Jennifer Lawson, aka Mother Jai
Mother Jai has been blending and personally using aromatherapy products since 2012 and herbal remedies since 2003. The knowledge and experience she obtained over the years provides you with a well rounded, educated, and informed platform to base your own health and wellness on.
Yoga For Migraines is a gentle, healing yoga and pranayama practice to help support you when you have a headache or a migraine. It is also a great practice for those seeking regular self care, no headache required to do this session. Avoid life’s headaches by practicing these poses for 20 min most days. The yoga poses listed can be done anytime and are especially beneficial for reducing or preventing migraine.
Tips for Reducing Migraines
Reducing your triggers can go a long way in preventing migraine.
Identify your triggers
Eat healthfully and regularly, don’t skip meals
Get enough sleep, without oversleeping
Keep a regular sleep schedule
Stay well hydrated
Exercise regularly
Rest during and after a migraine, avoid overexertion
Reduce your stress response
Use meditation, hypnosis, or biofeedback
Ten Yoga Poses for Migraine Relief
Child’s Pose: resting belly and chest on knees with chin tucked and arms reaching forward. Use a bolster to support the head and reduce tension on the neck. Deeply relaxing and alleviates pressure on cervical vertebra.
Downward Dog Pose: on hands and feet with behind up in the air, making a 90 degree angle at the hips, hands and feet flat on floor if possible. Reduces pressure on the spine and neck, opens vertebra, and elongates spinal column.
Standing Forward Bend – Standing with even weight through the feet, or weight very slightly forward into the toes. Big toes touch, heels are slightly apart. Keep the tailbone tucked under, allow the spine to bend forward. Tuck the chin gently in towards the chest, lengthen the back of the neck. Gently work the palms towards the earth, fingertips in line with the heels. Relax and breathe.
Wide Angle Standing Forward Bend – Feet are wide. Press the toes firmly into the mat. Stretch the mat apart with your feet. Tuck the tailbone under, ground the sitting bones, lengthen the lower back. Take your hands to your ankles and bend your elbows, assist gently with your arms to draw the back of the head to touch the earth. Chin tucks in towards the chest. Gaze towards the navel. Head can rest on bolster if needed.
Head to Knee Pose – Sit with legs straight in front. Tuck the right heel into the groin, and uncurl the toes out from the left thigh. Press the sitting bones into the earth and lift the spine long into the sky, inhale the arms up above the head, then exhale bend forward to touch the toes of the left foot. Turn the navel gently out towards the left side. Chin gently tucks in towards the chest, lengthen the back of your neck. Forehead towards the shin. Both eyes and jaw relax. Then swap sides.
Seated Forward Bend – Sit with legs stretch straight out in front. Flex your toes back towards you. Big toes touch, heels are slightly apart. Press the sitting bones into the earth, lift the spine taller. Inhale the arms up into the sky, then exhale bend forward reaching the hands towards the toes or past the feet. Chin towards the chest, lengthen the back of the neck. Shoulders forward past the ears, and armpits towards the thighs. Throat relaxes, breath flowing.
Twist – Sit with both knees bent pointing towards the sky, then sweep the right leg through the left. Then turn the navel out towards the left side, then turn the chest, then turn the head and neck, and then the eyes. Then if you like you can assist with the right elbow against the outside of the left leg, and the left hand on the floor behind your back. Lift your left ears towards the sky slightly and tuck your chin in.
Upward Facing Dog Pose – With the hands back by the hips, fingers spread, index finger pointing forward, extend and lift through the spine. Then press the shoulders downward while straightening the arms and pushing the palms into the earth. Push the groin towards the hands, and pull with the hands towards the hips. Push the tops of the feet into the earth and strengthen through the buttocks and thighs. Without moving the hands roll the biceps and shoulders outward. Keep the front of the abdomen firm, but the sides relaxed. Finally tilt the chin up, throat forward, eyes back.
Bridge Pose – Lay on your back. Bend you knees and place your feet to the floor. Draw your heels close to your buttocks, your feet are hip width apart or narrower. Toes turn in slightly. Stretch your fingers towards your heels, and shoulders away from your ears. Press the feet firmly into the earth and slowly lift the pelvis into the sky. Tuck the tailbone under. Tuck the chin gently in towards the chest, lengthen the back of the neck. Look gently towards the tip of the nose or close your eyes. Care is required for the lower back, aim to stretch both the abdominal area and the lower back, lengthening the spine away from your head. If you like you can interlace the fingers behind your back and squeeze your palms together, straighten your elbows and wiggle your shoulders and shoulder blades towards each other, opening the front of your heart, create space through the chest. Don’t allow the knees and thighs to drift apart, keep them one fist width distance.
Although the human sense of smell is feeble compared to that of many animals, it is still very acute. We can recognize thousands of different smells, and we are able to detect odors even in infinitesimal quantities. The human nose is in fact the main organ of taste as well as smell. The so-called taste-buds on our tongues can only distinguish five qualities – sweet, sour, bitter, umami, and salt; all other ‘tastes’ are detected by the olfactory receptors high up in our nasal passages.
