The Secret to Healthy, Radiant Skin

Oftentimes, the body’s internal health is reflected in the skin.  Show me a person who has been brought up with antibiotics, a dairy laden diet and chronic constipation and I’ll show you a person with skin problems: acne, boils, cysts, etc.

Healthy diet, a full body herbal detoxification program and lots of water offer a good combined approach to skin repair from the inside out even for teenagers, caught in the middle of hormonal flare-ups.

From the outside in, the key to glowing skin is daily exfoliation and hydration.  The external environment deposits its toxins into our pores as our internal ecology tries to rid itself of toxicity through the same pores, producing a build up of dead skin cells.  Daily exfoliation with a gentle, creamy herbal scrub accelerates new cell production while decreasing build up of dead surface skin cells which produce clogged, lackluster looking skin.  Care must be taken to use an exfoliant gentle enough for daily rather than weekly use as is indicated on many scrub labels.  (Feel free to contact me if you need help in locating a scrub for daily use).  Oily skin benefits from use morning and night while normal to dry or sensitive skin is fine with a once a day cleansing.

Facial products primarily composed of a cosmetic quality aloe vera gel are most beneficial to the skin.  (Again, feel free to contact me if you need help in locating a cosmetic quality aloe).  Properties that enable the aloe vera plant to withstand the desert climate are imparted to the skin, keeping it well hydrated.  The whole plant product moisturizes, is anti-inflammatory, refines fine lines, reduces pitting and scarring, promotes uplift and radiance.

Aloe biogens have the unique ability to help skin renew itself.  Working with the skin’s metabolism, they increase nutrient absorption and oxygen exchange.  Aloe contains zinc, a powerful anti-viral agent; anti-oxidant substances, vitamins A and C, copper, selenium, magnesium; and polysaccharides, a group of molecules responsible for bringing renewed luster to the skin.

The secret to healthy, radiant skin, therefore, lies in:

§         a healthy diet

§         a well functioning colon

§         8-10 glasses of water each day (my preference is distilled – contact me to receive my handout on distilled water)

§         daily exfoliation and hydration

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Uncommon Uses of Common Kitchen Herbs

That is the title of a segment I used in my TV show, “The Healing Power of Herbs.”  The therapeutic benefits of familiar foods may be right at your fingertips.

REMOVAL OF SPLINTERS, THORNS, SLIVERS OF GLASS, REMAINING TICK PARTS:

Rather than reaching for the tweezers or sterilized needle, here’s a much gentler way to remove something that has embedded itself in the skin. Cover affected area with a piece of ripened banana peel (pulp side to skin); affix with surgical tape and leave on overnight.  In the morning, the foreign material will have been drawn to the surface of the skin by the enzymes in the banana.  Deeply embedded material may need up to 3 nights treatment.

BLEMISHED SKIN

The drawing enzymes in banana come to the rescue again!  When my son was an adolescent he spread the pulp of a ripened mashed banana on his face overnight to clear his broken out skin.

BRUISES, BUMPS, SPRAINS AND STRAINS

The smelly yellow onion reduces inflammation, swelling and pain.  Simply slice and apply to unbroken skin.  Bind in place with surgical tape, a lightly applied elastic bandage or gauze.

BLEEDING CUTS

I’ve never seen a more dramatic healing than the effect of powdered cayenne pepper on a cut that won’t stop bleeding.  Cover the affected area with the hot powdered cayenne (it does not burn!) and the bleeding will stop in 10 seconds!

HEADACHES, SINUS CONGESTION, NAUSEA, INDIGESTION

Peppermint is an extremely versatile healer.  It can be used fresh or dried, prepared as a tea infusion (steep 1-2 teaspoons of the herb for 15-30 minutes).  Alternatively, a single drop of the natural oil of peppermint in a cup of warm water produces a faster therapy.  Either way, close your eyes while sipping and inhaling the aromatic properties of the herb because when peppermint is of good quality, it can sting the eyes. 

MUSCLE ACHES FROM SPORTS OR GARDENING

Adding a handful of powdered ginger to the bath water helps muscles to relax.  Ginger is a powerful stimulator of circulation therefore those with heart stress or high blood pressure should not use it in the hot bath.

WATER RETENTION

If PMS or salty food has left you feeling bloated, simmer a handful of flat-leafed parsley in a pint of water for 20 minutes or until reduced to one cup.

Drink a cup 3-4 times throughout the day to help the body rid itself of the excess fluid.

BUG BITES AND STINGS

The lowly onion strikes again!  To reduce the itch, inflammation and swelling of bug bites or stinging insects, apply a slice of yellow onion to the area.  The itch from mosquito bites is relieved by rubbing the juicy, freshly cut surface of the onion on the area.  Reapply as necessary.

SUNBURN

Stayed too long in the sun?  Apply the inner gel of the aloe plant you should be keeping in your kitchen for kitchen burns. 

