Aromatherapy and its Benefits

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that makes use of the body’s sense of smell to help boost your mood, relieve stress as well as encourage better health. Aromatherapy uses volatile liquid plant materials called essential oils, and other compounds from plants for the purpose of healing.

Various fragrant substances are used during aromatherapy sessions, such as aromatherapy soy candles, and each smell can produce a different result. For example, peppermint and eucalyptus scents are often used to help stimulate the body for people who are feeling sluggish. Lavender and chamomile can have the opposite effect as it helps a person relax.  Lemon and rosemary are effective at revitalizing a tired body.

Our sense of smell is very powerful.  In fact, the body can distinguish around 10,000 different scents!  As a scent is inhaled, the smell travels across the olfactory nerves located inside the nose and then up into the part of the brain that controls our moods, our memories and our ability to learn. This area is called the Limbic System and when stimulated it releases endorphins, neurotransmitters and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals. In other words, aromatherapy triggers various responses in the body.
 
Aromatherapy also works by absorbing the essential oils that have been extracted from plants, fruits, herbs and flowers into the blood stream. This method is perfectly safe and if you’ve ever rubbed a fragrant lotion, cream or ointment into your skin or received a massage, you’ve already indulged in this type of aromatherapy.

Fragrances used in aromatherapy are many and are commonly added to:
 
- Lotions
- Inhalants
- Gels
- Candles
- Bath salts
- Vaporizers
- Perfumes, and
- Room sprays

Aromatherapy oils extracted from naturally occurring materials are unlike synthetic fragrances and perfumes which can cause allergies and irritation. Essential oils are safe to use for every one and evidence of its use has been found as far back as Ancient Egyptian civilizations.

Benefits of Aromatherapy

You don’t have to pay someone a fortune to do it - it is something you can learn to do at home

Many people seek out professional massage therapists or visit expensive spas for their aromatherapy sessions. While this is a great way to indulge if you can afford to, it’s easy to learn how to do aromatherapy right in the comfort of your own home. ? All you need are some candles, essential oils or bath oils and a burner or diffuser. ? You will also want to find a comfortable space for your aromatherapy session where you can totally relax.

There’s nothing unhealthy about it - Aromatherapy is a completely natural approach that will improve your health.

Aromatherapy is a great alternative to other treatment options such as prescription medications and caffeine. When used properly, there are no or very few side effects.  Some of the side effects that can emerge are due primarily to a person’s sensitivity to certain ingredients that they might have an allergic response to. Most people are aware of their particular sensitivities so you can easily avoid those.

Aromatherapy is great for alleviating minor discomforts before they become a big deal!

While aromatherapy isn’t going to cure a major illness, it is very effective at:
 
- alleviating minor aches and pains in joints
- improving the functionality of the immune system
- relieving the symptoms of menstrual cramps
- improving your skin tone
- relaxing muscles (something you can do every day if you want)
- lowering blood pressure
- clearing congestion
- improving circulation to the scalp which helps reduce dandruff and helps promote healthy hair growth
- relieving tension that causes headaches, and
- improving sleep

For more information about essential oils go to The Reference Guide for Essential Oils http://www.diffuserworld.com/detail.aspx?ID=93

Aromatherapy and its Benefits / Author: Cathy Taylor

Occupation: Marketing
Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 27 years experience. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creativecommunications@cox.net or by visiting www.howtoconquermenopause.com www.everythingmenopause.com, and www.everythingandropause.com
http://www.everythingmenopause.com

Skin Surgery Options and Treatment

The skin is susceptible to many diseases, discolorations, and growths. It may also be damaged by excessive exposure to the sun and the effects of aging. In most cases, skin problems requiring dermatologic surgery can be addressed in the dermatologist’s office or in an outpatient setting, usually under local anesthesia, with minimal pain, and low risk of complications. There are different types of skin surgeries enumerated below.