The Power of Our Perception
The reason we all feel it’s important to smell good is because it is. As humans, we believe you are what you smell like. If you smell good, it’s a reflection of your inner soul and overall self. If you smell bad or unpleasant, it sheds a negative light on you as a person.
Understanding how the sense of smell works has been heavily studied in recent years. Smell is an important sense as it can alert us to danger like gas leak, fire or rotten food but also is closely linked to parts of the brain that process emotion and memory. Unpleasant and bad smells can send pain signals to the brain to warn us of possible danger.
Certain scents can change the perception of your physical image, too! Want to shave a couple pounds off in minutes? Studies have shown that women who smell of floral and/or spicy scents are perceived to be 12 pounds lighter. It comes as no surprise that fragrance can be also be a vital tool in attracting the opposite sex. Scents like lavender and licorice have been proven to be especially alluring to men.
Research has determined that human attraction is a result of chemical messengers called pheromones. These chemicals trigger everything from physical and sexual attraction to deep emotions of love and empathy and can be detected subconsciously through a variety of avenues including, that’s right, the nose!
How Does the Sense of Smell Work?
The sense of smell, called olfaction—like the sense of taste—is part of the chemosensory system, or the chemical senses. The ability to smell comes from specialized sensory cells, called olfactory sensory neurons, which are found in a small patch of tissue high inside the nose. These cells connect directly to the brain. Each olfactory neuron has one odor receptor. Microscopic molecules released by substances around us—whether it’s coffee brewing or pine trees in a forest—stimulate these receptors. Once the neurons detect the molecules, they send messages to your brain, which identifies the smell. There are more smells in the environment than there are receptors, and any given molecule may stimulate a combination of receptors, creating a unique representation in the brain. These representations are registered by the brain as a particular smell.
Smells reach the olfactory sensory neurons through two pathways. The first pathway is through the nostrils. The second pathway is through a channel that connects the roof of the throat to the nose. Chewing food releases aromas that access the olfactory sensory neurons through the second channel. If the channel is blocked, such as when the nose is stuffed up by a cold or flu, odors can’t reach the sensory cells that are stimulated by smells. As a result, loss of much of the ability to enjoy a food’s flavor. In this way, the senses of smell and taste work closely together.
Without the olfactory sensory neurons, familiar flavors such as chocolate or oranges would be hard to distinguish. Without smell, foods tend to taste bland and have little or no flavor. Some people who go to the doctor because they think they’ve lost their sense of taste are surprised to learn that they’ve lost their sense of smell instead.
The sense of smell is also influenced by something called the common chemical sense. This sense involves thousands of nerve endings, especially on the moist surfaces of the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. These nerve endings help to sense irritating substances—such as the tear-inducing power of an onion—or the refreshing coolness of menthol.
Variations in Smelling Ability
Our smelling ability increases to reach a plateau at about the age of eight, and declines in old age. Some researchers claim that our smell-sensitivity begins to deteriorate long before old age, perhaps even from the early 20s. But other scientists report that smelling ability depends on the person’s state of mental and physical health, with some very healthy 80-year-olds having the same olfactory prowess as young adults. Women consistently out-perform men on all tests of smelling ability. Although smoking does not always affect scores on smell-tests, it is widely believed to reduce sensitivity.
Schizophrenics, depressives, migraine sufferers and very-low-weight anorexics often experience olfactory deficits or dysfunctions. One group of researchers claims that certain psychiatric disorders are so closely linked to specific olfactory deficits that smell-tests should be part of diagnostic procedures. Zinc supplements have been shown to be successful in treating some smell and taste disorders.
Importance of Smell Today
We often take our sense of smell in our day-to-day lives for granted, and think we really rely on our eyes and ears. Smell has been an integral part of evolution and survival of the fittest for our species in the past. Although humans rely less now on smell for survival a huge importance is still placed on smell today for taste enjoyment and attracting a partner through use of perfumes.
Perfume houses around the world market their products as the latest and greatest new smell, which you can use to attract a mate. Entire industries exist as the humans have placed such a huge importance on smell. The fragrance industry is now bigger than ever and doesn’t just include retail sales of fragrances like perfumes.
Fragrances are added to many products as it makes us feel good. Smell is the only sense that affects the memory and emotion part of the brain. If we feel good when we buy a product then we are likely to continue buying it. This is why many companies add fragrance to their products such as soap, deodorant, and fabric softeners. Even those in the food industry use fragrance chemicals known as flavors or aroma chemicals to their products. Smell has become increasing important to us and as a result the industry has responded to these demands.
The Major Histocompatibility Complex
The reason we are attracted to some natural scents more than others is the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), which is tied to your immune system. This intuitive scent detection system has evolved to let us choose the best partners for a genetic advantage in reproduction, since we tend to be most attracted to partners with an MHC composition much different than our own. When someone has an MHC with a composition unlike yours, they have stronger immunity toward different diseases and medical conditions than you do, so they naturally smell better to you. Interestingly, the body odor of other people also affects attractiveness on another level. A recent study revealed that political ideology can weigh into scent perception. Participants in the study were not able to identify the political beliefs of others by smell, but they did find that those with beliefs similar to their own simply smelled more attractive.