Or, soak in a cool bath to which you’ve added 2 cups apple cider vinegar.

Plain, organic whole milk yogurt can soothe a burned face.  Apply thickly, leaving on for 30-45 minutes.  Rinse with cool water.

ENERGY DRAIN

Often an outing in the sun leaves us feeling drained of energy.  Soaking in a peppermint bath will quickly revive you.  Steep 4 tablespoons fresh or dried peppermint leaves in a quart of boiled water for 30 minutes.  Strain, reserving leaves, adding tea to bath water.  Wrap reserved leaves in a washcloth, binding closed with a rubber band.  As you bathe, rub the peppermint filled cloth all over your body.

CLOGGED SKIN

Generous applications of sunscreens can leave the skin feeling like it needs a good scrubbing.  Combine ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg with 1-2 tablespoons honey and apply to face for 20 minutes.  Before removing with cool water, create a “pulling” sensation by tapping all over your face with your fingers.  This stimulates circulation and makes your skin feel alive.

Taking Charge Of Your Family’s Wellness…Naturally

"Self empowerment" is the buzz word of our time. Yet, many feel disempowered when it comes to the care of their family’s health.

Integrated medicine, taking the best of all worlds, is a sensible, responsible approach to healthcare. Grandparents recognize this as the medical approach of their youth: administer natural remedies at home unless the situation requires more professional help. Perhaps this is why grandparents seem to be the biggest purchasers of books on natural wellness for children, offering it to their adult children for the care of the grandchildren.

Turning to the health food store or even the kitchen pantry, and given a medical diagnosis, a parent educated in medicinal herbs can return a youngster to health or soothe discomfort until seen by the pediatrician. And what better way to empower a child about their own wellness than to engage them in their healthcare, creating an awareness that will stay with them for their entire lives. They learn that taking care of their bodies preventatively is every bit as important as consulting a doctor when they are sick.

Statistics indicate that 75% of children have at least three ear infections before the age of six. Most of us either have or know a child who repeatedly suffers from what we have tacitly come to accept as a common childhood illness. Doesn’t it make you wonder why, with all the advances of modern medicine, children seem to suffer from ear infections more, rather than less often, than they did even 20 years ago?

Some children respond well to antibiotics; others are put on a round robin of antibiotic treatments (sometimes for years); and others still require surgery. A study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that children given antibiotics for ear infections were two to six times more likely to develop a recurrence than children who did not receive the antibiotic treatment. I am not the only one asking the question: What long-term effects do antibiotics have on developing immune systems?

"We found that, in the case of ear infections, sometimes the prescribed medicines created other problems and occasionally didn’t even cure…We have had the opportunity…to observe how effective, gentle and well tolerated these (herbal) remedies are in children." (Larry Baskind, M.D., F.A.A.P., Riverside Pediatrics, Croton on Hudson, NY; excerpted from the foreword of Gentle Healing for Baby and Child (Simon & Schuster)).

In the case of newborns, all kinds of environmental factors can take their toll on the infant’s immune system. We parents take special care to ensure that baby’s nursery is cheery, safe, and warm, but fail to take into account the array of possible irritants. Just think--the typical nursery contains new carpeting; paint; furniture; linens; curtains; and stuffed animals. What do we have here? Although it’s quite the opposite of what you would ever want for baby, it’s nothing short of a mini-chemical factory!

Some infants will be able to handle the chemical onslaught. Others, depending upon their genetic predisposition, may respond with asthma, skin afflictions, ear infections, or some other challenge to their immature immune systems. In the case of ear infections, the Eustachian tubes narrow as an inflammatory response to these toxic substances. The narrowed tubes may cause a backup of fluids and consequently become infected.

So what’s a parent to do? Take charge of what you can take charge of. Make sure the nursery is the safest possible environment: dust- and chemical-free. Wash all clothes and linens before putting them near baby’s skin. Use the most natural products you can find on your child’s body, and be sure they are fragrance-free.

Consider eliminating foods that can cause increased mucus and inflammation, a precursor to many ear infections. The nursing mother should consider her food intake because the foods she is eating are passed on to her baby. Common offenders include dairy, wheat, corn, peanuts, chocolate, orange juice, and eggs.

I recommend the following courses of action at the earliest signs of ear discomfort:

·         Limit the intake of sugar. Processed sugar is a challenge to the body and feeds fungal, parasitic, and bacterial infections. Reduce fruit juice intake by diluting with water. Learn how to use echinacea, an invaluable immune system support found in health food stores, at the first sign of infection. Colds usually wind up in the ears of children predisposed to weakness in this part of their body. If you can prevent a cold from blossoming, you will have prevented another ear infection from developing.

·         If a cold does take hold, introduce an herbal decongestant.

·         Add garlic to your child’s diet. Garlic is naturally anti-bacterial, as well as anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic. A fresh clove can be chopped into mashed potatoes or put on toast with butter.

