Lifestyle Alternatives - Natural Care of Eczema, Allergies and Chemical Sensitive Skin

Natural Eczema Cream Baobab Body Butter | All Natural Moisturisers | Eczema Soothing & Nourishing Creams

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -1000

MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE ... NATURALLY!

I have searched high and low for the perfect moisturiser for my super sensitive and seriously dry Eczema skin and in my desperation I had to come up with something myself. It seemed to me that my body and my skin was not producing its own natural oils; therefore I figured the logical thing to apply to my skin was ...Oil.

TRISHA'S BLEND BAOBAB BODY BUTTER

Moisturising Eczema Cream

Made with TLC (Trisha’s Loving Care) this Moisturiser Blend contains exotic butters and essential oils, I also decided to develop this blend with NO nut oils because so many people have sensitivity or allergies to nuts.

During my research for something quite unique and specific toward eczema skin, I came across The Baobab Tree also known as "The Tree Of Life." It is well known in Africa for its healing properties not only on the skin in particular but also the Baobab fruit has been used as food and a medicinal plant, for hundreds of years. Its bark has strong fibres and is used to make rope and fabrics. The Fruit contains high levels of Vitamin C, calcium and dietary fibers. Recent studies have shown that baobab fruit is an excellent antioxidant and has probiotic properties.

For generations, Baobab Seed Oil has been known for its skin healing properties. It is particularly good with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is known to be a superb skin moisturiser and it absorbs quickly without leaving an oily residue.

Baobab seed oil is rich in Omega-3, -6 & -9 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids are important in the maintenance of healthy skin. It also contains Vitamin D, Palmitic, Oleic and Linoleic acids. Topical applications have shown to alleviate chronic dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

I have also used Kokum Butter in this blend. It has the ability to soften skin and heal ulcerations and fissures of lips, hands and soles of feet. Kokum butter helps reduce degeneration of the skin cells and restores elasticity.

I have discovered that the combination of these two ingredients as well as the inclusion of 4 carrier/essential oils, including the gorgeous Rosehip Oil and natural Vitamin E has proved to be an extrememly good healing Moisturiser on my eczema skin.

This Moisturiser is my personal Favourite.

MOISTURISING FACT FILE...

Initially I started with Olive Oil and Lavender. I found the olive oil too heavy on my skin and too strong an aroma so I started researching Aromatherapy and Essential Oils. I needed a moisturiser that would NOT irritate my sensitive skin but would soothe and nourish, hydrate, protect and heal my skin; a Moisturiser that would also help repair old and new damage.

For me, an added factor is that I am not getting any younger. My skin is now classed as mature skin and it has some different requirements than younger skin. In developing a Moisturiser I wanted to create a product that was suitable for both young and mature skin.

I cannot stress to you enough the importance of moisturising your skin daily. If I were to give you only one important piece of information today it would be exactly that ...

MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE! ...

EVERY day, at least twice a day; as often as you need ... I would hope that your doctor has told you the same.

Sorbolene Vs Nature

The difference between your doctor and me is what each of us would recommend to you. No doubt your doctor, specialist or health care professional would be recommending Sorbolene Cream or some other Aqueous Cream to you.

I was bought up on Sorbolene and Aqueous creams and right up to the day I stopped using them, they irritated my skin. Apart from that I would find myself going through a litre or more each week, it never seemed to provide enough moisture to my skin and would irritate and itch on my skin. Many people I have spoken to with eczema say the same thing - it really does irritate their skin condition.

The recipe for sorbolene cream has changed dramatically over the last 40 years and at this point is really quite a cocktail of chemicals passing for a moisturiser! Sorbolene Cream is a petro-chemical or mineral oil product. It contains many chemical additives that are known to have adverse side effects especially on prolonged or repeated contact and particularly on sensitive skin. Check out my report on Sorbolene Cream on this website ... I'm sure you'll find it very interesting and more than a little disturbing!

FEEDBACK...

Hi Trish

I received my order (Baobab Body Butter) on Monday and straight away tried it on my little boy’s skin at lunch time, then put more on before he went to bed and more after his bath this morning and the eczema has just about completely gone.

I did what u said and have been bathing him in manuka honey and together it works a treat.

Thank you for all your advice… I am so excited that something has finally worked, I bragged about it to the mums in my mother’s group as some of their little ones have eczema too, so you should get some more orders coming from this way.

Donna & a very happy Max (11 weeks old)

Morphetvale, South Australia

Hi Trish, just wanted to let you know that I got my body butter yesterday. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! I put it on after my shower last night and my skin felt smoother when I woke up this morning. Now that spring is here in Texas there are all kinds of pollen floating in the air and I think it's affecting my skin. It's been real bumpy and itchier than usual. The cream really smoothed out the little bumps and along with an OTC antihistamine it felt much better today. I will definitely be ordering the larger size soon.

Thanks~~~Sherry

Hi Trish, thanks so much for getting my order out quickly. I am so glad I found your website. Your body butter is far and away the best moisturizer I have ever used; it's so soothing and I feel good knowing that it's a safe product. The borage oil lotion I'm using now is ok but nowhere near as effective as your body butter, just something to use while waiting on my order. Being as this is a chronic problem, I will be using this ALOT and most likely ordering on a monthly basis. Got any larger sized available?

Thanks again ~~~Sherry

Grand Prairie, Texas

TRISHA'S BLEND TOTALLY NATURAL MOISTURISING BALM

This Blend has been developed exclusively from plant derived materials. Each natural ingredient has been specially selected for its unique properties and actions on dry, mature and eczema skin. Some of the ingredients have natural preservative qualities of their own as well as having their own subtle aroma, so no added fragrance is necessary. I have added natural Vitamin E for its action on the skin and as an extra preservative. This Moisturiser Blend contains natural Butters of the Shea and Cocoa plants and a combination of 7 cold pressed and essential oils (including two Nut oils (not peanut)).

You don't have to have eczema to use this Moisturiser. It is a 100% Natural Moisturising Alternative to sorbolene creams and a good quality Natural Moisturiser fo dry skin conditions.

For those of you with sensitivity to nuts, perhaps the Baobab Body Butter - which DOES NOT contain nut oils - would be more suitable for you.

Trial & Error

I understand how difficult it is to try something new on your skin. I encourage you to simply try a small 50gr jar before spending too much money. Try it on your hands or a small test patch somewhere on your body for a few days to see how your skin responds before smothering yourself with it. It is always wise to patch test any new moisturiser or cosmetic on your skin. If you have a negative response to this moisturiser simply wash it off with warm water.

NATURAL SKIN NUTRITION LOOKS LIKE THIS ...

Shea Butter: A soft ivory butter obtained from the Shea Nut Kernel.

· Excellent emollient

· Long lasting Protection

· Protects from harsh weather conditions

· Relieves chapped skin exposed to wind or cold.

· Soothes skin reducing irritation

· Revitalises the appearance of the skin

· Good for all skin types especially dry

· Excellent for eye and neck areas

Cocoa Butter: A solid yellow butter obtained from the cocoa seed.

