The Food you eat and your skin

Our skin as we know is our body’s largest organ.  It covers us and protects us at the same time.  Imagine how we would look if we had no skin!

This is why it is imperative to take good care of our skin.  As a nation of eaters it is no wonder that the food we stuff down our mouths often manifests itself in our skin.  Poor diet results in dull hair, dry skin and brittle bones.  Poor unbalanced diet is actually one of the main causes of acne.  Bad food actually affects the production of hormones inside the body which affects our body’s detoxification processes which can cause acne.

Poor food choices usually result in acne breakouts.  So future acne problems can be avoided by eating more healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables and avoiding oily food such as junk food and oily food.

Healthy foods such like fruits and vegetables help our bodies get rid of toxins by helping flush out these harmful substances out.  Studies also show that acne is more likely the result of improper diet rather than allergies or hormonal imbalance.

So in order to decrease the break out of acne, eat a balanced diet, get plenty of rest and exercise.  These three elements are important not only to keep healthy but to maintain glowing and young looking skin

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Organic Shampoo Recipe

Many people who are concerned about the stuff we dump onto our water works are now going organic.  Organic living simply means choosing everyday products which use materials and ingredients that are not harmful to our environment.  However differentiating between natural and organic may sometimes be difficult.  What with the terminologies and everything.  So to make sure that we stay organic, there are actually recipes out there which can allow us to make our own organic shampoo made from everyday over the counter materials which are all earth friendly.

The most basic ingredient of this shampoo is Castile soap.  This type of soap is colored white and originated in the Castile region in Spain and is made from olive oil.  For natural shampoo for normal hair add ¼ cup water to ¼ cup liquid Castile soap and ½ teaspoon sunflower or other light vegetable oil.  Mix the ingredients together, store in a bottle and use as you would a shampoo.

For dry hair mix together ¼ cup liquid Castile soap, ¼ cup aloe vera gel, 1 teaspon glycerine and 1 teaspoon avocado oil.  Glycerine is one of the most basic ingredients of soap and is used to add lubrication and will make the hair smoother.  For maximum effect, let the shampoo set in the hair for a few minutes and rinse with cool water.

Making organic every day personal care products such as shampoo is easy.  Not only does it save the earth from the pollution shampoo causes we can also make sure that the products we use are healthy for human consumption.

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Shampoo Contains Toxic Chemicals

Researchers from the National Institute of Health have found out that the chemical MIT or methylisothiazoline which are commonly used in shampoos and conditioners can cause nerve damage to animals likewise to humans.

The experiment was conducted on laboratory mice.  The brain of the mice showed nerve damage after contact with MIT.  Scientists and researchers have found MIT in popular shampoo brands like Pantene, Head and Shoulders, Clairol and Suave.  They are cautioning pregnant women since exposure to the chemical can also cause damage to the fetus.

Studies have shown that MIT is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other central nervous disorders.  MIT causes the slowing down of the nerve’s response time preventing communication between the neurons.  Since our central nervous system which is comprised of neurons, brain function and networking signals can become suppressed with over exposure to MIT.

However, people are wondering why these products are still seen and patronized in grocery shops across the nation.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which oversees such testing spends majority of its time approving drugs and medicine and not enough time looking into the harmful effects of shampoos and conditioners containing MIT and allowing them to stay on supermarket shelves everywhere.

Before purchasing any brand of shampoo, conditioner or any personal care product, know what is inside the bottle.  The FDA’s website is actually awash with chemicals and guidelines on which chemicals are classified as toxic and safe.  Since the FDA is doing only half its job, then make the right choice and make sure that the product you are using is healthy and safe.

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Natural Organic Facial Care

Our skin is the body’s biggest organ and is sometimes the most neglected.  Whoever said that beauty is only skin deep must be very beautiful indeed because our skin is sometimes the best indicator of what is going on in our body.

Our skin is susceptible to infections like acne, rashes and other skin ailments.  Most skin care products contain chemicals which do not only do more harm than good to our skin but to our environment as well.  However, there are herbs which help alleviate pimples and rashes and can help our skin look young and fresh looking.

Aloe is a very good herbal medicine for acne and wrinkles.  Aloe contains alpha hydroxy acid which nourishes the skin and reduces wrinkles.  Aloe also soothes skin irritated by acne.  For best results wash the face with warm water and vinegar.  Apply aloe to skin and leave over night.

For a severe acne break out, use tea tree oil.  Mix the tea tree oil with a carrier like unscented white lotion or jojoba oil.  For best results clean the face an pat dry.  Apply the mixture twice daily.  Some people may be sensitive to tee tree so a skin test is recommended.  Apply on a small spot and wait for 24 hours.

For puffy eyes, you can use the old stand by of cucumber slices or chamomile tea.  Let the chamomile steep in a cup of hot water, let cool and then soak some cotton balls.  Apply on puffy eyes.

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Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants are referred to plants which have medicinal properties.  Almost all plant species on earth have medicinal properties and are used in medicinal researches.

Aloe Vera is perhaps one of the most popular herbal medicinal plant in the world.  The species originated in Africa and papyrus found in Egypt as old as 16th century BCE show that the plant has been used for healing even during the times of the pharaohs.  Aloe Vera is known for soothing burns.  Studies have shown that topical application of Aloe Vera for 1st to 2nd degree burns promote faster healing.  It is also effective for genital herpes and psoriasis.

Bamboo is usually associated with Asian culture.  Medicinal use of bamboo is prevalent in Asian countries especially in Chinese medicine.  The Chinese use the bamboo for curing infections.  It is also a good source of nutrients and is sweet to the taste.  The siliceous concentration found in the bamboo stem is known in the west as “bamboo manna” and is used to clear respiratory infections.  Bamboo shoots are also a significant ingredient in Asian cooking.  However caution is observed when eating shoots from the giant bamboo as it contains cyanide.

The Lavender yields a fragrant oil that is used in not only in herbal medicine but also in cosmetics and perfumery.  Essential oil of the lavender has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.  During WWII it was used to disinfect clinics and hospitals.  Lavender has a soothing effect and is widely used in aromatherapy today to promote a good night’s sleep.  Rubbing lavender on the temples can soothe headaches and insect bites.  Clumps of lavender are said to ward off mosquitoes

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