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Gut Health, Natural Remedies, Organic lifestyle, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Oil Pulling: Ayurvedic Routine for Whole Body Health

Having a nourishing morning routine is a great first step to developing healthy habits. In this post and video, I’ll be teaching you all about oil pulling, an Ayurvedic practice that is known for improving your oral health. But it has even broader benefits for whole body health, if you do it regularly. Learn about the benefits of oil pulling and how to do it here!

All this month I’ve been sharing my morning rituals with you, including a helpful meditative yoga practice and a pranayama breathing technique. Oil pulling is another useful practice you can add to the morning that is easy to do and only takes 10-20 minutes (and can be done while you’re multitasking with something else!). Seriously, there is nothing to lose and only health to gain, so I hope you’ll give it a try!

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If you’d like to sandwich your day with self-care, consider downloading my FREE Self-Acupuncture guide too. These 6 acupressure points will help you manage your stress and relieve any tension in the body in just 10 minutes. It’s fabulous to do before bed! Get it here:

What are the Benefits of Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is a panchakarma, one of the Ayurvedic cleansing techniques that is quite popular here in the U.S. because of its oral health benefits.

People have found that swishing their mouths with sesame and/or coconut oil reduces gum inflammation, bad breath, and helps to whiten teeth. This is because the oils help to manage the populations of plaque-forming bacteria in the mouth.

There’s even broader benefits than just supporting healthier tissue in the mouth. Streptococcus mutans, the main bacteria that causes problems in the mouth, can also cause plaque in the arteries, heart, lungs, brain, and can affect blood sugar metabolism. These problems start in the mouth with S. mutans getting into the bloodstream as the gums bleed from infection. So when you’re oil pulling, you’re preventing the spread of this bacteria through the body.

Bacteria from the mouth travel to other parts of the body through the blood — Oil pulling is a preventative health practice.

Oil pulling is also a better choice at cleaning the mouth than using conventional mouthwash. Most mouthwashes contain alcohol which kills ALL bacteria in the mouth, even the good bacteria. We need beneficial bacteria to protect our gut lining! These bacteria help form a solid defense against other microorganisms and are the major part of our immune system.

Oil pulling is a better choice than alcohol based mouthwashes for oral health — If you have allergies, autoimmune issues, or other forms of chronic disease, chances are your gut lining is already compromised. You need beneficial bacteria to protect the lining! Don’t kill them with alcohol mouthwashes!

Coconut oil, sesame oil, as well as several essential oils, have a chelating effect in the body. They bind to and pull out fat-soluble toxins like heavy metals & pesticides that accumulate in our body. Therefore, oil pulling can be an important detoxifying protocol that we could all find very useful since our environment is becoming increasingly toxic.

How to Oil Pull with Coconut, Sesame, and Essential Oils

Let’s teach you how to oil pull!

You’ll need:

1 T Coconut or sesame seed oil (1/2 T of each if combining)
1-3 drops dōTERRA therapeutic grade essential oils (I recommend Spearmint, Celery Seed, On Guard, or Turmeric)

Add the essential oils to the coconut and/or sesame seed oil on a spoon or in a cup. Put contents in your mouth, chew, press through teeth with your tongue, and swish in between all your teeth for 10-20 minutes.

When you’re done, be sure to spit out the oils into the trash. DO NOT SPIT THE OILS INTO YOUR SINK or you may create problems with your plumbing.

That’s it! Your oil pulling experience is done. It may take some practice and to get used to keeping the oils in your mouth without swallowing. You can always start out with a smaller about of oils until you get used to it.

What do you think of oil pulling now that you know the benefits and how easy it is to do? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!

Oil Pulling ayurvedic routine for whole body health

Boost Energy, Emotional health, Essential Oils, Natural Beauty, Toxin-free living, Women's health

The Most Loving Morning Skin Care Routine

Our skin is a reflection of the body’s inner harmony. As I’ve already shared in Natural Secrets for Beautiful Clear Skin much of our skin’s appearance has to do with how well hydrated we are, how balanced our diet is, and how well we’re avoiding and eliminating toxins. However, it’s also possible to experience holistic health by treating the outside of the skin too. I love to combine 2 ancient Ayurvedic practices for the skin that create systemic benefits. This morning skin care routine will nourish your whole body, boost your energy, and improve your mood!

Continue reading or scroll down for my two instructional videos.

Why You Should Adopt a Morning Skin Care Routine

Morning time (between 3-7am) is related to the Lung and Large Intestine organs, according to Chinese Medicine, which is also related to the skin. So it’s important to nourish the skin at this time to bring balance to those organs. The opposite is also true, that this is the best time to do a deep breathing practice and stimulate bowel movements to support clear, healthy skin.

Working with the skin can be both invigorating and calming, which is a wonderful way to start the day. Taking the time to connect with yourself with touch – a powerful form of self-love – is also a huge aspect of achieving holistic health.

Combining the Ayurvedic rituals of Dry Skin Brushing (Garshana) and Ayurvedic Oil Massage (Abhyanga) in the morning will jump start your body to work at it’s finest while also connecting to your heart and loving nature.

Benefits and Practice of Dry Skin Brushing (Garshana) and Ayurvedic Oil Massage (Abhyanga)

Dry Skin Brushing and Ayurvedic Oil Massage share these benefits:

Increased circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body, which improves immune system function
Greater removal of toxins and impurities from the body as lymph drainage is stimulated
Improved muscle tone
Beautiful luster on the skin
Stress relief
Feeling both invigorated and soothed in body, heart, and mind

Dry Skin Brushing exfoliates the skin and unclogs pores. Then the skin can absorb nutrients and health-b00sting elements from the carrier and essential oils used in the Ayurvedic Oil Massage.

Before getting to this morning skin care protocol, you may want to download my FREE stress-relieving self-acupressure guide that you can use in the evening, sandwiching your day with self-love!

Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel as you’re watching! Thank you 😊

How to Dry Brush Your Skin

Instructions

Use a brush with natural bristles. I prefer using a long-handled brush like the one featured below. I like to add a few drops of therapeutic-grade essential oil to the bristles so they immediately enter the skin after the outer layer is exfoliated away. (If you’d like to do your face too, make sure you get a soft brush made exclusively for dry skin brushing of the face – see video for instructions.)
Stand in the shower or tub so you dead skin cells are captured.
Brush lightly, starting from your feet and moving up in long strokes. All strokes should be moving from your extremities into your center, toward your heart, to improve circulation.
Create clockwise strokes across your abdomen, chest, and inside each armpit.
Avoid any areas where you have cuts, rashes, eczema, and burns. Go lightly over the breasts and abdomen, which tend to be more sensitive.
Before rinsing off, go to the next practice of Ayurvedic Self Oil Massage.

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How to Perform an Ayurvedic Oil Self-Massage

This routine is very soothing for the body, heart, and mind. The ancient ritual of anointing your body with oil can be deeply spiritual as well, helping you connect with your inner Goddess.

The oil also helps protect your skin as it’s moisturized and should be used instead of any conventional lotions that are filled with preservatives and other toxic substances.

Instructions:

After dry brushing your body, choose an oil to use for the Ayurvedic Massage. Sesame seed oil is a great neutral oil that can benefit all constitutions. If you’d like to use an oil that is specific to you type of skin, choose from below:
- Dry skin (Vata Dosha) – Avocado, Olive, Coconut
- Red, sensitive skin (Pitta Dosha) – Almond, Sunflower
- Oily skin (Kapha Dosha) – Safflower, Corn
Warm the oil gently under hot water before massaging it over your entire body.
Start with the scalp (if you don’t mind washing your hair afterwards or just leave it in as a day-conditioner). Then continue to face, making upward strokes from jaw to forehead.
Massage down the torso and out to each limb. Spend some extra time massaging the belly clockwise, in the same direction as digestive flow. Also make sure your hands and feet are thoroughly massaged, which each contain important acupressure and marma points responsible for vibrant health.
Take a hot shower or bath to slowly remove the oil. It’s best that you only use soap on strategic areas that tend to smell like the genitals, armpits, and feet. The soap should be free of harsh, toxic ingredients since you’re skin will now be a sponge and pretty much a direct path to the bloodstream.
Dry off gently by blotting your skin with a towel.
For a sensual touch that is said to give you the aura of a saint, apply 1-2 drops of sustainably-sourced sandalwood, jasmine, or rose essential oils to your belly button, nipples, and temples.

I hope you can make time for this skin care routine every morning! Please let me know how it works for you, in the comments.

If you haven’t done so already, you’ll want to get my stress-relieving self-acupressure guide that will help you relieve tension, boost your energy, and improve your sleep in less than 10 minutes! You can add this protocol at the end of your day.

Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Environmental Concerns, Essential Oils, Kids Health, Natural pain relief, Organic lifestyle, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Why Is Everyone So Excited About Essential Oils?

There was a time in American history when essential oils were only used by traditional healers, massage therapists, and subculture flower children. But now, we have modern families, business owners, and even medical doctors using them in their homes and professions. Why is everyone so excited about essential oils these days?

Here are 5 reasons why I believe essential oils are back to stay! After reading them, you may decide to incorporate them into your lifestyle too!

Why essential oils popular?

1. We need alternative healthcare

Essential oil knowledge was lost when modern medicine became popular in the United States. This is because people used to think Western medicine was more evolved, and therefore should have greater respect. Some innovations, like life-saving surgeries and fertility procedures are truly miraculous. However, this standard of care is only focused on palliative measures. It doesn’t address the root cause of health imbalances. We need and expect more.

We’re realizing that Western Medicine is not making us healthier. We are wising up and asking:

WHY is this happening to me?

WHAT does my body need to be healthier?

HOW can I maintain health?

Nature, traditional medicines, alternative health practitioners, and your own intuition are the best guides.

Essential oils are gifts from nature that help support physiological functions, improve mood, control infections, and thereby add to our health.

2. Essential oils are effective alternatives to toxic products

We are living in a toxic soup that triggers many health problems in our population. Visit EWG.org to learn more about pesticides, herbicides, antibacterial agents, and other threats in our environment. They’re still legal in the U.S., even they disrupt hormones, destroy gut flora, decrease immunity, and cause cancer. Therefore, it’s up to manufacturers to remove them from their products or up to consumers to stop buying them.

Essential oils can clean our homes and bodies. Many families make their own home and personal care products using essential oils. There’s also some trusted companies who provide ready-made products using essential oils. These are safe and effective replacements to toxic conventional products found on grocery store shelves.

3. Essential oils have been used effectively for thousands of years

Did you know essential oils have been used from the beginning of history? Ancient Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Egyptian civilizations prized them for their beauty enhancing, spiritual, and therapeutic value. So even though they are new to Americans, that’s not so in the rest of the world.

Our culture is starting to respect older modalities like my profession of Chinese Medicine, as well as using Essential Oils. I would not call it a trend. Americans are just now seeing what has always been around – an awakening of sorts!

4. People want to feel empowered & resourceful with health choices

Many people these days don’t believe that “doctors know best”. It’s important to have a health practitioner as a guide or for a different perspective. However, most people have the awareness to know when they’re well or not though, and whether it’s an emergency. They know how to research and experiment with natural remedies and determine if they’re working.

Moms in particular, want to trust their instincts more. They want to be resourceful and feel empowered with their choices, just as our ancestors were. They know their children better than anyone else! It’s easy for them to use essential oils and they’re accepted well by their children. Experience shows them that essential oils work well to manage illness in the family and to boost their health.