· Excellent emollient

· Long lasting Protection

· High in vitamin E

· Softens and lubricates

· Good for all skin types especially dry

occlusive - draws in and closes pores

· Excellent for eye/neck/lip areas

Kokum Butter: A light Brown Butter obtained from the seed of the Garcinia Indica.

· ability to soften the skin

· heal ulcerations and fissures of lips, hands and soles of feet

· reduce degeneration of the skin cells

· restores elasticity

Baobab Seed Oil: Obtained from the Baobab Tree seed.

· high content Vitamins A, D, E & F

· moisturising benefits to the skin and hair

· absorbs quickly

· improves skin elasticity

· encourages regeneration of skin cells

· does not clog the pores

Natural Vitamin E: may be obtained from wheatgerm and other plant products.

· nourishes, moisturises and regenerates skin cells

· Antioxidant properties

· protects against fine lines and wrinkles

· helps prevent damage from environmental elements

· improves elasticity

· promotes healing of damaged skin

 Add to these my special Blends of cold pressed and Essential oils. . .

Each ingredient has been specially considered as an important attribute in these soothing, nourishing, repairing and hydrating moisturisers for your sensitive skin.

COMBINED ATTRIBUTES OF THE COLD

· Light consistency

· Moisturising & softening

· Fast penetrating

· Rich in Vitamins A, B, C, D E & F

· Excellent for Eczema & Psoriasis

· Good occlusive properties (draws in)

· Moisturises aging skin

· Smoothes wrinkles, softens, protects

· Helps prevent the signs of ageing

· Rejuvenating - reduces scarring

· Soothes itching

· revitalises the skins appearance

· promotes elasticity

· prevents the appearance of ageing

PRESSED AND ESSENTIAL OILS

· Easily absorbed

· Soothes the irritation of dry skin

· Rich in Omega-3,-6 & -9 essential fatty acids

· Repairs UV damage

· Restores pH level

· Leaves skin with a healthy looking glow

· Rich in Beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals

· emotional effect -Stress relief

· Beautiful calming aroma

· Low odour, very stable oils

· natural emollient

· reduces roughness and cracking

How to use ...

You will receive with your moisturiser a little plastic spatular or applicator. Use this to dip into your cream so that you do not contaminate your moisturiser with bacteria from your hands or under your fingernails. I would recommend that you always wash your hands before applying moisturiser and keep your little applicator clean.

These Moisturisers will melt upon contact with the skin. To apply your moisturisers, place a small amount in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to melt the moisturiser for easy massage into your skin. Melting it in your hands will make a little bit of moisturiser go a long way. You can use this moisturiser all over your body - from head to toe.

Two CAUTIONS - Use with care around your eyes and;

most definitely avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

We should all avoid prolonged sun exposure to avoid melanomas and skin cancers and those of us with eczema and very sensitive skin should practice this even more so.

When using a moisturiser such as this you are applying oils to your skin; so to then expose your skin to the sun for long periods is very unwise, you might as well be frying, roasting or basting yourself!

How to keep your Moisturiser ...

Light, heat and oxygen destroy natural oils, so all your oils (including cooking oils) should be stored in a cool dark place, such as your pantry, bathroom cabinets or the linen closet. I would suggest that if you live in a very warm climate you store it in the refrigerator. The exotic butters/oils used in this blend will all melt upon contact with the skin and will definitely melt in the warmer climates and solidify in colder temperatures.

Keeping it in the fridge also helps to keep the oils stable and lasting longer. During summer especially, I find that applying my moisturiser cool from the fridge is very cooling on my skin which is helpful during very hot weather. As a part of this condition, there are a lot of times where my body and skin feel quite hot, even on a cold day so applying a cool Moisturiser is, in itself cooling and soothing.

If your Moisturiser should melt in the heat, simply put it in the coldest part of the freezer for around 30 minutes to solidify it. Cooling it quickly will stop it from becoming grainy.

VITAMIN D

The human condition requires Vitamin D from the sun, however, you dont need to bake yourself in the sun to get what you need. Day to day activities outdoors on a sunny day is enough to gain vitamin D. The Active Ingredient Baobab Seed Oil in my moisturiser has Vitamin D.

When you are outdoors Slip on a long sleeved cotton top and throw on a hat and sunglasses whilst you are out and about and protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun as well as early unwanted wrinkles!

It is worth checking with your doctor in regards to your Vitamin D level as Vitamin D is very important for the funtion of the Immune System. If you are low in Vit. D you can take a supplememnt. Talk to your health care professional about it.

If you live in a grey, cool climate you might consider a vitamin D supplement.

All in all take good care of your skin, you only get once chance at it. Skin cancers and deepset wrinkles during our older years are often the result of damage caused in our younger years. So, take the time to care for your skin now and it will serve you well as you get older.

PRODUCT NAME

AVAILABLE BY

AVAILABLE THROUGH

CONTACT DETAILS

$$$

Aud

Trisha's Blend Baobab Body Butter

Trisha's Blend Totally Natural Moisturiser

Online shopping

Allow for postage costs

Looking for Alternatives web site

Web:

Looking For Alternatives

www.lookingforalternatives.com.au

trish@lookingforalternatives.com.au

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT ME. PREFER THE NUT FREE BLEND? PLEASE CONTACT ME. NEED A LARGER QUANTITY? PLEASE CONTACT ME

50gr= $14.75

100gr= $22.50

200gr= $38.95

Larger quantities available by arrangement

Gluten Free Tabouli | Allergy Friendly Recipe | Super Easy Gourmet Food on an Allergy Diet

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -1000

TWISTED TABOULI

Well, we could just call it Ab-Fab Tabouli or Tabouli with a Twist or Quinoa Tabouli, Kidney Toning Tabouli or maybe after you've made it you might come up with something amazing - Tabouli Magic or Tabouli - no, there's only enough left for me!

Wheat & Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Peanut Free, Corn Free.

The measurements are only a guide - add or subtract according to your individual taste and the quantity required.

This recipe makes a good amount for two people who love it and probably lasts for two and a half meals. I tend to have it as a meal with a chunk of bread smeared with avocado all over it and hoummus to dip into - whatever tickles your taste-buds.

The only problem with this dish is that you run the risk of being a complete piggy and eating too much or hiding it in the fridge and pretending it's all gone so that you don't have to share it!

~~ SUPER EASY & SUPER YUMMY ~~

INGREDIENTS

1 cup of Quinoa - available at most good Health Food Shops and some supermarkets with a good health food section. Soak in cold water for 15mins, then rinse well before cooking.

1 Large bunch of Parsley - curly or flat leaf or a mixture of both - washed & dried.

Optional, but not essential, is the addition of Mint. Washed & dried. Be prepared for the delights of mint that linger long after eating it!

1 - 2 medium sized Lebanese Cucumbers - skin on (wash first) or off, your choice - cut the vegetable down the length of it and using a spoon gently scrape out the seeds, then dice the cucumber into small squares

1 - 2 tomatoes (round or roma) - deseeded and chopped into small pieces - If tomato is a problem for you - Just leave it out.

