AloeVera An Effective Medicine?

Aloe vera is a very useful plant. It is very often used as a medicine to treat skin conditions such as burns and eczema, where it can help to stop the pain and reduce swelling. It is also very pleasant and soothing in its smell, which is likely why you will have heard of it: it is very often used in soaps, shampoos, and similar products.

This is not the only way to buy aloe vera, however. It is also available in capsule and gel form, as well as in juices and drinks, creams and lotions.

However, scientists are not altogether in agreement on the effectiveness of aloe vera as a medicine. It is difficult to research the effects of aloe vera properly, because it is such a complicated herb. Aloe vera contains 75 different nutrients, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, sugars and acids. Supposedly, it can help with muscle growth, be anti-bacterial, aid digestion, heal wounds, and much more ? but then alternative medicine always tends to claim too much when it comes to its remedies. It is widely believed that aloe vera is effective against the common cold, although no medicine has ever been proved to cure it.

You should also be aware that aloe vera, although it is a traditional remedy, can have side effects. Reported side effects include liver dysfunction, burning sensations, allergic reactions, nausea, strangely-coloured urine, and dermatitis, although all of them are rare. Some studies have shown that, while the aloe vera does relieve pain, wounds treated with aloe vera can take longer to heal than usual, making it an undesirable treatment in many situations.

There are also many conditions you can have which mean that you shouldn?t take aloe vera. If you?re pregnant or breast-feeding, allergic to garlic or onions, or have kidney or heart disease, you should avoid aloe vera. It should never be given to children or animals, as it can be poisonous to them.

John Gibb is the owner of aloe vera sources , For more information on aloe vera please check out http://www.aloe-vera-sources-and-info2k.info

Convincing Sceptics Of the Efficacy Of Complementary Medicine

'You don't really believe these bizarre techniques work, do you?' This or other similar often less polite comments are common responses when we try to convince our more sceptical and scientific friends and acquaintances about the power and efficacy of our favourite alternative and complementary therapies. Many of us are left floundering in the face of the superiority of their total conviction in their rightness. Over the years I have developed several different approaches to the sceptic. I do not use all these approaches at the same time, but try to assess which approach will work. If one tactic doesn't work, then I try another approach. My success is not 100% but I have managed to convince many sceptics and hostile scientists to take a second look at these ideas and therapies. Some of these original sceptics have become my greatest supporters and have, in turn, managed to convince many other people to consider these therapies.

Sceptics often see the success as being purely attributable to a placebo effect. It is argued that because people believe that it will work it does. In fact many of the people who come to me say they find it very hard to believe that it will work. Some clients ask incredulously: 'Can this really work?' or 'Is that it?' Other clients have told me that they have walked out after the first visit convinced they have just wasted their time and their money, only to find that they do get better, that their symptoms do diminish and that they feel happier and healthier than they have for a long time. It's not a very good placebo if so many people are so unimpressed by it! Small babies and children respond to kinesiology and other therapies very well. A 6-week old baby was brought to see me because she was failing to thrive. She was sick every time she was fed and was losing weight much to the concern of her parents and the medical profession. The mother had tried various baby milk formulas (including soya-based ones) to no avail. I found that the baby was allergic to the tap water that her mother used to make up the formulas. We changed the tap water source and used some homeopathic treatment and the baby responded immediately. This can hardly be attributed to a placebo effect, particularly as the baby slept through the whole procedure, only waking as she was leaving my office. Even if it were a placebo, I have a placebo that works in many instances where conventional medicine has failed.

The most direct way to convince a sceptic is, of course, to improve his/her health using these techniques. Some years a man came to see me about the severe arthritis he had in his knees. Although he was only in his 30's and an ambitious man he was only able to work part-time because he was in such pain. During the initial conversation he told me that I would not be able to help him. I was surprised at this and asked him why he had come to see me. He told me that both his wife and his neighbour were clients of mine. Whenever he complained about the pain in his knees they would 'nag' him to come and see me. He had decided he would come to see me simply to stop them nagging. I did not spend a long time explaining or justifying the strange therapy but got his agreement that he would do everything I asked him to do. He came back for the second session and told me that his knees were much worse. 'You're the only person that's ever managed to do anything,' he said. This was a rather surprising but encouraging comment. By the time he came for his third session his knees had improved dramatically and he had taken a new full-time job that involved him in driving thousands of miles each month in a non-automatic car. He was delighted and subsequently recommended many other people to come and see me.

A man with macular degeneration of the eyes said at the end of his final appointment, 'I don't mean to be rude. What you do is a joke, but I have no other explanation for why my eyesight is getting better.'

In the past I often offered to show sceptics how powerful health kinesiology was. Some refused to let me do anything, but others agreed to have a short session. When their symptom improved or disappeared after the treatment they would often say 'But it would probably have gone anyway' or 'I don't feel any different'. Eventually I got frustrated with this sort of response so I decided to offer to make the sceptic worse rather than better. 'I will put your body so out of balance that you will get sickness and diarrhoea' I now volunteer innocently. I am sure skilled homeopaths, herbalists, masseuses and reflexologists could do this too. I have not yet found anyone who is willing to let me try to do this, in spite of the fact that they believe that the therapy is nonsense! This offer of mine puts them in touch with the fact that they are not as convinced as they think they are that the therapy does not work. If they were really as certain as they claim then they would be happy to do this because they would know that I couldn't possibly make them ill.

Many doctors only ever meet our failures. I once met a doctor who claimed that osteopathy was dangerous on the grounds that his patients who had been to see one had come back to him in more pain. I pointed out to him that if the osteopathic treatment had been successful then his patients would not have come back to him. Similarly, complementary therapists only tend to see the disasters of allopathic medicine. Many of my clients complain to me of their doctors' insensitivity and ignorance. I always remind myself that there are many people who are satisfied with conventional medicine and the treatment they receive: they are so satisfied that they do not come to see me.

Even if sceptics admit that people are genuinely getting well they will often dismiss the therapies because we cannot adequately explain how it works. I offer the following story to these people. Many years ago when one of my sons was small we were travelling to my parents' house to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary. My son had been entranced by our preparations: the golden presents being wrapped in golden paper. On the journey we stopped at a motorway service station and he picked up a packet of Durex Gold condoms. 'What are these?' he asked curiously (obviously wanting to know whether this would be a good additional present for Grandma and Granddad). 'Condoms,' I replied. 'What are they for?' was the inevitable next question. 'They are things that men put on their willies to stop ladies having babies,' I told him. He gave me a very hard look to make certain that I really meant this bizarre statement and then he shook his head and said: 'Strange, very strange.'

Of course, to him the idea that men wearing something could stop women having babies was bizarre, because he lacked a vital piece of information that made sense of this statement. The situation with many complementary therapies is bizarre precisely because we lack information that would make sense of it. It is the job of the scientific community to provide this information. Their model cannot explain the undoubted success of much alternative medicine. It is not sufficient (or scientific) to call the therapies bizarre and unscientific. It is necessary to find a model that makes sense of these therapies. The inadequacy is on the part of the scientific community that cannot explain kinesiology and many other successful and increasingly popular therapies. It is not on the part of therapists who are busy helping people to get better and heal themselves.

Many of the sceptics are implicitly arguing that medicine is scientific, rigorously assessed (with double blind trials etc.), but this is far from the truth. For example, saliva swabs were taken from 12,000 children whose GP's had diagnosed that they had measles. 97.5% of these children were found not to be suffering from measles (Daily Telegraph January 8th 1997). We are not talking about doctors misdiagnosing some obscure disease, but a common disease that is much discussed. Many drugs have been found to be ineffective or, even worse, to involve serious side effects. Pethidine, for instance, given to huge numbers of women to reduce pain in labour has been found to be ineffective (What the Doctors Don't Tell You March 1997). A doctor specialising in anaesthetic and pain relief told me that many of the operations used for intractable pain had never been fully tested and in his opinion many of these were useless procedures submitting people to more distress and pain. Many drugs have had to be withdrawn after devastating side effects have been found. In many ways doctors and 'scientific' people are asking standards from complementary therapy that medicine and science do not achieve.

A frequent comment from my clients is that though the therapy (in my case health kinesiology) seems bizarre, I seem very sane and down-to-earth. They feel that they can trust me and that I am acting with honesty and integrity. More than conventional doctors we need to prove that we are intelligent, honest, knowledgeable and skilful.

Based on an article first published in 'Positive Health' in March 1998

Jane Thurnell-Read is a writer and researcher on health, stress, alternative medicine, and happiness. Visit her web site http://www.healthandgoodness.com for tips and information on how to live a happier, healthier life no matter how busy you are.

Acne Blemish Treatment

Yikes, not another zit! Don't you just hate it when you go to bed and that last zit on your forehead was just about gone, but then you wake up with two new ones? If you're like most of us, you've probably had a bout or two of acne. Any teenager can tell you that the anguish that goes with these nasty little bumps, is detrimental to one's confidence. With over one half of adult women and one fourth of adult men experiencing some form of adult acne, it is no longer just a problem associated with adolescence.Fortunately we now have many solutions to this old-as-time affliction.

This is why it's imperative to have a good acne blemish treatment. Let's face it; most of us are afflicted with zits at some point or another. If you're like the majority of us, you probably started getting acne back when you were a teenager; this dilemma continues for God knows how long. That myth of it going away when you're twenty offers little comfort when you reach 25 and have a massive blemish exploding on your forehead. Fortunately these days you can acquire an effective acne blemish treatment to battle those nasty bumps, and keep your face looking great.

How do you choose an acne blemish treatment? Have you taken a look recently at the many new products on the market these days? You've got the classic Clearasil, and Oxy products; but then you have the plethora of Neutrogena treatments gracing the drugstore shelves. Which acne blemish treatment is your favorite? Will it be a clear gel or possibly a cream? Depending on your skin type, you have to be careful which product you choose. Some of these products are strong and can irritate and/or dry out your delicate skin.

A popular acne product on the market today is Proactive Solution, which can be purchased online or possibly at your local shopping mall or drugstore. As a solution for acne, Proactive Solution works by helping to clear existing blemishes and stop new ones from forming, The core system is a three step system combining several different medicines to accomplish these goals.Many devout users of this product swear by its effectiveness. They have celebrities claiming how well it works, which is always a good pitch to the young public. If you watch television, you surely know what I'm talking about. If you jump online, you will be overwhelmed with acne blemish treatments galore.

