This Month's Winner is...

Congratulations to our June Winner: Shannon R. - ID number 37159.05 from Tasmania, Australia. You will receive your selection of the Natural Skin Care System in the next few days.

For those of you who missed out, if you have completed our survey form, remember you qualify for a 20% discount with your next order!!!

If you have not completed our Survey, all you need to do is to complete the Survey form and submit it to us (there's a submit button on the bottom of the form) and you may win next months Natural skin care system of your choice, or qualify for the 20% discount. Either way YOU WIN.
(Just click on the word Survey above to get started)

Special Gift Offer to Members

This month we have a great Gift offer for our Members. With the end of the Financial Year upon us (in Australia), we are literally giving away products so we do not have to count them!!!!

With Any Natural Skin Care System you order BEFORE 15TH JULY, you will receive:

• 1 x Hand & Body Wash Gel and
• 1 x Skin Renewal Gel
  OR
• 1 x Massage Oil Blend and
• 1 x Earth Medicine Facial Clay (for your skin type)
ABSOLUTELY FREE

That's AUS $50.00 worth of products for FREE
Don't miss out on this and be sure to place your orders BEFORE JULY 15TH

Please note this Special Gift offer only applies to Natural Skin Care Systems bought at normal retail price and does not apply to post-survey purchases, which receive a 20% discount.

Back to Index

Psyche, Skin and Essential Oils

HOW ESSENTIAL OILS AFFECT THE MIND

All the odours we consciously and unconsciously detect can have an influence on the way we think and feel. Similarly, essential oils have been shown to have pronounced effects on various areas of the brain resulting in physical, psychological and/or emotional reactions.

The sense of smell (olfactory sense) provides the means by which odoriferous molecules (molecules of substances that have an odour) reach the brain in humans and many other animals. Dogs are well known for their highly developed sense of smell, with the ability to detect millions of different odours. Humans, however, do not have the same range and depth of odour perception, able to detect only a few thousand different odours. It is thought that the sense of smell of our ancient ancestors was far superior to ours. Our forebears were able to consciously recognise one another by smell, could detect the edibility of a plant by it’s odour and could also track animals by the scent they left behind on a trail.

The sense of smell forms the greater part of our sense of taste, with only four flavours detectable through our taste buds: sweet, sour, salty and bitter. When you have a head cold or sinus infection you tend to lose your appetite. This is partly due to the effect of a cold on the olfactory organ in the back of the nose and partly due to the fact that air containing odoriferous molecules cannot pass through the blocked nose and over the olfactory bulb.

The acuity of the sense of smell is also affected by pollution, smoking and/or trauma to the nose itself.

The sense of smell helps us to distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' odours, telling us if food is fit to be eaten and if disease is present.

ODOURS & DISEASE
A couple of hundred years ago, physicians used their sense of smell as a diagnostic aid and specific body odours are still considered to indicate particular conditions. For example:

• arthritis and rheumatism have an acid smell
• a post-partum haemorrhage can be anticipated by the smell of blood passed during childbirth;
• diabetes gives the breath and urine an acetone smell;
• perspiration can give us clues as to the health of the kidneys and lymphatic system;
• the smell of faeces can tell us the type of some diseases in the digestive tract.

Natural medicine still uses this method of diagnosis.

When we inhale air molecules that carry the ‘odorous’ molecules of an essential oil, these molecules adhere to and stimulate the Olfactory nerve endings in the back of the nose.

Sensory stimulation of the Olfactory centre in the brain is accomplished by way of nerve impulses from the sensory nerve endings in the nose to the brain. This is a very rapid and direct pathway to the part of the Brain that directs, controls, interprets and responds to sensory input. Furthermore, the messages cannot be immediately blocked by the conscious mind.

This pathway is very different to that taken by the sensory nerves in the skin which is more complex, being transmitted from a sensory nerve ending to the spinal cord, to the brain, back down the spinal cord, down a motor nerve ending and then to the appropriate organ. For example, when we touch a hot object with our index finger, the heat stimulates a temperature receptor in the skin.

This nerve relays a message along the sensory nerve fibre to its root in the spinal cord. The impulse is carried to the brain. The brain says “ouch !!! that’s hot, take the finger off now”. This message is relayed down the spinal cord to the motor nerve root, and then to the appropriate muscle(s) that, when contracted, move the finger away from the hot object. As you will know from your own experience of touching something hot, there is often a time lag between touching the object, recognition of the pain and removing the finger.