Either a small Spanish(red)Onion- my preference - or a few eschallots finely diced/chopped

Crush 2 - 3 Medium sized cloves of fresh garlic - depends on your love of garlic

Pinch of Salt

Juice of one lemon

Olive oil (quantity is difficult - I do a good Jamie Oliver ‘lug' of oil). Try a tablespoon at a time and see how it goes (you don't want too much oil sitting in the bottom of the bowl; you just want to dress the contents)

STEP 1.

Cook the QUINOA (pronounced keen-wa)

Ratio is always 1:2, the same as rice. 1 cup of Quinoa: 2 cups of water.

Place in small saucepan with the lid on, bring to the boil then drop the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, remove from the stove and leave the lid on as it needs to sit for 15 - 20 minutes to finish cooking. (DO NOT peak into the pot as the Quinoa needs all the steam to finish the cooking process).

After 15-20 minutes you can remove the lid to cool the Quinoa more quickly - if you're in a hurry to get this on the table - otherwise prepare it earlier in the day and allow it to stand and cool to room temperature.

STEP 2.

Preparation

Whilst the Quinoa is cooking, steaming and cooling off, take this opportunity to prepare the rest of your ingredients as described.

STEP 3.

Making Twisted Tabouli

Finely chop your Parsley and Mint or even better, bung it in the food processor for a quick and easy option. Combine with the rest of the prepared vegetables in a medium size bowl and when the Quinoa is cool, mix it through with the other ingredients; dress with the salt, lemon juice and olive oil to taste.

Bon appétit,

Love, Beth

NUTRITIONAL NOTES

Quintessential Quinoa

Ancient staple food of the Incas
Has the highest protein content of all the grains
Has more calcium than milk
Higher in essential fatty acids (good fats) content than any other grain
Good source of iron, phosphorous, B vitamins and vitamin E
Generally strengthening for the whole body; specifically tonifies the kidney yang (warming and energising function of the body) and the pericardium functions.

Pleasurable Parsley

Can improve digestion
Detoxifies meat or fish poisoning (if you can eat after the poisoning)
Several times the amount of vitamin C than citrus contains
High source of pro-vitamin A, chlorophyll, calcium, sodium, magnesium and iron.
Can promote urination and can be effective for nearly all kidney and urinary difficulties, although not in the case of severe kidney inflammation as it is a warming food.
May strengthen the adrenal glands and benefits the optic and brain nerves.
Often used as a cancer preventative.
Should not be used by breast feeding mothers as it can dry up milk production.

Okay, with all that goodness, how could you not want to make it a regular part of your diet?

A great variation on this is to use half millet, half quinoa and cook in the same way. Millet has amazing qualities that will make you want to find a way to incorporate it into your eating life.

Magnificent Millet

Useful to include in your diet if you have diabetes.
May be beneficial to the stomach and spleen-pancreas
Moistens dryness
May strengthen the kidneys
Diuretic
One of the two alkalising grains (the other is buckwheat) - can balance over-acid conditions
Can retard bacterial growth in the mouth
High amino acid (protein) profile
Antifungal - fantastic grain for Candida Albicans overgrowth
May soothe morning sickness

• While Millet doesn't contain gluten as such, it does contain gliadin which is a protein that is a principal toxic component of wheat gluten. This means that many coeliac sufferers get a significant negative reaction to Millet. This should be approached with advice, and included or excluded in your diet based on your own digestive sensitivities.

Adapted from Healing with Wholefoods, Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition, Paul Pitchford, North Atlantic Books, California, 1993

Eczema friendly | 100% Natural Cleanser | Chemical Free Cleanser

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -1000

GREEN AUSSIE CLEANER

Don’t be fooled by the name. This product has many Domestic and Commercial applications.

It is a 100% natural product made from environmentally safe, naturally occurring ingredients including renewable plant crops. It contains biodegradable natural oils, including naturally grown Spearmint oil from Tasmania. It has a soft, fresh, clean, minty aroma to it. This product is Owned and Made by Aussies.

I've been using this product for around almost 10 years around my home for many different applications. I find it friendly toward my eczema and chemical sensitive body and it gives me peace of mind knowing it is also environmentally friendly.

My experience with this product includes personal and domestic applications.

I am happy to recommend Green Aussie Cleaner as an Eczema Friendly product.

Breakfast | Gourmet Food on an Allergy Diet

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -1000

YE OLDE FASHIONED BREAKFAST!

REALLY TASTY PORRIDGE

Now, now, don't roll your eyes, go eeewww or think how boring ...

Porridge doesn't have to be bland and boring. It makes a highly nutritious start to your day; it only takes 5-10 minutes to prepare and cook and you can add any number of delicious flavours to jazz it up and create a delicious morning meal.

PLEASE NOTE: SADLY MODERN OATS CAN CONTAIN GLUTEN: Oats are often grown next to wheat fields and cross contamination occurrs. Oats are also often processed on machinery that has processed Wheat, thus cross contamination occurrs. If you know your oats have been processed on wheat free machinery or grown apart from wheat, you may find them free of gluten.

Starting your day with a fast, easy and delicious meal such as this, will cover some very important nutritional 'm ust haves' for the day ...

Oats provides - beta-glucan (bad cholesterol fighter), fibre, skin repair and is immuno-supportive; Amaranth is chock full of - protein, amino acids lysine and methionine, dietary fibre as well as iron, phosphorus, copper, calcium, manganese and silicon. Cinnamon offers Vitamins C & K; Nutmeg aids digestion; Vanilla for the nervous system and Maple Syrup offers extras such as Potassium and Magnesium as well as Vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin. Add to that your recommended 2 serves of fruit per day and WOW ... ... what an easy, tasty and very nutritious way to kick off your day.

Bonus - You won't be looking for a sugar hit by mid morning!

NOW, THIS IS HOW YOU MAKE PORRIDGE!

The quantities in this recipe will do one or two people, or keep a serving for brekky tomorrow!

Start with: Add flavour with:

approx 1 cup Rolled Oats 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 TBspn Maple Syrup

¼ cup Amaranth Cereal Pinch of nutmeg Splash of vanilla extract

around 2 Cups water

Amaranth is optional of course

Cooking your porridge ...

Place all the above ingredients into a pot
Put it on a hotplate. Bring to the boil and then turn the heat down a little so as not to burn your brekky.
Keep your porridge stirred. You'll know it's cooked when the oats have softened and the mixture looks creamy - around 5 - 7 minutes.

NOW THE REALLY TASTY PART ...

Turn the heat right down and ADD YOUR CHOICE OF FRUIT. You only need to stir the fruit in for a few minutes to warm it through your porridge.

NOTE: If you are adding grated Apple and/or Pear, grate the fruit into the pot at the start with all the ingredients so it cooks well and releases some of its juice.

Adding fruit will give you the recommended one to two servings of fruit for the day depending on what you add as well as jazz up your porridge! Berries, especially blueberries are a great natural antioxidant and will sweeten up your porridge.