Scent and Sentiment
Curiously, remembering a smell is usually difficult—yet when exposed to certain scents, many people—of whom Proust is the paragon—may suddenly recall a distant childhood memory in emotionally rich detail. Some aromas even affect us physiologically. Laboratory researchers exploring human olfaction have found that:
A faint trace of lemon significantly increases people’s perception of their own health.
Lavender incense contributes to a pleasant mood—but it lowers volunteers’ mathematical abilities.
A whiff of lavender and eucalyptus increases people’s respiratory rate and alertness.
The scent of phenethyl alcohol (a constituent of rose oil) reduces blood pressure.
Mood is demonstrably affected by scent. But scientists have found that, despite some extravagant industry promises, the attraction value in perfumes resides strictly in their pleasantness, not their sexiness. So far, at least, store-bought scent is more decoration than mood manager or love potion. A subtle “look this way” nudge to the nose, inspiring a stranger’s curiosity, or at most a smile, is all perfume advertisers can in good conscience claim for their products—not overwhelming and immediate infatuation.
The Great Pheromone Hunt
For an animal whose nose supposedly plays no role in sexual attraction or social life, human emotions are strongly moved by smells. And we appear to be profoundly overequipped with smell-producing hardware for what little sniffing we have been thought to be up to. Human sweat, urine, breath, saliva, breast milk, skin oils, and sexual secretions all contain scent-communicating chemical compounds. Zoologist Michael Stoddart, author of The Scented Ape (Cambridge University Press, 1991), points out that humans possess denser skin concentrations of scent glands than almost any other mammal. This makes little sense until one abandons the myth that humans pay little attention to the fragrant or the rancid in their day-to-day lives.
Humans possess three major types of skin glands—sebaceous glands, eccrine (or sweat) glands, and apocrine glands. Sebaceous glands are most common on the face and forehead but occur around all of the body’s openings, including eyelids, ears, nostrils, lips, and nipples. This placement is particularly handy, as the secretions of these glands kill potentially dangerous microorganisms. They also contain fats that keep skin supple and waterproof and, on the downside, cause acne. Little is known about how sebaceous glands contribute to human body odor.
Sexy Genes
It was found that how women rate a man’s body odor pleasantness and sexiness depends upon how much of their MHC profile is shared. Overall, women prefer those scents exuded by men whose MHC profiles varied the most from their own. Hence, any given man’s odor could be pleasingly alluring to one woman, yet an offensive turnoff to another.
Raters said that the smells they preferred reminded them of current or ex-lovers about twice as often as did the smells of men who have MHC profiles similar to their own, suggesting that smell had played a role in past decisions about who to date. MHC-similar men’s smells were more often described as being like a brother’s or father’s body odor… as would be expected if the components of smell being rated are MHC determined.
Fooling Mother Nature
Perfume; daily, soapy showers; convenient contraceptive pills—all have their charms. But they also may be short-circuiting our own built-in means of mate choice, adaptations shaped to our unique needs by millions of years of ancestral adversities. The existence of couples who long for children they cannot have indicates that the Western dismissal of body scent is not benign.
Why Do Some People Smell So Much Worse Than Others?
Our sweat doesn’t really produce an odor itself. It’s the bacteria that we have on our skin. People are a petri dish walking on two legs. When bacteria have a wet or moist environment, they tend to thrive and grow. And when bacteria thrive and grow, they can produce their own odors.
There are two types of sweat glands. Eccrine glands are the most common, and can be found throughout the body, secreting sweat directly onto the skin. Apocrine glands can be found in areas like the armpits and groin, and dump their sweat into hair follicles first.
Unfortunately, while these glands create sweat that mixes with bacteria to make us smelly, we kind of need them. Because they control your body temperature. If you’re out running or jogging in the summertime, it can get hot, and your body has to cool down. By releasing sweat, you have an evaporative cooling effect, and you don’t get high internal body temperatures.
So we’ve all got bacteria. Why don’t we all smell the same?
One of the big reasons is diet, which makes a lot of sense, given the whole “you smell like what you eat” cliche. Wait, is that how it goes? Let’s say you eat garlic, onions, and spicy foods that have odors. As your body digests these foods, compounds are produced and released through the pores of the skin, and suddenly you smell like a refrigerator crisper that hasn’t been cleaned in months.
Other explanations for why human beings smell different from each other include hygiene and health. Consider one’s lifestyle. People who are dirtier than others are going to have more bacteria on their bodies — especially if they don’t shower often. Money and income can be issues if cleaning resources and products are scarce, most dramatically in extreme situations like homelessness.
People who are overweight may have folds in their skin, which are breeding grounds for bacteria. This is common with diabetics — whose problems with smell can go beyond having a few extra pounds. If a person has higher-than-normal blood sugar, there’s a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, and those patients tend to have more of a fruity smell to them.
Mantra: Sanskrit word meaning “man”= to think/mind, “tra” = tool/instrument; literally means instrument of thought.