·         If infected fluid has settled in the ear, and there is no perforation of the eardrum (check with your physician to be sure of this) add a drop or two of anti-microbial garlic oil in each ear, along with a drop or two oil of mullein flower. Mullein flower is well known for its anti-inflammatory, decongestant action in the ear. The easiest time to administer ear drops is when a child is sleeping.

·         If there is pain in the ear, add a drop or two of St. John’s Wort oil. Its ability to calm nerve sensitivity may help to diminish the discomfort.

·         For many children, chiropractic adjustments have been instrumental in preventing recurrent ear infections. If there is a misalignment in the area of spinal nerves leading to the ears, chiropractic treatment could help by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the area.

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Don’t be afraid to implement all of the above protocols even while your child is on an antibiotic (to maintain the integrity of the intestinal tract while on an antibiotic, be sure to give acidophilus, the active culture in yogurt). When a parent is courageous enough to take charge of the situation, I have seen even the most chronic ear infections turned around, indeed eliminated, from a child’s life.

Protect Yourself While Traveling…Naturally!

Long distance travel carries with it the lure of exploration as well as the discomforts of challenging environments. These days, airline travel means long lines and multiple security checks.  Be sure to have a relaxed state of mind to help you go with the flow, and an engaging book.  Maintaining balance in the immune and gastrointestinal systems will help you enjoy your vacation healthfully and actively.

Maintaining a healthy immune system

The first line of defense for the immune system is the well-known herb, echinacea (ek-i-nay-sha).  Best used as an alcohol-based liquid extract versus capsules or tea, echinacea protects against unwelcome microorganisms.  Taking 30 drops in a little water just before you arrive at the airport, and continuing with 15 drops every two hours will help maintain a strong defense against all the germs being recirculated throughout the airport and later (when you finally get to board!), in the cabin.

If you are suffering from sinus congestion or tend to get stuffed up while flying, take an herbal decongestant before and during the flight.  It’s best to avoid dairy products since they tend to be mucus forming.  Highly salted airplane snacks should be replaced with healthy snacks like fruit and unsalted nuts.

Probiotics – the friendly bacteria

The local water will probably contain organisms unfamiliar to your intestinal tract (even within the U.S.) so bottled water is best.  For more exotic locations, a twice-daily dose of 1 tsp apple cider vinegar in ½ cup water will help make the intestines inhospitable to parasites.

Take acidophilus, a probiotic supplement to help maintain intestinal ecology.  This offers a good defense against unfriendly microorganisms one may encounter in a new environment.  The shelf-stable products are more convenient for travel than  those requiring refrigeration.  Take twice a day on an empty stomach.

Garlic has antibiotic and anti-viral properties.  Deodorized garlic tablets are available but fresh is always best.  Most restaurants will accommodate you with fresh, chopped garlic you can put in your food.

Constipation is often a problem while traveling.  Bring along a formula that contains the herb, cascara sagrada, rather than the harsher senna.  Take at bedtime along with your probiotic.

Hiking, biking and sightseeing=stressed muscles

If you haven’t conditioned your body prior to vacation, your muscles may start rebelling.  Pack a nervine formula containing the herbs valerian, passionflower, and hops, to relax tense muscles.  Take 2-3 capsules at bedtime for a relaxed, refreshing sleep.

Long distance travel creates thirsty skin

Summer travel can be dehydrating to the skin.  Whether you’re driving long distances in an air-conditioned car, or traveling by plane in re-circulated air, your inner and outer body require hydration.

This is the time to avoid dehydrating drinks such as coffee and alcohol and drink plenty of water.  How much water is always the question.  A rule of thumb is to take your weight, divide it in half and drink that many ounces: 150 pounds, divided in half equals 75, therefore drink 75 ounces of water each day, or about nine to ten 8oz glasses.  Water is also a great energizer.

Another way to hydrate the skin is with the liberal use of moisturizing creams and lotions.  Apply lotion to your body, face, neck and hands, and a protective cream to your lips.  Bring along a small spray bottle of water and spritz your face every hour.  Adding a few drops of essential oil to the water will provide added benefits (try lavender, tangerine or rose for their relaxing properties; eucalyptus, sage, ginger or peppermint for sinus-clearing and stimulating properties.)

For longer trips, pre-soak chamomile tea bags, store in a plastic bag, and apply to eyes while napping.  The chamomile will help reduce eye puffiness and serve as an eye mask.

Refresh, revitalize and you’re ready to rock!

When you arrive at your destination, prepare a rejuvenating bath by adding 10 drops essential oil of peppermint to the bath water.  Apply a stimulating facial mask and use a peppermint body scrub to exfoliate the hours of stale air, grime and stress your skin has suffered.  After your bath, apply an energizing seaweed-based body moisturizer, take a long drink of water and you’re ready to check out your new, fun location.

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