Some Fruity ideas:

Grate a small apple or ½ a large apple
Try Pear - it's just as tasty
Add a handful of seasonal Mixed Berries or your favourite Berry - Frozen berries are always in season! Definately my Favourite
Peaches - fresh or goulburn valley sliced peaches - roughly chop or smash up with a potato masher ... ... Goulburn Valley brand peaches have no preservatives
½ a passionfruit - if you don't like the seeds, just strain the pulp
Mango - mmmmmmmmmm ... roughly chop or smashed
Apricots - fresh or bottled - check for no preservatives - roughly chopped or smashed
Try adding a combination of twoof the fruits ie.,
1. peaches and passionfruit;
2. Mango & apple;
3. Pear & apple;
4. Peaches & mango;
5. Apple & passionfruit;
6. Apricots & pear
7. Mango & Passionfruit
8. Your favourite fruit

What about Sultanas! ... You could try Sultanas and Pecans (roughly chopped) - add with the dry ingredients so as to cook and soften a little.

... ... CREATE YOUR OWN SIGNATURE COMBINATION ... ...

Serve your brekky hot and add a little more Maple Syrup over the top if you like things sweet.

So you see - Porridge can be very very tasty.

Not only is the mix of Oats, Amaranth, sweet Spices and Fruit really yummy, it is an extremely nutritious way to start your day; full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

You will certainly kick start your metabolism and energy levels for the morning. Best of all you can cook and eat your breakfast inside of 15 minutes.

Let's look at the 'The Queen of Grains' a little closer and see just why Rolled Oats or 'Porridge' is a great breakfast and an easy way to nourish your skin from the inside-out.

OATS (Botanical name Avena Sativa)

The humble Oat is perhaps the most nutritious of all the grains and has been referred to as the "Queen of Grains'. Oats have been around for a long time, dating back to around 2,000 B.C. in the Middle East and back to around 1,000 B.C.in Germany. Recent research has focused on the ability of the oat to reduce blood cholesterol. High in fibre, oats are an effective laxative and also feature Protease Inhibitors (an enzyme that breaks down proteins) - a combination that has been found to inhibit certain cancers.

In laboratory studies reported in the August 2004, a compound discovered in Oats called Beta-glucan was found to significantly enhance the human Immune System's response to bacterial infection. Beta-glucan not only helps Neutrophils (the most abundant type of non-specific immune cell) navigate to the site of an infection more quickly but also enhances its ability to eliminate the bacteria it finds there. According to study leader, Jonathan Reichner (of the Department of Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University), priming Neutrophilswith Beta-glucan helps these Immune defenders quickly locate the bacterial mother-load within infected tissue. This more rapid response to infection results in faster microbial clearance and healing.

Since our non-specific Immune defenses are the body's first strike forces against invading pathogens, starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal may boost your Immune response in addition to your morning energy levels.

OAT-FACTS

Beta glucan, a soluble fiber in whole oats, stimulates repair of skin cells. It may help reduce wrinkles, protect against UV damage, help heal wounds and improve hair strength.
Oat beta-glucan increases immune function which decreases the risk of herpes virus infection.
Oat beta-glucan reverses chemically-induced immuno-suppression.
Oat beta-glucan improves immune function and enhances resistance to parasites.
Oat beta-glucan improves multiple immune functions and increases resistance to staph infection (Staphylococcus aureus).

MORE NUTRITIOUS FACTS

Amaranth - Available at Health Food Shops and some supermarkets

Amaranth is an exceptionally complete protein. It contains protein and amino acids lysine and methionine. Amaranth's amino acid/protein profile is even higher than that found in meat and other animal products. Amaranth provides a good source of dietary fibre as well as iron, phosphorus, copper, and especially manganese. It contains more calcium and the supporting calcium co-factors - magnesium and silicon - than milk. It has a cooling thermal nature, a bitter sweet flavour; it dries dampness and benefits the lungs.

Several studies have shown that like Oats, Amaranth seed may be of benefit for those with hypertension and cardiovascular disease; regular consumption reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while improving antioxidant status and some immune parameters. It is especially helpful for those with consistently elevated nutritional needs such as pregnant and nursing women, children and those who do heavy physical work as well as those with auto-immune conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, allergies etc. Health workers have reported that in parts of Africa and Latin America where it is eaten, there is no malnutrition.

Amaranth was used in several Aztec ceremonies, where images of their gods were made with Amaranth mixed with Honey. The images were cut to be eaten by the people. This looked like the Christian communion to the Roman Catholic priests, so the cultivation of the grain was forbidden for centuries.

Because of its importance as a symbol of indigenous culture, and because it is very palatable, easy to cook and its protein particularly well suited to human nutritional needs, interest in the grain Amaranth was revived in the 1970s.

It was recovered in Mexico from wild varieties and is now commercially cultivated. It is a popular snack sold in Mexico City and other parts of Mexico, sometimes mixed with chocolate or puffed rice, and its use has spread to Europe and other parts of North America.

Amaranth and quinoa are called pseudo-grains because of their flavor and cooking similarities to grains and both contain exceptionally complete protein from plant sources.

EXTRA NUTRITIONAL TIPS

Cinnamon -Balances out your blood sugar levels; rich in calcium, iron, manganese, fiber and Vitamins C & K.

Nutmeg - A very good source of manganese, can enhance digestion, supports the adrenal glands and assists the nervous system.

Vanilla - Nerve stimulant and Aphrodisiac.

Maple Syrup - A source of Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Manganese as well as Vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin.

The above information was sourced from Department of Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, and other internet searches using the words ‘oats' and ‘skin nutrition.' As well as Websites - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranto, www.alfalfahouse.org/html/PRODUCTS/SPECIFIC_PRODUCTS/amaranth.htm, www.peertrainer.com, lowcarbdiets.about.com

Chicken & Vegetable Soup-Gluten Free | Allergy Friendly Recipes | Gourmet Food on an Allergy Diet

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -1000

WARM WINTER SOUP with FINGER TOAST

Here is a fantastic recipe for good old fashioned Chicken and Vegetable Soup to keep you warm on a chilly winters' day or help you get through a cold or flu. Serve with Finger Toast for a warm comforting meal.

It is not complicated; it just requires throwing together a selection of your favourite vegetables, a whole chook, and a couple of flavour makers (herbs/spices). It beats anything you can buy in a tin, is highly nutritious and tasty and of course has none of the nasty additives that you may find in processed tinned or packet soups. It is filling, easily digested, non- fattening and most of all, as Ned Flanders might say . .. scrum-diddly-doodly-umptious!

Winter is a time of year when we are mostly looking to warm foods for our meals. Mmmm, soup, the perfect winter meal. Soup can be whatever you want it to be. There are no great secrets; you can create your own personal recipe according to the foods you like. Preparation time is minimal - however long it takes to collect a few ingredients and chop up your vegetables. Cooking time, however, is the key. Use plenty of water and with the lid on and the heat way down low, allow 1.5 - 2.5 hours for your soup to boil gently - cook it slowly (the key), this way you retain the flavours and most importantly the nutrition - the all important vitamins and minerals.

This soup is very easy. You can use the same vegetables as in this recipe or choose your own favourites according to the vegetables you like and the ones you are not allergic to. The vegetables I use are because I like them; because of their nutritional value to my immune system and skin and because they cause me no allergic response. The quantities used will of course vary according to how many people you are cooking for. This recipe makes enough for 2-4 people and extra serve or two to go in the freezer.