5. There’s tons of research to support essential oil efficacy

Each year, hundreds of research studies validate essential oil efficacy. Here are just a few that show essential oils can improve one’s health naturally:

Certainly, the excitement behind essential oil use is backed by a compelling need! Do you want to try them out too? Visit my natural products page for more information on the oils I recommend. With over 20+ years of experience using them, I can help answer any questions you have as well!

Kids Health, Toxin-free living, Whole Food Diet

How to Keep Your Family Safe from Glyphosate and Other Toxins

Concerned citizens have been talking about the dangers of glyphosate for several years. How do you keep your family safe from it and other toxins?

My awareness of it being a potential carcinogen was heightened in 2015 when my stepfather (who was an enthusiastic Roundup user on his ranch) passed away from a quick and aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. This is the same cancer that plaintiff Dewayne “Lee” Johnson has, who just successfully won a case against Monsanto here in San Francisco on Aug. 10, 2018.

From the Organic Consumer Association:

“After eight weeks of trial proceedings, the jury found unanimously that Monsanto’s glyphosate-based Roundup weed killer caused Mr. Johnson to develop NHL, and that Monsanto failed to warn of this severe health hazard. Importantly, the jury also found that Monsanto acted with malice, oppression or fraud and should be punished for its conduct.”

Why should you be concerned about glyphosate if you’re not the one actively spraying RoundUp in your yard?

Glyphosate is everywhere…

It’s also on the grass your children play on in the park and in vaccines (yes, injected into our bodies).

Other Dangers of Glyphosate

Glyphosate has been shown to…

Destroy gut bacteria in humans, setting one up with chronic disease
Bio-accumulate on the skin, absorbing to cause cancer systemically
It may also be contributing to toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, and disorders like autism in children.

Glyphosate was found to be in 93% of the urine samples of the American public in a 2015 study.

Now that the law is recognizing that Monsanto knows their product causes cancer and has been hiding the information, and that the EPA did not regulate it’s use properly, it will be interesting to see what happens with Big Agriculture and our regulatory agencies.

What I’m most interested in is seeing how the public uses this information.

How about you? Are you going to wait until glyphosate is banned completely by the government? Or will you take action now?

Glyphosate Is Not The Only Harmful Toxin

If you visit EWG’s website, you’ll learn of many other substances that can harm our health – herbicides, pesticides, triclosan, phthalates and other chemicals in conventional food and personal care products.

I’m providing you with this information not to overwhelm you, but to empower you!

It’s in your best interest to become educated on this now and not rely on the government to tell you what you should be concerned about.

I always suggest that you talk to your doctor about any of the information I share on this blog before making health decisions. However, you must realize that many are not trained in whole food nutrition and may not be educated about environmental toxins.

When I visited a family member who was in the hospital for a month, I was horrified at the food they were giving him (conventional processed food which I believe helped to create the condition he was getting treatment for – when I talked to his doctors about it they could not confirm or deny this). And the hospital cafeteria did not have ANY organic food. Government supported healthcare simply does not recognize industry used pesticides as being a problem.

10 Ways To Stay Safe From Toxins

1. Buy organic

Buy organic food, produce, and clothes when you can (cotton is a highly-sprayed crop). Living an organic lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive. Follow my tips here.

2. Boycott these 68 Monsanto-owned companies who knowingly have glyphosate in their products

toxic food brands

3. Stop eating processed food

Processed “junk” food typically has great amounts of corn and soy which use a ton of herbicides/pesticides in the crops. They are also Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), which have their own safety issues and should be avoided at all cost.

4. Align yourself with companies committed to health & safety

I buy all of my family’s personal care & cleaning products from dōTERRA because I share core values with the company’s mission and trust in their testing and transparency. For food and other items I can’t get from dōTERRA, I purchase from our local CSA, Whole Foods and New Leaf grocery stores. It’s not overwhelming at all to find safe food & products when there are only healthy options available from your source!

5. Detox your body regularly

It’s a good idea to aid your body’s natural detoxifying process by drinking plenty of water and moving your body often throughout the day. You can do more thorough detoxing quarterly. See this blog post for more details. (Contact me if you’re interested in following a detox protocol in kits that I can supply for you). Detoxifying your body often is especially important if you’re vaccinating often, using conventional personal care products, and are unable to avoid other toxins.

6. Protect your gut health

Damage gut flora with exposure to toxins and you damage the great majority of your immune system. Read my 2-part series on gut health for more information on how to boost your gut health.

7. Investigate potential toxins in your home, work, & school

Again, please visit the EWG website to know what to look for at home and in the places you’re at often like work and your kid’s school. If you don’t like what you find, you can make easy changes at home. But if it’s at school, don’t worry about being the squeaky wheel. All parents need to know this information!

8. Wash your hands and body after playing on grass

Use safe body wash & soaps to rinse away any pesticides/herbicides that can accumulate on the skin with grass play. You can look up product ingredients on the EWG website.

9. Cook often and pack your own meals for outings

I know, this is more for you to do. I like getting a break from the kitchen here and there too! You have the most control over what you eat if you’re making it yourself though. So if avoiding toxins is important to you, then learning how to cook for your family is a priority.

10. Make your own heath decisions

You can do this! Learn to trust your instincts and educate yourself. I really encourage you to seek answers in many places until you feel confident in what you’ve learned.

Let’s help each other be as healthy as we can be! If you think of something else that I may have missed, please let us know in the comments!

safe from toxins

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Essential Oils, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support, Seasons, Summer, Supplements, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Essential Oils You’ll Need For A Naturally-Healthy Summer

Summer is a favorite season for many people, but it comes with certain challenges. Longer stretches of powerful sunlight, warm-weather pests, and eating unhealthy foods on family vacations are just some of things that can dampen one’s enthusiasm for summer fun. Be prepared with these essential oils for summer challenges to keep your family naturally healthy and happy all season long!

