Category Archives: Natural Remedies & Cures

Get Rid of Cellulite Naturally. 6-Step Ritual.

Unlocking a New, Cellulite-Free You.

6- Step Ritual To Get That Perfect Summer Body.

IMG_6891Most women of all ages and sizes have at least a few orange-peel patches of skin.

Many experts believe that cellulite is caused by a combination of factors including poor diet, stress, lack of exercise, hormonal imbalance and aging.

The researchers found that individuals who had chronically elevated cortisol (stress hormone) levels were much more likely to have cellulite accumulation.

Some experts believe that the female hormone estrogen is one of the main culprits (also the reason why men don’t get the dreaded dimples).

Liposuction Is Not The Answer

Cosmetic surgery is at an all-time high with over 11 million cosmetic procedures performed in 2013 only in the US. Most of these surgeries have focused on eliminating cellulite, in fact the liposuction tops the list with 363,912 procedures performed. Source

However, the surgeries are not only dangerous but they never address the root cause of the issue.

The Cellulite-Free Regimen.

This regimen contains a series of effective strategies for greatly diminishing the appearance of cellulite.

Depending on how deep and extensive the root causes are, the regimen needs to be performed anywhere between three and six weeks to show the visible results.

Prepare Your Body

  1. Diet. Eat healthy food and balanced diet with plenty of raw vegetables & free range meat. Vegetables and fruits need to be fresh, ideally organic, and locally grown. Eat loads of antioxidant-rich foods, such as oranges, strawberries, broccoli, and tomatoes  which all contain vitamin C – important for restoration of skin structure.  Eat more apples. The pectin in apples helps detoxifying the digestive tract by making you go to the toilet more often. Pears, bananas, citrus fruits, carrots and cabbage all contain pectin.
  2. Fresh juices. Citrus Tonic – this miraculous drink will help you melt your cellulite. Another good choice is a Miracle Drink is wonderful for your skin as they contain carotenoids, which give red, orange, and yellow fruits their color, and also occur in green vegetables.
  3. Supplements. Add 1000mg of vitamin C, Vitamin E and complex of vitamin B (avoid those derived from yeast). Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin A are also important and their intake is preferably ensured through the right food choices (1 & 2).
  4. Exercise. Exercise  will burn off fat and improve your muscle tone, thus reducing the appearance of cellulite. Perform exercise that engages cellulite areas like squat, step-up etc. Sweat it out in the gym, then hop into the sauna to open up your sweat pores thereby increasing the elimination of toxins. Practice some deep breathing; this will not only relax you, but will improve your circulation and oxygenate the body. Also try to get some fresh air every day.
  5. Relaxation. Practice meditation, yoga or any other exercise that focuses on deep relaxation.
  6. Cut down on the toxins.  Cut down on coffee, alcohol, foods with lots of chemical additives and over-processed foods. No DIARY from cows.
  7. Water. Drink spring water, lemon water (squeeze a lemon or add 1 drop of lemon EO), detox teas. I like starting my day with Honey Apple Cider Vinegar Syrup that is excellent aid in speeding up the metabolism and process of burning fat.

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/226545247/smooth-anti-cellulite-30day-supply-trio6-Step Ritual

The ritual is made of 6 steps each of which designed to get rid of cellulite effectively.

You’d need at least an hour and a half a day to follow the ritual as described, but it is well worth it 🙂

Step 1. Skin Brushing.

IMG_7373Dry-skin brushing with a natural brush has long been known as one of the best ways to reduce cellulite naturally. Brushing will increase the blood circulation, break down fatty tissues and open the toxins elimination channels. You can buy a natural bristle brush in many health stores. The brushing should be done for minimum of 5-10 minutes starting from your toes and moving upwards. Always brush towards your heart, which is best for circulation and your lymphatic system. Brush your entire body: start at your feet and work your way up your legs to your arms, chest, back, and stomach. Avoid brushing your face (unless you have a facial delicate brush).

Step 2. Coffee Scrub.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226447232/smooth-anti-cellulite-coffee-scrubWhilst drinking coffee should be avoided during the regimen, when used on the skin, coffee reduces the appearance of cellulite. Caffeine helps with drawing out excess moisture from the skin, giving your skin a firmer and smoother appearance. Also note that Juniper berry, Grapefruit, Lemon, Fennel, Oregano Essential Oils are one of the best known remedies used in fighting and preventing the cellulite.