Organic chicken or not organic chicken, that is the question? Even though it is a little more expensive when it comes to chicken, I stick with Organic chicken, raised free range and free of antibiotics and other growth stimulators. I believe it important to my overall health for the long-term; and personally, I find the way caged chickens are raised and fed offensive.

Always use a whole chicken. Using a whole chicken offers much more nutritional benefits than using breast meat or thigh fillets. When you have a cold or flu, chicken soup (amoung other things) is an excellent remedy for warmth, nutrition and fluids. Foods consumed during a cold or flu or even emphysema should aid in the clearing of mucus from the body. Chicken soup is good for these conditions because the chicken contains Cysteine, which thins mucus and is useful for all respiratory problems.

Some of the above information was sourced from Nutrition Almanac, John D. Kirschmann & Nutrition Search Inc.

Let's get cooking ...

SOUP INGREDIENTS

Approximately 3.5 to 4 Litres of water in a large soup pot

1 Whole Chicken

1 tsp Salt

1 medium to large onion - roughly chopped

2-4 cloves of Garlic - just squash with flat of knife

1 - 2 Bay leaves - fresh or dried

½ bunch parsley - washed & dried then roughly chopped

1 large carrot or 2 medium carrots - roughly chopped into bite size pieces

1 bunch Bok Choy - washed & dried then roughly chopped

A sizeable chunk of Pumpkin - skin removed, roughly chopped into bite size pieces

1 medium Sweet Potato - roughly chopped into bite size pieces, skin on or off - up to you

A generous handful of snow-peas - cut or broken into bite size pieces

-or any other seasonal green vegetable

that you like ie., zucchini, broccoli.

Something to remember: Wash all your vegetables well. Use a soft nylon kitchen brush to scrub away pesticide residue.

HOW TO

Firstly remove your whole chicken from its packaging, quickly rinse inside & out in cold water and place in a large saucepan or soup pot.
Add 3.5 to 4 litres of water (filtered or spring where possible).
Toss in the salt, garlic, onion and Bay leaf then place the saucepan on the stove with the lid on and set element on high so as to bring the water to the boil.
While you are waiting for the water to come to the boil, start chopping your other vegetables adding them to the pot as you go.
Once the water is boiling well, reduce the element heat so the water boils gently - simmer with the lid on for up to 2.5 hours. Every so often, carefully take off the lid and push the vegetables around a little.

To give your soup some weight, add a generous cup of barley or brown rice at the beginning of the cooking process. Keep an eye on the water though; the grains will soak up a portion of the water; so, as you see the water level drop, just top up the soup pot with hot water from the kettle (so as not to lose your boil).

You'll know when your soup is ready because the meat of the chicken will fall away from the bones very easily and fall apart in shreds. When the soup is ready, remove from the heat and allow it to sit and cool for a little while, long enough to be able to handle it without scalding yourself.

Remove the whole chicken (and any bones that have come away), from the soup pot into a strong standing colander/strainer. Strip away the meat from the bones and return it (the meat) to the soup pot. Do not include any skin or gristle. Discard the bones, gristle and skin. Soup-making tip - If you use a standing colander you'll have both hands free. Stand the colander in another dish - you can catch juices from the chicken carcass and return into the soup.
Pour your soup into a container with an airtight lid (or use plastic wrap over the container and place in the fridge overnight. A layer of solidified fat will form on the surface of the soup. You can use a spatula or a kitchen ladle to scrape off the top layer of fat. Underneath you will find your delicious chicken and vegetable soup. Another soup-making tip - If you want to stretch your soup a little further, at this point you could add another litre of water.

Your soup is now ready. To serve it needs reheating, which is as long as it will take to prepare some yummy Finger Toast. Now, that wasn't so complicated or difficult.

You do need to allow yourself time with soup, especially chicken or other meat soups. Refridgeration solidifies the fat and makes for easy removal thus giving you very low fat soup.

Purely vegetable soups do not need this procedure so you can tuck in as soon as it's ready!

FINGER TOAST

This way of preparing bread has been around for a long time; I don't know where it originated, except that whilst growing up and into my adult years I enjoyed many a meal with people of mediteranean backgrounds and this was often an accompanyment to soups. The bread they used, however, was often thick, crusty, chunky and home baked - mmmm, mmm!

Whatever bread you choose to use is entirely up to you. You may have discovered some of the safe and healthy breads at the Health Food Shop in their freezer. If you haven't yet, go and check it out. You may even be making you own. My local Health food shop has several types of alternative grain breads such as , Buckwheat bread, Rice bread and other specialty gluten free breads.

Ok, back to the Toast ...

Ingredients

Choose your Bread

Rice Bran Oil

Salt - Rock-, Sea- or Herbamare - My fave is herbamare

How To...

Place your bread into the toaster - while the bread is toasting, prepare on a flat dish a thin spread of Rice Bran Oil covering the plate.

Lightly sprinkle your favourite salt evenly across the oil.

When the toast is ready, lay it flat on the plate for a couple of seconds - to soak up a little salted oil - not too much!

Remove to a clean plate and cut the toast into sticks.

Repeat this for each slice of toast. You may have to replenish the salt and oil as you go depending on how much toast you have.

Your Finger Toast is now ready to dip into your soup. Bon Apetite.

Goats Milk Soap | Eczema friendly Soap & Body cleanser | 100% Natural body cleansers

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -1000

SOAPS & BODY CLEANSERS

Washing and personal hygiene are essential tools in maintaining good health all-round especially when it comes to the health of your skin. Clean, moisturised skin is very important to those who suffer with eczema. The big issue facing those with sensitive skin, particularly Eczema skin is what to use as a cleanser; what is available that will not irritate the skin and cause further drying, itching and rashing? So many modern soaps contain foaming agents, artificial fragrances and colours as well as chemical nasties such as sodium lauryl sulphate which cause alot of irritation and further exacerbate eczema and other skin conditions.

Soap has enjoyed a very long history of invention and use throughout mankind's journey to good hygiene. The earliest recorded evidence of soap-like materials dates back to around 2800BC in Ancient Babylon where a recipe for soap was discovered (written on a clay tablet) consisting of water, alkali and cassia oil. It is indicated that ancient Egyptians who bathed regularly learned to combine animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts to create a soap-like substance.

SAFE SOAPS

I've always been on the search for suitable soaps and cleansers; unfortunately even those soaps advertised for sensitive skins or allergy skin I still find irritatating as they contain some ingredients that are chemically based. In the past I even tried sorbolene cream as my soap (as directed by my doctor) and tolerated its use because there wasn't much else available.

Things have changed over the last 10 years because consumers are looking for more natural products and the demand has bought forth some great products.

GOAT'S MILK SOAP

Goat's Milk Soap is gentle on the skin due to the pH level being similar to that of our own. Naturally containing Alpha Hydroxy Acid, this natural exfoliant removes dead skin cells; indirectly it is able to improve irritable skin conditions.

Goat's Milk has high amounts of protein, fat, iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B and Vitamin A. These beneficial nutrients help replenish and gently pamper the skin. The Vitamins it contains also means that Goat's Milk has some anti-inflammatory properties that can assist in reducing redness. Including it's gentle calming effecgt, Goats Milk is widely used to brighten the skin's complexion.

