Sunday, June 6, 2010

Juniper Essential Oil

Juniper essential oil grows mainly around North America, northern Europe and from Siberia to southwest Asia. Extracted from blue-black berries Juniper is known by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to combat epidemics. Around the time of the First World War French hospitals used Juniper in the sick wards to combat diseases such as small pox. Juniper berries are also used in making gin.

Properties: Antispasmodic, antirheumatic, depurative, diuretic, detoxifying, emmenagogic, purifying, rubefacient, stimulant and tonic.

Digestive System: Useful for indigestion, minor stomach upsets, flatulence, and colic.

Urinary System: Juniper is a strong antispasmodic and diuretic for treating cystitis and kidney inflammation. Good for alleviating water retention.

Respiratory System: A respiratory tract antiseptic, juniper is also good for convulsive coughs.

Skeletal System: Arthritic and joint problems such as gout will benefit from Juniper.

Skin: Good for disorders of the skin. Cleansing and toning Juniper is especially useful for treating oily skin and acne. Detoxifying for cellulite.

Emotion: Useful for treating sleep difficulties due to worry and tension. Juniper strengthens anyone feeling emotionally drained. It is particularly good for cleansing the mind of negative vibes accumulated from others. It revitalizes people who are cold and aloof and feel as though they are misunderstood and unsupported.

Juniper Essential Oil

Juniper essential oil grows mainly around North America, northern Europe and from Siberia to southwest Asia. Extracted from blue-black berries Juniper is known by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to combat epidemics. Around the time of the First World War French hospitals used Juniper in the sick wards to combat diseases such as small pox. Juniper berries are also used in making gin.

Properties: Antispasmodic, antirheumatic, depurative, diuretic, detoxifying, emmenagogic, purifying, rubefacient, stimulant and tonic.

Digestive System: Useful for indigestion, minor stomach upsets, flatulence, and colic.

Urinary System: Juniper is a strong antispasmodic and diuretic for treating cystitis and kidney inflammation. Good for alleviating water retention.

Respiratory System: A respiratory tract antiseptic, juniper is also good for convulsive coughs.

Skeletal System: Arthritic and joint problems such as gout will benefit from Juniper.

Skin: Good for disorders of the skin. Cleansing and toning Juniper is especially useful for treating oily skin and acne. Detoxifying for cellulite.

Emotion: Useful for treating sleep difficulties due to worry and tension. Juniper strengthens anyone feeling emotionally drained. It is particularly good for cleansing the mind of negative vibes accumulated from others. It revitalizes people who are cold and aloof and feel as though they are misunderstood and unsupported.

How to Heal Neck Pain and Stiffness

One of the most common problems we see people suffer with is neck aches and pains. It can be extremely uncomfortable and is also usually accompanied by headaches, upper back aches and fatigue. There may be several reason reasons why people suffer from this such as poor sleeping positions, stress, etc. however to understand why neck pains actually occur we may need to dig a little deeper to see what's really going on inside you for it to have manifested in your physical body.

Your neck is that part of your body which enables you to turn your head to the left and right so that you can have a clear view of the world around you. Usually if someone is suffering from neck aches because you may be "unable to see the world around you the way you like it". It is often associated with inflexibility and unwillingness to see situations from another perspective. If you are someone who is very rigid in your way of thinking or likes things done in a certain way, refusing to accept others' standpoint overtime you will quite likely develop neck pains. It is not to say that the people around you may be right or wrong in what they are saying, you may be completely right, however it's the "struggle" that creates the problem. So you may want to ask yourself, is someone or a situation being a "pain in the neck"?

The affirmation you can repeat to yourself regularly is: "It is with flexibility and ease that I see all sides of an issue. There are endless ways of doing things and seeing things. I am safe."

Most neck pains are associated with a sense of feeling overburdened, a constant need to trying to fix people and situations, constant resistance and inflexibility. The pain usually intensifies when fears and feelings of helplessness start to kick in.

Some other affirmations to tell yourself which are also very effective are:
1) "I lovingly release others to their own lessons. I lovingly care for myself. I move with ease through my life."

2) "I have the right to be me. I forgive the past. I know who I am. I love myself and others."


Give yourself a few minutes to ponder over what is stated above. Are you feeling feelings that nobody understands you? Are you feeling a constant struggle within of being overloaded and helpless? This could apply to a family situation, friends and/or work. As these new belief systems get embedded into the mind, you will start to notice some drastic differences with the pain your neck. If you continuously repeat the suggested affirmations you are telling your mind that you are safe and flexible and it is okay that others think differently. It is essential to understand that it is not about agreeing with them, it is about understanding that it is okay for it to be different and even if you may not agree you can still accept it to be different and move past it.

Undoubtedly, you will notice the pain dissipate and you will be faced with the core issue of the pain that you can understand, learn and then release.

Note: If you are on medications or seeing a medical doctor, by no means should you stop. Please continue to seek medical help if the pain is very severe, however this article is intended to give you a better understanding of the condition from the mind and body approach.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The Sun and You

We can find numerous different types of medical data that talk about the effects that the sun can have on you. Most of the time they are conflicting and often create alot of confusion about whether being out the sun is actually good for you or not. Well here is some vital information about the sun that may hopefully clear that confusion for you.

This year, in most parts of the world the summer seems to be getting hotter than usual. The sun is out and people are taking their annual leave from work and schools, to go on holidays and spend time out by the beaches and pools. The one thing we absolutely should not ignore is the effects that the sun has on us while we are indulging in our little pleasures.

The sun is great to improve the energy levels in the body, especially to open and balance the solar plexus chakra. It is also quite beneficial for people who may be suffering from depression, anxiety and stress. The sun's energy is very powerful as it can actually help you feel better, revived and refreshed. The energy of the sun has a regenerating effect on the body and skin and is great for healing ailments and diseases. As we are exposed to the rays of the sun, our body naturally starts producing Vitamin D which is also proven to be very beneficial for the body, primarily the bones.

Like all things, too much of anything is not good. As I mentioned the sun has regenerating effects so if you are constantly in the sun that regenerative trait has also been known to lead to certain cancers. It is also a good idea to use a nice sunblock on the face and body. The problem with sun exposure is the UV rays that emanates from the sun as it can be damaging for the skin, hair and nails, causing wrinkles, flakiness, redness, etc. Also, it may not be a good idea to directly expose your eyes to the sun, so please don't step out without a comfortable pair of sunglasses to protect the eye area. The sun can also be quite dehydrating so make sure you drink plenty of water, it's veryyyy important!!!

The bottom line... it's ok to spend some time out doors as long as you do it in moderation and with the use of sunscreen. The sun is most strong between 12.00pm and 3.00pm so its best to avoid those times if possible.

Do keep these suggestions in mind and go out there and have fun in the sun!