The Coffee Scrub will be absorbed by the skin and in return will improve circulation & collagen production and prevent premature aging. You can make your own coffee scrub, there are plenty of recipes on the net, or we can make it for you.  Order it here: Anti-Cellulite Coffee Scrub

Step 3. Take Aromatherapy Daily Bath.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226454162/smooth-anti-cellulite-bath-saltstoxinsFill the bath tub with hot water (as hot as you can take it) and put 15-20 drops of the Anti-Cellulite Massage & Bath Oil that preferably contains Juniper berry, Lemon, Grapefruit, Fennel, Rosemary etc.  This aromatherapy bath will enable your body to absorb nicely the essential oils that have cellulite fighting and healing properties.

Twice a week, instead of Anti-Cellulite Massage &Bath Oil, you can use Anti-Cellulite Bath Salts preferably enriched with a blend of essential oils that stimulate toxins elimination. Epsom salts for example make you sweat out toxins, while relieving aching muscles. The cellulite areas need to be massaged while they are under water.

You can buy Anti-Cellulite Oil  and Bath Salts or we can make it for you. Order it here:  Anti-Cellulite Massage & Bath Oil  and  Anti-Cellulite Bath Salts

Step 4. Cold Shower Drainage.

The bath should be followed by a cold shower drainage. Turn the shower on cold (yes cold :), or as cold as you can take) and use the water pressure to massage the legs (focus on thighs), then abdomen (circular movement) and then up the inner arms to the armpit. This will further improve the circulation.

Step 5. Apply Seaweed or Cabbage Poultice.

(Optional step, for difficult and stubborn cellulite cases. If you decide to do it,  you need to prepare it in advance)

Take some grated cabbage or seaweed, iron them between 2 pieces of gauze, cool a little and keep on the skin for 10-15 minutes.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226464692/smooth-organic-anti-cellulite-massageStep 6. Apply the Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil.

The Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil is massaged with circular movements into the skin and left for 5 minutes. If there is any excess oil left, wipe it off with a gentle cloth. If your skin is still dry you can follow with body butters that contain coconut oil, raw shea butter, raw cocoa butter or similar.

The Anti-Cellulite 6-step Ritual is best to be performed once a day. If you decide to try it let me know how it went.

Unlocking A New, Cellulite Free You.

Most women want the results fast and prefer some short term focused protocol even though they know it will bring only some temporary results. So for those wanting a cellulite-free body only for the summer the regimen as outlined above should do.

You’ve guessed that  “The (long-term)  Cellulite-Free New You” requires a personal revolution in how you live your life. For those willing to revolutionary change the lifestyle and the way of eating I recommend Step-by-Step Practical Guide to Longer and Healthier Life

Best of luck!

Natural Homemade Alternative to Vicks Vaporub

 Natural Homemade Alternative to Vicks Vaporub Natural Homemade Alternative to Vicks Vaporub Natural Homemade Alternative to Vicks Vaporub

Natural alternative to Vicks Vaporub, only without controversial ingredients like petroleum jelly and turpentine oil.  DIY, it is easy 🙂

Creating your own homemade all natural Vapor Rub with essential oils is easy!

I am making it with a blend of 4 essential oils (eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary and manuka) all famous for their health benefits in helping with different respiratory conditions provoked by cold and flu.

EUCALYPTUS radiata essential oil is a potent anti-viral essential oil that stimulates the immune system and enhance the activity of the white blood cells. Excellent for colds, flu, infections of the respiratory system, including bronchial infections and pneumonia.

PEPPERMINT essential oil helps clear nasal congestion and relieve cough and cold symptoms. Acts as expectorant and decongestant, and may help clear the respiratory tract.

ROSEMARY essential oil is an antiviral oil that can boost mental energy and is also efficient in clearing the respiratory tract.

MANUKA essential oil (New Zeland Tea Tree Essential Oil) provides relief and helps respiratory conditions such as nasal congestion, cold and flu, and cough and bronchitis. If you don’t have access to manuka essential oil, you can substitute it with tea tree EO.

The recipe is enclosed below – in case you are not into “Do It Yourself”, we can make it for you – follow this link to make an order All Organic Homemade Vapor Rub

Vapor Rub Homemade Recipe

  • 10gr beeswax*
  • 20gr shea* or olive oil*
  • 50gr coconut oil*
  • 10 drops rosemary essential oil*
  • 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil*
  • 6 drops peppermint essential oil *
  • 4 drops manuka essential oil*

*Make sure to use organic ingredients whenever possible.

