Essential Oils, Gut Health, Natural Beauty, Natural Remedies, Supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Natural Secrets For Beautiful Clear Skin

This was a Facebook Live in our Blissful Living Community Group
for my dōTERRA customers.

Everyone desires beautiful skin! Few have escaped the embarrassment of acne and blemishes. Many moms have experienced concern for their kids with rashes and eczema. As we age, and particularly in Autumn & Winter, we experience more dry, wrinkle-prone skin. I’ve experienced and overcome all of those conditions. Therefore, I’m thrilled to share my natural secrets for clear skin with you, while boosting your health & confidence!

In the Western Medicine approach to skin conditions, the focus is on treating the skin itself, oftentimes with harsh products that have many undesirable side effects. Many of these have questionable safety profiles and can damage other aspects of your health.

Wouldn’t you rather get to the root of your skin issue and experience benefits only? You’ll get that with a natural approach to skin health. Want to know the secret?

The secret to having beautiful skin is to achieve health inside the body.

If you cleanse and support your body internally, you will see more positive results externally, because the skin is simply a reflection of what’s going on inside.

I’m not wearing any makeup at all in the picture above. I did use a soft-focus filter to make the tint more appealing for this post, but did not touch it up. My skin is not perfect, I still have wrinkles, scars, and monthly pimples. It is tremendously better at 45 years old than it was in my 20’s though!

Back then my system was flooded with hormones from the birth control pills and low quality animal products I was consuming. My gut health was a mess. Later on I would develop an autoimmune condition because of it. It took me over a decade to gain all the knowledge I have today. In the process, I’ve healed myself from the inside. This skin, that I’m now proud to show off, is a natural byproduct of my efforts.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Skin Health

In TCM, it’s known that any skin issue is due to an imbalance of energy in the Lung & Large intestine paired organs and the channels that traverse them. We’re considered microcosms of nature and can be affected by the same elements we experience in our environment. When a rash, eczema or acne vents to the skin, it’s usually “damp heat” in these channels. Dryness of the skin is “dryness” in these channels. Oftentimes imbalances of other organs/channels can affect the Lung & Large Intestine as well, particularly the Stomach, Spleen, and Liver.

The etiology is often poor diet, overwork, and emotional imbalance. Treatment is focused on balancing the diet with support of appropriate herbs, acupuncture, and managing stress. It’s essential that the large intestine energy is moving, meaning that you’re having daily, well-formed bowel movements. This way, you’re clearing your body of “heat and toxins” through the bowels and not just the skin.

Before reading about my natural secrets for beautiful skin, you may want to get my FREE stress-relieving self-acupressure guide. It will help you relieve tension and improve your sleep, in just 10 minutes! I know you’ll love it, and you can get it here:

Natural Steps to Achieve Clear Skin from the Inside

Hydrate

Plump, moist skin is reflective of hydrated cells. You’ll want to make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day, which should total half your body weight in ounces (eg. if you’re 160 lbs, you’ll drink 80 oz. of water). Try to have much of it first things in the morning upon waking, so you’ll prime your digestion and hopefully poop.

Sweat to Detox

Toxins are released from the body through the pores of our skin as we sweat. This is best done with exercise so you’re benefiting the lungs too with the exertion. You only need to do enough to break a sweat, as you don’t want it pouring out, dehydrating you!

Sweating in saunas and hot baths can also help free the body and benefit the skin. Just be sure to have clean skin before you sweat. If you’re wearing makeup or sunscreen, they can clog your pores, reducing the potential of detoxing through the skin.

Heal the Gut

Similar to the TCM approach, modern functional medicine also advises that you focus on gut health first when wanting to improve your skin. They recognize that the liver has a huge role to play as well. When it’s overburdened with pharmaceutical drugs, heavy metals, xenoestrogens from conventional personal care products, cortisol from stress, and excess of sex hormones, it becomes overburdened and sluggish. This can greatly impair digestive function.

Also, many of these same substances (including stress and too much sugar!) can damage beneficial bacteria in the gut. Without their defense, “bad” bacteria take over, making it more difficult to digest your favorite foods and causing inflammation. This inflammation vents to the skin.I always suggest doing an elimination diet which will help you identify any food intolerances and will also give you time to detox. If you follow this diet for 90 days, you’ll be giving your gut ample time to turnover damaged cells for healthy ones which may be enough to heal the intolerance.