With your PC, you can actually get a better insight on what's out there and what truly works. Browse through a variety of feedback reviews on various products at acne forum sites. Maybe the acne blemish treatment you assumed was the best, received terrible reviews from past users. In the end it basically comes down to zapping those irksome bumps out of existence, and doing it as quickly as possible. With over one half of adult women and one fourth of adult men experiencing some form of adult acne, it is no longer just a problem associated with adolescence. Get online today and find an acne blemish treatment that might work for you.

Bruce Walls is a writer and webmaster at http://www.a1-acne.com

Acne Skin Care Tips that Work

How should people go about acne skin care? This article enumerates some basic guidelines to go by. For example, you should clean your skin gently, avoid frequent handling of the skin, avoid sun tanning, and lastly, women should choose their cosmetics carefully and men must shave carefully for good acne skin care.

People with acne may try to stop outbreaks and oil production by scrubbing their skin and using strong detergent soaps. However, scrubbing will not help acne skin care; in fact, it can make the problem worse. Most doctors recommend that people with acne gently wash their skin with a mild cleanser for acne skin care, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Patients should ask their doctor or another health professional for advice on the best type of cleanser to use for acne skin care. Acne skin care also means washing your skin after heavy exercise. Patients should wash their face from under the jaw to the hairline; rough scrubs or pads should not be used. It is important that patients thoroughly rinse their skin after washing it. Astringents are not recommended for acne skin care unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots. Doctors also recommend that patients regularly shampoo their hair as part of acne skin care. Those with oily hair may want to shampoo it every day for proper acne skin care.

People who squeeze, pinch, or pick their blemishes risk developing scars. Acne lesions can form in areas where pressure is frequently applied to the skin. Frequent rubbing and touching of skin lesions should be avoided if you take your acne skin care seriously.

Men who shave and who have acne can try electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable for acne skin care. Men who use a safety razor should use a sharp blade and soften their beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Nicking blemishes can be avoided by shaving lightly and only when necessary.

A suntan or sunburn that reddens the skin can make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel drier for a little while. But the benefits are only temporary and cannot take the place of proper acne skin care. The sun can seriously damage skin, promote aging of skin, and cause skin cancer. Furthermore, many of the medications used to treat acne make a person more prone to sunburn.

People being treated for acne often need to change some of the cosmetics they use. Acne skin care demands that all cosmetics, such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, and moisturizers, should be oil free. Patients may find it difficult to apply foundation evenly during the first few weeks of treatment because skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide.

Lip products that contain moisturizers may cause small, open and closed comedones to form. Hairstyling products that come in contact with the skin along the hairline can cause burning or stinging in people with acne. Acne skin care products that are labeled as noncomedogenic (do not promote the formation of blemishes) should be used for acne skin care; in some people, however, even these products may cause acne.

Copyright 2005 Octocat Ltd

Mike Spencer is committed to helping people promote and protect their health, and has been doing so for many years. Here Mike talks about some help tips and techniques to combat acne. Read more about Mike?s Acne Prevention Tips here:

http://www.best-acne-treatment-solutions.com/acne-skin-care.html
http://www.acne-products-reviewed.com
http://www.best-buy-acne-treatments-that-work.com

Makeup Tips To Conceal Acne

While acne medication may promise results in just 7 days, you need to put your best face forward TODAY. Fortunately, you don't have to wear a bag over your head. Instead just a few good acne concealing makeup tips will help you look your best wherever you need to go.

Remember -- makeup only conceals acne, it doesn't cure it. While concealing acne with makeup isn't difficult, there are some definite procedures that you should always follow.

Your Basic Tool Kit

There are 3 acne-hiding makeup weapons -- concealer, foundation and finishing powder. Be sure to use only brand names because you don't want to trust your face to cut-rate products.

The key to success here is oil-free makeup, therefore read the labels carefully. You do NOT want to aggravate an existing acne problem by laying another coat of oil on skin that already has too much. Choose products that match your skin tone, and stick to those labeled hypoallergenic.

Before using any new product, it's important to test the makeup by applying a small dab under your jaw to see if your skin reacts negatively. You'll know in about an hour if there is a problem. You certainly don't want to add more blotches to an already colorful face.

Before You Begin

Wash your face using a normal face cleansing product. Completely pat your face dry, apply your acne medication, and then let your face thoroughly air dry.

The Concealer

With a light dabbing motion, apply the concealer directly to any acne blotches on your skin. Blend in the concealer using a disposable sponge. Use the concealer sparingly -- if applied too thickly, it will look terrible when it dries. You can always apply more later, if needed.

The Foundation

Use a light dabbing motion in applying the foundation. As with your concealer, use the foundation sparingly. With a sponge, blend the foundation and then reapply it if needed.

The Final Touch

Use a large makeup brush to apply a light layer of oil-free powder to take care of any shine that the acne concealer and foundation have left behind. It will also give your face an even and finished look.

Don't forget to throw away those disposable sponges when you are through, so that you don't transfer yesterday's skin oil to tomorrow's clean face!

Before You Go To Bed

It is best if you can remove your makeup as soon as you return home from school or work. You want your skin to breathe and your acne to get as much fresh air as possible.

Finally, before you go to bed wash your face thoroughly to remove every last trace of makeup. A thoroughly clean face will maximize the healing power of your sleep.

Visit acne skin care to learn more. Ron King is a writer and web developer, visit Articles for authors.

Copyright 2006 Ron King.

5 Tips for Acne Treatment

Acne is a problem that very few people really understand. Doctors and specialists alike are baffled as to why it strikes some more than others. An acne pimple is formed when a pore collapses. This blocks the sebum from escaping out of this pores as it would normally. Acne is more likely to be caused by hormones, vitamin deficiency, a poor diet or stress. A lot of time and money has been spent researching a cure and prevention from the onslaught of acne and as such there are numerous cures on the shelves that acne sufferers may want to consider using.

1- A bad diet is proven to cause acne, so sticking to a well balanced diet will certainly help clear up or prevent acne. Garlic and onions can be particularly helpful because these contain sulphur. Drinking lots of purified water can also be very effective, rehydrating the skin and improving your glands.

2- As well as a healthy diet and lots of water there are also vitamin and nutritional supplements you can take that will also assist in beating acne. Vitamins A, C and E are particularly helpful and combining these with zinc orotate is sure to have an effect.

3- Be careful about which moisturizers and cleaners you use on your skin. If you already suffer from acne this is especially important. Choose a mild cleanser and apply it twice a day to the acne infected areas. There are several specialist cleansers ideally suited to this task.

4- Be careful what you are subjecting your skin to. Perfumes, moisturizers and even some soap can flare up a reaction from your acne. Make sure you select products that are suited to your skin type and don't overdo the amount you use. Washing your face too often can actually irritate your acne and you should only do so twice a day.

5- Tempting though it may be you should try to avoid squeezing and picking. This can result in open sores that can easily become infected. By picking acne there is a good chance you will make it last longer. Ordinarily you can expect an acne pimple to last a week or more.

John Mancini has been writing about acne online and offline for a long time. Visit http://easy-acne-treatment.info or http://best-acne-treatments.net to read more about matters like acne treatments and cystic acne.

Celedrin The Natural way to be Free from Pain

When most people think of Celadrin, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to Celadrin than just the basics.

Celadrin ? or cetyl myristoleate - is one of a number of supplements taken by arthritis sufferers, but it really came into its own recently when the government withdrew popular painkillers like Vioxx from the market due to health concerns. This left many arthritis suffers with no option but to consider an operation to relieve their pain. An operation ? or a supplement like Celadrin? Many decided to try the less invasive option first.

Traditionally, doctors have not been keen to offer supplements to their patients, but many are increasingly coming to see that products like Celadrin may be a suitable alternative for those people who for some reason cannot - or choose not to - have an operation.

A scientist who was trying to understand why he couldn?t induce arthritis into mice discovered Celadrin about a decade ago. It contains a blend of eight stable fatty acids that can easily penetrate cell membranes and by providing lubrication to the cell membranes and decreasing inflammation it supports joint health. In fact, research has shown that it definitely improves not only the range of motion in a joint affected by arthritis, but balance, strength and endurance were also improved.

Placebo-controlled studies in 2002 showed that the subjects were able to perform several day-to-day functions like climbing stairs and even simply walking that had been painfully difficult before. Some subjects were even able to return to jogging, an exercise that had been impossible for some time due to the pain and stiffness experienced from arthritis.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I'm sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

University bio-chemist Dr. Daniel Gallaher PhD, prescribes Celadrin for many of his patients and has had no side-effects reported. The pills may need be taken for at least two months before improvement is noticed, though in some cases this time is considerably shorter. Some patients have noted a dramatic improvement within a few days of applying the lotion.

Daniel Hoeffal MD, advises his patients to take the product scientifically. That is, no more than one supplement at a time and stick to the instructions on the bottle. If several supplements are taken at once, there is no way of determining which was the one responsible for giving relief.

Celadrin comes in pill form and topical lotion and is quite affordable compared to some other supplements, with the pills costing about $12.00 a bottle and the lotion half that. It is available as a stand-alone product, or combined with other products such as Glucosamine

Always consult your health care professional before taking supplements, as some can interfere with the absorption of other medications, while others may change how internal organs function, cause blood pressure or clotting.

This article's coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.

About The Author
Keith Woolley is a Director of Boots Herbal Stores Ltd and licensed reseller of Solgar Vitamins online at www.solgar.co.uk.

Camping out with Reiki Developing your Personal Reiki Practice

Let?s go camping.

(If you have never been camping before then we recommend you suspend your disbelief and we?ll attempt to conjure up a likely image for you.)

It?s a gorgeous day, you?ve been wandering through the bush for a couple of hours looking for the perfect camping spot (yes, let?s make it an Australian camping story). You startle a wallaby as you turn a corner and she hops away as fast as her powerful legs can carry her. The white cockatoos screech at each other from towering gum trees and the exotic scent of sweet wattle hangs in the warm air.

Ahhh this is the life.

You?re searching for the perfect camping spot; one that will keep you safe and warm throughout the night.

On the other side of a great red boulder you finally see it? a clearing at the edge of a deep, vast valley with an uninterrupted panorama as far as the eye can see of the wild Australian bush and its turquoise sky.

At the centre of the clearing you notice a small clump of ashes with a log lying nearby that will be perfect for a fireside seat; you realise that someone has camped here before. This is always a good sign. You are not the first to have chosen this path, it must hold some merit.