Types of Skin Surgery
Skin biopsy - Skin biopsies are performed to help with the diagnosis of your skin condition. Sometimes, different skin conditions can look similar to the naked eye so additional information is required. This is obtained by looking at the structure of the skin under the microscope after the cells have been stained with special coloured dyes.
Excision of skin lesions - A common reason why skin lesions are excised, is to fully remove skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma. If the cancer is not cut out it may spread to the surrounding skin and to other parts of the body (metastasise).

Curettage & cautery - Curettage and cautery or electrosurgery is a procedure in which your dermatologist scrapes off a skin lesion and applies heat to the skin surface.
Skin grafting - A skin graft consists of skin taken from another part of the body and applied to the site where skin is missing. This might follow surgical removal of a skin cancer or a burn. A skin graft is thus a skin transplant. Skin grafts are performed by surgeons (including plastic surgeons) and by some dermatologists.
Mohs microscopically controlled excision - Mohs Micrographic Surgery, an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer, offers the highest potential for recovery—even if the skin cancer has been previously treated. This procedure is state-of-the-art treatment in which the physician serves as surgeon, pathologist and reconstructive surgeon.

Laser Skin Resurfacing - A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can selectively transfer its energy into tissue to treat the skin. The laser makes it possible to change tissue without making an incision. So a surgeon can treat birthmarks or damaged blood vessels, remove port wine stains, and shrink facial “spider veins” without major surgery.
Photodynamic therapy - Applying a chemical called aminolevulinic acid to the skin and exposing the skin to a special light source.

Topical chemotherapy - Applying a chemical such as 5-fluorouracil, diclofenac sodium, or imiquimod to destroy pre-cancerous growths and some cancerous lesions.
Radiation therapy - Using x-rays to destroy tissue in certain types of skin cancer, as well as in selected individuals for whom surgery is not possible.
Dermabrasion - Removing the outer layers of skin and softening irregular edges. After the skin is frozen with a spray medication, a high-speed, rotary abrasive wheel is used.
Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) Applying or spraying liquid nitrogen onto the skin to freeze and destroy the tissue.

Precautions and care for Skin Surgery
Your skin growth will be removed surgically in the office and sent for microscopic examination to be certain it has been completely removed. Unless otherwise instructed, please eat normally and take all regularly prescribed medications.
After surgery, most patients may resume their usual activities; sometimes, there are temporary restrictions on sports, dancing, or other physical activity.
Aspirin makes people bleed more easily, and we prefer that patients not take it for seven days before surgery and for two days after surgery.

If you are taking aspirin, or a medicine containing aspirin, on your own, please stop it for seven days before surgery.
Antibiotics - People who have had hip replacements, have artificial heart valves, or who have mitral valve prolapse often have to take antibiotics before dental procedures.
In the medical literature, most studies show antibiotics are not needed before and after skin surgery. The best thing to do is to check with the doctor who has implanted one of the above devices or the doctor who sees you for this problem.

Stitches (sutures) are used to close the wound after surgery. The type of stitch we use depends on the surgery and your skin. Stitches that need removal are usually taken out 7 to 14 days after surgery. Stitch removal and takes only a few minutes.

 Rachel Broune writes articles for Laser skin surgery . He also writes for makeup tips and skin care and diseases.

Skin Surgery Options and Treatment / Author: Rachel Broune

History of Aromatherapy

“Aromatherapy” word comes from two words: “Aroma”, meaning fragrance, and “Therapy”, meaning treatment. Aromatherapy had been around for 6000 years or more. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient egyptians all used aromatherapy oils. The history of Aromatherapy dates back at least to 4000 BC. Aromatherapy probably began before recorded history, when man discovered that certain plant aromas had soothing, healing effects when they were crushed in the palm of the hand or burnt on the fire. Tribes that had little contact with modern man until quite recent times retained the knowledge of the uses of plants in their areas.

Aromatherapy, as it is practiced today, began with the egyptians, who used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants which were used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as well as embalming. The Chinese may have been one of the first cultures to use aromatic plants for well-being. Their practices involved burning incense to help create harmony and balance. Aromatherapy has also been used for many centuries in India. Greeks borrowed many healing and relaxation techniques from the Egyptians. They used herbs and aromatherapy oils for medicines and cosmetics.

