Introduction

Welcome to the January Newsletter. We hope you had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. We at Wildcrafted would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a great New Year with lots of positive, exiting and enjoyable events to fill your lives in 2007.

We hope you'll enjoy the articles in this month's Newsletter and remember, we always welcome feedback, questions and comments from you.

Happy reading and shopping!

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What Trends will we see in Skin Care During 2007

The last few years have seen a focus on products that attempt to halt, slow down or even reverse the aging process of the skin. We have seen an explosion of anti-aging products on to the marked that claim to remove lines and wrinkles in no time. With each new product we were introduced to terms such as 'Neutraceuticles' and the like, each as meaningless as the next. We saw the promotion of Botox injections, machines for microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and a variety of other gadgets, creams and lotions that supposedly make the skin look visibly younger.

Over the past 2 years, the natural approach to skin care has also enjoyed new growth with more and more women, and more recently men, looking for safer, natural alternatives to skin care. Natural skin care products have seen an amazing increase in demand in the last 12-24 months, and this demand will continue to increase for some time. This is primarily because consumers are becoming more aware of the potentially harmful effects of some of the ingredients commonly used in commercially available skin care.

Just as in the last few decades of the 20th Century, when consumers became more aware of the potentially hazardous effects of artificial colours and flavours, all too often added to our foods and drinks, today, this awareness is spreading into other areas of our lives.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and it can and does absorb chemicals it is in contact with. As consumers are educating themselves about skin care, they are realising that many of the ingredients they put on their skin, end up in the blood stream. As a result, they are increasingly reading labels, contacting companies asking what their ingredients consist of, and are becoming more selective about what they are willing to put on their skin. This trend will continue not just during 2007, but well beyond.

Other areas of skin care, which are starting to come under increasing scrutiny from consumers, are treatments such as Botox injections, and cosmetic surgery. If the current trend in the USA is any guide, Acupuncture will feature greatly as a natural alternative to Botox injections and cosmetic surgery. Acupuncture is a proven, effective, and ancient form of treatment. Cosmetic Acupuncture, however, is not well known in the west, but media reports are starting to emerge about the use and effectiveness of Acupuncture to treat facial lines and wrinkles.

Cosmetic Acupuncture is a totally natural, side-effect-free method of reducing lines and wrinkles, indeed, it not only has the capacity to smooth out those unwanted menaces, but tones the skin and underlying muscles. No doubt, Home-Acupuncture kits and devices will soon be promoted together with microdermabrasion machines and the like.

So, the key trends in skin care for 2007 will see continued, increasing demand for natural skin care products, as well as a demand for qualified Acupuncturist specialising in Cosmetic Acupuncture.

Surprisingly, an area that has not yet seen a major trend toward natural ingredients but which will come into consumer focus soon, is natural cosmetics, such as eye shadows, lipsticks, etc. This will be the next area of beauty care where consumes will demand products containing natural ingredients.

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Natural Face-Lift Using Acupuncture

The natural aging process has a habit of catching up with all of as, but there are natural ways to maintain the youthful look of your skin. A natural face-lift using Acupuncture is one such method of keeping those lines and wrinkles at bay. This article looks at how acupuncture can give you a natural face-lift with out side effects, use of potentially toxic chemicals or the expense and pain of plastic surgery.

The Problem

The natural aging process does catch up with each one of us sooner or later, which is why more and more, women and men too, are looking for a natural face-lift. That is, they are looking for a way to maintain their youthful looking facial skin, naturally. Face-lifts using surgery, or cosmetic face-lifts using products such as Botox injections, are being replaced at least in part, by natural methods.

A Solution

Acupuncture has been used for millennia to treat disease of all kinds, and lines and wrinkles on the faces are part of that. After all, if Acupuncture can treat diseases of the body, why would it not work on our aging facial skin.

Face-lifts are common place these days, but not everyone wants to spend tens-of-thousands of dollars for on a plastic surgeon, or have potentially toxic chemicals injected into their skin. More and more people are looking toward natural skin care solutions such as natural and organic skin care products and now Acupuncture for maintaining their youthful looks.

How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture uses acupuncture points, located all over the body to stimulate the body’s own energy. Each point has specific actions, but can also have complex interactions when used together with other acupuncture points.

Typically a face-lift using acupuncture would involve a selection from points such as:

• CO. 20 (Yang Xiang)
• S.I. 18 (Quan Liao)
• TH. 23 (Si Zhu Kong)
• GB. 1 (Tong Zi Liao), GB. 14 (Yang Bai)
• ST. 2 (Si Bai), ST. 3 (Ju Liao), ST. 4 (Di Cang)
• Yin Tang, Yu Yao

In addition, other points on the body would be selected to treat any underlying health problems, which would also have an effect on the healthy look of an individual. Let's face it, if you are feeling a million dollars, you'll probably look better than if you're feeling low in energy and lack basic health.

As we age, gravity has a more pronounced effect on our skin. In terms of traditional Chinese medicine, this is associated with depleting Kidney Yin/Yang energy and is often accompanied by 'blood and qi' deficiency. The result is less tone in your skin and the development of lines and wrinkles.

How Much Does Acupuncture Cost?

In Australia an Acupuncture session would cost you around $100.- and you would need at least 6-8 treatment over 4-8 weeks to get results. Yes, you would need to undergo this once or twice a year, depending on your age and general health. Compare that to Botox injections or surgery, and you will save yourself a lot of money and pain, not to mention avoiding nasty side effects.