Essential Oil Remedies for Summer Challenges

Bug repellent

Do you have a family member who is a mosquito magnet? That would be me, in my family. So believe me, plant power is safer and equally effective at keeping them at bay than DEET-containing concoctions!

The recipe below incorporates dōTERRA Terrashield, which actually works fabulously on it’s own. The additional oils kick the power up a few notches.

essential oil bug repellent

Insect bites & stings

If pests get past your defenses, try these essential oil remedies to soothe the pain, itch, and swelling (from Modern Essentials, 8th edition):

Bee/Wasp/Hornet stings – After removing stinger, apply a cold compress of Roman Chamomile to the area for as long as possible.

Mosquito bites – apply lavender (diluted as recommended in chart at bottom) to the bites every few hours.

Spider bites – Dilute basil as recommended and apply as a cold compress to the area.

Tick bites – Don’t add oils to remove the tick or they may inject their toxin into the wound! Pull out the whole tick out close to the mouth without twisting. It’s wise to save the tick to get it, and the person bitten, examined by your doctor. Apply 1 drop of lavender to the wound every 5 minutes.

Sunburns

For minor sunburns, mix 10 drops of lavender with 1/4 cup water in a small spray bottle. Be sure to shake well so the oil is suspended in solution before spraying over the affected area.

Poison Oak

Though the red color on the “leaves of three” makes this plant more recognizable in the summer, avoiding it can still be tricky when it comes to kids and pets.

Rose, lavender, and Roman chamomile are all indicated for helping to relieve the itch. However, with conditions like this that ooze blisters, sometimes adding oil alone can spread the rash. You may want to look into combining the power of essential oils with a drying calamine lotion, or see an acupuncturist/Chinese herbalist for a drying solution like this one.

Indigestion

Eating heavily processed, greasy, and low quality foods at amusement parks or on the road can lead to an upset stomachs, gas, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea. DōTerra’s DigestZen blend can help immensely with all of these symptoms! Ginger, Fennel and peppermint are the main oils in this blend that help ease discomfort and can regulate the bowels. These oils have also been reported to help relieve food poisoning, stomach bugs, or motion sickness.

You may also consider increasing your whole food supplements to fill in any nutrition gaps, keeping your gut flora happy and your immune system working well while away from home.

Cooling down

Combine 2-3 drops of peppermint with 1/4 cup pure aloe vera and 1/4 cup witch hazel in a spray bottle. Shake well and mist body as needed to cool down which might be especially helpful at night to prevent restless sleep. This solution can also help easy sunburn discomfort.

Do you have any ideas for using essential oils in the Summer? Please let us know in the comments! And if you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends!

essential oils for healthy summer kids

Dilution chart:

Emotional health, Essential Oils, Natural pain relief, Natural Remedies, Pregnancy, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Essential Oils To Help You Manage Your Menstrual Cycle

Menstruation is such fine-tuned wonder in women’s physiology. In this article, I teach you about using essential oils for menstruation. They’ll help you stay in touch with your body as you regulate your periods and avoid harmful medications.

Why Support Menstruation Naturally?

Regular periods with little-to-no-discomfort signify good health and fertility. Why don’t we celebrate this dance between hormones that help create potential new life? Yes, there is the inconvenience and possible mess. But the main reason most women dread their period is because pain and other symptoms of imbalance accompany it.

Treating symptoms with conventional medicine is challenging. Medical doctors do not have answers for women experiencing difficult periods other than birth control pills and pain medications. Both types of pharmaceuticals have major, negative, long-term side effects. It’s always best to consult with your doctor first to rule out any serious issues. Usually though, natural medicine is safer and more effective.

Essential Oils for Menstruation

For those seeking to manage the mild symptoms of menstruation naturally at home, essential oils are a fantastic option to explore. Below are the oils you’ll want to keep handy to manage the most common complaints. They’ll help during your flow, and also during the premenstrual phase and ovulation as well.

The essential oils can be used topically on the area of discomfort (3-4 drops diluted in ~ 1 T of carrier oil). They can also be diffused to help balance emotions that are often at the root of many physical complaints. Feel free to blend them together too!

Geranium

(Pelargonium graveolens)

A sweet, harmonizing oil, geranium has been used since ancient times for regulating menses and for menorrhagia (excessive blood loss during menstruation). It continues to be a valuable oil for PMS symptoms such as agitation, nervous tension, cramping, headaches, backaches, stressed-adrenals, etc. It can help resolve endometriosis as well.

Try this technique for painful or irregular periods:

Spread a drop of geranium on your foot arches, layer with castor oil, and cover with a sock. This covers important points in the Kidney and Spleen acupuncture channels on the foot that help regulate menstruation. The castor oil has an invigorating effect, helping to move blood & ease stagnation (which shows up as pain).

Mild cases: apply 2x/day for 10-14 days, then 1x/day for 30 more days
Moderate: apply 2x/day for 30 days, then 1x/day for 2 more months
Severe: apply 2x/day for 3-4 months, then 1x/day for 4-5 more months

Clary Sage

(Salvia sclarea)

Clary sage is regulating oil that is known for calming nerves and cooling inflammation. It helps with dysmenorrhea, PMS, headaches, frigidity, and depression. It also soothes the GI organs, resolving bloating and gas.

Ylang Ylang

(Cananga odorata)

Ylang ylang is a sedative for the nervous system, yet a stimulant for the circulatory system. So, it’s very calming, yet invigorating for the blood and musculature. It relieves tension, improve libido, regulate hormonal balance, and can lift a woman’s spirit.

True Lavender

(Lavandula angustifolia)

Everyone is familiar with lavender, as it’s considered one of most versatile essential oils available. It can help a woman immensely with menstrual discomfort. It’s indicated for PMS, headaches, migraines, cramps, depression, nervous tension, insomnia, and even gas.