This Goat's Milk Soap is Handcrafted and an affordable product providing gentle natural cleansing with Moisturising benefits. The product is made with sensitive skin types in mind by a woman who has suffered with the same eczema condition.

Her Milk is obtained from her own Goats and not highly processed so retains all its natural goodness. The soap is all natural and Fragrance Free.

I love it and hope it benefits your skin as it has my own.

PRIYA Olive Oil Soap

This is Soap is all natural, smells lovely and feels silky on my skin. It does not irritate my skin nor does it dry my skin. A quality eczema friendly product.

Used as a skin purifier for over 3,000 years, Olive Oil provides your skin with essential oils and nutrients to leave it invigorated and refreshed. This bar contains 100% Olive oil, Palm Oil (obtained from sustainable forests) and an exclusive blend of essential oils to leave your skin smooth and aromatic every time you use it. It contains no animal fats and is made in Australia. It does not contain synthetic/chemical additives, colours or fragrances and lives up to my expectations every single time.

*~* When trying a new soap or body cleanser, firstly try just washing your hands with it. If it irritates your hands you can guarantee it's going to irritate the rest of your body.

If it does irritate your hands, leave them under the running water and thoroughly rinse, then lightly dry your hands and apply moisturiser. *~*

You should ALWAYS apply moisturiser after washing your hands and after bathing or showering.

Other soaps I have tried have been purchased at health food shops and local markets supporting natural and hand crafted products. Some are a little expensive and some still contain things I am sensitive to. It's a matter of trial and error to find the soap that's suits your sensitive skin. Some Hemp Soaps are a great alternative.

Green Aussie Cleaner

As far as a Liquid Soap goes, I stick with a product called Green Aussie Cleaner. It is great as a liquid handwash in the bathroom or kitchen, great for use in the shower and even as a shampoo. Click on the above link for more information about this fantastic eczema friendly Australian made product.

Natural soap making has become very popular recently and you will often find beautiful natural hand crafted soaps online and at market stalls throughout the country. These soaps are made using all natural ingredients including essential oils that nurture the skin rather than strip your skin of its own natural oils.

When you buy these products from market stalls, talk with the person who made it, explain that you have a sensitive skin condition and it is important for you to know what is in the soap. Most people who make these natural products are quite willing to discuss it with you as most of these people recognise that the manufactured soaps can be dangerous to sensitive skin.

PRODUCT NAME

AVAILABLE BY

AVAILABLE THROUGH

CONTACT DETAILS

for more info

$$$

Aud

Priya Nature's Olive Oil Soap

Goat's Milk Soap

ONLINE

www.lookingforalternatives.com.au

Ph:

Web:

ML International

Pty Ltd

(+61) 2 9690 2688

www.priyasoap.com.au

100gm Bar $1.95

110gr Bar

$4.50

Ancient Soap Stories

The word ‘soap' (from the Latin word - sapo) first appears in a European language in Elders Historia Naturalis by Pliny an ancient natural philosopher, author and naturalist, which records the manufacture of soap from tallow - a hard fatty substance extracted from the fat of sheep and cattle mixed with ashes, but the only use he mentions is as a pomade -perfumed oil or ointment used to make hair look smooth and shiny.

Another popular claim is that soap takes its name from the supposed Mount Sapo where ancient Romans sacrificed animals. Rain would send a mix of animal tallow and wood ash down the mountain and into the clay soil on the banks of the Tiber. Eventually women would notice that it was easier to get their clothes clean with this ‘soap'. The location of Mount Sapo is unknown as is the source of this ancient Roman legend.

True soaps were made from vegetable oils such as olive oil and aromatic oils such as thyme oil, lye was also added. These soaps were first produced by Muslim alchemists in the medieval Islamic world. The basic formula for soap hasn't really changed since then.

From the beginning of the 7^th century soap was produced in Nablus (West Bank), Kufa (Iraq) and Basra (Iraq). Soap as we know it today is a descendant of the historical Arabian soaps. Arabian soap was perfumed and coloured, some were solid bars and others were liquid and they even produced a special soap for shaving! Recently a manuscript was discovered from the 13^th century detailing more recipes for soap making.

Modern Soap Making

In semi-modern times soap was often made in the home made by mixing animal fats with lye (a sodium hydroxide) or potash (potassium hydroxide) and soda ash (sodium carbonate) which were leached from the ashes of a hardwood fire for soap-making at home. Because Lye is caustic it was a dangerous procedure which could result in serious chemical burns or even blindness.

In recent modern times the use of soap had become universal in industrialised nations due to a better understanding of the role of hygiene in reducing pathogenic microorganisms. Manufactured soap bars first became available in the late nineteenth century, and advertising campaigns in Europe and the United States helped to increase popular awareness of the relationship between cleanliness and health. Until the Industrial Revolution, soap making was done on a small scale and the product was rough.

Andrew Pears started making a high-quality, transparent soap in 1789 in London. With his grandson, Francis Pears and they opened a factory in Isleworth in 1862. William Gossage produced low-price good quality soap from the 1850s. Robert Spear Hudson began manufacturing a soap powder in 1837, initially, by grinding the soap with a mortar and pestle. William Hesketh Lever and his brother, James, bought a small soap works in Warrington in 1885 and founded what is still one of the largest soap businesses, we now know as Unilever.

In Chicago in 1888, one of the first manufacturers of soap was the Armour & Company. The soap was made from tallow, a by-product of the meat production process. In 1948, Armour soap became Dial soap, the first deodorant or antibacterial soap introduced in the USA.

In addition to the traditional sale of many kinds of soap products by pharmacists through retail outlets, soap itself has found numerous applications in pharmacology, such as pill making, lotions and liniments, dentifrices, plasters, enemas, suppositories and poultices, in addition to veterinary applications. The use of soap in pharmacology is long established.

The above information has been sourced from The pharmaceutical Journal Vol.263 pg.985-989 by Dr Hunt, Vice President of the British Society for the History or Pharmacy; The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition 2001-07 www.bartleby.com ; and Wikipedia, http://www.wikipedia.com/ and www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Quarter/2926/Soap_History.html

Current Soap Manufacture Practices and the introduction of Chemicals

So there you have it, soap has a long standing history of invention and use dating back to ancient times, although this is probably a lot more information on soap than you may have thought possible.

With the introduction of the industrial age and the large scale production factories, soap has taken a more chemically based route. Sadly the chemicals used in the large scale production of soaps have many side effects for th ose with sensitive skin and for young babies and children. It is my opinion that modern chemical based soaps are not just hazardous to sensitive people but to all of us used in the long term.

A typical analysis of a modern bar of soap or a liquid soap wash includes (and usually second on the ingredients list) such chemicals as SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or SLES - Sodium Laureth Sulphate which just on their own have some very nasty side effects such as stress related illnesses; lowered sperm counts; cataracts; corneal damage; improper eye development in infants and children; dry skin; liver toxicity; dermatitis; mouth ulcers; impaired hair growth and corrosion of hair follicles; teratogen; and is on the NIH Hazards list.