Melt the beeswax, shea and coconut oil in a double boiler. When beeswax is fully melted, put aside and cool down and then while it is still liquid, stir in the essential oils blend. Transfer to a glass container with a tight fitting lid.

Let it sit for 24 hours.

USAGE: Rub your upper back, chest and the bottoms of the feet for a quick relief.

SHELF LIFE. Provided you use the fresh ingredients, it will be good up to a year. Do not touch it with wet fingers. Keep at room temperature.

CAUTION

This recipe creates an essential oil dilution that is a little bit below 2%. I have seen many recipes calling for doubling the amount of essential oils which is in general fine for the age of 12 up to 65 years old. I primarily created this for my 6-year old and suggest trying this lighter version of the recipe first – you can always make it stronger by adding few more drops of essential oils or even doubling the amount.

It is wise to perform a skin patch test before using any product: apply a little to your forearm and give it a little time to make sure you are not allergic to some of the oils.

SPECIAL CAUTION

This is NOT a safe essential oils’ dilution for children under 4.

Potent Anti-viral Foods, Essential Oils & Supplements to Prevent and Treat Flu. Natural Flu Remedies.

There are currently no studies on the NEW Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), so let’s see how to prevent and treat influenza viruses in general.

Most of the herbs and compounds mentioned below have shown to be effective in cases of Influenza, Swine Flu, Bird Flu and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome also caused by a coronavirus).

BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM NATURALLY

An excellent way to strengthen your immune system over time is to expand our diet by eating some non-processed, high quality, real food. Naturally you should work on increasing the intake of food containing immune-boosting and anti-viral ingredients. Many dishes, for example in Indian cuisine, are packed with anti-viral ingredients. Think of curry – an amount of anti-viral ingredients in a dish is amazing: garlic, onion, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black and white peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, black and white cumin seeds, black, brown, and green cardamom pods!

Special attention should be paid to the basics

  • Vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial, without it we are easily exposed to all sorts of diseases (read more). In months where there is not enough sun Vitamin D supplementation may be needed.
  • Zinc. Zinc supports the immune function and protects respiratory function. The best way to go about making sure you are not deficient in zinc is by eating zinc and selenium rich foods like good quality fish and organic meat, spinach, pumpkin, nuts and seeds.

5 STRATEGIES TO CREATE AN AGREGATE PROTECTION AGAINST FLU VIRUSES

1. INCREASE INTAKE OF TOP ANTI-VIRAL SUPERFOODS

2. TAKE SOME OF THE MOST POTENT ANTI-VIRAL & ANTI-BACTERIAL SUPPLEMENTS

3. CONSIDER SOME OF TOP ANTI-VIRAL ESSENTIAL OILS

4. DRINK ANTI-VIRAL TEAS

5. PROTECT YOURSELF IN VIRUS-FRIENDLY AREAS LIKE AIRPLANES, BUSES, TRAMS etc.

Let’s discuss these strategies in more detail. You will notice certain repetitions: plants listed sometimes as  food and as essential oil – that because some of the ingredients exhibit different properties depending if they are used fresh, dried, extracted in essential oils or concentrated or made into a tincture. E.g. drinking peppermint tea is probably sufficient to aid digestion but won’t do much to relieve the headache or the fever. On the other hand, rubbing peppermint essential oil on your skin may instantly relieve both the fever and the headache. That’s why using the same herbs in different forms is sometimes necessary especially when we want to create the different layers of protection.

Anti-Viral Foods, Supplements, Essential Oils1. INCREASE INTAKE OF TOP ANTI-VIRAL SUPERFOODS

Creating aggregate protection against flu and other viruses should be using different mechanisms. For example, drinking some anti-viral teas may help a little, however drinking teas and juicing AND eating high quality food packed with anti-viral ingredients AND inhaling some anti-viral essential oils AND taking some immune-boosting supplements – well, that’s going to give far better results.

