Skin Care Tips

. . . . . . . more to follow

Don't wear tight clothes. Things tight around the body (including belts) can cause irritation and don’t allow skin to breathe. Keep clothing clean including scarves and hats.

Remove makeup. This is an always. Over the day makeup collects oils and bacteria. The skin repairs itself at night.

Throw away makeup older than 6-months from date of purchase. Sorry, it's a perishable product that does degrade over time.

Keep hair clean. Minimize getting hair products on the skin which can cause irritation and inflammation.

Protect by using a good sunscreen. Zinc oxide, the physical block ingredient in quality sunscreens, is used as part of acne treatments. It' healing & non-inflammatory

Protect from the sun. Over exposure to sun can cause the body to produce extra sebum, which may worsen acne and inflammation.

Read article about lack of sunscreen here.

The Art of Stillness

By being still we can find that silence that renews us.

Massage Lowers High Blood Pressure

The American Heart Association has published these facts about high blood pressure. 

• High blood pressure has more misconceptions than nearly any other medical condition. Which is why it is so dangerous.
• High blood pressure has NO symptoms and is therefore called the silent killer.
• High blood pressure affects men and women. In fact, women could be at greater risk of high blood pressure dangers than men.
• High blood pressure is both hereditary (runs in families) and caused or exacerbated by lifestyle choices.
• Children as young as 6 could have high blood pressure.

An effective way to stave off high blood pressure or reduce the impact of existing high blood pressure naturally is through massage. Studies show that a consistent massage program can decrease diastolic and systolic blood pressure; decrease salivary and urinary cortisol stress-hormone levels; and lower sources for depression, anxiety and hostility.

If you or someone you know is looking for natural ways to help lower blood pressure, please visit Tamara's.

Benefits of Lower Blood Pressure

• Lower depression, anxiety, and hostility
• Keeps stress hormone levels under control
• Low blood pressure can contribute to lowering the odds of having a heart attack, kidney failure, or a stroke

Can Stress Cause Acne?

Although stress does not directly cause acne, it can aggravate acneic conditions in those who are prone toward acne. Stress increases cortisol. And, long term stress keeps the cortisol levels elevated for long periods of time. Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal gland and it:

* Is a diuretic dehydrating the skin.
* Increases blood sugar.
* Weakens the the immune system.
* Creates inflammation of the skin and other organs.

Common causes of adult Acne are:

* Heredity
* Hormones
* Stress (see above)

In my practice, an acne facial consists of deep cleansing the skin, addressing the infection and inflammation and soothing the soul to calm your stress. It's more than just an acne facial.
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Reflexology and Gallbladder Warning Signs

Did you know that if you have pain on the right upper back/ shoulder area with pain under your right rib cage... Could be your gallbladder and you should get it checked. In Reflexology, the gallbladder is a small area on the arch of the right foot, between the fourth and pinky toes.

The Heart Remembers

Beating 100,000 times a day, this muscle pumps oxygen, food-derived nutrients, hormones and immune cells throughout every square inch of our bodies. By now, most of us know that a healthy diet (a controversial subject in itself), regular exercise, preventative dental care and plenty of fresh air support a healthy cardiovascular system; and that smoking, obesity, acidic blood, noise pollution, exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and a sedentary lifestyle don’t.

• There is no time in utero that the heart starts to beat. The cells beat from the start. As the cells multiply to create the cardiovascular system, they take their cues on how to beat, at what rate, etc. from the mother’s heart. So, when did the mother’s heart begin to beat? If every cell was beating before it was a heart, then how could there be a single moment it became a heart? The heart (and arteries and veins attached), it turns out, is a circulation system with no beginning and no end. Perhaps that is why the Chinese refer to the heartbeat as the cosmic beat.
• The heart remembers. Modern medicine can now confirm that those early Egyptians were right. The heart has its own intelligence and remembers. Much has been written about transplant recipients receiving not only an organ, but the personality traits, temperament and memories of their donor.
• The Chinese pictograph for the word “busy” is composed of two characters: “heart” and “killing”. Hmm…
• That last one reminds me of a quote from Lily Tomlin that a friend shared today: “For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”

Excerpted from Karen Ball

 

What Are Free Radicals and Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are chemicals that break down or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals - chemicals produced as a byproduct of normal cellular metabolism. Under normal circumstances, there is a balance between the rate at which free radicals are produced and the rate at which they are eliminated by the action of antioxidants. Free radicals are destructive in that they cause oxidative damage to tissues - essentially causing tissues to rust like a piece of iron left outside in the weather. They damage proteins, fat and even our DNA. In fact, damage to our tissues by free radicals is thought to underlie the process of aging, a theory first described by Dr. Denham Harmon in his "free radical theory of aging" proposed in 1956. Indeed, Dr. Harmon laid the groundwork for the whole antioxidant industry when he demonstrated that free radicals are "quenched" by antioxidants.

*Note: excerpted from an article by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM Free Radicals: How They Speed the Aging Process originally published in The Huffington Post on January 25, 2011.

Leg or Foot Cramps? Here's Some Simple Do It Yourself Relief

Here are a couple remedies for foot or leg cramps:

For some leg/foot cramps the muscle needs to flex such as with night leg cramps. Keep a long scarf or cord at bedside. When the cramp occurs, lie on your back and bend the opposite leg, loop the scarf or cord around the arch of the foot that is cramping and slowly pull up with both hands flexing the foot and the whole leg. Hold for about 1/2 a minute and release. Do this a couple of times and the cramp normally vanishes.

On the top of the foot between the ankle bones you will find a little hollow. Press there.
If  the cramps are occurring often you may need to see a health professional.

Interested in more about Reflexology? Click here.

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)

Manual Lymph Drainage is a light touch massage therapy that assists the movement of fluids in the tissues. This light rhythmic massage stimulates the lymph vessels and nodes which are part of the endocrine system. This stimulation encourages the natural flow of the lymph fluid quickly decongesting the connective tissue.

Manual Lymph Drainage was developed in the 1930's by Dr. Emil Vodder in France. His technique is effective particularly for head congestion including allergies, nose and throat congestion as well as sinusitis. The Vodder method of Manual Lymph Drainage is a series of systematic and precise massage movements using a combination of practical experiences, anatomical knowledge and intuition. 

I have been trained in the Vodder method of Manual Lymph Drainage for many years. My clients' all rave about the relaxing treatment and the relief that they receive. 

Read more  about this and other holistic services.