The Greeks continued the use of aromatic oils and used them medicinally and cosmetically. Asclepius (circa 1200 BC) is the first known physician in history who experimented with herbs and plants in his surgeries. The invasions of South America by the conquistadors brought about the discovery of more medicinal plants and aromatic oils. The Aztecs were well known for their plant remedies and the Spanish were amazed at the wealth of medicinal plants found in Montezuma’s botanical gardens. The North American Indians also used aromatic oils and produced their own herbal remedies.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that scientists in Europe and Great Britain began researching the effects of vital oils on bacterium in humans. Essential oils are really expensive to develop, some more then than others, payable to the labour intense procedure and the amount of the plant required to develop the oil. Aromatherapy continues to increase in popularity throughout the southwestern reality and beyond. From the later 20th century and on into the 21st century, there is a growing revival to utilise much normal products including vital oils for curative, cosmetic and fragrant welfare. The consumption of vital oils never ceased.

 Get information on hair styles tips and hair trends in our hairstyles magazine, including sections dealing with shag hairstyles.

History of Aromatherapy  / Author: Juliet Cohen

Healthy Tips For Eye Care

Prevention is better than cure .This is applicable for eye health too. Eye care is better than eye cure. So do take good care of your eyes. This can be done by taking in lot of vitamins especially vitamin A into your diet. Other diets that are rich in minerals are also good to eyes .Some of the exercises can also ensure good eye health .

Eat lots of green, leafy veggies, says Lylas Mogk, M.D., an ophthalmologist who practices in Livonia, Mich. These include kale, collard greens and spinach, which are rich in lutein, an antioxidant that research shows may help preserve eye health and deter the risk of macular degeneration. Wolfberries, which are rich in zeaxanthin, also may be beneficial.

To protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, you need to make sure your regular glasses and sunglasses have 100% UV protection. “That is completely separate from any tint. The fact is that you can have clear lenses with UV coating that will protect you from the harmful rays of the sun,”

We can benefit from Vitamins A, E, and C for overall eye health care. Vitamin A may help reduce risks of night blindness and cataracts. For people who have Vitamin A deficiency, this deficiency has been implicated in blindness and corneal ulcers .For reducing the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, Vitamin E plays an important role.

Pressure in glaucoma will be reduced when you take Vitamin C and it also helps slow age related degeneration and provides resistance to cataracts. Vitamins are rich source of antioxidants and they can help in eye health care because antioxidant helps fight the effects of oxidation that contributes to the destruction of healthy tissues and is strongly implicated in macular degeneration

Deficiency of vitamin A can lead to nightblindess, xerophthalmia including dryness of eyes and corneal ulcer formation leading to blindness.

Vitamin A helps to prevent the progression of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) which is the leading cause of blindness in the world.

Smokers and those consuming alcohol need extra vitamin supplement as tobacco prevents absorption of vitamin A and alcohol depletes it from the body. However smokers should avoid beta carotene supplement as it increases the risk of lung cancer in them.

Food sources: Carrot, mango, sweet potato, papaya, cod liver oil, liver, beef.

Another way to relax your eyes is to place sliced cucumber on the eyelids while you are relaxing in a bath tub.

Try taking short breaks after long hours of working. It is better to do few small eye exercises like blinking eyes several times, rolling the eyeballs while keeping your eyes closed.

Try looking at a distant object in your office or somewhere outside after long working hours. This would help you in improving your eyes focus.

Don’t keep your eyes focused in one place for a sustained period of time. Change your focus. Look up out a window periodically when you’re doing close work, to give your eyes a break. Sustained contraction of the eyes can also lead to a contraction of your upper body and neck. Don’t stare continuously without breaks, as that causes tension on the visual system, and can contribute to vision problems.

 Read about Diet and Recipes and Upload and Share Videos, Photos. Also read about Triphala Internal Cleanser

Healthy Tips For Eye Care / Author: peterhutch