Is it any wonder that many soaps are not recommended for use with babies and young children? Is it any wonder that most soaps will irritate sensitive eczema skin when one of the main ingredients can cause dry skin and dermatitis? It pays to choose your soap wisely,

Look around, shop around, there are many more alternatives available than what you find advertised and on the supermarket shelf. Support your local hand crafters, those that make products with love and devotion to their craft and your skin rather than those whose devotion lies only with your hard earned dollars.

Sensational Salad | Allergy Friendly Recipes | Gluten free | Dairy Free | Egg Free

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -1000

SENSATIONAL SALAD

My favourite salad is the mixed leaf variety. It's great alongside just about any meal and makes a really yummy light meal such as a salad sandwich. Some Fruit & vege markets have a lettuce mix which you can help yourself to as much or as little as you like. These pre-mixes can be a little pricey, although I find less waste this way.

You can purchase salad packs already prepared, make sure you check the use by date and be warned...some pre-packaged leaf mixes are preserved by spraying the preservative solution to the inside of the plastic bag, please make sure you always gently wash and dry your leaves before using, even if it says ‘already washed' on the packaging - Pesticides are not safe for human consumption.

You can also make your own mix by buying several different types of lettuce heads and herb leaves; separate and wash the leaves carefully, tear apart the leaves and - if you have one - dry off the leaves in a salad spinner.

Don't use a knife on salad leaves as it bruises them, just tear them. If you don't have a salad spinner, carefully wrap the washed leaves in a cotton tea towel and go outside and spin the towel around to remove excess water.

Of course, a great alternative is to grow your own lettuce at home; in the garden or in pots on your verandah. Even if you feel you don't have a green thumb give it a go, buy a book or check out the internet for info on how to grow your own lettuce. Growing lettuce in pots on your verandah keeps them close by and they will get the attention they need, right outside the back door.

To store your washed and dry salad mix, use a large airtight container, place a layer or two of unbleached, recycled plain paper towel on the bottom of the container to absorb any moisture and store it in the fridge. Use a large container so as not to squash and bruise the leaves. It will last up to 5 days depending on the freshness of the leaves.

... HOW TO ...

Make your GREEN salad into a SENSATIONAL salad.

Place your salad leaves in a large salad bowl. Quantities are entirely up to you, this is just a rough guide.

In a seperate container prepare the following:

1 medium Carrot - Grated
1/2 medium sized Beetroot - Grated
A handful of Snow peas - chopped
1/2 Spanish(red)Onion - thinly sliced

Give the vegetables a good mix up and add a few handfuls of the vegetable mix to the salad leaves, then simply add your favourite dressing.

Toss the ingredients around gently and vwalla... you have a splendid and highly nutritious salad, great all year round for dinner or your lunchbox.

Simple Dressing

The most basic dressing to make is Lemon Juice, Olive oil (or Rice Bran Oil) and a little salt & pepper - all ingredients are to your own taste. All the ingredients go into a glass jar - lid on and give it a good shake.

A little fresh crushed garlic adds a lot ‘o' pizzazz to this dressing.

Time Saver Tip...

If you can spend a little extra time here washing and drying (preparing) your salad leaf mix, relative to the size of your family, you save time over the next 3 - 5 days by having it ready everyday to throw on a salad sandwich for lunch, in your lunchbox or with your dinner. My family and I eat salad just about every day all year round! I would rather prepare salad leaves twice a week rather than every day, I don't have the time each day. You will find that when it is washed and ready to go in the fridge you are more likely to eat it rather than spending that extra time each day to wash and prepare salad.

The same goes for the vegetable mix. Have everything grated and sliced and mixed in an airtight container in the fridge ready to add to your salad leaves.

So why are salad leaves so very good for you?

Although all types of salad leaves are around 90% water, they contain useful amounts of vitamins and minerals, particularly folate, iron and the antioxidants vitamins C and Beta-carotene, especially the dark green types such as baby spinach. The outer, darker leaves on say a Cos lettuce tend to be more nutritious than the paler leaves in the centre.

More importantly, like other green leafy vegetables, their anti-oxidant content has been found to guard against the risk of many cancers. Salad leaves are usually eaten raw when the nutrients are at their strongest. Lettuce is reputed to have a calming sedative effect.

HEALTHY TID-BITS

Carrots-

A single Carrot will supply enough vitamin A for an entire day and is reputed to cut the risk of lung cancer by half, even amoung ex-smokers. According to one American doctor, eating an extra carrot a day could prevent 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the USA. This may be due to the high level of the anti-oxidant Beta-carotene that carrots contain. Beta-carotene may also reduce the risk of Prostate cancer in men.

Beetroot -

Beetroot has long been considered medicinally beneficial and is recommended as a general tonic. It can be used to help disorders of the blood including anaemia; it is an effective detoxifier and; because of its high fibre content it is recommended to relieve constipation. Beetroot contains calcium, iron, Vitamins A and C - all at their highest levels when it is eaten raw.

Snow peas -

Belong to the bean family. When peas are at their peak of freshness they are delicious and have a delicate sweet flavour. The taste diminishes when not fresh because their sugars rapidly turn to starch. Peas and beans are a good source of protein and fibre. They are rich in vitamin C, Iron, Thiamine, folate Phosphorous and potassium. A really versatile whole food.

Spanish (Red) Onion -

Belonging to the onion family, the red onion offers a sweet juicy taste. Onions and garlic are highly prized as two of the oldest remedies known to man. Both contain Allicin which has been found to stimulate the body's anti-oxidant mechanisms raising levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol and combating the formation of clogged arteries. Numerous studies highlight the healing powers of the onion. It is a rich source of Quercetin, a potent anti-oxidant that has been linked to preventing stomach cancer. Eating half a raw onion a day is said to thin the blood, lower the LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise beneficial HDL cholesterol by about 30%. This means that cholesterol is transported away from the arteries, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Whether raw or cooked, onions are antibacterial and antiviral helping to fight off colds, relieve bronchial congestion, asthma and hay fever; they are good for arthritis, rheumatism and gout.

Lemons -

Citrus fruits contain Vitamin C, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, beta-carotene and fibre. Pectin, a soluble fibre that is found in the flesh and particularly the membranes of citrus fruit has shown to reduce cholesterol levels. The membranes also contain bioflavinoids which have powerful anti-oxidant properties. Use fresh lemons where you can. Bottled juices have reduced levels of Vitamin C. Choose lemons that are deep yellow, firm and heavy for their size with no hint of green in the skin as this is a sign of immaturity. A thin, smooth skin is a sign of juicy flesh

Some of the above Information was sourced from Wholefoods by Nicola Graimes, Lorenz Books, London, 2002

Rescue Remedy | Natural Stress Relief

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1000

RESCUE REMEDY

This natural preparation provides for me mental, emotional and physical relief within a short period of time and that time may vary according to my level of stress.

I have been using this remedy for pain and stress relief for many years now and I feel that my body grows more and more responsive to it the more I use it. Rescue Remedy is the first thing I reach for in any stressful situation. The itch of eczema is not only stressful on the body, but also stressful on the mind and emotions. There are of course many antihistamines on the market which will block the itch; sadly, these drugs also have toxic side effects when used long tern and for me, rather than calm my body and mind, they tend to make me numb.

