by oxidation within the body, that can harm DNA and both internal and external cells.
Coenzyme Q10 improves cellular oxygenation. Take 100 milligrams daily.
Evening primrose oil for cellular protection. Take 2 capsules before meals.
Selenium is a powerful free radical scavenger. Take 50 - 200 micrograms daily.
Vitamin A in the form of beta carotene. Take 25,000 - 50,000 IU daily. Taking an extra vitamin A before an expected outing helps prevent the temporary night blindness that often follows exposure to extremely bright lights.
Vitamin B complex - the B vitamins are necessary for normal cell division and function. Take 100 milligrams daily.
Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids is powerful anti-cancer agent. Take 1,5000 - 5,000 milligrams daily in divided doses to help prevent pigment clumping and skin sags by strengthening the supportive collagen.
Vitamin D. Sunscreens as low as SPF 8 block the body’s formation of natural vitamin D from sunlight on the bare skin. Take 400 IU daily, if not provided by fortified milk or a daily multivitamin.
Vitamin E. In a study, participants taking 200 IU of vitamin E each day for a year reduced their free radical level by 26 percent.
HERBAL NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS
Gotu kola contains compounds which have an excellent reputation in supporting skin health, increasing the concentration of antioxidants and maintaining healthy blood supply to the affected area. Available in capsule form, follow packaging directions.
Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is one of the best and most well known herbs for skin health. It helps to maintain healthy skin and tissue health. It is available as a cream to be applied topically. Follow packaging directions.
Chaparral is a bitter herb that acts as a free radical scavenger and protects the skin from the harmful effects of radiation and sun exposure. Available in capsule form, follow packaging directions.
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