You walk to the edge of the precipice. Breathe in deeply. You?re ready. All the equipment you need is in your backpack, you just have to make sure you use it correctly.

****************

Camping out could easily become an analogy for the wonderful world of Reiki. Or have we been too obvious already? Probably.

Choose your Reiki path with care. Will the course offer you the tools you need, will it build your independence and yet highlight a path that has shown itself to be successful for others?

Back to the story?.

******************

You are at your chosen camping spot. While it is still light you begin to unpack your backpack. You have everything you thought you would need as well as all those things that your friends and the camping store had recommended. Most importantly you have the basic elements of nourishment, water, shelter, your torch and ? for an emergency your charged up mobile.

But there is something special that you require when you go camping out overnight that you can?t buy. It?s something only you can make.

******************

Back in the world of Reiki you?ve paid for your course and you are being taught the basic elements of the system; hand positions, techniques and meditations, symbols and mantras, and precepts. You receive *reiju and you begin to feel ready to start your practice.

But there?s something more to this as well ?

******************

Fire.

Building a good Reiki practice is like building a great campfire.

First of all your practice needs to be ignited. Without ignition the fire doesn?t burn and there is no promise of future warmth or wisdom.

Obviously, you need good solid material to begin your fire with - kindling, dry matches and the perfect position. If all you hold in your hand is a pretty piece of paper, it will go up in flames in seconds leaving you with a smattering of uninspiring black ash and sore fingers.

Ignition is therefore a direct result of your experience during a quality Reiki course. Something catches alight when you bring together the basic elements of the system along with an accomplished teacher and your fellow students. This magical combination creates an environment predisposed to fire.

It might be during the practice of *hatsurei ho or when you receive reiju that combustion point is reached; you glimpse a sense of inner peace or perhaps feel momentarily connected to everyone and everything in the room or, more intensely, the universe.

You have been gifted with a promise. This promise is a transaction between you and something deep inside you that is normally covered with a thick veneer of society. You have just been offered a view of something that is beyond imagining; beyond your daily routine of work, recreation and sleep. But it is up to you to fulfil the promise.

Do you want that sense of inner peace to return again and more regularly?

Imagine continuing the experience of connectedness with everyone and everything? Do you want to try to be always moving with the flow of the universe and simply Being?

Now you can. Your fire has been ignited.

You must, however, feed it. Go gather more sticks, keep your fire burning.

At your course your teacher hands you something to take away. A practice and full support. Know that if you practice too little - your fire will go out. At times of doubt grab for that lifeline of support - or else you will forget the promise and your Reiki course will become nothing more than a pleasant memory.

Extend your given practice from 5 minutes a day to 10 and so on. Be aware of balance in your practice; some days you need a bit more and other a little less. It all depends upon your inner barometer and you are paying attention now, tending your fire.

So find yourself a comfortable spot near your great campfire that will warm you, feed you and light your way through the dark night. Build the fire gradually with the appropriate size logs until its constant white heat warms your inner soul. This spot will be like no other ? it is individual to you.

Sitting at ease on your log, you notice the firelight flickering against the mottled trunk of a nearby tall tree. You are reminded that the grand gum trees of the Australian bush purposefully litter the ground with their leaves to encourage fire. Fire offers this unique flora regeneration. It is when the perfect combination of eucalyptus oil and dry heat unite, combustion occurs and the bush is caught in the renewing force of fire.

Enjoy the night sky, watch the stars sparkle in the heavens and sip your *billy tea.

It is humanity?s innate ability to find peace within. Foster the right conditions, keep the fire of practice burning like a wonderfully controlled campfire, and enjoy the fruits of life in action.

GLOSSARY

*Reiju: In Japan, reiju is the name given to the method a teacher uses in order to communicate with individual students on an energetic level. In the process of moving from Japan to the West, reiju changed a number of its aspects including its name. In the West its altered form is usually known as an attunement, initiation or transformation.

*Hatsurei Ho: You will find versions of this technique here, in The Japanese Art of Reiki.

*Billy tea: Billy tea is created in a billy can or billy. This is a traditional Australian utensil for making tea over a fire. It is a cylindrical can with a lid. A stick is poked under its wire handle to enable easy movement on or off the fire. How to make Billy Tea: Pour water into a billy can, place in fire and wait for it to boil. Remove from fire and add a couple of teaspoons of black tea. Hold the billy by its handle and swing in a great arching circle from the ground to the sky a number of times. The pressure of the fast movement ensures that the tea remains in the billy and doesn?t end up all over you. Let it sit briefly before pouring. This unusual process ensures that the tea leaves settle well, yielding up a delicious cup of billy tea without having to use a strainer. Mmm mmm.

Reiki Masters Frans and Bronwen Stiene (pronounced stee-nuh) are authors of the internationally acclaimed The Reiki Sourcebook, The Japanese Art of Reiki, Reiki Techniques Card Deck and the A-Z of Reiki and are the founders of the International House of Reiki.

Their website is the http://www.reiki.net.au which is full of lots of articles and research into Reiki.

With over 16 years of combined experience as practitioners, teachers and speakers in healing and spirituality they have worked with, taught and researched healing in the USA, Europe, Asia, Australia and Japan. They are teachers whose passion is truth, education, support and spiritual development for all.

Healing Power of Pranayama

Prana means 'vital force' and Ayama means 'control' in Sanskrit. Thus Pranayama means the control of the vital force through concentration and regulated breathing. By means of controlled breathing that is, inhaling and exhaling by holding the breath for a fixed time and changing the rhythm of inspiration and expiration, it is possible to influence the life-force in the body. Pranayama is the process by which such conscious control is achieved through controlled and rhythmical breathing. Pranayama purifies the channels along which the life stream of ?prana? flows in the body and prevents various disorders. It increases one?s resistance to respiratory diseases.

The best position in which to practice pranayama is the padmasana or lotus pose. If for some reason that position is difficult to adopt, it can be done while sitting in any comfortable pose. The important thing is to keep the back, neck and head in a straight line. The body should be in its natural relaxed condition and this can be achieved by resting a few minutes in shavasan. If necessary, use your right finger and thumb on either side of the nose to control the right and left nostrils during inhalation and exhalation. In practicising pranayama, a ratio of two to one should be maintained throughout, that is, the exhalation time should be double that required for inhalation. For instance, if inhalation takes 5 seconds, exhalation should take 10 seconds. Both inhalation and exhalation should be smooth and quiet.

Some varieties of pranayama beneficial in the treatment of common ailments are as follows:

Anuloma-viloma:

This is also known as Nadishuddhi pranayama. Sit in any comfortable meditative pose, keeping your head,neck and spine erect. Rest your left hand on your left knee. Close your right nostril by pressing the tip of your right thumb against it. Breathe out slowly through the left nostril. Inhale slowly and deeply through the left nostril, keeping the right nostril closed. Close your left nostril with the little finger and ring finger of your right hand and exhale through the right nostril. Then inhale through the right nostril, keeping the left nostril closed and, lastly, exhale through the left nostril, keeping the right nostril closed.

This completes one round ofanuloma-viloma. Repeat the entire process. Inhaling and exhaling should be done very slowly, without making any sound. This pranayama is a process of purification. It strengthens the lungs and calms the nerves. It helps cure cough and cold, insomnia, chronic headache and asthama.

Ujjayi:

Sit in any comfortable meditative pose. Inhale slowly, deeply and steadily through both nostrils with a low uniform sound through the glottis. Hold your breathe for a second or two after inhaling and then exhale noisily only through the left nostril, keeping the right nostril closed. Do this as often as required. This pranayama clears the nasal passage and helps the functioning of the thyroid gland and benefits respiratory disorders, especially bronchitis and asthama. Persons suffering from high blood pressure should not practice ujjayi.

Bhastrika:

?Bhastrika? means ?bellows.? It is performed by instant and quick expirations of breath.

There are many varieties of bhastrika. The simplest technique is as follows: Sit in padmasana. Do 20 strokes of kapalbhati. Inhale and exhale rapidly, making a puffing sound. This is a good exercise for abdominal viscera and lungs.

Sheetali: Sit in padamasana or any other comfortable posture. Stick your tongue out about an inche from the lips, rolled up at the sides to form a channel like a bird?s beak. Suck in air through the channel. After a full inhalation, slowly close your mouth, hold your breath and exhale slowly through both nostrils. This completes the exercise. Repeat as required. This pranayama cools the body and mind, activates the liver and bile and has beneficial effects on the circulation and body temperature.

Sitkari:

IN sitkari a sound is produced while inhaling by opening the mouth a little, placing the tip of the tongue against the lower front teeth and then sucking the air in slowly. After holding your breath, exhale through both nostrils. This exercise helps to control thirst, hunger and laziness.

Suryabhedan:

?Surya-nadi' is the right nostril and 'ChandraNadi' is the left nostril. In this pranayama, one always uses the right nostril for inhalation. Sit in padmasan or any other suitable posture. Keep your head, neck and back straight. Inhale through the right nostril. Hold your breath and then exhale through the left nostril. Hold your breath and then exhale through the left nostril. Repeat as often as required. This pranayama increases gastric juices and helps digestion. It also fortifies the nervous system and clears the sinuses.

Bhramari:

In this pranayama, the buzzing sound of a bee is produced and hence it is called bhramari. Keep your mouth closed while inhaling. Exhale through both nostrils, producing the humming sound of a bee. This pranayama affects the ears, nose, eyes and mouth and makes the complexion glow. It also helps those suffering from insomnia.

To learn more about the energy principle in healing, please read:

Cost-free Miracle Asthma Cure
Overcome Type I Diabetes and Type II Diabetes Naturally
Alternative Treatments for Incurable Diseases made easy

Cosmetic Tattoo Procedure for Permanent Eyebrows

Although sometimes cosmetic eyebrow tattooing is a necessary step in the reconstruction of a face following a traumatic accident, it can also be used for patients who have sparse eyebrows and do not want to apply brow liner daily. Most of the time, these patients are women who are concerned about the way that their eyebrows frame their face. Some patients are allergic to cosmetics or have poor eyesight and cannot apply their makeup correctly. In these and other cases, cosmetic eyebrow tattooing is a viable option. Sometimes the tattoo is a permanent tattoo done purely for cosmetic purposes.