The Olfactory pathway has no relay station – the stimulus goes straight to the Limbic System, a ring of structures located deep within the brain and encircling the brain stem. The Limbic System functions in emotional aspects of behaviour related to survival and ‘emotional memory’ and is sometimes referred to as the ‘emotional brain’ because of its role in emotions such as pain, pleasure, anger, rage, fear, sorrow, sexuality, docility and affection. It is interesting to note that events that cause a strong emotional response are committed to memory much more efficiently than those that do not.

The Olfactory bulbs are part of the Limbic System and thus the memory of the many odours we experience throughout life are stored deep in our sub-conscious minds and it is not unusual for a particular odour to trigger a memory of a past experience (Tisserand, 1984).

Several other structures comprising the Limbic System are involved in the production of hormones that regulate and integrate brain activity and many body activities. Thus, it can be seen how far reaching the influence of essential oils on the body, mind and emotions can be.

It is now also known that many small odorous molecules are absorbed into the olfactory bulb and into the lymphatic system and blood stream and various points along the respiratory tract.

Research has been conducted for many decades into the effects of essential oils on brain chemistry and electrical activity (Gattfosse, 1993).

These findings have suggested many interesting and exciting uses of essential oil therapy. Some essential oils affect the higher thought processes in the cerebral cortex by altering the electrical activity in different cortical areas, whilst others affect the hormone producing cells in the Limbic System. These ‘brain hormones’ then either affect the mental and emotional responses or can be released into the blood stream from where they are carried to distant organs to produce the desired effect on body chemistry.

Essential oils can be categorised according to their effects on key centres in the brain and are briefly summarised below.

EUPHORICS
Oils that stimulate the secretion of ENKEPHALINS from the THALAMUS to produce a euphoric effect and to lift or enhance the mood.
Examples: Clary Sage, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Rose Otto.

APHRODISIACS
Oils that stimulate the secretion of ENDORPHINS from the PITUITARY GLAND to produce emotional warmth, and sex hormone activity.
Examples: Clary Sage, Jasmine, Patchouli, Ylang-Ylang.

REGULATORS
Oils that stimulate the secretion of VARIOUS HORMONAL SUBSTANCES from the HYPOTHALAMUS to regulate 'moods' and hormonal secretions.
Examples: Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Rosewood.

MEMORY/MENTAL STIMULANTS
Oils that stimulate the AMYGDALA and HIPPOCAMPUS in the brain which are associated with 'higher' brain functions of thought and memory.
Examples: Black Pepper, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary.

SEDATIVES
Oils that aid sleep, relax and lower hyper-function in the body by stimulating the secretion of SERATONIN from the RAPHE NUCLEUS in the brain.
Examples: Chamomile, Lavender, Marjoram, Orange Blossom.

INVIGORATORS
Oils that increase energy and body functions by stimulating the secretion of NORADRENALINE from the LOCUS CERULEUS of the brain.
Examples: Cardamom, Juniper, Lemongrass, Rosemary.

AROMATHERAPY & THE MIND

Maury (1952), Gattefosse (1993), Valnet (1964), Tisserand (1984) and others have written extensively on the efficacy of essential oils in the relief of a wide range of psychological imbalances and mental health problems. These are summarised below:

ANXIETY:
Benzoin, Chamomile, Cypress, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang.

DEPRESSION:
Basil, Bergamot, Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang.

ANGER:
Chamomile, Melissa, Rose, Ylang-Ylang.

APATHY:
Jasmine, Juniper, Patchouli, Rosemary.

CONFUSION:
Basil, Cypress, Frankincense, Peppermint, Patchouli.

DWELLING ON THE PAST:
Benzoin, Frankincense.

FEAR:
Basil, Clary Sage, Jasmine, Juniper.

GRIEF:
Hyssop, Marjoram, Rose.

HYPERSENSITIVE:
Chamomile, Jasmine, Melissa,

IMPATIENCE/IRRITABILITY:
Chamomile, Camphor, Marjoram, Frankincense.

JEALOUSY/ SUSPICION :
Rose, Ylang Ylang, Lavender.

PANIC:
Chamomile, Clary, Jasmine, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, Neroli, Ylang-Ylang.

SHOCK:
Camphor, Melissa, Neroli

THE EFFECT OF THE MIND AND EMOTIONS ON THE SKIN

Whilst the existence of psychosomatic illness is most often acknowledged today, very little detailed knowledge and understanding of the mind-body relationship is available.

