Herbal body care

Total body care is a necessary regimen. It isn’t enough to take care of the face; the rest of the skin deserves some pampering too. There are a number of herbs which you can use for herbal body care. The body is composed largely of the skin organ. In order to take care of the boy, you need to take care of the skin. The herbal body care applied will essentially provide protection for the skin too.

Herbal body care for dry skin includes using body lotions, scrubs and bath oils. Refrain from using soap since it could dry your skin even more. For dry skin itches, add quarter-cup vinegar to bath. The herbs that could promote oil production and herbal body care in dry skin are: chamomile, fennel, rose, geranium, lavender, palmarosa, sandalwood and small amounts peppermint and rosemary. Frankincense, jasmine, neroli and rose although expensive are also beneficial.

Herbal body care for oily skin involves using herb that normalize overactive oil glands which include herbs such as sage, lemongrass, basil, eucalyptus, cedarwood, cypress, lemon, yarrow and ylang-ylang. Bathing could also help oily skin if used with Aromatic Bath Salts or Aromatic Batch Vinegar. Avoid high heat in saunas since it encourages skin to become oilier. Bath salts make bath water feel silky, remove body oils, perspiration and soften the skin.

Herbal body care for sun-damaged skin involves PABA (part of the B-complex vitamins) and cinoxate (cinanamic acid from cinnamon). These two herbal body cares are commonly used ingredients in sunscreens. Sesame oil is also believed to decrease the impact of the sun’s burning rays by 30 per cent. Olive, coconut, peanut oils and aloe vera are herbal body cares that block out 20 per cent of the rays. Using three to six percent dilution of extract of helichrysum also called immortelle is also an effective herbal body care that serves as sunscreen. Carrot-seed essential oil is very helpful to sun-damaged skin and is used to treat pre-cancerous conditions. The beta-carotene found in this oil is also effective herbal body care used in protecting against skin cancer induced by ultraviolet rays. The South American herb pau d’arco is also an effective herbal body care that is an antioxidant that helps treat skin cancer.

Do not use bergamot if you go out into the sun. This herb contains phototoxic compound called bergaptene which skin’s sensitivity to light and can cause skin discoloration or rashes.

Herbal heat packs

Herbal heat packs are used for back pain, neck pain, eye strain and to give other forms of relaxation. Commercial herbal packs could cost some money anywhere between $18 and 35 per herbal pack. Herbal heat packs use all kinds of fillers where certain amounts of herbs are added. Fillers for herbal heat packs could be wheat or rice, husks of grains, buckwheat husks, cattails seeds, lavender and other herbs. The beauty of the commercial herbal heat packs is that they are reusable and can be reheated a number of times of times without losing their effectiveness. These herbal heat packs are safe to use. And the ingredients of these commercial herbal packs are entirely organic. On the other hand, making your own herbal heat packs especially if you have your own botanical can be another alternative. All you need to do is assemble different herbs freshly picked from your garden. You can discard them and change them once the effect has lessened.

Herbal heat packs are particularly effective when relaxing. To heat herbal pack, place the pack in the microwave oven for as little time as possible, usually less as a minute depending on the size of the pack. Herbs will lose their effectiveness if heated for a long time especially the mints. If the smell of mint has dissipated, you don’t need to make new herbal heat packs, just dab on essential oils in the pack. The same herbal heat pack can be put in the freezer and used as a cold herbal pack to treat inflammation. You can use the herb catnip as effective herbal heat packs or pillows for relaxation and to relieve congestion. Just hang the plants up to dry, put them into an old pillowslip and use them as a pillow to aid sleep. You can use other herbs for your herbal pillows. Lavender, hops or chamomile are good alternatives. You can use mints herbal pillows to relieve congestion.

Herbal heat packs usually contain the following ingredients:

For the base content: rice and lavender, buckwheat husks, popping corn, other grains, peas or beans and cherry pits.

For the herbal content: lavender which is for relaxation, catnip as sleep aid, peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus for congestion, garlic for severe congestion, yucca to treat inflammation and other herbal ingredients.

Herbal heat packs are used to treat and are effective for the following symptoms:

- General muscle fatigue
- Sciatic nerve
- Back pain
- Arthritic and rheumatic pain
- Tight, still muscles
- Sinus headaches, backaches, joint discomfort or inflammation
- Warming muscle before exercising
- Muscle spasms in neck or upper back
- Ease pain of migraines and TMJ problems

Herbal Tea Remedy

Herbal tea remedy is one of the simplest ways to prepare herbs and use its curative value to heal ailments. A cup of tea costs just a few cents too. One teaspoon of herb per cup would suffice. This is to be ingested three or four times daily for it to be effective as an herbal tea remedy. A number of the herbal tea remedy such as fever-reducing teas and diuretics are best taken when hot because the heat induces perspiration.