Some of you may have heard that lavender has estrogenic effects and should be avoided by men. That is a myth addressed in this article by well-known Aromatherapist Robert Tisserand: Lavender Oil Is Not Estrogenic

Sweet Fennel

(Foeniculum vulgare)

Lavender does not have estrogenic effects, but fennel DOES. It can actually increase milk supply in mothers, is valuable in the transition to menopause, but should be avoided by pregnant women.

Women experiencing amenorrhea (skipped menstrual periods) as well as dysmenorrhea benefit from Fennel. It also helps with gastrointestinal problems many women experience during ovulation and menstruation such as constipation, stomachaches, nausea, and flatulence.

Roman Chamomile

(Chamaemelum nobile)

Roman chamomile is one of the safest essential oils, yet it is also potent and has a huge therapeutic range.

It helps cycling women with dysmenorrhea, headaches, migraines, nervous tension, and also with calming the mind and spirit. Thereby, it helps support a restful night sleep.

If you experience difficult periods, I hope you’ll consider using essential oils as a natural remedy to ease your discomfort. Perhaps you can appreciate this special time in your life even more. Essential oil brands differ greatly in quality and thereby efficacy though. You can view my recommendations here.

I’m eager to hear how essential oils are helping you manage your menses! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments! And if you enjoyed this article, please share with friends who can use this advice as well.

essential oils for menstruation

Chronic Disease, Essential Oils, Gut Health, Kids Health, Toxin-free living, Women's health

6 Easy Ways To Detox At Home

Detoxifying your body may seem like all the rage these days! But what does it mean to detox and why is it so necessary? And how do you detox at home?

The liver is the organ that processes the body’s hormonal and metabolic waste as well as toxins. A toxin is anything that stresses the body and decreases health. Examples of toxins are pesticides and sugar in our food, phthalates in skin products, and sodium laurel sulfate in hair products. Then, there’s chlorine & fluoride added to our city water, pollutants in the air, plastics, metals, pharmaceutical medications, etc.

The liver is aided by our excretory system and toxins are expelled through our sweat, urine, and bowel movements. This is an awesomely efficient system, except when the liver gets overwhelmed and sluggish. Typically, our bowels slow down and we experience constipation, weight gain, and inflammation. Subsequently, skin rashes and acne may result from this GI tract congestion.

What are other signs that your body needs to cleanse? Take this questionnaire to find out.

We are more challenged than ever with environmental toxins. Therefore, it’s nice to give the liver some extra support a few times a year with a thorough cleanse.

There are several whole food diet programs that help reduce the load on the liver and clear out all the excretory organs. However, many of these programs are quite challenging to stick with.

Fortunately, there are many changes you can make at home to help your body detox easily every day. Here’s how…

6 Ways To Detox At Home

1. Avoid Toxins!

Of course, it’s better to avoid toxins as much as you can. Here are the things you want to look out for and change if possible.

Adopt an organic lifestyle to avoid pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Stop eating sugary, processed, packaged, and fast food made with trans fat.
Avoid eating and drinking from plastics, cooking with aluminum foil and teflon, wearing fire retardants in clothes, burning candles and other synthetics substances, etc., whenever possible.
Switch to natural beauty products that meet the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep criteria.
Avoid pharmaceutical medications and seek out natural alternatives from a holistic health practitioners.
Get home water and air filters.

2. Drink a few glasses of water first thing in the morning

Encourage peristalsis and get the bowels moving with a nice big flush of room temperature water. If you add lemon and a splash of apple cider vinegar, you’ll stimulate the liver and gall bladder to increase digestive function.

3. Load up on vegetables and fruits

Nature provides the best detoxing program! Just about every fruit and vegetable can support the liver and bowels in eliminating toxins. However, some work better than others:

Top 10 Foods for Detoxing

Just make sure that they you’re eating organic produce or you’re missing the point!

4. Sweat it out

Saunas, steam showers, and hot baths have numerous therapeutic qualities. Releasing toxins is one of them.

In one study, samples were collected from 20 individuals (10 “healthy” and 10 with known health problems). “BPA (bisphenol-A from plastics) was found to differing degrees in each of blood, urine, and sweat. In 16 of 20 participants, BPA was identified in sweat, even in some individuals with no BPA detected in their serum or urine samples.”

5. Essential oils

Applying essential oils topically is an easy way to support organ detoxification. Place a few drops on the liver area (right side of lower rib cage) and the soles of the feet (where there are numerous reflexology points) .

The oils below have antioxidant effects, support organ cleansing, and make up the dōTERRA Zendocrine Detoxification Blend:

6. Epsom salt baths

Soaking in an epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) bath pulls out heavy metals and other toxins through our porous skin. Dr. Axe suggests adding 2 cups of epsom salt to hot/very warm bath water and soak for 40 minutes. (20 min. to purge toxins + 20 min. to replenish magnesium which helps with sleep & digestion!).

If you’re needing a detox, adopting one or more of these practices at home is a good place to start!

Do you have experience cleansing with one of these techniques? How did it work for you? Anything else to suggest? Let us know in the comments!

Boost Energy, Chronic Disease, Gut Health, Thyroid Health, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Powerful Natural Solutions For My Hypothyroid Disease

Do you have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis or Hypothyroidism? Did your doctor tell you to take prescription thyroid medications for the rest of your life? Me too, but I trusted my body more than I did my doctor’s advice. I proved to myself and others that it is possible to heal. Read on to learn more about my powerful natural solutions for hypothyroid disease that you might want to try too!

I’m passionate about alternative medicine and whole food nutrition. They offer great support and healing potential to people with chronic disease.

I’ve talked briefly about my wellness journey in previous posts. I’m slowly regaining thyroid function after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism over a decade ago. I want to share the details of my story now since the time feels right.