Read these posts to learn more about how gut health is impaired and how to improve it:

Improve Your Family’s Gut Health, part 1

Improve Your Family’s Gut Health, part 2

I suggest this program when embarking on an elimination diet. I’ve done it a few times with great success:

The Elimination Diet

If you need even more structure, I recommend this program from Standard Process which includes some whole food supplements and a shake. If you’re interested, contact me for a consultation and I can help you get it:

Standard Process Purification Program

Essential Oils & Natural Products for Beautiful Skin

Cleansing the skin is still important on the outside, but we need to be careful because there are beneficial bacteria on the surface of the skin as well. I suggest always opting for natural products that can improve skin tone without stripping the skin of this important defense.

I am very particular about the essential oils I use. I’ve aligned with one company because of their commitment to quality and purity. They are also making a huge impact integrating into and improving health care in this country while supporting global communities where these oils are sourced.

Best Essential Oils for Skin:

My Favorite Products:

HD Clear (great for teens!)

Verage skin care

Detoxifying mud mask

Hydrating Cream

I hope you’re feeling hopeful about treating your skin issues with a natural, inside-out approach. I’d love to hear about your efforts in the comments! Please leave a comment below.

As you just learned, managing stress is key to keeping the gut and skin healthy! Download my FREE self-acupressure guide to stay ahead of the effects of stress, before they impact your gut and skin. You can get it here:

Chronic Disease, Environmental Concerns, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Parenting, Supplements, Toxin-free living, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Whole Food Diet

How to Treat Your Child’s Eczema Naturally

Does your child have eczema? Did your medical doctor prescribe steroid creams and other immune suppressors for him/her? Do you want to address the condition holistically instead? I’m happy to share what worked for my son. Read on to learn how to get to the root of the condition as you treat eczema naturally.

I believe you have strong parental instincts if you’re concerned. Eczema’s so common here in the United States that many doctors & parents assume that it’s normal and just a symptom of “sensitive skin”. They blame harsh detergents, soaps, or other things in the external environment. Any natural health practitioner will tell you eczema is a symptom of a deeper disharmony in your child’s body.

When my son developed eczema as a baby, I knew that it meant his immune system was challenged. I treated him appropriately with alternative medicine to resolve it quickly. I’m eager to share what I’ve learned with you so that your child can be comfortable in their skin once again!

Standard Medical Cause & Treatment of Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an immune-mediated inflammation of the skin. It’s red, itchy, uncomfortable, sometimes oozy, and can be easily infected if scratched with dirty nails.

Merck Manual, 18th edition states that like asthma, eczema may be linked to an allergic T-cell immune response. It says that it’s becoming more common in developed countries because of “trends toward smaller families, cleaner indoor environments, and early use of vaccinations and antibiotics deprive children of the early exposure to infections and allergens that suppress pro-allergic T cells and induce tolerance.”

Food intolerance, wool intolerance, conjunctivitis, and other features accompany eczema quite often. Most medical doctors tell you to keep your child’s skin moist, but to decrease bathing & hand washing. They prescribe a corticosteroid creams to suppress the immune system, even though it’s already faulty.

In many cases, mainstay steroid treatments can have harmful side effects. There’s also a strong association with eczema and developing childhood asthma later. Therefore, it’s wise to explore holistic treatments that work with the original disharmony.

What Caused My Son’s Eczema?

My son developed eczema after his first round of vaccinations at 4 months old. (I wanted to delay them until he was 2 years old, but was pressured into getting them by my son’s Pediatrician.) Most doctors refuse to admit that vaccines could have anything to do with it. Just because they’re authority figures doesn’t mean they’re correct.

It was pretty clear that after his second dose of Pediarix at 8 months old, it was most definitely the vaccines. For both shots were done on different thighs. The eczema rash, both times, originated at the injection site on the different thighs.

The first outbreak was delayed, so I didn’t make the connection to the shot. I gave him some Chinese herbs and it disappeared in a few weeks. But the second time the eczema appeared within a few days and spread quickly up to his torso and remained there.

How I Treated My Son’s Eczema Naturally

This was a huge awakening for me. I knew this was serious and vowed to treat the eczema naturally. I resumed the Chinese herbal therapy I gave him the first time. It helped initially, but then the rash came back. Next, I did an elimination diet, removing the most inflammatory foods. We quickly learned he was intolerant to the dairy that he was consuming through my breastmilk.