The top anti-viral foods that exhibit strong anti-viral properties and should be consumed in abundance:

  1. FRESH HERBS & SPICES. Some of these you can grow even in your window garden and incorporate fresh as part of your dishes, otherwise if you don’t have access to fresh plants you can use them as spices. All of them exhibit strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
    BASIL OREGANO CINNAMON
    SAGE THYME PAPRIKA
    ROSEMARRY TURMERIC CHILI
    PEPPERMINT CUMIN CAYENNE PEPPER 
  2. GINGER. Ginger is potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial. It works by stimulating the respiratory cells to secrete an anti-viral protein. Ginger also inhibits mucous production and helps clear up congestion.
  3. GARLIC. Garlic destroys various viruses that cause respiratory infections and influenza. Read more Garlic- Nature’s Little Miracle.  Incorporate garlic in as many dishes as you can. Guacamole, Tzatziki, Dandelion Pesto, garlic sauces (mojo rojo), Salsa etc are some of the ideas for creating raw, garlic-rich and delicious dishes.
  4. SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS have a strong anti-viral effect which is believed to be caused by the interferon compound found in the mushroom. Interferon, created in vertebrates as a reaction to viruses, help to inhibit the replication of viruses and boost the immune system of the consumer.
  5. BLACK CUMIN (Nigella sativa) Seed Oil. Known also as ‘The Remedy For Everything But Death’. Because it has a spicy, nutty flavor, black cumin can be sprinkled whole or ground up on food, and the oil can also be used on salads and other dishes.
  6. CRANBERRIES.  Often a popular part of holiday celebrations, are full of antioxidants and also have strong anti-viral properties.
  7. LEMON. Effective against multiple bacterial strains also anti-viral but not as strong. Because of its many other virtues e.g. strong purifier that rapidly remove toxins from the body, lemons do deserve to be listed here. Best to use fresh, whole organic lemons.

2. TAKE SOME OF THE MOST POTENT ANTI-VIRAL & ANTI-BACTERIAL SUPPLEMENTS

Anti-Viral Foods, Supplements, Essential OilsMost of the supplements  mentioned can be found in the health stores in form of capsules (extracts) or tinctures. Typically, the tinctures (especially if you make them at home) have a very long shelf time.

Quality does matter; look for the high quality supplements and tinctures made from organically grown plants.

  1. ECHINACEA contains compounds with some amazing anti-viral,  immune supporting and white cells boosting properties.
  2. LICORICE ROOT is a powerful anti-viral shown to kill SARS and other lethal viruses.
  3. BLACK ELDERBERRY (SAMBUCUS) is another strong and proven anti-viral typically available commercially as the syrup or sold as extract in capsules.
  4. CAT’S CLOW (Una de Gato) is used traditionally in Peruvian medicine for the treatment of a wide range of health problems. Cat’s Clow exhibited anti-viral properties when tested against two RNA viruses, vesicular stomatitis virus and rhinovirus 1B.
  5. SAGE. The Romans held this herb in highest regard and considered it to be the “savior of mankind”. Sage has also shown anti-viral activity against influenza virus.
  6. ASTRAGALUS has been shown to boost the immune system and inhibit certain viruses, such as the Cocksackie B. It enjoys a long history of preventing and treating colds and various other respiratory-related conditions. Astragalus, typically sold as a tincture should be taken preventatively.
  7. OLIVE TREE LEAVES. The leaves from olive tree contain elenoic acid that has been identified as a potent inhibitor of a wide range of viruses. To make the medicine, gather the leaves from the trees, add them to a large container of water and boil it into a concentrate. Drink or use topically.
  8. LOMATIUM DISSECTUM.  A “perfect” anti-influenza herb because its anti-viral action is combined with a respiratory relief that is especially useful with secondary infections caused by strains of influenza. Best to buy as the tincture, if you don’t have an access to the fresh herb.
  9. GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT. Grapefruit seed extract is effective against more than 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, as well as a large number of single-cell and multi-celled parasites.
  10. YARROW. Yarrow has been known for ages and especially during the wars for its amazing ability of stopping the bleeding. Besides, yarrow helps in relieving influence symptoms and it is a strong anti-bacterial. If you think of Ebola caused internal bleedings, yarrow might maybe have a role? Yarrow most likely grows in the closest park – why not pick some and make your own tincture?

3. CONSIDER SOME OF TOP ANTI-VIRAL ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant constituents and some people call them “the soul of the plant”.

Most essential oils have strong antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-viral properties which makes them the excellent “tool” to provide a dual-protective effect: by increasing the strength and efficiency of our immune response AND by limiting the ability of viruses to replicate. You can also add these essential oils in your tea (lemon balm, citron etc). Or in your bath. Or use it during an aromatherapy massage.

Another way is through making gargles and mouthwashes for oral and sinus protection e.g. Comfrey root or Eucalyptus gargle and mouth wash are quite efficient.