The dictionary defines a mantra as a Hindu or Buddhist practice of repeating a word or sound to aid in improving concentration during meditation. Cambridge Dictionary provides two different definitions. The first refers to Hinduism and Buddhism: a word or sound that is believed to have a special spiritual power. The second definition is more general: a word or phrase that is often repeated and expresses a particularly strong belief. For instance, a football team can choose individual words as their own “mantra”. Wikipedia defines a mantra as a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word, phoneme, or group of words in Sanskrit believed by practitioners to have psychological and spiritual powers. Mantra meditations have been proven to help induce an altered state of consciousness.
The first and simplest mantra is Aum or Om, the sound of life, the divine, or the universe, and is considered the first sound. The earliest mantras were recorded over 3000 years ago (1000 – 500 BC) and were composed in Vedic Sanskrit by Hindus in India. Since then mantras have become a practice of various schools of Hinduism, Buddhism, Janism, and Sikhism. Over time these practices were adopted by Japanese Shingon, Zoroastrianism, and Taoism. Even later, in Christianity, hymns, chants, and prayers were developed using the same purpose.
The use structure, function, importance, and type of mantra depends completely on the school and philosophy putting them to use. They are considered a sacred formula and a deeply personal ritual. Their formula is typically melodic, mathematically structured, and believed to be resonant with numinous qualities. This means they can be like a song with melody, rhythm, and rhyme. They really were the first human development of written song.
The Transcendental Meditation technique or TM is a form of silent mantra meditation, developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. TM is the most widely practiced and researched meditation techniques. The TM technique consists of silently repeating a mantra with “gentle effortlessness” while sitting comfortably with eyes closed and without assuming any special yoga position. The meditation practice involves the use of a mantra, silently repeated, and is practiced for 15–20 minutes twice per day while sitting with one’s eyes closed.
Beginning in 1965, the Transcendental Meditation technique has been incorporated into schools, universities, corporations, and prison programs in the USA, Latin America, Europe, and India. In 1977, a U.S. district court ruled that a curriculum in TM and the Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI) being taught in some New Jersey schools was religious in nature and in violation of the First Amendment. However, the technique has since been included in a number of educational and social programs around the world.
Benefits of Chanting
Chanting is the practice of rhythmically repeating a sound, word, phrase, mantra or prayer for a certain amount of time or number of repetitions. Chanting provides for continued focus in meditation and can provide deep healing to the mind. Five key elements of chanting that make it such a powerful and universally appealing practice:
Association (or triggering), in which one’s experiential memories, built up over time, invest a piece of music with ever-deeper levels of meaning.
Entrainment, in which the body-mind is induced to align (or vibrate) with a melody or rhythm to which it is exposed.
Breath, the salutary effect on the chanter’s respiration as it slows from the normal 12 to 15 breaths per minute to between five and eight breaths per minute
Sonic effects, namely the pleasurable sensations and healing effects of extended vowel sounds typical of sacred chants.
Intent, which reflects our desire to be close to the divine.
Leslie Howard opens and closes all her classes at Piedmont Yoga with chants, both because of her own affinity for singing and because the clientele enjoys it. “Students say they love that we’re exposing them to other aspects of yoga besides the physical,” she says. “Sound, to me, is the most primitive form of life. It touches the deepest part of you.”
Historic Mantras
Shreem: evokes the presence of the goddess Lakshmi, an aspect of the Divine Feminine who represents the power of auspiciousness, harmony and abundance. She is said to bring both material and spiritual wealth and prosperity.
Aim: If you desire to expand your knowledge and tap into your inner muse, you’ll want to meditate on the mantra associated with the goddess Saraswati. She’s the goddess of creativity and represents the pursuit of art, philosophy, music and higher learning.
Om Mani Padme Hum: a reference to both compassion and wisdom, which are both necessary for attaining enlightenment. If you want to become a more calm, wise and compassionate human begin, meditate with this mantra, and get in touch with your inner Buddha nature. The star of Buddhist mantras is perfect for cultivating more compassion – for yourself and for others.
Om, or Aum: the vibration of the Universe. It’s been called the sound vibration for God and all of creation.
Saat Nam: Truth is my name. *Sat is extended eight times longer than Nam. If you really want the mantra to radiate from the base of your spine to the center of your head, make the Sat 35 times longer than the Nam.
Neti-Neti: Not this, not this. The phrase is a way to rebut something—be it harsh words or a situation in your life you would like to change.
Om Namah Shivaya: I bow to Shiva, the supreme deity of transformation who represents the truest, highest self.
Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung: Sun, Moon, Earth, Infinity, All that is in infinity, I am Thee.
Essential Oils Provide Nutrients to the Scalp and Hair Follicles
Diluting these essential oils in an oil base (carrier) like coconut or sunflower makes them safe to apply directly to the scalp. A 5 to 10% dilution is recommended.
Cedarwood: Cedarwood is used to help stimulate the hair follicles by increasing circulation to the scalp. It can promote hair growth and slow hair loss; it can also treat thinning hair and various types of alopecia. Cedarwood can be applied topically to the scalp and hair. It mixes well with gentle oils like lavender and carrier oils like coconut oil. You can also add 2–3 drops of cedarwood oil to your homemade conditioner.