Eyebrow Tattoo Surgery - Finding a Surgeon

Finding a licensed and qualified technician to perform the cosmetic eyebrow tattooing may be difficult for a patient. Many people may claim to be qualified to do the procedure, when in fact their experience lies mostly in body tattoos. It is a subtle art that makes a technician able to do cosmetic eyebrow tattooing well and it also takes a fair amount of experience to make permanent eyebrows look natural. A patient can speak with friends and colleagues to see if anyone knows of someone who is reputable. If the patient wishes to be more discreet, then they can contact a plastic surgeon?s office or the local academy of plastic surgeons to see who they recommend.

Ideal Candidates for Eyebrow Tattoo Surgery

The ideal candidate for cosmetic eyebrow tattooing is one that is in good health and has realistic expectations of the procedure. The cosmetic eyebrow procedure will not return the area to a completely normal look, but will make the overall appearance of the patient more refined and balanced. Patients who are allergic or sensitive to makeup, have skin or hair loss disorders, illnesses, or just lack the time to put on makeup are all considered good candidates for the cosmetic eyebrow tattooing.

Eyebrow Tattoo Surgery - Consultation

In the initial consultation, the physician and patient will discuss the probable outcomes of the cosmetic eyebrow tattooing. Many physicians will have former patient pictures available for the new patient to examine. This will give the patient a good idea as to what can be achieved by the cosmetic eyebrow tattoo technician. The doctor will examine the eyebrow area and determine what can be done with the cosmetic eyebrow tattooing. Risks and anesthesia options will also be discussed in the initial consultation. A complete medical history will be taken in order to inform the doctor of any medical conditions or prescriptions that might interfere with the results.

Eyebrow Tattoo Surgery - Procedure

The permanent makeup tattoo that is applied is made up of vegetable products that are injected into the skin. After an anesthetic ointment is applied, tiny needles are used to inject the coloring and are sometimes seen on a rotary coil instrument. The tip is dipped into the dye and then the needle is placed into the skin in cosmetic eyebrow tattooing. Some bleeding may occur as the skin is punctured, but it will be minimal. Most cosmetic eyebrow tattooing procedures last an hour, but it depends on the extent of the work that needs to be done. At the end of the session, the area will be cleaned and an antiseptic cream will be applied. Eyebrow tattooing requires fine work to look good. To achieve this, the tattoos are often applied by hand rather than with electric needles. The technician can achieve much finer and pleasing results by hand, but this also makes the procedure longer.

Eyebrow Tattoo Surgery - Risks

Although the risks associated with cosmetic eyebrow tattooing are rare, they do occur. In very few cases, the patient can have an allergic reaction to the dye that is used. Infection is another main concern following the cosmetic eyebrow tattooing. Not following the physician?s orders after the cosmetic eyebrow tattooing procedure can lead to a delay in healing and cause unwanted results. If a patient is unhappy with the results of the cosmetic eyebrow tattooing, laser skin resurfacing may help to remove the coloring, but may not be able to remove it entirely.

The Author Brad Jones specializes in beauty cosmetic procedures and contributes to clinical literatures on request. Other Resources are permanent eyebrows and cosmetic eyebrow tattoo.

Acne Home Remedies

Fighting with acne can be a harrowing experience, especially when nothing seems to work to get rid of it. Creams and chemicals can get expensive, not to mention the damage and dryness they can cause. First off, here are some general tips to help improve the look of your skin:

-A well-balanced diet is the foundation for healthy skin. It will ensure that your body receives the proper nutrients needed to support and maintain the health of your skin. Foods rich in sulphur, such as garlic or onions, may be particularly helpful in maintaining good skin.

-Cleansing twice daily with a gentle cleanser will keep your face free of dirt, oil, pollutants, and perspiration. It is important not to overwash or use harsh cleansers, as they can make things worse.

-NO POPPING! As tempting (and pleasurable) as picking at or popping zits can be, keep your hands off your face!

In addition to medications and store-bought treatments, there are many home-made remedies that can work wonders. Of course make sure you do not have allergies to any of these foods. Remember, they are going on your face, a very sensitive part of the body. Try as much of these remedies as you'd like. Some are simple, while some are more complex. Do whatever is easiest and find what works best for you.

1. Grind some nutmeg into some milk, then apply to the face

2. Mix some honey and ground cinnamon in to a paste. Apply at night, then wash off in the morning. Do this for a few weeks and you'll see your pimples disappear!

3. Apply fresh mint juice to your face each night, or try adding some turmeric powder to make a paste, then wash off after about 30 minutes.

4. Drink lots of wheatgrass.

5. Make a paste with salt and vinegar, apply to face, then wash off after 20-30 minutes.

6. To remove blackheads, make a paste of ground radish seeds and water.

7. Make a paste of sandalwood and rosewater. Wash off after 30 minutes.

8. Mix equal parts of lemon juice and ground cinnamon, leave on for about 30 minutes.

9. Rub fresh garlic on pimples. With regular application, pimples will disappear.

10. Rub a raw papaya (skin, seeds, and all) on swelling pimples.

11. Add lime juice to some boiled milk as a face wash.

12. Apply raw tomato pulp to your face, then wash off after about an hour.

13. Grind an orange peel in water to make a paste, then apply to the face.

Also, herbal remedies can be very useful in the treatment and prevention of acne. Chamomile, lavender, juniper, bergamot, dandelion root, and burdock root can all be used to reduce toxicity in the skin and improve its overall condition. Other herbs like echinacea and poke root have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the swelling and reduce of the blocked oil gland. Red clover may be beneficial for its estrogenic action and witch hazel has excellent astringent properties and may be very effective for cleansing acne prone skin.

Greg Mauro is a staff author at Acne Solution News as well as Help For Health and its conglomerate sites.

Treating Insomnia Naturally

Sleep is something that every human being requires. For some people they only need a few hours of sleep every night, but for others if they don't get at a minimum eight hours, they cannot function properly during the day. Their work, their relationships and their life is impacted. Sleep in fundamental to a healthy and happy life.

Insomnia is a problem that affects millions of people each night. If you are one of these individuals and you've spent a night filled with sleeplessness, you would most certainly welcome any method that would guarantee sleep. Having first hand knowledge of how difficult it is not to be able to sleep, gives a person an appreciation for how valuable resting our bodies is.

Insomnia can be a chronic condition for some people. It may begin as a symptom of an illness or during a particularly stressful time in someone's life and it causes such a drastic disruption in the individual's sleep pattern that they struggle to find a way to regain a normal sleep pattern. Spending years struggling to find a method to sleep is a frustrating experience.

Traditional medicine offers many alternatives for people who have suffered from serious insomnia. Sleeping pills are a commonly prescribed remedy. Although they do adequately treat the insomnia, they also often have serious side-effects. One of the most serious side-effects is that they are often addictive. It becomes a trade-off for those who choose this approach. Although their insomnia is treated, they become dependent on medication and in some cases have to stay on that medication for the rest of their lives.

There are natural alternatives that a person can take to treat the insomnia. Some of these are in the form of a pill or a tablet which consists of a combination of herbs. Herbal teas are another popular choice for people who suffer from sleep problems. You simply brew a pot of the fragrant tea and sip it shortly before bed. The soothing effects of the tea lull you to sleep without the chemicals associated with traditional sleep medication. There are a variety of these types of teas available and the taste is very welcome and pleasant.

An old stand-by that many people turn to when they suffer from the occasional bout of insomnia is to warm a glass of milk. There is a chemical that is released in milk once it is heated. This chemical is called tryptophan and it works to relax the body and help you to drift off to sleep. Besides being a natural remedy for insomnia, milk also has the added benefit of being a significant source of calcium.

Suffering from insomnia can change a person's life in many ways. Without the foundation of a steady and regular pattern of sleep, they aren't able to function to the best of their ability. By researching natural remedies for insomnia, the sleeper will once again find the rest they need and do so in a way that is healthiest for their entire body.

About The Author
Brandon C. Hall If you need help sleeping at night visit (http://findprofit.densan.hop.clickbank.net) for an immediate solution to your sleep problems. For more articles and information on insomnia and sleeping disorders visit (http://www.freeinfoblog.com/category/insomnia).

Hurricanes and Lung Cancer

After Natural Disasters there can be a lot of debris in the air and that can get into our lungs. Imagine a building with asbestos insulation torn apart and exposing all that insulation, well now you can see the problem.

One other issue which is happening right now is called the; 911 Death Cough, were first responders are getting sick and they are dying and coughing. Currently some 19,000 folks have the cough and so far less than 100 have died but they expect that the number may reach up into the 20,000 range in the next 10-years?

Well that is very unfortunate to see so many people who were only doing their jobs or trying to help, who are now dying due to breathing in airborne debris.

This very same thing can happen after Earthquakes, Tornadoes or of course large catastrophic Category Hurricanes like we saw during the 2005 Atlantic Tropical Hurricane Season. So there needs to be better protocols and consideration of wearing breathing apparatus, while emergency response is taking place, during clean up and demolition.

Even in the rebuilding stages we need to very much consider these things and watch the health of workers, first responders and construction personal. So, let us consider all of this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Why You Need To Detoxify Your Body

Open the Doors to Healing & Rejuvination

Our society foolishly prizes itself upon eating a high protein, meat-based diet; excessive consumption of dairy products; refined grains (rich in gluten that literally converts into glue in your colon); starchy foods (that stiffen the body); refined sugars (that literally corrodes your brain); salt (which is really crude oil [petroleum extract); genetically-engineered and grafted, pesticide laced produce (fruits and vegetables).

Food-stuffs saturated with harmful chemicals (flavor enhancers, preservatives, coloring agents, etc.) such as MSG (which causes severe headaches); aspartame and saccharin (cancer causing agents); blue, green, yellow and red lake # dyes (derived from petroleum); propylene glycol (used in car antifreeze solutions and for other industrial purposes); aluminum (which causes Alzheimer?s? disease).

Consuming harmful beverages such as soda pop (which Y has a pH of 2 making it very acidic and which kills the kidneys and also has a high phosphoric acid content that eats up your bones which results in osteoporosis); coffee (also very acid-forming, causes cancer of the esophagus, kills the central nervous system, and shoots out the adrenal glands); milk and milk-based beverages (which are very acidic and therefore mucus forming, causes leukemia, puts extra, synthetic female hormones into the body causing a host of reproductive area cancers, especially in women); alcohol beverages which are also very acidic and processed with harmful chemicals such as ether (sleeping gas) and methanol (which converts inside the body to formaldehyde [embalming fluid, a neurotoxin).