Summing Up

Natural face-lifts are simply a better option. You don't need to use potentially toxic chemicals, nor do you run any risk associated with even the most minor of surgical procedures and you do not need to worry about side effects. Acupuncture will not cause any lasting side effects. At worst, you may get a small bruise where a needle was inserted, but it will clear up in a matter of a day or two and the Acupuncture itself is not painful. In fact Acupuncture is usually very relaxing and energising.

Natural face-lifts are increasingly more sought after and Acupuncture is a very simple, effective way to get results. Make sure the person you choose is well qualified and is an accredited member of a national association.

Calendula: A powerful healing plant

Calendula grows as a common garden plant throughout North America and Europe. The golden-orange or yellow flowers of calendula have been used as medicine for centuries. Calendula is an annual garden plant with an anular, branched, hairy stem 1 to 2 feet high. The leaves are alternate, sessile, spatulate or oblanceolate, dentate with widely spaced teeth, and hairy. From June to October, the plant bears large, yellow or orange, terminal flower heads.

Biological Name: Calendula officinalis

Other Names: Marigold, garden marigold, holigold, Mary bud, pot marigold, Calendula

Parts Used: flowers, leaves

Wildcrafted Herbal Products containing Calendula officinalis include:

Rejuvenating Night Crème
Eye & Lip Crème
Age Defying Essence
Angel's Touch Hand Crème

Active Compounds: 

The flavonoids, found in high amounts in calendula, account for much of its anti-inflammatory activity; triterpene saponins may also be important. Calendula also contains carotenoids. Investigations into anticancer and antiviral actions of calendula are continuing. At this time, there is insufficient evidence to recommend clinical use of calendula for cancer. There is evidence suggesting use of calendula for some viral infections. The constituents responsible for these actions are not entirely clear.

Traditional Uses in Herbal Medicine:

Calendula flowers were believed to be useful in reducing inflammation, wound healing, and as an antiseptic. Calendula was used to treat various skin diseases, ranging from skin ulcerations to eczema. Internally, the soothing effects of calendula have been used for stomach ulcers and inflammation. A sterile tea has also been applied in cases of conjunctivitis. Historically, calendula is found to be antispasmodic, aperient, cholagogue, diaphoretic, vulnerary. An infusion of the flowers can be used for such gastrointestinal problems as ulcers, stomach cramps, colitis, and diarrhea. It is also useful taken internally for fever, boils, abscesses, and to prevent recurrent vomiting. The fresh juice of the herb or flowers can substitute for the infusion. For external use, a good salve for wounds can be made from dried flowers or leaves, from the juice pressed out of the fresh flowers, or from the tincture. The salve or dilute tincture is good for bruises, sprains, pulled muscles, sores, and boils. The tincture is used internally for gastritis and for menstrual difficulties.

Calendula may be useful in the treatment of:

• Eczema
• Gastritis
• Minor burns (including sunburn)
• Wound healing

Applied locally as a tincture, oil, or lotion, marigold is considered a natural antiseptic by homeopaths. The crushed petals may be combined with olive oil to form an ointment for external application to cuts, bruises, sores and burns.

The infusion is used to soothe watery, irritated eyes, and for relief in bronchial complaints. It is also used frequently in the treatment of liver disorders. It is thought to induce perspiration in case of fever. Recent clinical studies have shown that marigold flower extracts lower blood pressure and have sedative effects. Marigold is a common adulterant to saffron.

In 1955, an Australian patent was issued for the use of marigold extracts in the treatment of burns in humans.

Other indications include:

Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, healing, amd soothing.

Infusion of the petals used as lotion for skin cleansing and softening.

Taken internally for poor circulation, varicose veins, ulcers, colitis, stomach cramps; also, headaches, toothache, ague, and skin problems.

Said to strengthen and comfort the heart and aid in digestion.

For external use, an oil is made from the flowers for skin problems and sunburn; used in ointment form to heal acne and fade old scars and for external sores, cuts, bruises, burns and rashes.

Usually combined with chamomile and comfrey for a soothing ointment in cases of skin problems, burns, cuts, insect bites, stings and bruises.

An infusion from the leaves is used for tired swollen feet.

Flowers used in infusion form as a wash for red eye.

Dosage:

A tea of calendula can be made by pouring 200 ml of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of the flowers, which is steeped, covered for ten to fifteen minutes, strained, and then drunk. At least 3 cups of tea are generally drunk per day.

Tincture is similarly used three times a day, taking 1-2 ml each time. The tincture can be taken in water or tea.

Prepared ointments are often useful for skin problems, although wet dressings made by dipping cloth into the tea (after it has cooled) are also effective. Home treatment for eye conditions is not recommended, as absolute sterility must be maintained.

Juice: Take 1 tsp. At a time, always freshly pressed.

Tincture: To make, soak a handful of flowers in 0.5 quart rectified alcohol or whiskey for 5 to 6 weeks. A dose is 5 to 20 drops.

Salve: Boil 1 oz dried flowers or leaves, or 1tsp fresh juice, with 1 oz of lard.

Safety:

Except for the very rare person who is allergic to calendula and therefore should not use it, there are no known side effects or interactions.

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We hope you enjoyed these articles and invite you to send us suggestions of topics you would like to see us cover in the coming months. Your suggestions are always welcome and we endeavour to cover the topics you would like to know more about - so don't be shy, drop us a line or two!

Also there are some great new posts in the forum and we look forward to 'seeing' you there.

In good health

Danny & Susan Siegenthaler