Chamomile: it adds shine and softness to your hair while soothing your scalp. Did you know that chamomile essential oil can be used to lighten your hair naturally? Combine 5 drops of chamomile essential oil with a tablespoon of sea salt and one-third cup of baking soda. Use warm water to create a paste and apply the mixture to your hair. Massage it into your scalp and at the base of your hair, then allow it to sit for about half an hour before rinsing it out. If you want a bolder affect, keep the paste on as you sit in the sun.
Clary Sage: works as a natural remedy for rashes, and it works as an antibacterial agent. But maybe most importantly, clary sage can be used to help you relieve stress and balance hormones. Three types of hair loss can be associated with high stress levels: telogen effluvium, trichotillomania (hair pulling) and alopecia areata. Because clary sage can be used to help relieve stress and reduce cortisol levels in the body, it works as a natural remedy for stress-induced hair loss. Clary sage works well with jojoba oil; the two can help to regulate oil production on the skin, helping you to avoid scaly or flaky patches that lead to dandruff. To ease stress, which is associated with hair loss, you can diffuse clary sage oil at home or apply a few drops to your wrists, temples and bottoms of your feet.
Lavender: has antimicrobial properties, and it can be used to combat bacterial and fungal disorders. Some other lavender oil benefits are its ability to soothe the scalp and heal dry skin and hair. Plus, because emotional stress is a factor that can contribute to thinning hair, lavender oil can be used to create a tranquil and stress-free environment.
Lemongrass: has healing properties, and it works as an effective cleanser and deodorizer. It can strengthen your hair follicles and soothe an itchy and irritated scalp. Some bonus benefits of lemongrass oil include its ability to work as a natural bug repellant, relieve stress (which is associated with hair loss) and treat headaches. You can add 10 drops of lemongrass oil to your bottle of shampoo or conditioner, or you can massage 2–3 drops into your scalp along with your conditioner daily. Lemongrass oil can also be diffused at home to reduce stress and detoxify the space.
Peppermint: helps to stimulate the scalp, and it can treat dandruff and even lice due to its powerful antiseptic properties. Research shows that peppermint oil promotes hair growth, too. In a 2014 animal study, topical application of peppermint oil for four weeks showed prominent hair growth effects, increasing dermal thickness, follicle number and follicle depth. Add 2–3 drops of peppermint to your shampoo or conditioner for a quick wake-me-up during your morning shower.
Rosemary: used to increase cellular metabolism, which stimulates hair growth and promotes healing. Research even shows that rosemary oil appears to work as well as minoxidil, a conventional topical hair loss treatment. When it comes to boosting your hair health, the benefits of rosemary oil also include preventing baldness, slowing the graying process and treating dandruff and dry scalp. To use rosemary oil for your hair, take 3–5 drops and mix it with equal parts olive oil, and then massage the mixture into your scalp for about two minutes. Leave it in your hair for 3 to 4 hours, and then wash your hair as usual.
Tea Tree: has powerful cleansing, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. When used topically, it can help unplug hair follicles and increase hair growth. You can mix 10 drops of tea tree oil into your shampoo or conditioner and use it daily, or mix 3 drops with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it out.
Thyme: help promote hair growth by both stimulating the scalp and actively preventing hair loss. Like cedarwood oil, thyme oil was also found to be helpful in treating alopecia areata. Thyme is particularly strong, even among essential oils. Put only 2 small drops in 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil before applying it to your scalp. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and wash it out.
Ylang Ylang: While those with oily hair and skin would want to skip this one, ylang-ylang oil is ideal for those with dry scalps, as it can stimulate sebum production. As lack of enough oil and sebum causes hair to become dry and brittle, ylang-ylang can improve hair texture and reduce hair breakage. Mix 5 drops of ylang-ylang oil with 2 tablespoons of warm oil. Massage it into your scalp and wrap your head with a warm towel. Leave it in for 30 minutes before washing it out.
DIY recipes that will also help to boost the health of your hair:
Thicken your hair: To help thicken your hair naturally, use this natural hair thickener that’s made with a combination of rosemary, cedarwood and sage essential oils. These oils will stimulate your hair follicles by increasing circulation to the scalp and helping to balance your hormones.
Isn’t it amazing that in this age of scientific and technological advancement people would still believe that the term holistic has to do with witchcraft? I am amazed by the lack of knowledge on holistic health and wellness. There is more to us than an ailing body and confused mind and we must understand the connection in order to be healthy. In this article, I will clarify what holistic health and wellness is and why Holistic Medicine should be the norm.
Holistic Medicine – the practice of treating illness and disease according to every aspect of an individual – mind, body, and soul. The purpose of the treatments and therapies are to restore balance to all systems and thus bring vitality to the individual.
Uses all forms of healthcare – conventional, complementary, and alternative therapies for the best possible outcome. Providing medications and surgical interventions when alternative therapies and herbal remedies have failed and, of course, in life saving situations.