Beside topical application which is the preferred way (oils are rapidly absorbed in the bloodstream) another great way of using essential oils especially to protect your respiratory system and sinus lining is through using the steam to inhale vapors at safe levels (use a low potency). Put of couple of drops in boiling water and inhale the steam.

Note that essential oils made from conventionally grown (non-organic) crops typically retain high levels of pesticides and may not exhibit the expected  medicinal properties.  Therefore, when possible, opt for the organic essential oils.

Top 15 essential oils with strongest anti-viral/anti-bacterial properties

    1. LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis) is one of the most powerful of the anti-viral essential oils, boosts the immune system and interferes with viral replication.
    2. OREGANO. Broad spectrum anti-viral with a long history of being used during plagues and pandemics.
    3. THYME. Broad spectrum anti-viral with a long history of being used during pandemics.
    4. CINNAMON (Ceylon Cinnamon). Extremely powerful. Broad spectrum anti-viral with a long history of being used during plagues and pandemics.
    5. CLOVE oil is one of the most powerful anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-tumorous, antiseptic oils.
    6. RAVENSARA is strong anti-viral oil which has been used to support healing from influenza, and is also an excellent nerve tonic. Ravensara oil is said to work effectively against acute cases of the flu, both through its anti-viral effects and its uplifting of mood and energy levels.
    7. RAVINTSARA (Cinnamomum camphora) has strong anti-infectious, antiseptic, anti-viral, antibacterial, antispasmodic, analgesic, carminative, expectorant and immune stimulant properties.
    8. HYSSOP decumbens is a very potent broad spectrum anti-viral essential oil, excellent for infection of lower respiratory tract.
    9. EUCALYPTUS radiata is a potent anti-viral essential oil that stimulates the immune system enhance the activity of the white blood cells. Excellent for colds, flu, infections of the respiratory system, including bronchial infections and pneumonia.
    10. FRANKINCENSE. Considered by some aroma-therapists to be the strongest immune-stimulant essential oil.
    11. PEPPERMINT is efficient against enveloped viruses (influenza (flu) viruses are enveloped viruses).
    12. ROSEMARY is another antiviral oils that has proven to be effective with ‘naked’ viruses.
    13. BLACK PEPPER.  Antispasmodic, antibacterial, anti-viral.  Black pepper essential oil is high in aldehydes which makes it a powerful anti-viral essential oil.
    14. CASSIA. Cassia is in the cinnamon family and has anti-infectious, antibacterial, anti-viral properties.
    15. BAY LAUREL. Found specifically to be active against the virus causing SARS.

Other essential oils that have anti-viral properties and can prevent or provide the flu relief:  Aspic Lavender, Tea Tree, Basil, Coriander, Geranium, Marjoram, Naiouli, Palmarosa, Petitgrain, Rose Otto, Sage, Spearmint, Lemon, Goldenseal.

4. DRINK ANTI-VIRAL TEAS

Top anti-viral foods, essential oils and supplements  Drinking a lot of tea is another great strategy in creating layers of protection against the viruses. You can make your own anti-viral teas or liquid decoctions (raw plants prepared in form of a tea).

Green tea for example contains a group of flavonoids which appear to inhibit viral infections and also act by blocking the viral viruses to replicate.

Make your own “Super Anti-Flu Tea” using a combination (subset) of the proven anti-viral and anti-flu tea or tea ingredients.

Anti-Viral Teas
Green tea Echinacea
Licorice root Sage
Cat’s Claw Garlic
Clove Ginger
Cinnamon Comfrey

Note: Some of these have strong flavors so it may take a while to experiment and see what combination works well. Typically adding honey and lemon helps improving the taste. Here are some of the ideas Garlic Tea  or Ginger Lemon Tea.

5.   PROTECT YOURSELF IN VIRUS-FRIENDLY AREAS LIKE AIRPLANES, BUSES, TRAMS etc.

You may consider applying a layer of extra protection on your face by using some powerful anti-viral essential oils like Lemon balm, Tea tree, Clove etc.

You can put couple of drops in your facial cream or in a career oil (my preference is coconut oil) and apply on the face and especially around the nose and ears to create a layer of protection in order to stop the viruses from penetrating.

CAUTION

Consult your health care practitioner before using any essential oils or supplements especially if you are pregnant, nursing or sick.

IMG_1402Wishing you a healthy,  flu-free season!