When we went back for the next well-visit, he still had eczema on his thigh though most of his torso was now clear. I explained everything to his doctor. I was prepared for her to become defensive and deny that the vaccines were the cause. Instead, she sincerely apologized. Still, I could not see her anymore.

We started seeing a new Pediatrician who respected my views and profession. She said that eczema & a dairy intolerance often arise after the DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, & Persussis) vaccine in her practice. She supported me fully with the treatment I had already started. By the time he was 2 years old, he was completely healed of eczema and his dairy intolerance.

How You Can Treat Your Child’s Eczema Naturally Too

(1) Eliminate the source of inflammation

This is likely the most challenging part of healing your child because we’re forced to take a hard, honest look at what our child has been exposed to. We need to question whether something we’ve been doing “normally” (according to social norms) is contributing to the disease. This step is important for treating eczema naturally. Since it’s an allergic reaction, your child’s immune system needs a break.

Vaccines

Perhaps you’re not willing to stop or delay vaccinations though, even if it looks like they were the cause. If you continue vaccinating, try to implement the next few treatment options I have listed below. Just realize that you maybe fighting an uphill battle throughout their childhood, though. If this is the strategy that works best for your family and your core beliefs, then I wish you the best of luck!

Food Intolerances

At the very least, it’s wise to place your child on an elimination diet to determine of they have a food intolerance. Skin & blood tests for food allergies are notoriously faulty, so an elimination diet is your best bet for an accurate assessment.

This is a great post describing how to start a simple elimination diet that is great for the whole family.

I recommend the book The Elimination Diet by Alissa Segersten (of Nourishing Meals) & her husband Tom Malterre M.S., C.N. They remove more inflammatory foods, but it’s manageable since the recipes included in the book are easy & super delicious!

If your child has a food intolerance, you’ll need to avoid that food for at least 90 days. Then, gradually bring the food back into their diet to see if there’s an improvement. The intolerance should resolve within several months to a year if you’re diligent about the elimination diet.

(2) Improve their gut health to treat eczema naturally

People with eczema (& food intolerances) have compromised immune systems. They also have low populations of “good” gut flora. It’s vital to focus on improving gut health to heal the eczema & food intolerance.

I wrote about this extensively in the post Improve Your Family’s Gut Health to Increase General Health, part 1. Please read this 2-part series to learn how to build up a good supply of beneficial microorganisms. These organisms digest important vitamins & nutrients. They also protect the lymphoid tissue in the gut lining that makes lymphocytes & immunoglobulins (important members of the immune system).

(3) Include supplements to soothe inflammation

The following supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation (Read more about most of them here):

Fish oil (Omega-3 oils EPA & DHA – Omega-3s should be twice the amount of Omega-6 in your diet)
Vitamin D
Vitamins A, C, and selenium (antioxidants)
Quercetin
Curcumin
Bromelain
Reservatol
Flax seed oil
Inositol

(4) Traditional Chinese Medicine to Treat Eczema Naturally

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, eczema is an accumulation of “damp heat and toxins” in the body that is venting out to the skin. The Lungs, Large Intestine, and Kidney organs & channels are all involved. Basically, you need to clear the heat & toxins and strengthen these organs/channels. This is done with herbal remedies and acupuncture/acupressure.

It’s best to work with a Chinese medicine practitioner, even if you’re eager to do it alone. I just happened to be a newly licensed and enthusiastic Acupuncturist when I was dealing with my son’s issue. I still sought advice from my son’s second pediatrician (who also does acupuncture) to validate my diagnosis & treatment plan.

Chinese medicine practitioners see the root disharmony. They can develop a treatment plan that will heal your child from the inside. Most of them embrace whole food nutrition and help you manage your family’s diet too.

(5) Sensible sun exposure

Alternative medicine recognizes the healing power of the sun. It’s is vital for vitamin D absorption, improving mood, boosting immunity, and maintaining a balanced circadian rhythm. Your child needs to experience short periods of unprotected (that’s right, no sunscreen) time in the sun to reap these benefits.

Even mainstream medical doctors recommend sun exposure for treating eczema naturally. Also, you can use artificial UVA & UVB treatments too, so you can ask your doctor about that.

YOU CAN help your child because YOU KNOW them better than anyone else. Trust your gut Mamma or Papa! Please ask any questions in the comments. If you have other advice that’s worked for you to treat eczema naturally, let’s hear about that too!