Healing takes a partnership or team approach – patient and doctor(s) working together to achieve wellness goals. You know what’s going on with you because you take the time to understand your body and understand what the test results say, all while intelligently conversing with your doctor about your symptoms and actions.
Patients take responsibility for their health – patient involvement in treatments and lifestyle modifications provides for personal well-being and long-term success. No one can fix your health for you; pills and surgeries are often temporary solutions. If you want to feel good and be healthy you must do the things that are healthy.
Understands that every person has their own, innate, healing powers – practitioners work to educate individuals on their innate abilities, how to tap in to them, and how to utilize them for complete wellness.
Addresses all aspects of an individual’s life – social, spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical for the best possible lifestyle modification. Mental illness affects physical health as much as physical illness affects mental health. We are complete beings not separate systems.
All treatments are done for the purpose of fixing the cause of the disease – whether it be mental, physical, spiritual, or emotional – not just for alleviating symptoms. Holistic medicine looks to reverse disease by changing the individual’s cause of it; everyone is different. One person will smoke and die of cancer, another will smoke the same amount and will die of old age. Our practitioners must consider us this way or many treatments will fail.
Holistic physicians encourage patients to evoke the healing power of love, hope, humor and enthusiasm, and to release the toxic consequences of hostility, shame, greed, depression, and prolonged fear, anger, and grief.
Unconditional love is life’s most powerful medicine. Physicians strive to adopt an attitude of unconditional love for patients, themselves, and other practitioners.
Optimal health is much more than the absence of sickness. It is the conscious pursuit of the highest qualities of the physical, environmental, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of the human experience.
Holistic Health: a system of preventive care that takes into account the whole individual, one’s own responsibility for one’s well-being, and the total influences—social, psychological, environmental—that affect health, including nutrition, exercise, and mental relaxation.
Concept that concern for health requires perception of the individual as an integrated system instead of one or more separate parts.
A health attitude that an individual’s mental state and life experiences form the basis for his or her state of overall health.
Your overall state of wellness on all levels of your being: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. It encompasses the health of your entire being and extends to everyone and everything that affects you in any way. That includes your resources, your environment, and your relationships.
World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely an absence of disease or infirmity.
Health and well-being as a continuum. What you think, how and when you eat, sleep, exercise and relate to others moves you either further on the continuum toward good health or away from it.
So, as you see, by implementing a holistic mindset in your life and in your health care you can obtain optimal health and wellness with minimal discomfort or cost. By taking steps to be in control of your health and in charge of your life you become empowered to live to the fullest. No, it’s not easy, but it’s so worth it!
Since Vaseline is the most common commercially produced lotion on the market we will break it down and show you what’s in it and why it really should not go on your skin.
We’ll review the directions, warnings, ingredients, and storage. After this review please reconsider applying any of these chemicals to your skin. Try Mother Jai’s lotion, simply made of organic soy wax, organic coconut and sunflower oils.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: White Petrolatum USP (100%)……….…Skin Protectant
Carbomer: class of chemicals made from acrylic acid. They are thickening agents that help control the viscosity and flow of cosmetic products. They are also solvents, helping formulas to stay well mixed. You’ll find them in styling gels, facial moisturizers, sunscreen, shampoo, anti-aging treatments, cleansers, and scrubs. Though generally considered safe, they can sometimes contain “neutralizing agents” TEA or EDTA. It is a known allergen that causes eye irritation. These can carry contaminants that can be potentially carcinogenic.
Cedrol: is a sesquiterpene alcohol found in the essential oil of conifers (cedar oil), especially in the genera Cupressus (cypress) and Juniperus (juniper). It has also been identified in Origanum onites, a plant related to oregano. Cedrol has toxic and possibly carcinogenic properties.
Cetearyl Alcohol: fatty alcohol that’s either produced from the end products of the petroleum industry or derived from plants (palm oil-palmityl alcohol). It comes in the form of a white, waxy solid. It’s no longer derived from sperm whale oil (where it was originally discovered) seeing how whales are now an endangered species.
Cetearyl alcohol is also a surfactant that boosts a products foaming capacity. This property is important in bath soaps, hand soaps, shampoos, conditioners and many other personal care products.
Cetearyl alcohol is also a main ingredient in cosmetics such as foundations, concealers, liquid lipsticks and mascaras to stabilize a solution and to prevent the separation of emulsions.
Small amounts of alcohol applied to skin cells in lab settings (about 3% alcohol, but keep in mind skin-care products contain amounts ranging from 5% to 60% or more) over the course of two days increased cell death by 26%. It also destroyed the substances in cells that reduce inflammation and defend against free radicals.
Exposure to alcohol causes skin cells to literally self-destruct and the longer the exposure to alcohol continues, the worse it gets for your skin cells. The same study found that only two days of exposure was dramatically more harmful than one day of exposure, and that was using an alcohol concentration of less than 10%, which is much lower than what’s in many alcohol-based skin-care products.
