Compresses

A compress is a very good way of treating muscular pain, sprains and bruises as well as reducing pain and congestion of internal organs. The compresses can be used either hot or cold according to the nature of the condition being treated.
For injuries such as sprains, bruises, swellings, inflammation and headaches, cold compresses are recommended. Hot compresses are recommended for the following: old injuries, muscular pain, toothache, menstrual cramp, cystitis, boils, abscesses etc..
To make a hot compress: sprinkle 4-6 drops of essential oil in half litre of water as hot as you can bear, place a small towel or soft fabric on top of the water. Wring out the excess water and place the fabric over the area to be treated, cover this with a piece of plastic and then lightly bandage in place if necessary. Leave in place until it has cooled to body temperature, renew at intervals as necessary.
To make a cold Compress: Use exactly the same method but with icy cold water. Leave in place until it warms up to body heat and renew as required.

Carpal Tunnel syndrome

Carpel tunnel syndrome is pressure on the nerves where it passes from the wrist into the hand via the carpel tunnel, causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index and middle fingers, pain when writing, typing, gripping, or other activities that involve repetitive use of the wrists and hands. Symptoms usually get worse at night and may affect one or both hands. This syndrome is commonly caused by repetitive movements like, data entry, working out with weights or chopping vegetables. It can also appear for no reason, typically in middle-aged women, or in women who are pregnant or taking oral contraceptives.

• Practical advice: Rest the hand as much as possible. Take regular breaks from repetitive hand work. If you are working at a keyboard or machine, try to stop and do listed below every thirty minutes.
• Dietary - Vitamin B6 deficiency has been linked to carpel tunnel syndrome. Studies show that taking a daily supplement of 100 ml of vitamin b6, along with a vitamin B-complex supplement, helps relieve symptoms after 6-12 weeks.
• Hydrotherapy: Place an ice pack on the wrist for 10 minutes, take off for 10 minutes, repeat 4 times. Perform this procedure in morning and night.
• Exercise: Do the following exercise at least 4 times a day to relieve numbness and tingling. Clench your fists, then spread your fingers out; repeat 20 times. Circle the hands, rotating from the wrist, for about 2 minutes. Do the same exercise with your hands above your head to relieve tension in the arms and neck.
• Chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture are effective treatments for this condition.
• In some severe cases doctors may give a cortisone injection, or surgery maybe recommended.

Face pack for "Normal" skin

2 teaspoons natural live yoghurt
1 teaspoon almond oil
1 drop rosemary or lavender
approximately half teaspoonful of oatmeal to bind

Mix the essential oil into the almond oil and stir in the other ingredients to form a paste. Apply to the face and neck, and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

Essential oils and Hormones

Some essential oils contain plant hormones, for example, Fennel which contains a substance very similar in its chemical structure to oestrogen. It is used in aromatherapy to help those suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome, menopausal difficulties and as an anti-wrinkle skin treatment oil.
Plants such as Fennel, Caraway and Fenugreek stimulate the flow of milk, whereas peppermint and sage decrease the flow.
Garlic helps to balance thyroid secretion.
Basil, geranium, pine and rosemary stimulate the adrenal cortex.
Clary sage, lavender and ylang-ylang lower high blood pressure.
Camphor and rosemary raise low blood pressure.
Lemon and hyssop act as regulators of blood pressure: they can raise or lower.
Cypress balances female sex-hormones, which is useful during menopause.
Other oils such as sandalwood, jasmine, rose and neroli acts more on an emotional level.

Red stone- Ruby

Ruby- red clear-fires up the heart with sparkles. It symbolizes spiritual love and devotion, it is connected to lord Shiva, which is also an aspect of divine fire and purification. The ruby gives positive life force qualities, it activates and vitalizes the whole body through the circulation of the blood stream. It has a heating and stimulating vibration, sometimes it contains inclusions of rutile needles, which gives it a silky lustre and added power.

TMJ-Temporomandibular joint syndrome

TMJ: Pain that affects the head, jaw, and face when the temporomandibular joint(connecting the jaw bone to the skulll just below and beside the ear)and its surrounding muscles and ligaments do not function correctly. It is often caused by clenching or grinding the teeth. Symptoms include frequent headaches, pain around the ear, and clicking noises when the mouth is opened or closed.
Hydrotherapy: The first course of treatment is to relax tight muscles in the jaw area by increasing the blood flow. This can be done with hot or cold treatment. Prepare an ice pack, using a bag of ice cubes or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a kitchen towel, and place it on the painful side of the jaw. Alternatively, use a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Keep the ice pack or hot water bottle in place for about 10 minutes. Repeat several times.
Massage: Lay the tips of your fingers on the jaw muscles. You can locate these by clenching and unclenching the teeth, which activates the jaw muscles. Unclench the teeth and massage the area with small, firm circular movements, gradually easing away the tension.
Acupressure: Place the heels of your hands between the upper and lower jaws, in front of the earlobes, and gradually press inwards. Clench your back teeth-you will feel a muscle pushing out into your hands. Press again on this muscle with the teeth apart for 1 minute, release and alternate to the other side of the jaw.
Chiropractic treatment can be most helpful in this condition. Acupuncture can help relieve spasm and pain.
Muscle relaxant drugs may be recommended to relieve spasm. Orthodontists can prescribe a bite-splint, or cortisone injected directly into the joint can reduce inflamation and reduce symptoms.