Please do forget about the people who smoke cigarettes (which contain over 700 ingredients including civet cat absolute, nicotine, sugar, salt, opium, caffeine, etc.).

Now add all of the above to the following list of horrors - pumping gas at the gas station and inhaling cancer causing fumes from such chemicals as MTBE, lead, etc.; inhaling the exhaust (carbon and nitric oxides) from cars, trucks, and buses; breathing in air full of pollutants; using household cleaning supplies that are made with harmful ingredients that weaken the immune/defense system.

Dousing ourselves with personal hygiene products that are made with cancer causing chemical ingredients such as propylene glycol, sodium laurel sulfate, lead, aluminum; color lake dyes; mineral oil, petroleum jelly and lanolin (all of which suffocate the skin); DEA; fluoride (chief ingredient in rat poison) that is in almost all toothpastes -read the warning on the back of the tube!; expensive perfumes and colognes (that do not list the ingredients on the box or bottle) that seep into the skin and pollute the blood and lymph fluids; underarm antiperspirants (made with acetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, and aluminum) that toxify the lymph system and causes breast cancer in women due to wearing bras that hamper circulation in the breast area.

Please do not forget modern technology and the inundation of radiation that it provides us in exchange for convenience via such items as microwave ovens, television sets, radios, cell phones, alarm clocks, etc.

Last but not least -products that make up the largest and most profitable industry -pharmaceutical drugs, that kills over 300,000 people a year. Aspirin use burns a hole in your stomach and causes ulcers and internal bleeding; Prozac and Valium causes suicidal tendencies; birth control pills causes female cancers and hormonal imbalances; Dilantin causes strokes; Viagra causes eye disorders and heart attacks.

And how could we ever forget vaccinations? That?s right, those serums that we trust to prevent diseases which are the true cause of the diseases they are supposed to prevent and are made from such substances as pig blood, cow tumors and pus, dog kidneys, aborted fetal tissue, mercury, etc.

What Are the Benefits of Detoxifying Your Body?

When you detoxify your body, you open the door to healing and rejuvenation; in other words, you?re turning back the hands of time on aging or degenerating. Ideally, we as humans should reach and live a life longevity of at least 120 years; however, most people will be happy just to reach age 65 (the federal retirement age).

Detoxifying our bodies answers our body?s prayer for us to give it an internal shower and tune up. We are conscious about cleaning the external body, but not the internal body. Detoxifying our bodies helps us to eliminate toxic waste accumulations, mucus, parasites and worms (that steal what little nutrition we get or have in our bodies), excess fat, fluid buildup (cellulite), old and hardened fecal matter buildup, and many more unsightly and odorous things that play a pivotal role in sabotaging our health.

The results after detoxifying include more resilient skin and complexion, weight loss (10-50 pounds), less headaches, more energy, clearer sense of feeling and thinking; a more positive outlook on life, more willpower; less diseases and sicknesses throughout the year, and many more salubrious things.

What Does Full Body Detox Consist Of?

The Full Body Detox consists of seven (7) potent, safe, and effective herbal formulas. The seven formulas include: (1) Blood and Lymphatic, (2) Cardiovascular, (3) Liver and Gallbladder, (4) Lungs, (5) Kidneys and Bladder, (6) Colon Conditioner, and (7) Carbon [activated Charcoal. These seven formulas (along with the recommended diet during the detox) are all that you need to begin the healing process with your body, turning back the hands of time (aging). The Full Body Detox kit comes complete with herbs, instructions on how and when to take the herbs, a recommended diet (all raw foods - fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, etc.) - everything you will need to get started and to complete the program.

After three (3) weeks of successfully following the program regimen, you are guaranteed to feel and see the results. No matter what disease or so-called ?incurable? disease you may be presently afflicted with - diabetes, genital herpes, AIDS, bronchitis or asthma, cancer, obesity, fibroid tumors, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons?, Alzheimers?, impotence, infertility, STDs (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, warts, etc.), dysmenorrheal or amenorrhea, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol, dermatitis, epilepsy, hepatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, breast cancer, prostatitis, diverticulitis, kidney disease, etc., the Full Body Detox will start the healing and eradicating process.

Remember, in our opinion, there are no diseases on earth that cannot be cured. Ninety percent (90%) of today?s diseases that we suffer from in the U.S. are diet related, stemming from poor and deficient diet which means that if we change our eating, thinking and living habits, we can change our health. DETOX TODAY!!

...Experience Healing

THE HOME OF THE FULL BODY DETOX: http://www.officialfullbodydetox.com/

What Causes Acne And Guaranteed Ways To Get Rid Of Acne

Acne begins in puberty, but it does not always end there. Every teenager, if examined closely enough will show some of the effects of acne with some being mild, others more severe. The major hormone causing changes in teenagers is androgen. Under its influence, the sebaceous glands produce more and more sebum (oil). This leads, then, to oily skin and a change in skin flora. There is an increase in the bacteria that cause acne as well as a type of fungus. All these contribute to the development of blockages at the oil gland openings known as comedones. Such blockages cause blackheads and whiteheads ? and acne when there is infection of the skin?s pores.

Acne should not be viewed as something that comes with puberty. It has lasting effects on the skin, like scarring, and should be treated. A gentle skin cleansing without using cleansers that over-dry skin should be established. Addition to that a supplement such as Acuzine should be taken to have a fast and effective acne cure inside out.

In adults, acne could be a carryover from adolescence, occupational (exposure to chemicals or other skin irritants in the workplace), drug induced (some medications exacerbate acne) or cosmetic acne. There are also other factors that may contribute to acne besides family history such as frequent use of thick make-up, frequent activities under hot and humid conditions and contact with oily substances.

There is nothing much that we can do about genetics but surely we can do something about lifestyle factors to prevent acne. Using thick, oily creams also may lead to breakouts too. People with acne should use products that are formulated for people with oily skin.

Stress is another common aggravating factor for acne. Lack of sleep is a form of stress in itself too. And for women, the menstrual cycle can trigger off acne too. But whatever your stage in life with acne, if the acne cream or lotion show no sign of clearing up, then get Acuzine. Acuzine is rate no.1 acne treatment product with guaranteed results. It works for adults or teenagers suffering from facial or body acne. This is a natural acne treatment formula with no side effect and highly recommended by dermatologists. Fast and effective acne cure from inside out.

Treating acne at the start of the problem is easier than dealing with the scars.

Rian is a health conscious guy who always update himself with the latest health news and love sharing with others.To learn more on Acuzine visit http://www.magicapsule.com or go direct to http://www.acuzine.com/?aid=699840&cid=zmljyk

About Asbestos

Everyone that has ever heard of asbestos knows that it is extremely dangerous. Nevertheless, not everyone is familiar with what this toxin is and what kind of precise dangers it poses to those individuals that are exposed. Let's take a look at some of the dangers associated with this hazard below.

Asbestos is actually a mixture of six natural minerals and it can be found in older buildings, older textiles and older plastic products. It is much like fiberglass in consistency and when it is airborne it is extremely dangerous and toxic to humans and animals alike. Asbestos, when airborne can lead to a disease termed, asbestosis - a form of lung cancer. In essence, long term exposure results in the damage of lung tissues which are irreversibly scarred and permanently damaged.

Anyone who has endured long term exposure may begin exhibiting the signs and symptoms frequently associated with asbestosis: severe difficulty breathing, spasmodic coughing fits, and in worse case scenarios, exposure can lead to death. Likewise, gastrointestinal cancer, cancer of the esophagus, mesothelioma, cancer of the intestines, is also a risk for those that are exposed. In addition, exposure to asbestos has also been known to wreak havoc with the human immune system, weakening it to a state where it does not function properly. Clearly, exposure to this natural hazard is extremely dangerous. Yet, what can people do to protect themselves from exposure? No matter where one discovers a source of these minerals, whether they are from old building materials like special cement or other products, it is imperative that they act quickly to have them immediately removed.

There are a number of companies that focus on the removal of this toxic hazard. Testing can be conducted to detect the hazardous material and if the test proves positive it is imperative that the property owner takes measures to ensure its immediate and safe removal.

No one should ever attempt to remove hazardous, toxic material themselves: especially in terms of asbestos. The removal of this particular toxin requires trained professionals who are skilled at handling such poisons. First, the material will need to be wetted to keep the it from becoming airborne and threatening those in the surrounding area. Next, the toxic waste will need to be professionally contained and sealed and removed from the location. Workers will be required to wear special equipment to protect themselves, like respirators, coveralls, rubber boots, eye protection and rubber gloves to prevent the toxins from entering the body.

Further, warning signs will need to be posted during the process of removal. Air conditioning and heating systems cannot be used during the process of removal because doing so would promote the toxin's airborne travel. Likewise, any area being worked will have to be sealed off until the removal process is complete. Finally, all removal work will have to be followed up with a decontamination process. Clearly, the removal of this dangerous toxin is something that is better left to the professionals that are used to handling it.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Asbestos
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7 Beauty Tips

For most women, part of the Literary morn and dusk routines involve a skincare regimen of applying creams, moisturizers, tonics, lotions, and the like. Why do women put themselves prep this? They do it especially to conflict the signs of aging, and to maintain youthful advent and beautiful film! It is a safe bet, nevertheless, that most women haven't put greatly thought below what is in the distribute that they are using.

Some women probably do not fulfil that what they are putting on their derma may actually be vitiation what they are irksome to prevent to begin by. In actuality the mean woman puts twelve commodities on her incrustation daily, most of which contain unhealthy chemical preservatives.

But true health and true beauty own an outer component, which is why we call protection from environmental insults such as solar diffusion, pollutants in our milieu and the drying effects of air. . . The reality is you simply cannot contain a healthy carcass if your pelt isn't healthy. And your skin can't be healthy if your are subjecting it to baleful substances that are at last engrossed prep your Slang stiff.

So, what can women do? How can they combat environmental pollutants, the affect of solar radiation, and the drying effects of air? How can they be sure they are using the exceedingly superb deal in on their skin so they can be healthy inside and out? Here are 7 tips to second in this process:

1. Be exceedingly aware of what is in skincare staples. Use market that are all customary as much as thinkable.

2. Usually for retail that contain Dermal Surface Restoration Technology. DSR smoothes gone missing factual signs of aging such as snicker lines, crows feet, and tedium.

