Sunday, May 16, 2010

Holistic Essentials - Your Natural Medicine Cabinet

Even as fairly-well versed as I am in Holistic Medicine, I still get confused from time to time as to what works best for my body nutritionally and medicinally. There are so many different therapeutic, holistic approaches for all different sorts of ailments and diseases that it can be hard to determine where to start and what to begin healing with. For most people, it's all gonna be trial and error, while some people may be really limited due to allergies. It is important to be aware of any allergies you may have as well as other sensitivities your body may exhibit. It's also advised when using any type of medicinal substance, natural or allopathic (the Western main-stream medicine we are used to) to do so with caution, and never exceed recommended doses. With this being said, let's get into a basic essential, holistic kit to always have on hand at home. Again, this will vary per person so don't be afraid to tweak it a bit.

Essential Oils
Essential Oils are true essences of different plants and herbs, derived from different parts of the plant. They are mostly produced by steam distillation and have therapeutic properties from antibiotic and detoxifying to relaxing and sedative. There are a variety of different therapeutic effects that specific essential oils can have on a person as well as a number of healing properties for certain injuries or ailments. For a Beginner's Guide to Essential Oils, check out that link.




Essential Oil Basics

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

"Beauty is skin deep" ~ But, how deep is your skin?

Just as "you are what you eat," your body becomes what you nourish it with otherwise. From lotions, to body washes, to foundations and more; your skin absorbs somewhere around 60-70% of what you put on it. Now, consider that most of us use a multitude of personal care products daily - women unarguably more so than men. The majority of products that are on store shelves today; toothpastes, baby care items, hair products, makeup... they all contain ingredients that would alarm the most conscientious consumer. But, thanks to clever marketing and labeling, the average consumer wouldn't know the difference of the harm of these ingredients. There are way too many products out there today which lead to the production of free radicals in the body, which in turn can possibly lead to cancers, premature aging, and other diseases. Not only do these products lead to long-term damages, but their short term effects can be seen as well. From skin rashes to severe allergic reactions to however else your body may individually and not-so-apparently react and manifest side-effects. So, I leave you all with this brief introduction to the harms and health risks of repeated exposures to chemicals commonly used in our personal care products. Below I have included a number of sites to help you explore more about these chemicals, why they are allowed in our products, and how you can inform yourself further on this subject. Good luck and share the knowledge! :)

What's in your make up bag? Find out here!

Does the FDA protect you?

Cosmetic Chemistry

Some common harmful chemicals found in beauty products

Quantum Physics, anyone?

I wanted to include a quick piece on quantum physics; because understanding the basics of quantum physics can aid you in understanding how you can heal from within. We have been raised in this country, and other well-developed places of the world, to follow the medical and scientific foundations set about centuries ago by many influential individuals. However, many of these intellectual findings and theories have begun to be disproven through the further exploration into the whacky, yet mind-blowing, world of quantum physics. In essence, quantum physics is the scientific study of sub-atomic reality. In other words, it is the study of things so small that the quantum nature of reality has an effect. Just as our environment has an effect on us, we so have an effect on our environment - even as subtly as through our own stream of consciousness. Our thoughts and feelings are projected out into the Universe and manifest in a multitude of ways into this physical reality. Some interesting things to look up to further your understanding of all of this would be The Law of Attraction, String Theory, The Large Hadron Collider and Are you a hologram?.

In reference to your own health and healing, I have provided this quote: "The matrices within and between cells in the human body, collectively called the living matrix, give rise to a primordial and evolutionarily ancient form of intelligence or consciousness that predates the nervous system. This matrix provides a basis for a number of healing and related phenomena that have seemed elusive or mysterious in the past. First, it is the matrix that responds to a wide range of bodywork, energetic, and movement therapies that often are said to lack correspondences with conventional biomedicine. These therapies are successful in "jump starting" the healing process, sometimes in medically "incurable" conditions, because they address this whole-body matrix system and aren't limited to neural and hormonal mechanisms." [source: The Intelligent Body, James J. Oschman from Bridges Magazine, Spring 2005.]
Basically, reality is much more than what is visible to the naked eye just as our bodies are much more than what may be visible under microscopes and measured from other scientific devices. There is a subtle life-force energy, which is not yet [particularly] measurable by modern scientific devices, in which we are all intertwined and nourished. This is the same energy which is used in this quantum healing. For further information I suggest looking into such ancient and long-standing healing modalities as Reiki, Acupuncture, and Homeopathy - just to get you started.

Happy Healing :]

Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics


The Official String Theory Website

The String Theory

Holographic Universe

A Brief, Scientific Look at the Aura

The Seven Levels of our Existence

What is the human aura?

Welcome to 'Nurture Your Nature'

I have set up this blog as an educational reference on how to create your own natural personal care products - from make up to natural home care remedies. I also will offer information on how to live more holistically and offer some more educational references on how to have a healthier and happier life.

I have been on my own holistic and spiritual path for quite some time. I am finishing up my Master's degree in Holistic Health at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ. My Bachelor's degree, Kean University, is in Psychology with a minor concentration in Health Education. My educational ventures, along with some deep life experiences, established the journey which has led me to my present standing. And I wish to share the knowledge I have attained and continue to gain, in hopes to assist in the healing and restoration of ourselves which would ultimately do the same for our society and world.

There is a monumental movement developing among us, one which will heal our relationship with our Mother Earth and re-instate our personal freedom rights as children of Mother Nature. There are many herbs, foods, and other plants provided to us by our mother which have healing or therapeutic qualities. Why all of this information is kept stifled from us is one I will let you determine the answer for yourself; but we ultimately possess the power to gain as much knowledge as we wish on any given subject. What I hope to accomplish through this blog is to be an access to that information for all to share. Getting the information out there for all to pass on is just another step closer to universal healing. I hope to inspire others to seek out truths and embed a sense of self-confidence and pride in taking control of one's own life as well as personal health and healing processes. "Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” ~ Hippocrates. An inner physician resides within us all. It's time to take back control of your own health and life, and 'nurture your nature.'

Blessings and Love!
Susan



DISCLAIMER: This is educational information. The information presented on this blog has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. But, it is sure better to be INFORMED, isn't it? ;)