Most people accept that feelings of tension, anxiety and anger can give rise to high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, tight and painful muscles, headaches and digestive problems; however, some difficulty may arise when trying to visualise the connections between state of mind and its manifestation in the physical body. It is possibly even more difficult to imagine the connection between a state of mind and a nervous skin rash or an outbreak of pimples before an important dinner date!

However, as we have seen, the brain plays an important role in the production of a range of hormones that are not only mood altering but also have direct effects on body chemistry and physiological reactions at a cellular level (Tortora and Grabowski, 1993). Taking these facts into consideration, it does not require a leap of faith to realise that our state of mind, emotional well-being and the level of stress under which we operate on a daily basis can have a dramatic influence on skin health and function. Whilst too lengthy to include in this article, the skin undergoes considerable physiological changes at a cellular level in reaction to even ‘minor’ stressors.

In addition, there is a developmental connection between the skin and the nervous system in that both arise from the same type of stem cells during embryological development. This embryological connection is often referred to as the reason for the occurrence of similar types of tumours in both the skin and the nervous system.

Finally, we know that events and stresses produce psychological/emotional responses that are themselves related to changes in brain chemistry and electrical activity. The release of hormones into the blood stream that accompany these changes have a number of influences throughout the body and the hormones themselves (or their by-products) are often excreted through the skin.

The general approach taken in complementary therapies to the treatment of skin problems is to take note, not only of the physical symptoms but also the accompanying thoughts and feelings experienced by the patient. Therefore, the patient who experiences anger and frustration on a regular basis and also has a tendency to hot, dry skin rashes such as eczema, may benefit from cool chamomile compresses and steam inhalations Frankincense and Rose oils.

Back to Index

The 'Magic' of Ginger

Ginger is a herb indigenous to southeastern Asia. It is cultivated in the U.S., India, China, West Indies and tropical regions. Ginger is a creeping perennial on a thick tuberous rhizome. In the first year, a green, erect, reed-like stem about 60 cm high grows from this rhizome.

The plant has narrow, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate leaves 15 to 30 cm long, which die off each year. The flower stalk grows directly from the root and terminates in a long, curved spike. A white or yellow flower grows from each spike.

According to the Chinese, Ginger is one of the primary herbs used both in cooking as well as in the treatment of many diseases.

The Chinese use Ginger to warm the 'center', expel cold (from the body), rescue depleted Yang energy and expelling cold from the inside of the body. In addition, Ginger warms the Lungs and transforms phlegm.

This is not that far removed from the western applications of Ginger. We all use it in our cooking and are aware of the fact that Ginger in a soup will warm us up. Ginger drinks such as Ginger Tea will warm the Stomach (part of what the Chinese refer to as the center) and help digestion.

Fresh ginger is essential to Asian and oriental cookery. It is used in pickles, chutneys and curry pastes and the ground dried root is a constituent of many curry powders. Tender young ginger can be sliced and eaten as a salad. Sometimes the roots will produce green sprouts which can be finely chopped and added to a green salad. In the West, dried ginger is mainly used in cakes and biscuits, especially ginger snaps and gingerbread. Ginger is also used in puddings, jams, preserves and in some drinks like ginger beer, ginger wine and tea.

Some Medicinal Applications of Ginger

Perhaps the most versatile of all herbs, fresh ginger can be topically applied as a warm fomentation to relieve spasms pain and cramps. Simply cut several slices of the fresh root and place them in a pan of boiling water. Saturate a flannel cloth with the tea and apply it topically as warm as the body will bear. This is an ideal treatment for stiff neck and shoulders.

Fresh ginger tea is the most ideal herb to use for the first signs of mucus, cold, cough, and so on. To make it taste better, add honey. Drinking Ginger tea with meals will greatly aid digestion and assimilation, and is useful for those with weak, 'cold' digestion (poor digestion).

The Essential oil of Ginger is also used in Massage oil blends for its stimulating and warming effect to help ease muscular cramps and pain.

Back to Index

Wrinkles and Liver Spots

Most of these changes are a natural progression of aging, however, some changes in the skin such as growths may need to be more closely investigated to rule out pathological changes such as skin cancer. Nevertheless, most changes in the skin are natural and do not pose any health risks.

Wrinkles
Gravity is the skin’s worst enemy. Weakening of collagen and elastin fibres causes reduced firmness of the skin, gravity pulls at the skin and causes it to sag, this in combination with a reduction in the fatty padding of the skin inevitably causes wrinkling of the skin tissue.

Can Wrinkles Be Avoided?
Environmental factors such as over exposure to the sun, smog, cigarette smoke can all have an adverse effect on your skin. In addition, you may also have inherited weaknesses from your parents that can cause premature aging of the skin.