3. Use market that have regenisomes. Regenisomes drill the skin to velocity cubicle renewal after sun revelation. They holdings use the light of photosomes to undo sun damage, and have ultrasomes to renew skin prep sleeping.

4. Reveal products with Proteo-C and Proflavonol-T. These two vitamins defend the skin from immature aging caused by the sun, pollution, and substitute environmental factors. They effects contribute advanced nutrition to the skin to keep it appearing smooth and firm.

5. If possible, use products that are paraben unconfined. Parabens are man-made chemical preservatives that are widely worn in live dolour products such as shampoos, conditioners, mane styling products, make-up, puss masks, skin lotions and creams, and deodorants. They valuables are typically fundamentals in baby lotions, shampoos, and variant personal care products for infants and offspring.

In addition, parabens are in uncountable foods and pharmaceutical products. Researchers are dawn to find parabens in benign and malignant human bosom tumors. While manifold studies have challenged their malignity in many products and question their long appellation affect on humans, using products that are paraben free can reject the risk of exposure to this destructive chemical.

6. Lap plenty of sea water! Sea water hydrates skin and hair as agreeably as flushes toxins out of the body.

7. Limit emphasis or understand to manage it effectively. Stress is harmful both emotionally and hysically. Find that stress reliever activity that mill best and use it on a daily basis!

Follow the on high 7 tips to true beauty and health.

Andrew runs a beauty blog: Beauty products - learn beauty products tips, beauty products secrets from our beauty products blog.

More Beauty Tips ==>
http://www-beauty.blogspot.com

What Is Acne Laser Treatment?

Acne laser treatment is a method that has helped millions to get rid of acne. Each year, individuals find out that the over the counter medications that they get at their local drug store just do not provide enough help to them. They have likely tried several products and can not find method to get rid of acne. Acne laser treatment can actually help to stop acne once and for all for many individuals.

How Does It Work?

Acne laser treatment is just what it sounds like. The technician will use a very powerful and small laser to effectively trigger the acne. Usually, the procedure will be done because the acne is being caused, at least in part, by over producing oils in the skin. The laser will get to these glands that are under the skin and causing the oils and destroy them. While this seems harsh, laser acne treatment is virtually painless. There are no ramifications to having these glands destroyed either. Once the glands stop producing oils, the bacteria that cause acne will not have an optimal place to grow. This in turn effectively stops acne.

It is important to know that in most causes acne treatments will not necessary cure the acne that is already on your face or body. This will usually be done with antibiotics. Once the oils slow or stop though, there will be fewer outbreaks of acne on the face or body once these heal.

Scar Treatment

Another option for the use of acne laser treatment is that in which the acne scars can be removed. This very powerful laser can actually remove the top layers of your skin near and on the scar. When new skin grows back, it will be healthy and scars are either gone or they are not as visible. Acne scar laser treatment is fast becoming a way to get rid of acne scars that have been on a person?s body for years.

In either treatment, laser acne treatment can be quite effective. In some cases, there will be the need for several treatments to be done, though. The only bad part of acne laser treatment is that it is not necessarily cheap. With the several treatments that may be necessary, it may be quite expensive. Yet, even with that said, the results for laser treatments are amazing for many.

Our experts have executed a research to find the best acne treatments. Find the results only on The best natural acne treatments. More valuable acne info on http://www.tigilet.com

The Foundations of Beauty

Most of us have heard the old saying, ?Beauty is only skin deep.?

Well, it?s not really true. Beauty is the outer manifestation of good health, good genetics and good will. The state of our health is reflected in the quality of our skin and luster of our hair. Beautiful strong hair and clear smooth skin is the result of good nutrition. The state of our mind and intentions are reflected in our smile, in our eyes, and in the regard our loved ones have for us. A beautiful smile and sparkling eyes are the result of a good attitude. Good genetics? Well, that?s just the result of good luck.

Although it?s not skin deep, it is open to interpretation. After all, beauty IS in the eye of the beholder. Those we love deeply are always beautiful to us, no matter what they actually look like.

Whatever our genetics and luck, whatever our mindset, most women would like to look as healthy and beautiful as they possibly can. Whether want to look magazine-cover perfect; or whether as just as healthy and vibrant and as youthful as possible, the first step in constructing a new beauty regimen is finding out if you are providing the tools your body needs to repair and maintain itself and the health of your skin, hair and nails. The basic factors affecting the appearance of these are 1) nutrition, 2) hydration, 3) toxification, 4) hormonal profile, and 5) sleep.

Nutrition

Your body rebuilds and repairs cellular tissue on a daily basis, and needs adequate protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other micronutrients to perform this function. Your skin regenerates constantly, building new cells underneath and sloughing off old cells. Without adequate protein, your skin will not be able to construct strong healthy collagen structures. Without an adequate amount of the right kinds of fats, your hair and nail cells will be weak and easily broken, and your skin will become dry and lifeless.

Hydration

Adequate hydration is vital to the process. Your body requires enough water to move nutrients into, and wastes out of, cells. Water is the basis of the interstitial tissues that flow between your muscle and fat cells, carrying oxygen and hormones from one to the other. Dehydration can lead to slack skin and lifeless hair.

Toxification

Detoxification is also another fundamental. Your skin is responsible for eliminating approximately 10% of your body?s toxins and metabolic wastes. By ensuring that the other organs of elimination are clean and functioning well, you lighten the load on the skin, allowing it to use its precious energy on repair and re-growth. Certain toxins can have definite adverse effects on the hair. Heavy metal poisoning from mercury can cause hair to fall out and to break and can aggravate gums. Lead causes neural damage that can lead to faulty signaling between your brain and outlying extremities.

Hormonal Profile

Your body produces many different hormones that are used by the body to communicate with outlying organs and tissues and tell it how to react to changing conditions. Some of the hormones that directly affect your hair, skin and nails are estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and growth hormone. For example, estrogen is important for keeping your skin youthful and resilient, but too much can cause aggravation of the gums and lead to gingivitis. Testosterone is needed to for the important task of producing your body?s own moisturizer, sebum; too much can lead to hair loss from your head and the unsightly growth of excess dark hairs on your face and belly. A lack of progesterone can lead to the skin condition cellulite. The hormones leptin, insulin, and glucagon are important for the maintenance of a healthy weight. As you can see, hormonal balance has a definite and important influence on how you look.

Sleep

Your body requires a certain amount of rest to rebuild, repair and replace cellular tissue. Interestingly enough, the skin is usually regenerated between the hours of 11PM and 2AM, so for best results, you should be sleeping during those hours. Your body also uses the time during sleep to balance brain chemistry. Adequate sleep and rest is one of the most important things you can do to improve the appearance of your skin and the health of your hair and nails, as well as giving you the energy to live actively and the mood enhancement to enjoy life.

Summary

One of the first things you need to do when devising a new beauty routine is to find out whether or not you are getting the right kind of food and enough water to meet your beauty goals. Also, you might want to consider a detoxification routine. Are you are getting enough sleep to put all these other factors to work for you? These are the first things to consider when devising a beauty regimen.

Fawn Bales has studied and practiced alternative and herbal medine for 25 years. She has also studied aesthetic technology and cosmetology. She is the co-author of two natural beauty books and is a managing partner of Botanical Beauty Lab, a women's free resource for natural health and beauty information at http://www.botanicalbeautylab.com

Acne Scar Treatment

There are several types of acne scar treatment that can be used either to remove the scars or as part of an overall skin rejuvenation process.

When deciding on a treatment for any type of acne scar, it is essential to have a dermatologist or a dermatological surgeon to find out what would the best way to achieve the outcome you want.

For some persons, acne scars can be a constant reminder of a condition that used to be subject of mockery, embarrassement or social isolation. They can also be a significant factor within an appearance of premature aging. However, there's no reason to endure them.

Fortunately, nowadays there's a wide range of complex acne scar treatments that can treat most of these problems.

Here are the most widely used acne scar treatments:

* Chemical peels

* Laser treatment

* Dermabrasion

* Intralesional steroid injection (keloids)

* Soft-tissue augmentation

* Skin Surgery

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can be used for small and depressed scars and some larger scars. Generally they will be one of the cheaper forms of acne scar treatment. Chemical peels are also effective in improving scars left from comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), but are not for ice-pick or deep-fibrotic scars or keloids. Deeper or larger scars may even be reduced by repeated chemical peels.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is a new, but highly effective technique for dealing with acne scars.

Depending on the specifics of the procedure, it can be very expensive so it is wise to speak extensively to your dermatologist to find out whether this is the right procedure for you.

It reaches deeper skin layers than other procedures. The different laser varying in energy and tissue penetration can be used for treating complex scars. For example, a deep tissue penetration laser can be used to remodel irregular scarring, while an infrared beam laser will tighten collagen fibers and elevate depressed scars.

Dermabrasion

This technique was developed specifically for acne scar treatment and is still used on a large scale having become very popular. It reaches deeper skin layers than a chemical peel and can be used for both deeper and hypertrophic scar treatment. Nowadays, unlike previously, even many ice-pick scars can be treated using a combination of dermabrasion and

punch excision of the scar tissue.

Intralesional Steroid Injection (Keloids)

This method can sometimes prove effective in improving keloid scars. Steroids are injected directly into the keloid and sometimes combined with surgery in order to reduce the size of the scars. However, this acne scar treatment should be use with high precaution and only on carefully selected patients, as it doesn't have the same results for everyone.

Soft tissue augmentation

This acne scar treatment consists of injecting subcutaneous collagen or fat under the scar to bring its surface even with the surface of the skin that surrounds it. Cosmetically it can provide good results correcting some atrophic (tissue loss) scars. It often needs to be repeated on a regular basis.

Skin surgery

Skin surgery is used for treating ice-pick scars. It is one of the only ways this type of scar can be treated. This acne scar treatment consists of removing each scar individually by punch excision. The scar is excised down to the subcutaneous fat layer and the resulting hole is afterwards repaired using sutures or small skin graft. Subcision is procedure which uses a surgical probe to lift the scar tissue away from unscarred skin and elevate depressed scars. As you can imagine this is a complex surgical procedure and can be cumbersome and scary for the potential patient.

Moira Jones is an Acne treatment expert and operates several helpful blogs on the treatment, prevention and management of various forms of Acne. For more information please see http://acne----medicine.blogspot.com

Skin Cancer: Keep Your Skin Safe

There's more to prevention than you think

Statistics surrounding skin cancer are astounding. More than one million new cases are diagnosed each year, more than all other cancers combined. This means that one in five people will have skin cancer in their lifetime. Despite this high number, Americans understand very little about how to prevent skin cancer, and actually take preventative measures even less. Understanding the types, cause, risks, and prevention of skin cancer is the best way to combat this potentially deadly disease.