This research clearly demonstrates the connection between free-radical damage to skin cells and alcohol exposure. Interestingly, this is exceptionally similar to the free-radical damage that results from excessive consumption of alcohol in the short and long term.
Dimethicone: it’s a silicon oil, man-made in the laboratory and used in personal care products as an anti-foaming agent, skin protectant, and skin and hair conditioner. Manufacturers like it because it makes products easily spreadable, so you get that feeling of the lotion or cream gliding over your skin. Dimethicone also helps form a protective barrier on the skin, and can fill in the fine lines and wrinkles on the face, which is why it’s often used in makeup primers.
Why Dimethicone is Bad for Your Skin? That artificial coating on the outside of skin causes several issues:
It traps everything under it—including bacteria, sebum, and impurities—which could lead to increased breakouts and blackheads
The coating action actually prevents the skin from performing its normal activities—like sweating, temperature regulating, sloughing off dead skin cells, etc.
Prolonged exposure to dimethicone can actually increase skin irritation, due to the coating property and because dimethicone is listed as a possible skin and eye irritant
Those with sensitive or reactive skin are at risk of an allergic reaction to dimethicone
On top of all this, dimethicone is a non-biodegradable chemical—bad for the environment
You’re creating a dependency on the coating product, disrupting the skin’s own hydrating processes, which in the end increases dryness, making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable
The coating properties may increase breakouts, particularly if you’re susceptible to acne, which will lead to scars and older-looking skin
You’re doing nothing to boost the health and vitality of the skin, thus letting aging take its toll
Dihydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: This raw material is a captive molecule of Unilever, trademarked as “Glycerol Quat™”. Glycerol Quat is basically a moisturizing / hydrating agent. Developed by DOW chemical.
Disodium EDTA: primarily used as a preservative and stabilizer, this ingredient is essentially used to prevent products from deteriorating and from smelling rancid. This can usually be found in most skin care products.
Glycerine: (also known as glycerol) has enjoyed a long career as a key moisturizing ingredient, and while it can be obtained from both vegetable or animal fats and oils, it is most commonly derived from biodiesel waste courtesy of the saponification of oil and fat. The non-toxic and eco-friendly substance certainly seals moisture into skin, but it does so while also triggering subdermal skin layers to dry out, creating a chronically chapped sensation.
Glyceryl Stearate: Is chemically used to reduce the greasiness of an oil and to stabilize the product.
Glycol Stearate: produced by chemically reacting stearic acid and ethylene glycol; Like many other long chain oil derived ingredients glycol stearate is used as a skin conditioning agent (emollient), but according to the cosmetic database it is also used as a surfactant, opacifying agent and an emulsifier, find most use in shampoos, body washes and moisturizers (US Department of Health and Human Services).
Hydroxyethyl Urea: this ingredient is derived from the urine and other bodily fluids of animals. Used as a humectant and skin conditioning.
Isopropyl Isostearate: the ester of isopropyl alcohol and isostearic acid, is used as a skin conditioning agent-emollient in cosmetic products.
Magnesium Aluminium Silicate: is a naturally occurring mineral derived from refined and purified clay that is used primarily as a thickener. Although the molecules are too large to be absorbed into skin, there is always concern about the use of aluminum.
Methylparaben: is a chemical preservative used as a fungicide in skin care products that is readily absorbed through the skin. There is controversy over the safety of this ingredient.
Petrolatum: another term for petroleum jelly. Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly (i.e. petroleum jelly). It is used as a barrier to lock moisture in the skin in a variety of moisturizers and also in hair care products to make your hair shine.
A petroleum product, petrolatum can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Studies suggest that exposure to PAHs — including skin contact over extended periods of time — is associated with cancer. On this basis, the European Union classifies petrolatum a carcinogen ii and restricts its use in cosmetics. PAHs in petrolatum can also cause skin irritation and allergies.
In the European Union, petrolatum can only be used in cosmetics “if the full refining history is known and it can be shown that the substance from which it is produced is not a carcinogen.” There is no parallel restriction in Canada. Petrolatum has been flagged for future assessment under the government’s Chemicals Management Plan.
Mineral oil and petroleum distillates are related petroleum by-products used in cosmetics. Like petrolatum, these ingredients may be contaminated with PAHs.
Phenoxyethanol: is a glycol ether that has a commercial, laboratory-produced synthetic counterpart. In its pure chemical form, it is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor, commonly used in perfumes and cosmetics. Other uses for phenoxyethanol are insect repellents, antiseptics, solvents, anesthetics, soaps, cellulose acetate solvents, dyes, stamp pads, ballpoints, inks, and preservatives used for human specimen dissection.
Phenoxyethanol has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and germicidal properties, and is used for preserving pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and lubricants. While it may have those benefits, it also has toxicologic properties when inhaled, ingested, or contacted on the skin in large, or concentrated amounts.
Severe eye and skin irritation and damage, including eczema, hives.
Brain cell damage, central nervous system (CNS) depression which includes decreased breathing rate, decreased heart rate, loss of consciousness leading to coma or death due to inhibition of the brain’s activity.
Repeated, long-term exposure causes organ damage, including peritonitis, serositis, and renal injury.