If you suffer from thyroid disease too, you may want to know what’s possible for you too. You’re not doomed to a lifetime of thyroid hormone replacement. You can address the root cause of the disease instead, and be an active participant in your body’s healing process.

Before we get to possible solutions, let me explain how I got here…

My Inflammatory Beginning

I’m one of the 20 million Americans currently living with thyroid disease. I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks thyroid tissue. However, I’m also one of the many people who are placing their disease in remission and regaining thyroid function.

I’ve read many stories of people who were diagnosed with hypothyroidism after experiencing debilitating fatigue, depression, brain fog, hair loss, weight gain, and constipation. My case was not that obvious or severe.

I complained to my M.D. about my inability to lose weight even with exercise and dieting. I had sluggish digestion too, but not enough to cause discomfort. On a hunch, my M.D. palpated my neck and noticed that my thyroid was enlarged. He then suggested we do a thyroid panel blood test.

Indeed, my thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroid hormone (T4) were within range. However, Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies were elevated to 101 IU/mL, confirming the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

He had no explanation for why this happened. This inflammation would eventually destroy my thyroid tissue. It would lower T4 and increase TSH hormones. Levothyroxine (synthetic T4) is an easy fix for this. I got my prescription and that was that.

Searching For Natural Solutions to Hypothyroid Disease

Shortly after my diagnosis, I made the decision to quit my job in Biotech and get my Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I had a more relaxed schedule and enjoyed what I was doing. Life was good.

But then I started to question:

How could I be an effective alternative medicine practitioner if I could not heal myself?

I depended on a pharmaceutical product that simply put my thyroid gland to sleep. Inflammation was the root cause of my condition. Simply replacing thyroid hormone didn’t feel right.

My condition puzzled my Chinese Medicine teachers. This was over 10 years ago. Our clinic was just starting to notice the increase in Hashimoto’s patients. We didn’t have a common TCM diagnosis amongst us. My teachers didn’t want to advise me not to take my prescribed medications either. I would get regular acupuncture, which I’m sure helped. Levothyroxine was still keeping my thyroid asleep though, so full recovery wasn’t possible yet.

Experimenting With Possible Causes and Natural Solutions for Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism

I started drinking filtered water since it’s a fact that fluoride suppresses thyroid function.
Since there’s an association between gluten and Hashimoto’s (as well as other autoimmune diseases), I took gluten out of my diet ~4 years ago.
I started taking probiotics and eating fermented foods because I finally realized the importance of gut health.
Once I decided to use food to gain my health back, I went off my thyroid medication so I could easily gauge thyroid function. My thyroid was functioning better with improved symptoms (less inflammation and some weight loss). I confirmed this with occasional blood tests.
I knew that food intolerances can contribute to Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune diseases, so I went on an elimination diet . Immediately, I dropped 10 pounds quickly.
After exploring GAPS, SCD, and Ketogenic diets, I managed well on a low-carbohydrate Primal diet. My digestion was not perfect, but was the best it had been in years.
A whole food supplement program supported my thyroid and general circulation.
I altered my exercise routine, sticking with a daily moderate-level yoga practice and gentle hiking (no more running, swimming, or jump roping, which all seemed to stress my adrenals).
I continued with acupuncture treatment on myself and working with other practitioners, but honestly, I did not do it as regularly as I would’ve liked.

My last blood test was 8 months ago. Even though my TSH and TPO antibodies still on the high side, they’re now considered within range. Symptoms and how one feels are way more important than numbers on tests though. I still have a few extra pounds of water weight, cold hands & feet, and will occasionally miss a bowel movement here and there. I know there is more work to do.

New Dietary Approach for Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism

Recently, I came across an intriguing article in GOOP featuring the “Medical Medium” Anthony William and his theory about Hashimoto’s thyroiditis & other autoimmune diseases and the Epstein-Barr virus.

I have his book now, Medical Medium Thyroid Healing (rated 5 stars with 500+ reviews on Amazon!). I resonated with this book immediately and it gave me renewed hope. He’s knows a great deal about how bodies work & respond to the environment, toxins, and pathogens. He is sure to be criticized though, because his knowledge was not obtained through scientific methods. Instead, he received this wisdom from Spirit.

Standard health care has no answers at this point, so there’s nothing to lose in trying this out! Anthony William’s main message is a good one. Our bodies ARE WORKING HARD for us to attack an elusive virus. The body is not confused and self-destructive after all.

How to Continue Healing My Body

I know I can overcome this illness with the help of immune boosting foods and avoiding the foods and toxins that feed the virus. This new knowledge has also strengthened my resolve to bring acupuncture back in as one of my main tools. I know how effective it is at managing other viral diseases.

I’m only a few weeks into this new protocol. My predictable, effortless bowel movements, more toned abdomen, adjusted appetite, and great craving for vegetables are telling me that it’s working!

Please tell me your story in the comments! I’m happy to answer any questions you have too. I am an expert in my own health. I can offer you support as you become an expert in your health as well!

Kids Health, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Protecting Your Lungs When Air Quality is Poor

We’re in the middle of an emergency here in Northern California, as wind-fueled wildfires have been raging for days. We’re coming together as a community to support the families who have been displaced, but it’s becoming clear that even those of us further from direct harm are being negatively impacted.

There’s at least 80 miles between my home and the closest fire, yet we’re experiencing major air pollution, with some people reporting that there’s ash on their cars. Now I’m wondering how many small particles we’re inhaling without knowing.

This concern prompted me to research the best practices to protect our lungs when threatened by smoke or pollution since there’s a possibility that air quality will continue to worsen for us.

I’ve collected some of advice, much of which is from the CDC’s guidelines for protection from wildfire smoke. I’ve included my own personal thoughts as well about how to keep your lungs naturally healthy and strong.