The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma which are usually curable. The third type, melanoma, is much more dangerous and one of the most common cancers in young adults.

Ninety percent of skin cancer is caused by the sun's rays, with UVA rays affecting the genetics of the skin and UVB rays altering the outside layers. Sun exposure in childhood can dramatically increase a person's chance of getting skin cancer. One blistering sunburn in childhood can as much as double the risk of melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, later in life. Childhood is also the part of life which holds the greatest sun exposure for most people. Most parents protect their children from the sun during the summer, or on a trip to the beach, but for children especially, every day is an opportunity to experience the damaging rays of the sun. It is important to protect against the sun's UVA and UVB rays year round.

Risks of skin cancer increase in certain ethnic and age groups. Those with fair skin, blue or green eyes, light colored hair are more susceptible to skin cancer. As are those who burn or freckle easily. However, even those with dark skin can get melanoma and in those rarer cases, it proves to be more deadly. Age also affects a person's risk of skin cancer. In white men over 50, melanoma is the most common kind of cancer, even more common than cancer of the prostate, colon, or lung.

Prevention of skin cancer seems pretty straightforward to most people. Stay out of the sun, and when you can't, wear protective clothing and sunblock. It's not quite that easy. To be effective, sunblock should be above SPF (sun protection factor) 15 and should be reapplied liberally at least every 2 hours. All sunblocks are not created equal. Look for sunblock that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and apply it 15 minutes before heading outside. Even with good sunblock applied well, UV rays can still reach the skin. This is why experts recommend staying out of the sun during the most dangerous, midday rays. Also, cover up with a wide brimmed hat, tightly woven clothing, and sunglasses with UV protection to protect your eyes. Try to avoid UV rays outside and inside, including tanning beds.

Although skin cancer is incredibly common, understanding the types, causes, risks, and especially prevention can help you and your family avoid this dangerous disease that affects one in five people. Be Sun Smart!

Jessica Deets researches medical information and writes to help people. For more information about melanoma, see the website at http://www.melanomainfo.com

Aerobic Workout

Aerobics are great, even thought the aerobics craze seem to have passed and that today is very different to what has swept the world of its feel and got it into working out the aerobics way, the current times offer the exerciser an abundance of tools and information about aerobics that has never before existed.

This kind of exercise was very fashionable some years ago, at one time you could find many of your friends and family in you local gym doing aerobics, but after this health workout fashion changed into many different streams of physical exercise, like the oriental disciplines and many diverse international workouts.

But aerobics didn?t go away, with time this has become on of the most researched and developed forms of losing weight and getting fit again, many different machines have been invented and researched, and many experts have been working in the field of aerobics.

When you start doing aerobics you should probably think about what kind of aerobic clothing you want to buy, since they have a lot influence on the quality of you exercise, and will probably also be a factor of how you feel, you will need to talk to your trainer or research online before you make decisions because a lot of these clothes do not come cheap and you may want to buy yourself more then one suit for your workout, so you wouldn?t have to do the laundry every day or so, this clothes will need to be washed once you had a good workout.

There are great advantages of aerobics exercise, first it is a special and very wide way to work out and keep your body in good shape, lose weight and maintain a regular workout schedule, but there are many other advantages to aerobics exercise some of them very surprising. A lot of people meet and make friends in the gym, some decide to start working out together and push each other to do better, stronger and faster, a partner is always a good way to improve and get further than what one would do by himself. A second benefit from working out together is that you can actually make friends, sometimes just work out friends and some time even more than that.

Working out and doing aerobics will also effect you mood, improve many aspects of you body and spirit and make you stronger not only physically. The effect of working out is that you body will release a lot of positive things into your blood, making you happier and stronger, this alone can make a huge change in anyone?s personality, and the good news is that if you never worked out you will feel this significant change.

Even you are not convinced I encourage you to try this form of exercise before you move on, almost surely you have a gym close to you home and you can always ask to work out a couple of time to see if its something that you could try. Keeping it relatively safe start from the basics and move on as you progress, in a short time you will understand and feel the difference.

David Evermon has been involved in many environment related projects, writing on many subjects related to the environment and project management his hobbies and knowledge of construction, David writes articles about Aerobics

Two Simple Ideas for Preventing Colon Cancer

Colon cancer starts with colon polyps. Polyps are growths in the inner lining of your colon walls. They are formed when the inner lining is irritated or attacked by fecal matter toxins. When you have colon polyps, you dramatically increase your risk of getting colon cancer.

To prevent getting colon cancer you need to prevent getting polyps. If you have polyps then you need to prevent them from becoming cancerous.

Here are some ideas that you can use in preventing colon cancer whether you have or do not have polyps.

Polyps occur when your fecal matter is toxic and becomes stagnant. When your fecal matter stops moving in your colon, then toxic matter in the fecal matter comes in contact with your colon wall. It is this colon area that becomes irritated and over time weakens. As inflammation sets in and irritation continues, toxins are absorbed into the colon wall and a growth occurs. This growth will continue as long as you continue to have toxic fecal matter and constipation.

Here are two things that can help you from creating and irritating polyps.

First eliminate any form of constipation. You have constipation if you don?t have at least two bowel movements daily when you have three meals a day. Determine how long it takes for your food to pass through your body. A good rule of thumb is, it should take about 24 hours for food to travel from your mouth and out your anus.

After you eat breakfast in the morning, drink 6 ? 8 oz of any juice with 2 oz of liquid chlorophyll. You can use 2 oz of red beet juice if you prefer. Then check when you start to see either green or red stools. This is your colon transit time. If it takes more than 24 hours then you need to reduce this time.

Preventing colon cancer requires that fecal matter move through your colon without remaining at one spot for too long.

The second thing you can do to prevent colon cancer is to change your fecal matter toxic level. Two things that make your fecal matter more toxic are undigested food and carcinogenic chemicals.

Since, most processed foods such as breads, packaged foods, cooked foods, processed meats, and pasteurized liquids lack digestive enzymes, your body is unable to digest all of the food that you eat. When undigested food reaches the colon, it is decomposed by bad bacteria and becomes highly toxic.

To correct this toxicity, start eating more raw foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are filled with enzymes. Try ten servings a day. It?s a lot isn?t it? But, that what we need to stop colon cancer or other colon irritations.

Next, read food labels and avoid those foods, as much as possible, which contain excessive preservative, coloring, dyes, fillers, and food stabilizers. There are hundreds of chemicals that are added to your food which help to keep the food from falling apart and decaying. Many of these chemicals are not digested in the small intestine and move into the colon where then make the fecal matter more toxic.

These are two steps that you can start applying for preventing colon cancer. If you have polyps, then these steps will help to keep them in check and reduce your risk of getting colon cancer.

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. To get more tips and discover more ideas on how to prevent getting colon cancer, go to: http://www.coloncancerawareness.info

To discover how to eliminate constipation go to: http://www.remedies-for-constipation.com

Advanced Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms tend to develop gradually, and earlier symptoms are often confused for illnesses that are more amenable to treatment. For example, the cough, difficulty breathing, and chest pain experienced in pleural mesothelioma is often seen in lung infections such as pneumonia. Typically, once symptoms are more pronounced the cancer is fairly advanced and treatment becomes less effective.

In advanced pleural mesothelioma, chest pain and pain under the ribcage may become more pronounced; back pain may also be present. Coughing may be present; blood may also be coughed up. Hoarseness and swelling of the face and arms may be seen. Patients may also experience muscle weakness and sensory loss. In advanced peritoneal mesothelioma, abdominal symptoms become more pronounced. These include a swelling or lump in the abdomen, abdominal distension due to a collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity, abdominal pain, constipation due to bowel obstruction, nausea and vomiting, and appetite loss. If there is a lot of abdominal fluid, breathing may become increasingly difficult. The feet may become swollen. In advanced pericardial mesothelioma, coughing, worsening breathlessness, palpitations and chest pain may be experienced.

In all types of malignant mesothelioma, generalized symptoms such as fever, unexplained weight loss and fatigue are usually present. Patients with advanced mesothelioma are usually offered palliative treatment to reduce the discomfort from their symptoms. Pleural or abdominal fluid collections may be drained, and substances that prevent further formation and collection of fluid may be placed in the pleural or abdominal cavities. Surgery or radiotherapy may reduce some of the obstructive symptoms, and radiotherapy may be used to reduce pain. One or more anti-cancer drugs may also be used. A number of clinical trials are ongoing to find better ways to provide symptomatic relief to people with advanced malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Symptoms provides detailed information on Advanced Mesothelioma Symptoms, Clinical Mesothelioma Symptoms, Mesothelioma Diagnosis: An Introduction, Mesothelioma Stomach Symptoms and more. Mesothelioma Symptoms is affiliated with Pleural Mesothelioma Information.

Aromatherapy: The Power of Aromatics

Every plant, animal or inanimate thing has an odour and one peculiar to itself, but in many cases it is not obvious to us. Thus things which appear to us to have no odour give forth one of which other animals are conscious... The two senses of taste and smell are akin to each other, wherefore it is through things which appeal to the taste as well as those which appeal to the sense of smell that men try to discover fragrant odours. Theophrastus

When we inhale a pleasant perfume, we feel impatient for the next breath as we find it has a relaxing and helpful influence. If we pick up an obnoxious odour, we frown, become tense and irritable until we are free of its influence.

Although the basic function of olfaction is in warning us of danger and so is a protective sense, another aspect increases our sense of enjoyment of life. We can increase our awareness of olfaction and even cultivate it in order to enrich our appreciation of life, particularly natural life, as when we inhale the perfume of a rose or enjoy the freshness of the forests.

Our sense of smell is directly related to our respiration. It is intimately connected with the memory centres of the brain which file away previous sense memories and experiences. Different scents can unconsciously or consciously affect or trigger our moods, our deep emotions and our thoughts, depending upon our associated experiences. By a subtle whiff of perfume or scent from our past, we can be instantly transported in time. We all have been 'taken back' at some time by the reminder of a special scent or perfume. This demonstrates one of its greatest inherent powers. But this is not the only power that aromatics possess.