Oily Skin

Overactivity of the oil-producing glands in the face often occurs as a result of hormonal imbalances. It commonly develops during pregnancy or when taking oral contraceptives, stress, poor diet, and using the wrong cosmetics can also contribute.
Practical Advise:
Oily skin requires gentle treatment, so avoid using soap. Try washing with a mild lotion cleanser that does not contain drying agents, Rub it onto the skin with your fingers, wipe it off with tissues, then rinse the face with cold water. Use a light moisturizer and water-based cosmetics.
Once a week, make up a face mask with 1 teaspoon of brewer's yeast and enough water or plain natural yogurt to make a paste. Apply the mask after cleansing the face, allow it to dry completely, then rinse with warm water.
Dietary:
Avoid fatty food; eat plenty of fruits, raw and cooked vegetables. Vitamin B-complex is important for healthy skin. It is found in whole-grain cereals and liver. Brewer's yeast is also an excellent source: take 1 tablespoon mixed in a drink 3 times daily. Zinc helps regulate the oil-producing glands.
Aromatherapy:
After cleansing, morning and night, dab the face with a solution made up of the following: 4 drops of essential oil of lavender with 4 drops of bergamot or lemon, well-mixed with one third cup of spring water.

Dry-Skin

Dry skin usually occurs when the oil glands are inactive as a result of a hormonal imbalance or a nutritional deficiency. It can also be caused by exposure to harsh sun, wind, or cold, indoor heat, or air-conditioning. Crash dieting sometimes results in changes to skin condition.

Treatment
- Practical Advice
Use a moisturizer day and night to protect against water loss. Avoid using detergents on the skin. Use a lotion, not soap.
Add 2 cups of oatmeal to a lukewarm bath, and soak in it to soften the skin. Pat youself dry almost dry, and apply moisturizer to seal in the dampness. Distribute bowls of water around your home and workplace during the winter, or use a humidifier. Keep the temperature in your home as low as possible.

Dietary
Increase your intake of essential fatty acids, found in olive, sunflower or safflower oils. Increase your intake of vitamins A, D and E. Rubbing vitamin E oil on the skin will also help.

Aromatherapy
Essenial oil of geranium added to the bath, or used in a steam bath, helps balance the skin and regulate sebum secretion.

Some Uses Of Ginger

• To sharpen appetite and aid digestion: Chew a sliver of fresh ginger before meals.
• To relieve trapped gas or colicky pains: Make a tea with one quarter teaspoonful of ginger powder and sip. You can also use 1 teaspoonful of freshly grated ginger and boil for 5 mins, honey can be added before drinking ginger tea, but let it cool to drinking temperature.
• For a fever that starts in the morning or evening with goosebumps and shivering, body ache, backache, constipation, stiff joints and a rapid pulse: Take one half teaspoonful ginger powder plus equal amounts of cumin powder(geera) and myrrh powder, steep the herbs in a cup of hot water for 10 mins before drinking. It will help induce a healing sweat to reduce temperature.
• For Headache: Make a paste with 1 teaspoonful of ginger powder and water, apply to forehead and lie with it in place for half an hour. This can also help some types of migraines also.
• For cough, colds, congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, fever with chills and heaviness in the head: Take a tea of ginger, cinnamon and fennel. Make a mixture of equal parts of these and store it in a tightly sealed jar in a cool, dark cupboard. When needed make a tea with 1 teaspoonful of the mixture in hot water, drink 2-3 times daily.

Stresss

Being under a constant state of tension as a result of daily pressures. The stress reaction is a natural reaction to fear, and it prepares the body for "fight or flight" by tensing the muscles and constricting the blood vessels. Today the most stressful experiences we encounter  leaves the body in a state of tension that can result in a loering of immunity that makes us more susceptible to disease.
Common signs of stress include: recurrent headaches, dizziness,rashes, colds and infections: panic attacks or anxiety, palpitations: sexual problems; indigestion; aches and pains in the neck, shoulder or back; loss of appetite; compulsive eating; irritability; fatigue; tearfulness; sleep problems;lack of concentration.
There are many ways to tackle stress, and most complementary therapies will help. It is a question of finding out which is best for you. Listed are some of the methods below which are commonly used.
People who eat a diet high in whole- grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables, and low in refined carbohydrates, sugar, and caffeine, show greater ability to cope with stress.
Aromatherapy: Essential oil of lavender has been shown in studies to reduce stress. Add 5-6 drops to a bath; or 2-3 drops on a handkerchief or tissue and inhale periodically.
Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture brings deep relaxation.
Massage: Massage relieves many of the physical symptoms of stress, tense muscles, aching neck, shoulders and back, and headaches. By relaxing the mucsles and improving blood circulation, it also relaxes the mind.
Exercise: Exercise is what the body instinctively wants to do under stress, and it is extremely beneficial in relaxing the mind and body. regular running, walking, cycling, swimming, or any othe aerobic exercise ideally carried out for at least 30 mins, 3 times a week.
Relaxation techniques: Yoga is very helpful and will divert your mind from stress, relax tension muscles, stretching, and teach you to breathe more completely.
Meditation takes you into a deep state of relaxation. Chanting simple phrases can also help and divert the stress response. Counseling may be a good idea, but try to avoid tranquilizers and alcohol at all costs.