Despite these challenges, there are simple steps you can take to prevent wrinkles and remember - the earlier you start, the better!

• Wear Sunscreen,
• Always wear a hat with a wide brim when going outside – remember, just because there’s clouds does not mean there’s no UV,
• Don’t sunbathe, and
• Where possible, stay out of the sun between 10am to 3pm.

Back to Index

The Importance of Well Hydrated Skin.

Water: How much is enough?

Water is key to the health of your skin. The fact that the skin contains 90% water speaks for itself, however, dehydration of the skin happens very quickly and can have disastrous effects, not just on your skin, but also on your Kidneys and your general health. The skin has many very important functions and one of these is the elimination of toxins from the body. However, it cannot do this unless the skin is well hydrated and its pores are free and not blocked with dead cells, dirt or stale oil.

The skin has to have water to function properly; in fact the human body requires in the order of 2 to 3 liters of water per day - every day. More if you do physical work or exercise.

Almost everyone knows that you should drink eight to ten glasses of water each and every day. But is it absolutely necessary?

YES! Every cell in your body needs water to function properly. In our natural therapies clinic, we see many patients and most are chronically dehydrated and don't even know it. They are simply not drinking as much water as they should.

The human body, which is made up of between 55 and 75 percent water (depending on age, percentage of fat, sex and other factors), is in need of constant re-hydration.

Consider these facts : Your lungs expel between 2 - 4 cups of water daily just through normal breathing (more if you exercise) and even more on a cold day. If your feet sweat, add another cup of water. If you make half a dozen trips to the bathroom during the day, that's six cups of water. If you perspire, you expel about two cups of water (which doesn’t include exercise-induced perspiration). So, that's more than11 cups of water each and every day...

How do you know if you are drinking enough water? A good test is to look at your urine. If it’s clear or pale yellow, you are probably drinking enough to keep your body hydrated. But if it’s intense yellow or gold, you probably need to drink more water. (Note: Taking Vitamin B-Complex can turn your urine yellow - this is normal and not a sign of dehydration, however, make sure you do drink at least 8 - 10 glasses of water a day.)

Many of our patients say - I don't like water can I drink soft drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks, coffee and other drinks instead? All these drinks can help quench your body’s thirst for fluids, but they typically contain 100 calories or more per serving. In addition, tea and coffee will take out more water from your body than is added by drinking tea or coffee - these drinks are diuretic, just like alcohol - they literally dry you out.

Diluted fruit juices, milk and vegetable juices will re-hydrate your body and are good for you. If you have trouble drinking water because you don’t like the taste, try adding a twist of lemon or lime or a splash of fruit juice. You may also wish to consider purifying your water, because pure water actually has no taste at all.

The most common signs and symptoms of dehydration include: Persistent fatigue, lethargy, muscle weakness or cramps, headaches, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, confusion, deep rapid breathing, or an increased heart rate.

Other less common signs and symptoms of dehydration can include: Excessive loss of fluid through vomiting, urinating, stools or sweating, poor intake of fluids, "can't keep anything down", sunken eyes, dry or sticky mucous membranes in the mouth, skin that lacks its normal elasticity and sags back into position slowly when pinched up into a fold, decreased or absent urine output and decreased tears

Water and your skin

The skin plays a very important part in the health of the human body and water plays a key role in the maintenance of healthy skin. The epidermis, especially the stratum corneum, protects against water loss, serves as a barrier preventing entrance of microorganisms, and has an acidic pH ranging from 4 to 6.5.

The skin is also of prime importance for topical preparation permeability. Many skin care products as well as topically applied pharmaceutical preparations are applied at night, based on clinical and experimental data, showing that permeability is greater at night than in the morning.

Naturally moist, smooth and supple skin results from sufficient amounts of water, oils, skin pH, and other factors. Under ordinary circumstances 95 percent of each of our cell is made up of water. It is the water content of your skin cells that determines how moist or supple your skin is. Avoiding dry skin is therefore one of the key elements in good basic skin care. Dry skin can also make you more prone to scaling, cracking, irritation, eczema and infections. Factors that cause or aggravate dry skin include harsh soaps, excessive bathing, low humidity and hereditary factors.

In short, Water is the blood of life and its value cannot be underestimated - you can die of thirst after all and that in itself should tell us just how important it is to stay hydrated. Keeping your skin well hydrated is a two part process - external application of high quality, natural skin skin care products such as moisturising creams and - internally, drinking plenty of water each and every day.