It is interesting to know of the many uses of perfume in the past. The most common use of fragrant rushes of course was in attempts to overcome unsanitary conditions where bad odours usually had to be endured. in conditions where deep breathing would have been difficult. Cottage gardens, in addition to the pure aesthetical value, featured scented plants to help improve the immediate atmosphere.

Perfumes were also used in the art of healing. It may seem strange to us that Egyptian priests of long ago used inhalation of a perfumed oil as a treatment for epilepsy or to ward off the plague, but there are many modern scientific tests involving the efficacy of essential oils as antiseptics, antivirals and in the healing of certain symptoms of disease.

Beyond the obvious benefit and enjoyment of perfumes it is now becoming recognized that natural scents have a positive value in healing and helping the mind and emotions. It has developed into a subtle science with many practitioners employing the art in helping relieve psychological as well as physical stresses and strains.

As the finest natural perfumes can help to make us feel good and to elevate our consciousness, or calm our mood so there are odours which are heavy, damaging to our cells and depress our consciousness. These can cause irritation to our brain and nervous system to the extent that even brain damage or mental derangement can result. Glue sniffing is a common example amongst the young people hoping for a passport to a heavenly state but sadly experiencing the opposite. A negative experience can result after deep inhalation of a chemical or synthetic aromatic substance. That is why any claim of aromatherapy is based upon the use of an natural essential oil only.

Perfume directly affects the brain and has both a physiological and a psychological effect - an effect upon our respiration and breathing, as well as upon our moods and thoughts.

It can also help to create a strong influence upon our environment and immediate atmosphere of the office or home, but care should be used in selecting sprays for this purpose.

The science of aromatics is advancing, but is hampered to a large extent by the fact that it will always be subjective, depending upon the individual reaction. Valuable work is continuing with professionals who offer aromatherapy in combination with massage and relaxation. Although some would consider it is a rather superficial indulgence, others experience greater benefit if the appropriate oils and perfumes are applied. So it is vitally important that attention is given to the personality, character and needs of each individual, else such treatment can be reduced to just another technique for relaxation.

When selecting a body perfume for oneself it can be that the somewhat confusing array of commercial products makes choice difficult. Remember the powerful and wonderful selection of natural oils which can offer you a simpler but satisfying range of attractive scents which can also make you feel good.

Of the range of essential oils it is possible to select ones which are stimulating or calming, relaxing or vitalizing, masculine of feminine in influence - with some of the most popular being rose, lavender, pine, sandalwood, vanilla, bergamot, petitgrain, cedarwood, neroli, cypress, ylang-ylang, boronia, jasmine and lemon-each having a different application and each offering a unique benefit.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Aromatherapy

Healing Arts: The Most Revealing Interview of Ram Dass You'll Ever Read

At wits end about any number of my personal life dysfunctions, one Friday night I decided to go see a video at Maui Booksellers, a tiny little bookstore in Wailuku, on Maui. That night, they were showing a movie called Fierce Grace, a documentary about Ram Dass, an icon of American spirituality for my generation, the Baby-Boomers.

With about 10 people in the store and about a half-hour before show time, the door opens and a wheelchair comes through. In the wheelchair sits Ram Dass himself, followed by just three people who weren?t so much attending to him as being with him.

The owners of the bookstore, obviously honored by his unplanned presence, graciously welcomed him and introduced themselves and then left their guest to their patrons. I wasn?t surprised to see only a couple of people approach him; I barely knew what to do or what I wanted to do.

But what did startle me was the degree of veneration that they bestowed on him. It was as if an other-than-human had entered the room.

Now Ram Dass, to me, has always been one of the most wondrous of human beings. Some people, like The Beatles, for example, are the embodiment of what those of their generation are experiencing. The Beatles put the experience to music, while Ram Dass placed the experience into a spiritual context. And yet, by his words and actions, he stayed completely human in the doing.

In the 1960s, as Richard Alpert, a professor at Harvard, he and his colleague, Timothy Leary, were fired from their positions for experiments with psychedelics that involved students. Whereas Leary went on to greater depths of psychedelia, Alpert went to India where he met his Guru. He came back as Baba Ram Dass (Servant of God).

Since then, as the author of such seminal books as Be Here Now, Grist for the Mill,The Only Dance There Is, Miracle of Love, a collection of reminiscences of his guru, and most recently, ?Still Here? ? which speaks of his spiritual struggles surrounding his 1996 stroke ? and as a peripatetic lecturer, he has embodied perhaps one of the West?s best conceptual bridges to understanding Eastern thought and ways of being.

In the process, continually and more explicitly as time went on, he reported the truth of his experience with an honesty that left him with nowhere to hide. That is exactly the way he wanted it.

So as I noticed others around me exhibiting what I interpreted as deferential behavior, I wondered ? since, after all, most know him only at a distance through mass gatherings ? what is it like to be the center of such reverential focus? And how does he, who spent a good chunk of his life being the one with nothing to hide, handle it?

Naturally, I didn?t ask at that time. But I did want to connect. I was lucky; I happened to have finished assembling a portfolio of my photo images that very morning. So, in a small void between visitors, I sat down next to him and invited him to leaf through the portfolio and pick a picture for himself, if he liked one.

Just so there?s no illusion, clearly, it was a bribe so I?d get to spend time with him.

For about 10 minutes we sat there, small comments passing back and forth; just little curiosities, nothing about nothing, really. He chose an image, I gave it to him, thanked him for his life, and went on to watch the video, glancing over my shoulder now and again to see how he responded to himself.

Actually, that?s not quite accurate. I began by asking permission to show him my work and then babbled on for what had to be a full minute on why I could accept him as Teacher. It was because of a time, pretty much at the peak of his guruship (for want of a better word), that he gathered his key followers together and instructed them to get on with their lives and quit following him because he didn?t know anything.

I was being double the kiss-ass of anyone I observed. I just had a prop, an excuse, and a slightly more open window of time to interpose words. And then, in my illusion, I convinced myself that I was meeting him as an equal.

Once a month there is a gathering of people that centers around Ram Dass at a private location here on Maui. I began going. It includes Kirtan (yoga chants), music, sometimes poetry, a short talk by Ram Dass, and a potluck feast.

Each time I?d go, I?d manage to spend a little time with him. I noticed a few key people who attended to him. They all maintained an attentive distance. I asked if he had anyone to talk to about some of the deeper conflicts surrounding his stroke. Since I had been a paramedic for 12 years, of course I would be just the person to talk with if it ever came up. I made sure he knew that.

He declined.

Another time, I just hovered nearby while he, balancing a plate of food on one leg, braced by his stroked arm within the confines of the wheelchair arms, spoke with one after another of people on line to be with him. This after a good 2? hours of singing and chanting. In my view, he was clearly pretty tired and needed respite and some food, and when the plate was brought to him, I expected the people in the room to give him a bit of a pause while he refreshed. They didn?t.

Since I ?knew? what he needed, I wanted to intervene. But I didn?t. I just watched. What I kept noticing was, there would be a break between people, he?d pick up a fork and begin to eat, and then, someone else would come up. He?d graciously put his fork down, stop eating and converse. This repeated itself time and again.

At one point, noticing that he hadn?t drunk anything, I found his glass of water on the floor out of his reach. In a pause, I picked it up, handed it to him and went back to my position as a sort of silent guardian. He took a few sips, and put the glass down on the empty chair next to him. Sure enough, someone came up, took the glass off the chair, put it down out of reach, sat down on the chair and began talking.

Somehow, I got the idea people didn?t see him for who he is ? a man who had a stroke and by no means had the stamina they assumed. I felt protective. My curiosity and arrogance grew. I was feeling astonished that I seemed to be the only one in the room who was truly looking out for him.

Later on that week, I decided ? using this magazine (Voice of Choices) as a cloak of legitimacy ? I could ask him for an interview. So I put together a couple of samples of the magazine and included the questions I was really curious about:

Are you still pissing people off and are those around you bold enough to challenge you when you do it?

Have you been actively setting new limits and boundaries on how you wish to be treated by others since you?ve been stroked, or is it more in the realm of an acceptance thing for you?

Do you ever feel the loneliness of not being seen for who you really are?

May as well ask, then ? who are you, really?

What is it that people are asking of you today that they weren?t asking of you pre-stroke?

I hand-delivered the package to his home. The next Kirtan, I could not just relax and be myself around him. I had an agenda driving me. Very off balance, I found myself waiting on line to see him, dropping out of it to get centered, getting back on again, and then stepping away when I saw his food come.

A couple of times, after someone moved his glass out of range again, I moved it back to within his reach and then stepped away while he ate. At one point, he motioned me to come over.

I reintroduced myself to him, assuming he might not remember who I was ? falsely ? and without any subtlety or restraint, just blurted out, ?Did you get the package I left you??

He nodded yes, and went back to his food as the room of about 50 people chanted and sang. Being in his presence, finally, I relaxed and just sat with him, silent. Content. After all, I was getting to hang out with a legend of my time.

At first becalmed, it didn?t take me long to get fidgety because I had that agenda going. Right at the point of the music and voices coming to a very enthralling crescendo, when it looked like he was entering another phase of ecstasy, I clumsily leaned over.

I saw I had broken his flow, but, still, he leaned over to meet me. Putting my mouth close to his ear and speaking out loudly, as if he were deaf, I asked, ?Could I have the interview??

At first, he looked up at me with a glint of, not anger, but more like annoyance like at that pesky mosquito. Then, he took in a breath, sat back in his chair and, motioning me to sit back in mine next to him, swept his hand lovingly over the scene of people, hearts and souls a-singing.

Smiling at me, Ram Dass said these words: ?This is it!?

I sat back and settled into the space that I was part of. For what had to have been a full minute, I swear, I just sat there with him, empty. I may have even been breathing.

Then, remembering the business at hand, I leaned over close to his ear, and with much more subtlety in my voice this time, and maybe even a little softer, I asked him: ?Can I quote you on that??

He wrapped his arm around me and, embracing me close and pulsating, he laughed.

It was then that I realized I hadn?t really met Ram Dass,

I had met me. And that, I believe, is his point.

Russ Reina shares over 35 years of experience in the healing arts through his web site http://mauihealingartist.com. It is a potent resource for those wishing to deepen their abilities in connection and develop their powers as healers. For a powerful free tool to explore your inner world, please check out his adjunct site http://thestoryofthis.net

(Permission is granted to reprint this article, unedited, provided proper attribution is made and the signature line -- the above resource paragraph -- is kept intact)