Even though much of this will seem obvious, I’m sure there are still many of you out there trying to continue on with your day-to-day routine. You may not realize your health is at risk and perhaps looking at this list will help you make wiser choices.

How to Protect Yourself From Smoke & Air Pollution

1. Become familiar with Air Quality Index and consider how to adjust and when to evacuate

You can search for your city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) on AIRNow. Here in Redwood City the AQI is currently at 108 which is “Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups” meaning that children, senior citizens, and anyone with lung or heart issues should avoid heavy exertion. I was happy to see that at my son’s gym the young athletes were taking it easy today. At the health club where I teach yoga, all outdoor exercise classes were cancelled.

Tomorrow our AQI is going to be 165 – considered “Unhealthy“. This means the entire population should avoid heavy exertion. All classes, outside and inside of the health club are cancelled for tomorrow.

My husband and I are starting to talk about what are plans are if the AQI reaches 201, “Very Unhealthy” since I will not feel comfortable staying beyond that. It’s a good idea to have this discussion with your family too and formulate your emergency plan.

2. Stay inside with doors & windows shut

This is not the time to worry about your child’s amount of outside time or to go out for your daily walk or run. It’s best to stay in our modern dwellings where we have a good amount of protection from particles floating around outside.

3. If possible, invest in an air purifier

We purchased a small HEPA filter when my son was born to ensure that air quality in his bedroom was ideal. Lucky for us, we recently replaced it with a much bigger model that will purify the whole upstairs, perhaps the entire home.

Buying a good quality air purifier is a great investment if you routinely have poor air quality in your town or live in a place like our dry California where wildfires naturally occur every year. Check out The Best Air Purifier Reviews (updated March 2018) to help you make a wise selection.

4. Remember to keep the air in your car clean as well

Turn on the air conditioning but keep the intake vent closed to recirculate filtered air in the car.

5. Limit in-home activities that make pollution worse

Using fireplaces and smoking indoors are obvious hazards to indoor air pollution, but so is burning candles and using gas stoves. The CDC also discourages vacuuming, as it will stir up even more particles in the air.

What about diffusing essential oils?

I have several friends who are advising that we clear the air with essential oils. Before doing this myself, I looked around online and came across an exchange between Robert Tisserand (highly regarded English Aromatherapist and author of Essential Oil Safety) and one of his readers.

In Q&A: I’m choking on wildfire smoke! Can EO help? his reader asks if he should continue diffusing eucalyptus and myrtle when trees, homes, plastics, and other burning toxins are polluting the air.

Robert responds:

“When the air quality is really bad such as from wildfires, inhaling essential oils can add to the respiratory burden. You probably don’t want oils high in monoterpenes – citrus, pines etc. Antioxidant oils such as thyme, oregano, clove might help, but I don’t have any evidence of this, it’s a theoretical benefit. It’s a tricky question, and we will know more in time, but right now I’d say be careful with inhalation of any essential oil.”

This is my sense as well. As much as I love essential oils and recommend them for various conditions, I can not recommend diffusing in this case since I’m not positive about the risks or benefits (I am still applying oils topically to boost my cellular health). Oils will help open your airways, but they will not remove the small particles from the air as an air purifier does. You’ll have to decide for yourself if you’d like to diffuse, and maybe just stick with the antioxidant oils that Robert recommends. Just remember that our children have smaller lungs and will be burdened much sooner than us adults.

6. Don’t rely on hardware store masks to protect yourself

Unfortunately dust masks do not protect against smaller air particles from wildfires that are likely to cause the most damage to the respiratory tract. Neither do bandanas or scarves.

If you’re investing in a fine particle respirator, just be aware that they have their drawbacks too, as many doctors acknowledge. They do not filter out toxins, are not made for children, and are difficult to breathe in for people with respiratory issues. It’s best to stay indoors, which cuts down on at least 50% of the pollution.

7. Keep your body healthy by eating fruits & vegetables high in antioxidants and consider taking vitamin supplements

Hopefully you’ve been working on keeping your body healthy by getting plenty of sleep, managing stress, and eating seasonal foods. But when you’re feeling threatened by the environment this way, sleep may suffer and stress may escalate. This is a great time to load up on foods high in antioxidants.

Increasing vitamin C in your diet can combat ANY kind of stress. You may want to re-read the article: Is Extra Vitamin C A Reliable Key To Good Health? for more information about recommended forms and doses.

I’m also a firm believer in using prayer and positive affirmations to stay healthy and well. Let’s lift each other up and get through this California!

If you have any recommendations to add, please let us know in the comments.

Environmental Concerns, Essential Oils, Organic lifestyle, Toxin-free living, Whole Food Diet, Women's health

A Simple Guide To An Affordable Organic Lifestyle

The adoption of an organic lifestyle is not just a trend for the wealthy and naturally-minded. It’s an important step we need to take to stay healthy, to increase the quality of our lives, to support our local economy, and to nurture the earth and the animals that roam it. I have an organic lifestyle guide that can help you make this necessary change!

Many people are starting to understand this, especially here in California where it’s been proven that glyphosate causes cancer and that it’s everywhere in the conventional food chain.

Environmental toxins are polluting our water & soil, are obviously on the food we eat, and are being injected into us in trace amounts through vaccines. The toxic load is being passed on through generations, making children extremely vulnerable. This cumulative effect is one of the main reasons why more children are experiencing learning disabilities & behavior issues like ADD/ADHD, why chronic disease is increasing in the American population, and maybe why infertility is on the rise as well.

So what’s keeping YOU from going organic?

I’m guessing you think…

It’s too expensive
Going 100% organic is not possible and are confused about what you should prioritize as organic purchases.
Everything on store shelves is safe because our government protects us well, this organic thing is all hype, or I simply do not care.

I can’t help much if you’re aligned with #3, but if it’s #1 or #2 that are holding you back, I have a great guide here for you!