There are several ways to prepare herbal tea remedy. These are:

- Infusions. This herbal tea remedy is made by pouring hot water over herbs and steep for five to ten minutes using saucepan, teapot and cup. To retain the essential oils in the herbs, cover the pot or pan. Flowers and leaves are used in infusion.

- Decoction. This herbal tea remedy is made by gently simmering the herbs in water for 15 to 30 minutes. Decoctions usually made use of roots and bark. The high heat can release more properties from roots and bark.

- Cold infusions. This herbal tea remedy is done by soaking herbs in cold water for eight hours. This method is usually done for delicate herbs that would lose essential oils if heated. There are currently two versions of tea in the market: flavor-enhanced tea and instant tea.

- Tinctures. This herbal tea remedy is herbal extracts that are concentrated liquid herbal medicine. This is good for years. You can dilute this into an instant herbal tea remedy by adding water or juice. Average does is 30 drops or a quarter teaspoon.

Herbs that can be used as an effective herbal tea remedy include the following:

Alfalfa
Fenugreek
Hyssop
Rose hips
Blackberry
Feverfew
Lemon Grass
Rosemary
Chamomile
Flaxseed
Orange
Sarsaparilla
Chickweed
Ginseng
Peppermint
Savory
Chicory
Gotu kola
Psyllium
Slippery Elm
Dandelion
Hibiscus
Raspberry
Spearmint
Echinacea
Hops
Red Raspberry
Valerian
Fennel
Horehound

Due to the astringent tannin found herbal tea remedy, it could alleviate indigestion, diarrhea and other forms of stomach upset. It also aids in burning of fat calories in people who are overweight according to a Swiss research study. Perhaps the side effect due to herbal tea remedy could be derived from its caffeine content. Excessive amounts of the brewed tea could lead to irritability, sleeplessness, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, headache or loss of appetite. To avoid side effects, do not take herbal tea remedy in excessive dosage, read package labels carefully and do not exceed recommended intake. Exercise caution when it comes to toxicities of certain herbs that are used as herbal tea remedy.

Peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha piperata) is an herb which has a number of medicinal benefits. It is a hybrid of spearmint (M. spicata) and water mint (M. aquatica). Peppermint oil contains the powerful therapeutic ingredient menthol including menthonse, menthyl acetate and 40 other compounds. The oil is made by distilling peppermint’s leaves and stems which are harvested before the light-purple flowers appear in the summer.

Peppermint has various health benefits:

- It is a muscle relaxant especially in the digestive tract and it reduces inflammation of nasal passages and treats muscle pains.

- Peppermint can be fund in antacid preparations. It is also an ingredient in toothpastes and breath fresheners due to its minty taste.

- Treats headache by mixing peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and ethanol on the forehead and temples.

- It treats irritable bowel syndrome due to its antispasmodic effect that provides relief for abdominal pain, bloating, alternating constipation and diarrhea and general abdominal discomfort.

- It treats nausea and vomiting by moderately anesthetizing the stomach’s mucus lining.

- It controls flatulence and diverticular disorders because it relaxes digestive spasms.

- Improve digestion and lowers heartburn though its menthol which can increase the flow of all digestive juices, bile included.

- It dissolves gallstones by reducing the size of gallstones and help those inflicted avoid surgery.

- It lowers viral levels of herpes simplex 1 and 2.

- It fights bad breath by killing bacteria and keeping the mouth moist.

- It controls muscle aches and pain. When rub on the skin, it produce cool and soothing sensation and prevents the nerve to pick up pain messages.

- It clears congestion and cough due to colds and allergies by decreasing inflammation on the nasal passages.

- It controls mild asthma by lessening bronchial constriction.

- It fights stress when the aroma of peppermint oil is added to bath water.

- It is substitute to usual medication used to calm digestive system during medical procedures.

Peppermint comes in different formulations such as: tincture, softgel, ointment, oil, dried herb/tea, cream and capsule. Keep in mind the following tips in order to get the most out of the peppermint medicine:

- in irritable bowel syndrome, nausea or gallstones, take one or two enteric-coated peppermint capsules two or three times a day between meals. Each capsule should have .2 ml of oil.

- Stomach upset relief, flatulence, diverticular disorders, digestive complaints, take three to four cups of peppermint tea daily between meals. In diverticular disorders, combine once part peppermint and one part valerian to two parts wild yam. Pour 8 oz. of hot water over the mixture, steep for 10 minutes then strain and sweeten to taste. Take this mixture three to four times daily.

- For heartburn and bad breath, drink three or four cups of peppermint tea spread through the day or place one or two drops of peppermint oil on tongue as needed.

- Muscle aches and pain can be treated by adding several drops of undiluted peppermint oil to 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as almond oil. Apply up to four times in a day.

- For congestion, drink up to four cups a day.

- Mild asthma, take two to three peppermint oil capsules a day.

- To relieve stress, place six to eight drops of essential oil into warm bath.