Frankincense(Boswellia or Olibanum)

The essential oil of Frankincense is extracted from the Gum exuded from a small North African tree. It was highly prized in ancient times, along with myrrh which were one of the first gum incenses to be burnt in the temples of Egypt. The incense is yellowish with a balsamic, slightly spicy aroma. Franckincense is very valuable for its effectiveness on the mind, it's penetrating aroma and its ability to deepen the breathing makes it a helpful aid in meditation. It helps one to see which path to take and therefore is useful in the type of depression where a person is confused and needs to get moving. Franckincense is also used in aromatherapy for skin care and respiratory infections.
Uses: Bronchitis, Cattarh, Coughs, Laryngitis, meditation aid, skin care,(particularly dull, wrinkled or ageing skin), wounds.
Emotional: Indecision and fear of the future, dwelling on past unpleasant events.
Blends well with: Cedarwood, lavender, myrrh, neroli, sandalwood, orange, lemon, and all the spices.

Herbal medicines

More people are turning to natural and herbal medicines..here is one that I would reccomend.
BRAHMI: This is used especially to help benefit us in memory capacity, increase concentration and reduce stress-induced anxiety. It is used to enhance cognitive ability. Bramhi is used as a nerve tonic that enhances learning, academic performance and improves mental ability. It is used in treating several mental disorders, it also calms restlessness in children.
Available@ Radhas Healing Center.

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes are a result of an underlying liver disorder that leads to an accumulation of bile products in the body. This may be due to (hepatitis), Cirrhosis blockage of the bile duct by a stone or tumor: or the abnormal destruction of the red blood cells, which leads to the release of large quantities of red pigment into the blood.
Dietary: Eat plenty of fruits and raw vegetables, along with vegetable protein(soy, cooked dried beans, peas, whole grain cereals) Drink lemon juice and carrot juice daily. Reduce your intake of all fats, including nuts and seeds. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking.
Herbs: Dandelion-root decoction is a gentle liver tonic: Put 3 teaspoons of the chopped dried root into 1 cup of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 10 minutes: drink 3 times daily.

Please consult a physician before starting any treatment

Effects of Sugar.

Sugar, not only rots our teeth and can make us fat, but it has other hidden dangers also.

1. The digestion of refined sugar is only possible with the aid of alkalising minerals and B vitamins. Sugar does not possess such nutrients, so they are drawn from the body's reserves, thus leaving a deficit.
2. Sugar increases the amount of uric acid in the blood which can lead to Gout.
3. Excess sugar consumption is associated with artery disease leading to heart attacks.
4. It can cause hyperglycaemia(high blood sugar), hypoglycaemia(low blood sugar) and may eventually progress to Diabetes.
5. Sugar can be addictive. When we eat sugar, the glucose level in the blood rapidly soars. The pancreas reacts by pouring high levels of insulin into the bloodstream to try to restore the blood sugar levels to normal. When we first eat sugar we experience a quick lift, but as soon as the blood sugar level stabilises, we feel hungry and depressed and we reach for more sugar.

Many of us believe that brown or raw sugar is better than white: but unfortunately it is almost as bad. It does contain a trace of the minerals and vitamins found in the sugar beet and sugar cane from which it is extracted, but it is still a highly-refined substance and can create the same metabolic disturbances as white sugar. The only slight advantage of raw sugar over white is that it is very bulky and strongly flavoured and possibly we automatically eat less of it. Honey if used in small quantities, is a much healthier alternative to sugar. Honey contains two simple sugars, glucose and fructose, which are easily digested. Fructose does not need insulin for absorption, so a little honey can be taken by diabetics.

Basil

This is an annual herb which grows to about 3ft high with small yellowish or pinkish flowers. The essential oil has a faint yellowish tint and is obtained by distillation of the leaves. The aroma is agreeably spicy,and is vaguely similar to that of cloves.
Basil is used primarily as a nerve tonic-it alleviates mental fatigue, anxiety and nervous insomnia. It stimulates the appetite, relieves flatulence and also has an expectorant action.

Uses: Bronchitis, colds, indigestion, whooping cough.
Emotional: Sleeplessness due to nervous tensions and anxiety coupled with "cold"feelings. Hysteria, mental fatigue.
Blends well with: Citrus oils, geranium, neroli.
Caution: Avoid during pregnancy or those with sensitive skin.

Face packs for Normal skin

2 teaspoons natural live yogurt
1 teaspoon almond oil
1 drop rosemary or lavender
Half teaspoon of oatmeal to bind

Mix the essential oil into the almond oil and stir into the other ingredients to form a paste. Apply to the face and neck, and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.