Nipple cream used by lactating mothers can cause severe CNS problems and other digestive disorders in infants.
Exposure to small amounts of phenoxyethanol may cause dermal, ocular, and lung irritation.
Excessive and long-term exposure to phenoxyethanol can cause severe damage to internal organs.
Small amounts of the chemical compound can be largely found in cosmetics and should be avoided according to the European Commission on Cosmetic Ingredients (CosIng).
Phenoxyethanol is toxic to the kidneys, liver, and nervous system.
Propylparaben: used as an anti-fungal preservative, it occurs as a natural substance found in many plants, although it is manufactured synthetically for use in cosmetics. Use of parabens is quite controversial.
Stearic Acid: is a saturated long-chain fatty acid with an 18-carbon backbone. Stearic acid is found in various animal and plant fats, and is a major component of cocoa butter and shea butter. Stearic acid, also called octadecanoic acid, is one of the useful types of saturated fatty acids that comes from many animal and vegetable fats and oils.
It is a waxy solid, and its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)16COOH. Its name comes from the Greek word stear, which means tallow. Its IUPAC name is octadecanoic acid. — Wikipedia.
Stearic acid is a white, waxy natural acid that can be found in animal and vegetable fats. It is used as an emulsifier and emollient.
Stearic acid can cause skin irritations with symptoms of severe itching, redness, and swelling, and rash-like symptoms similar to tiny red spots.
Stearic acid can also make the skin sensitive to substances and direct exposure to the sun.
Stearic acid cause hive-like spots in the skin which often lead to blisters that can damage the skin.
Stearic acid can be harmful to the environment, particularly the aquatic environment.
Stearic acid can be hazardous to the digestive, immune, integumentary, ocular, and respiratory systems.
Stearamide AMP: it is an organic compound derived from a reaction involving ethylenediamine and stearic acid. It is used as a foam booster and viscosity increasing agent. It is thought to be of low toxicity, however very little information was available.
Triethanolamine:also known as TEA, is a reactionary byproduct of two toxic substances: ethylene oxide and ammonia. Triethanolamine is used for several purposes in a variety of cosmetics and personal care items. Its main purpose is to balance the pH level of products, but it also helps to emulsify ingredients that usually do not blend well. This ensures they spread smoothly on skin and hair and prolongs shelf-life. Additionally, Triethanolamine is a sometimes a foaming agent and adds fragrance to products.
The problem then rests in the hands of the consumer, who may be absorbing small amounts Triethanolamine into their skin via many common products used daily. The accumulation of small doses of this toxic substance then becomes a large dose. Continual daily exposure over long periods of time may be extremely unhealthy.
Triethanolamine can cause skin, hair and eye irritation and inflammation on a short term and long-term basis. Its immediate effects include itchy, watery eyes, dry and brittle hair and itchy skin. Over time, Triethanolamine use can cause chemical damage to skin such as blisters, a hot, burning sensation, hives and flakiness.
In clinical trials done on animals, high doses of Triethanolamine caused liver, bladder and testicular cancer. Similar animal studies showed Triethanolamine can have negative effects on organs, even in low doses, especially when applied around the lips, mouth and eyes. Triethanolamine has also proven to be an immune system and respiratory toxicant, as well as a skin and full body allergen. It may cause genetic mutations in vitro as well.
Additionally, Triethanolamine can be carcinogenic when combined in products with N-nitrosating agents as these may react to form nitrosamines.
DRUGS.COM – Information on Topical Emollients
What is Vaseline Intensive Care?
Emollients are substances that moisten and soften your skin.
Topical (for the skin) emollients are used to treat or prevent dry skin. Vaseline Intensive Care are sometimes contained in products that also treat acne, chapped lips, diaper rash, cold sores, or other minor skin irritation.
Important Information
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use a topical emollient if you are allergic to it. Vaseline Intensive Care will not treat or prevent a skin infection.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use Vaseline Intensive Care if you have: deep wounds or open sores; swelling, warmth, redness, oozing, or bleeding; large areas of skin irritation; any type of allergy; or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
How should I use Vaseline Intensive Care?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Clean the skin where you will apply the topical emollient. It may help to apply this product when your skin is wet or damp. Follow directions on the product label.
Apply a small amount of topical emollient to the affected area and rub in gently.
If you are using a stick, pad, or soap form of topical emollient, follow directions for use on the product label.
Do not use this product over large area of skin. Do not apply a topical emollient to a deep puncture wound or severe burn without medical advice.
If your skin appears white or gray and feels soggy, you may be applying too much topical emollient or using it too often.
Some forms of topical emollient may be flammable and should not be used near high heat or open flame, or applied while you are smoking.
Store as directed away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle, tube, or other container tightly closed when not in use.
What should I avoid while taking Vaseline Intensive Care?
Avoid getting Vaseline Intensive Care in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this does happen, rinse with water.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Some Vaseline Intensive Care can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight or UV rays.
Vaseline Intensive Care side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using the topical emollient and call your doctor if you have severe burning, stinging, redness, or irritation where the product was applied.
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