Well wishes to you all…

Download my helpful list: 10 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Health & Maintain Your Sanity!

Chronic Disease, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Parenting, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine Is Great For Kids! Here’s 7 Reasons Why…

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is great for kids! It includes acupuncture, massage, herbs, and nutrition – a complete health care system. Read on to learn the 7 reasons why you may want to consider it for your child’s holistic health!

Why the Need for Alternative Health Care?

Every engaged parent wants to do what is best for their children to help them grow and thrive. However, many parents are finding that their children are not as well as they could be, despite following their Doctor’s advice faithfully. In fact, there’s been dramatic increase in chronic childhood diseases in the United States, with no signs of it slowing.

Parents are searching for safe, natural, and effective alternatives to current treatments for chronic illnesses such as eczema, asthma, attention disorders, autism spectrum disorders, digestive issues, persistent coughs, food/seasonal allergies, and more.

Why should you consider Chinese Medicine for kids?

1. It treats the root cause of disease

With standard biomedicine, most treatments manage symptoms only, or just mask them.

Chinese medicine practitioners can hone in on the root cause of illness. This could be harmful environmental influences affect one’s health. They can also determine if it’s a deeper physical, energetic, or emotional disharmony that is causing the disease symptoms.

The focus of treatment is to remove harmful influences, balance any internal disharmonies that then resolve disease symptoms, and actively work to maintain wellness. It makes sense that once the root cause is dealt with, complete healing is possible!

2. It can effectively treat chronic conditions

Managing chronic illness is where Chinese Medicine practitioners shine. Many Medical Doctors are starting to refer patients to Acupuncturists for conditions that are not responsive to conventional treatments.

Parents who have successfully treated their own chronic illness with Chinese Medicine know that it’s a great option for their children as well and are getting wonderful results for the whole family.

3. Side effects are minimal

Mild bruising is really the only side effect a child might experience with acupuncture from experienced practitioners. The smallest needles are used and quite often there is absolutely no pain.

With regard to herbal formulas, they are extremely safe and effective compared to antibiotics, steroids, immune system inhibitors, petroleum products, and behavior-altering drugs that maybe relied upon with standard medical care.

4. Kids respond quickly to treatment

It’s so satisfying to treat children because they respond so quickly. Since children are so new (and don’t have the longterm effects of a poor diet and harmful environmental influences that many of us adults have), they often bounce back to wellness fast.

5. There are many treatment options

Many people assume that acupuncture is the only Chinese Medicine treatment and that it’s not possible for children. They assume most kids are afraid of needles. They also assume the needles need to be in for a long time, and can’t image their energetic child would participate.

Acupuncture basically stimulates points along mapped channels in the body that balance vital energy (Qi) & blood flow and initiate a healing response. However, these channels are not clearly mapped in babies and it takes a few years for them to fully develop. So simple massage is all that’s really needed to stimulate Qi & Blood flow in babies.

As the child gets older, stronger stimulation is needed and acupuncture will be suggested. Young children are often quite receptive to acupuncture. It usually doesn’t hurt and young ones are so sensitive that retention of needles is not needed. The needles go in, and they come right out. No big deal, and it works!

Around 4 to 8 years of age, kids may become needle shy. But a skilled Pediatric practitioner who values building relationships with the kids and respects their body autonomy, will not force the issue or try to trick them. Acupressure, cold lasers, micro-current probes, and stronger massage are effective alternatives to acupuncture too.

Herbal remedies prescribed are usually tolerated well. There are several brands made specifically for children (with just a little added sweetness to help it go down easier).

6. It’s relaxing

Once older kids become accustomed to TCM treatments, they will find that it actually feels good! Kids these days are more stressed out than ever, with social & academic pressures at school, rushed meals, and numerous after-school commitments. A TCM treatment gives them a much needed opportunity to rest and restore. They learn that self care is a priority.

7. Kids learn about the importance of a balanced lifestyle

When treated with Chinese Medicine, kids learn about their body’s amazing potential to heal. How empowering is that?! They’re also set up with great education on how to eat well and live in harmony with nature. It takes adults decades to figure this out, if at all! It’s such a gift for a child to receive these messages early on.

Hopefully you see how wonderfully supportive Chinese Medicine can be for kids. I hope you’ll consider it for your young one. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments! I can also help connect you with a pediatric Chinese Medicine practitioner in your area.