Never take in pure mentol as this can be fatal. Refrain from using peppermint oil if you have hiatal hernia. Avoid large does of peppermint oil when pregnant or you could undergo earlier labor.

Herbal Shoulder Therapy

Herbal shoulder therapy is used to address any pain in or around the shoulder joint. Most of the time, pain of the shoulder is caused by conditions that affect the ligaments or tendons near the joint. The common causes of shoulder pains are: trauma or injury to the shoulder, bursitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, bicipital tendonitis and arthritis. Shoulder injuries have two major categories: acute and chronic. Acute shoulder injuries have the following symptoms: redness, swelling, inflammation and sharp pain. Chronic shoulder injuries have stiffness, numbness, discomfort and dull pain.

You can apply immediate care to the affected shoulder area by doing the following therapy: To treat shoulder injuries, after you first feel the shoulder pain, apply ice for 30 minutes then leave it for 15 minutes. Continue this treatment for several hours but do not freeze the skin. Rest is very necessary. You should rest the shoulder for the next few days. After a few days of rest, slowly begin to strengthen the shoulder muscles. Doing some light weight lifting with full range of motion is recommended.

Herbal shoulder therapy for acute shoulder problems involves reducing pain, swelling and muscle spasms. The herbal shoulder therapy is intended to eliminate painful symptoms at the same time supporting the healing process. Herbal shoulder therapy consists of strong analgesic herbs such as corydalis combined with anti-spasmodic herbs and blood-invigorating herbs to ease up pain, encourage blood circulation and open the meridian channels. Herbal shoulder therapy for chronic shoulder problems must activate qi and blood circulation, opening the channels and collaterals and nourishing the muscles and tendons.

In both acute and chronic shoulder conditions, corydalis is the key herb necessary for the herbal shoulder therapy. This herb, aside from containing strong analgesic properties, also has the capacity to treat both acute and chronic inflammation cases. Corydalis also protects from NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers by lowering the gastric acid secretion. Herbal shoulder therapy formulas that are used to treat shoulder pain include the following:

- Lindera formula

- Atractylodes and arisaema combination treats shoulder disorders but do not have strong analgesic effects.

Some used herbal heat packs for herbal shoulder therapy. Herbal heat packs that contain a number of herbs for relaxation and treatment purposes such as valerian, peppermint, saw palmetto, lemon grass, lavender, white willow and a host of other herbs which are known for their pain-relieving properties are heated and applied to the affected area.

Herbal Neck Wraps

Stiff neck and shoulder pains are the most common discomforts we experience after a long day’s work. If you spend your day facing your computer, chances are, you’ll experience neck pains and shoulder aches. These kinds of discomforts may also arise from stress and pressure we face every day. Massage parlors and spas offer all sorts of remedies for these types of discomforts, from body wraps to acupuncture and herbal neck wraps to aromatherapy. Herbal neck wraps, especially, work well for reducing the discomfort from neck and shoulder pains.

Herbal Neck Wraps – What is it?

Herbal neck wraps are similar to body wraps. That is, they combine the benefits of moist heat therapy and aromatherapy to produce better results. Herbal neck wraps are excellent for pain relievers, as well as effective decongestants. People suffering from cold can use herbal neck wraps to relieve congestion. Also, athletes can make use of herbal neck wraps as a replacement for ice packs.

Herbal Neck Wraps – The Herbs

Herbal neck wraps use a variety of herbs mixed together to produce excellent results. Some of these herbs are stated below:

- Lavender

One of the main ingredients for mixing herbal neck wraps is lavender. Native to the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean, the plant prefers sunny, stony habitats where it can grow to heights of 3 and half feet. Lavender produces an aromatic essential oil that is considered as very versatile and useful. It is the oil used in perfumes and aromatherapy. Lavender essential oil relaxes, soothes, restores, and balances your body and mind. It refreshes tired muscles, feet, and head.

- Valerian Root

Valeriana officinalis, the scientific name of Valerian root, is also another important ingredient in herbal neck wraps. The plant is indigenous to England’s marshy thickets where its tall stems may be seen towering over other species of flora. The Valerian root is an excellent herb that allays pain and promotes sleep. Its effects are similar to the effects of narcotics with none of the unpleasant after-effects. It highly valued in herbal neck wraps as a relaxing antispasmodic ingredient.

- White Willow

White willow, or European willow, is a large tree with a rough grayish bark that is native to Central and Southern Europe. The bark of the white willow contains a high percentage of tannin, which is a natural salicylic acid that is nearly as potent as aspirin. Because of its analgesic properties, this herb is added into most neck wrap mixtures.

Other herbs found in neck wrap mixtures are chamomile (nerve tonic, relaxant), rosemary (headache relief), peppermint (pain relief and anti-spasm), spearmint (nerve support), and hops (sedative). Some many neck wraps may also contain traces of yellow dock root to improve circulation, lemon grass, cinnamon, and yarrow.