...Back to the good stuff

After taking a dose of Rescue Remedy the first thing I notice is a sense of calm that flows through my emotional & mental being. My state of emotion relaxes and my mind - that is my thought processes - (which can become manic) quieten down. As my mental and emotional state quiets, that same relief flows throughout my physical body and a settling of my itching and other physical symptoms occurs.

The Bach Flower Remediesare a simple and natural method of healing and stress relief through the use of certain wild flowers. The remedies treat the personality disorders of the patient rather than the individual physical condition. They were discovered by Dr Edward Bach. After many years of practice in modern medicine as well as Homeopathy, Edward Bach was led to the realisation that what characterised the physical disorders of different people were not so much the many categories of disease, but the psychological conditions that generate them. Over a period of years he was able to recognise these psychological conditions and find, in each case, an appropriate remedy. The remedies were found in the flowers of the field and the trees of the countryside - in natures healing power. The 38 remedies were discovered by Bach by a combination of intuition and suffering. He was an extraordinarily sensitive man and having once recognised the condition that he sought to heal he was able to sense the appropriate remedy. Many of the states (for which he later found an antidote) he experienced in himself as an intense suffering both mental and physical.

Bach found the remedies by searching the countryside for those plants which he instinctively knew were suitable to help specific psychological states. The classification of these states was arrived at by careful observation of human nature and more especially by observation of the way that different people react when suffering from an illness or when under stress.

Man has always made use of medicinal herbs and until recent years all pharmaceutical preparations relied upon the use of natural substances. The Bach remedies however, do not use the physical material of the plant (as with aromatherapy) but rather the essential energy that is found within the flower. This healing energy is extracted in a precise way and stored in a preserving liquid such as brandy or grape alcohol solution. This subtle substance is used to treat the cause of illness at the subtle level. While most medicine treats the physical complaint with a physical material, the Bach remedies treat the unseen or psychological cause with an unseen energy. It is summed up in his dictum, "Treat the Patient, not the disease" for no matter what the patient is suffering in the physical body - be it asthma or athletes' foot - the prime cause of that condition can be eradicated if we ascertain and counteract the imbalance that is in the psyche of the patient.

Man is "a chil d of the universe no less than the trees and stars" and yet we live in daily conflict with the rest of the natural world. Much of the disease to which we are prey at this time is generated by this conflict, in particular the nervous conditions that are so prevalent in urban life.

Homeopathy has similar basis and the remedies used include not only plant, but animal and mineral as well. In the field of what is popularly called ‘alternative medicine' there are forms of healing that are more or less in sympathy with Dr Bach's discoveries.

It is well to stress that no one form of healing has the privilege of being the best or the most effective; everything is appropriate in its own way. One of the most striking features of this form of healing is that it is entirely benign. It involves no physical discomfort and is associated only with the most pure and beautiful elements in nature.

Information on the Bach Flower Remedies was sourced from ‘A Guide To The Bach Flower Remedies'

by Julian Barnard, CW Daniel Co. Ltd., England.

Rescue Remedy is a combination remedy consisting of five of the Bach Flower Remedies: Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose and Clematis. The characteristics and essence (personality) of each flower is described as follows:-

For Despondency and Despair - Star of Bethlehem: for shock, grief, distress, for those who need consolation and comfort, for bad news, an accident, fright, a narrow escape, for delayed shock, to neutralize effects of any shock past or present, even the shock of birth.

For Loneliness - Impatiens: for those impatient people who dislike restraint, preferring to work alone at their own speed, they like haste in all things, are critical of others' shortcomings, irritable, impulsive, impetuous, active and intelligent though prone to nervous tension, overexertion and accidents. Symptoms may include sudden pains, cramps, tension in back, neck, jaws, hands, shoulders, indigestion. Children may be irritable and demanding. Body often slopes forward, they lead, going ahead and act quickly, will finish a sentence for other people who think more slowly and are given to outbursts of temper though it quickly subsides.

For Fear - Cherry Plum: for desperation, fear of insanity, loss of control, an uncontrollable impulse, nervous breakdown, suicidal, obsessive fear, delusions. Symptoms usually build up over a period of time; pallor, staring eyes, agitation, sometimes nervous talk or obsessive questioning, imminent mild insanity. It is like mental gangrene, very offensive to the self.

For Fear - Rock Rose: For emergencies, sudden illness or accident, for very great fear, terror, panic, hysteria, when life is despaired of, for the horror and dread of nightmares, when there has been a close encounter with evil. Symptoms may include paralysis, unconsciousness, sudden dumb/deaf, icy coldness, trembling, and loss of control.

For Insufficient Interest in Present Circumstances - Clematis: clematis people are dreamers, absent minded, lack concentration and vitality, quiet people without proper interest in the present, absorbed in thoughts and fantasy, sleepy and unobservant, romantic, imaginative, unrealistic. Symptoms may include drowsiness, constant inclination to sleep, drifting feeling, marked pallor, slowness, sensitivity to noise, numbness, faintness, indifference, make little effort to get well and may even welcome prospect of death, often stumbling, drop things through inattention, ‘float off' in conversation, lackadaisical (unenthusiastic) air.

The combination of these five flowers is described in short as thus, Cherry Plum for loss of control, Clematis for unconsciousness, Impatiens for stress, Rock Rose for terror and Star of Bethlehem for shock.

Rescue Remedy is so useful for any situation major or minor that it is wise to have it prepared and on hand for emergencies. If it is taken immediately when an accident or incident occurs, upon receipt of bad news, when in any distress, even if just a headache, it is very beneficial. Countless cases have been cited when Rescue Remedy has been used to overcome all manner of conditions. It is also prepared as an ointment and may be applied to bruises and any damaged or inflamed skin condition. Dr Bach first used this combination when going to the aid of two men shipwrecked off the Cromer coast. The men were quickly recovered from their ordeal.

Using Rescue Remedy as a part of your stress management regime in the treatment of eczema ie. The itch attacks, when running a fever, the skin pain, when you are sad and even the loneliness you may feel with this condition; it is a gentle and effective anti-itch and anti-stress application. Rescue Remedy is now widely available through Health Food Shops, some supermarkets and other boutique or specialty shops supporting natural healing. Ask around while you are shopping and always keep your eyes open for shops offering items on sale at reduced prices.

In preparing Rescue Remedy for use, it can be taken several ways.

For some 2 - 3 drops from the stock bottle, under the tongue and washed down with a glass of water;

Similarly, 2-3 drops from the stock bottle can be added to a glass of bottle of water and sipped on all day;

or a diluted preparation can be made - in a 12-15ml dropper bottle fill up to ¾ with a 50/50 solution of brandy and purified water and then add 7 drops from the stock bottle: Use orally, when necessary, by squirting a dropper-full in your mouth;

I tend to squirt about half a pippette of stock (which is about 6-7 drops) into a small glass of water and drink it straight down. Experiment a little with it and you will find a dosage to suit your condition.

YOGA - another alternative form of Stress Relief. Exercise is well known as being necessary for maintaining good health and for enabling stress relief through the expenditure of energy. I have found Yoga to be an effective alternative not just for stress relief, but also in keeping with a healthy excercise program. Check out the article on this website.