Buying organic does not need to be expensive and you don’t need to buy ALL organic, though it is nice to support the movement (thereby decreasing the price because of demand) if you’re able to.

Organic Lifestyle Guide – 10 Simple Changes You Can Start Making Today:

1. Buy organic from EWG’s Dirty Dozen list

Become familiar with the Environmental working group’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists that they publish every year. Note, this list has been pretty much the same since I started paying attention to it several years ago.

With the Clean Fifteen, feel free to buy conventional, as there is little to no pesticide residue on these foods. Note that foods with and asterisk * are often grown from genetically modified seeds, so you may want to avoid and buy them organic if GMOs are a concerning to you.

It’s handy to print out these lists and keep them on the refrigerator. You’ll have them memorized in no time!

2. Buy organic animal products and eat less meat

Buying organic animal meat, eggs, and dairy ensures that your food is pesticide, herbicide and antibiotic-free. It also means that you’re supporting better animal welfare standards (than conventional factory farms).

From Whole Food’s article Organic Meat: What Does Organic Really Mean?:

“Here are a few of the key requirements for organic poultry, cattle and pigs:

Must be raised organically on certified organic land
Must be fed certified organic feed
No antibiotics or added growth hormones are allowed*
Must have outdoor access

*Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising pork and poultry.”

My reducing your meat consumption to just a handful of times per week, you can save some money as well.

3. Buy in bulk at health food stores

For cereals, grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, buying in bulk at health food stores is the way to go. Sure, they don’t have the fancy packaging that you might see in prepackaged food, but I’ve noticed time and time again, the price is well below what you buy with prepackaged foods.

Side note here: organic prepackaged foods are often more expensive in mainstream grocery stores than in health food stores, at least in my neighborhood.

4. Buy produce at Farmer’s markets

Going to a nearby Farmer’s Market can be fun for the whole family. It’s a great way to support local farms too!

I like to go with a list of exactly what I need and budget for treats. If you’re trying to save money, you may want to try go close to closing time. You may run the risk of not having many options, but some vendors may give you a discount if they need to sell everything. Some vendors may negotiate with you too.

5. Grow your own fruits and vegetables

Starting an organic garden may sound like a huge endeavor, but it’s really not. All you need is a small spot that gets sun for at least half the day.

My family has a potted lemon tree, raspberry bush, several strawberry plants, and many herbs on our very small townhouse balcony.

We also have a 4′ x 8′ plot in our community garden. This area used to be wasted space until several of us families contacted the homeowners association with our idea to turn it into a community garden. We produce large quantities of leafy green veggies all year round and other seasonal veggies. This year we have beautiful flowers as well.

If you’re saying you want a garden but don’t have enough space, maybe you just need to get creative or go in with a few friends who have a bit more land than you. It’s fun for the family to plan the garden and even more fun when a few families get involved!

6. Find discounts in online stores, warehouses, and CSAs

There are several online resources out there that have organic products like Amazon, Thrive, and Vitacost. You can probably find coupons and occasional discounts there.

Costco Wholesale is gradually increasing their stock of organic products. It’s not my favorite choice for my 3 person family though because I’m concerned about space and overconsumption. I don’t really need to buy 4 dozen eggs at a time!

You may also want to check out Community Supported Agriculture which provides produce and products from local farms. I L-O-V-E our local CSA: Real Food Bay Area. There are some artisan products that are on the pricey side, but the meat, dairy (they have super nutritious RAW goat & cow milk!), and produce are competitively priced.

7. Make homemade meals

Unless restaurants make a point of listing organic foods on their menu, you can best that they are using low-quality, conventional produce and animal products.

So if you’re committed to eating organic, you’ll need to start cooking more at home. You’ll have complete control over your menu and food quality, and of course this can save you some money too.

Sound exhausting? Not really if you plan your meals and get the family involved!

8. Buy organic skin and hair products, or DIY

This organic lifestyle guide would not be complete unless we address personal care toxins. Anything we put on our skin and scalp is easily absorbed into our body, so we need to look closely at the ingredients in the products we buy.

Just because a product says it’s organic, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe though. From EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database FAQs:

“It’s hard to tell which ingredients are truly “organic” or “natural” because truth-in-marketing rules for food don’t apply in the cosmetics world. An exception – products bearing the USDA organic seal contain ingredients that come from plants grown without artificial pesticides and fertilizers.”

Joining the Do It Yourself movement can make moving to the organic movement much easier when it comes to skin products. Just type in DIY skin or DIY hair on Pinterest and you’ll find recipes to make just about anything.

You can follow my DIY Skin Board too:

9. Buy Organic Cotton, at least with underwear

Did you know that conventional cotton crops use 25% of the world’s insecticides and 10% of the world’s pesticides? Read more about this and other reasons why buying organic cotton is a better idea here:

Protecting Our Planet and Protecting Ourselves: The Importance of Organic Cotton

Avoiding conventional cotton is a huge endeavor though! It might be hard to buy a whole organic cotton wardrobe and you might not like the styles out there (unless you love the bohemian look!)

You can make wiser choices though, like buying organic underwear and pajamas for your family.

Here are some online resources I love:

Hanna Andersson (underwear for kids, pjs for the whole family)

Soul Flower (yoga & boho)

Blue Canoe (yoga & professional)

You can also find used organic clothing on eBay.

10. Relax, you can always detox

Know that any effort to steer your family toward an organic lifestyle is worthwhile. So try not to worry too much when you veer off course (like the fish tacos I had yesterday when traveling – at least they were wild-caught halibut!).

There are several ways you can detoxify your body from pesticides, through diet, essential oils, baths, and other methods that we discussed in:

The Best Natural Treatments for ADD/ADHD

6 Easy Ways to Detox at Home

Are you ready to take the leap to living organically? If yes, did this guide help? If no, what’s holding you back? Let’s discuss in the comments!

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