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Homemade Organic Beauty Products Online Store, Natural Skin Care

Why Organic Handmade Beauty Products?

May 20, 2015 Suzana Vukcevic Leave a comment

Many people are looking for alternatives to commercial cosmetics. Whilst the reasons may not be that obvious, they are quite disturbing, once you get to the bottom of what’s behind the curtains. Here are some of the top reasons.

Traditional cosmetic products contain dangerous toxins like heavy metals, phthalates and hundreds of others linked to cancer, hormonal disorders, fertility issues etc. The United Nations Environmental Program estimates that approximately 70,000 chemicals are in common use across the world, with 1,000 new chemicals being introduced every year!
Women absorb an estimated 2.5 kg of chemicals a year just from the makeup they use. Most items we rub on the skin end up in our bloodstream, and are distributed throughout our body.
The skin is actually our largest organ, and it is highly absorbent.A large portion of the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis comes through our skin, not just through the food.
Using chemicals on our skin is actually worse than eating them. When we eat something, the enzymes in our saliva and stomach help to break it down and flush it out of our body. However, when we apply these chemicals on our skin, they are absorbed straight into our bloodstream and going directly to our delicate organs. They tend to accumulate over time because we typically lack the necessary enzymes to break them down.

5. Even when the product is certified as organic (biological) it may still contain some controversial ingredients and preservatives.

For example, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) is an approved ingredient by many eco and organic certification bodies even though nearly 16,000 studies mention the toxicity of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). SLS is a surfactant used as foaming agent, detergent and emulsifier in thousands of cosmetic products and industrial cleaners.

So what to do, what is an alternative?

Luckily, most of the beauty and skin care products can be made at home at affordable price and far superior quality. The recipes can be found all around the web; I also post them regularly at http://foodinloveout.com along with many other natural beauty tips.

For those who don’t have the time or desire to go into the adventure of making the products, you can order them from our shop at http://www.ohloulou.com and we will be more than happy to produce them for you. Or look at the other shops making small batches of truly handmade and toxin-free products.

Our handmade beauty products are almost entirely made of organic, mostly edible ingredients like raw butters, unrefined cold pressed vegetable oils and pure essential oils.

This in essence means ZERO toxins, ZERO preservatives, ZERO dangerous ingredients.

Our products are delicate and pure and since no preservatives are added, they need to be carefully handled (kept at dark and dry place, the temperature usually needs to be below 25C).

Once you understand the need and importance for natural toxin-free products, staying true to them will be easy and rewarding.

Food On, Beauty In & Out

Natural Skin Care, Say No To Toxins

GET NATURAL FACELIFT WITHOUT SURGERY

February 16, 2015 Suzana Vukcevic 1 Comment

SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL ANTI-AGING REMEDIES ON PLANET

For centuries people have been seeking ways to stop or at least to slow down the process of aging.

For centuries the tales of “Fountain of Youth” have been recounted across the world and alchemists have sought to find a secret formula.

And today, more than ever, many people will try just about anything to stop the aging.

COSMETIC INDUSTRY’S MARKETING STRATEGY: THE MORE EXPENSIVE THE BETTER!

Cosmetic industry makes millions of dollars from myriad of expensive, “younger look” promising products.

The key marketing strategy appears to be “the more expensive the product, the better”.

As the results can’t really be seen overnight, the marketers are relying on inducing the judgment by increasing the price tag: “the product is very expensive so it must be good”.

Add to this some slogans like “Revolutionary”, “Advanced Formula”, “Results based on 1000 women saying” and you have a recipe for success in bringing many dollars to the mother brand.

No doubt, many cosmetic products do contain some good anti-aging components.

The issue is that they also contain many other unnecessary ingredients that are there to make the product look nicer (e.g water is added to make it smoother), smell nicer (“fragrance” is added which often translates to dangerous chemicals), last longer (additive and preservatives added to make the product stable on temperature extremes and increase the shelf life).

As a result, the super expensive “revolutionary” anti-age products from biggest brands end up containing a long list of unpronounceable ingredients, many of them hormone disrupting, cancer causing or at least controversial.

Add to this story the pricey cosmetic face lifts and surgeries that offer some temporary results and after some time, in some cases months, the wrinkles begin to re-appear bringing the desperate persons to the vicious circle of never-ending surgeries.

TURNING TO THE NATURE

The aging can’t be stopped or reversed. Accepting this simple fact should be the first and most important step in our quest to look younger.

However, although the aging can’t be stopped fully, the nature in fact offers some good answers in terms of slowing down the process of aging.

The essential oils (highly concentrated plant extracts) are one of the best kept secrets.

They happen to be the safest, most effective and probably the least expensive “tool” to diminish the wrinkles and slow down the aging.

Essential oils work on a molecular level and can actually regenerate skin cells.

Some essential oils stimulate the circulation and oxygenate the blood encouraging the skin regeneration process.

As a result, continuous use of blend of essential oils will be far more effective and lasting than any cosmetic surgery or face lift. And far better than any expensive commercial cream for one simple reason: it does not require any of those unpronounceable (equals nasty) ingredients, preservatives or additives. The blend of carefully chosen essential oils diluted in a well chosen carrier oil will have a very long shelf life, provided it is stored in amber glass and away from sunlight.

In most cases a careful selection of few anti-aging essential oils (pick them from the list below) will begin diminishing your wrinkles in about a month.

The blends and serums, as expected, are used for face, neck and eye area or as a body rub. You can add few drops in your bath.

Remember to always use the therapeutic grade organic pure essential oils for optimum results.

The essential oils are relatively in-expensive especially when compared to big brands’ similar products, however some of the essential oils are pricey for a good reason: for example you need up to 4000kg of rose petals to extract 1kg of rose oil.

If you are not willing to experiment, you can buy our serums in our Oh Lou Lou! e-store Click Here.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND WHAT YOU EAT MATTERS!

One thing should never be neglected: Food In, Love and Beauty Out! Foods rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins can actually slow down the aging. Unhealthy diet rich in sugar for sure aggravates the signs of aging. Habits such as alcohol and cigarettes will slow the process considerably. A healthy lifestyle and diet will improve the results of using anti-aging serums.

LIST OF THE MOST POWERFUL ANTI-AGING REMEDIES ON OUR PLANET

The following essential oils are some of the most powerful anti-aging remedies on the planet and using them in continuity may cut ten years off your look.

ROSA DAMASCENA ESSENTIAL OIL

Superb anti-aging oil • Scar Healing • Nurturing • Astringent • Helps in toning and tightening the sagging skin • Prevents early aging and wrinkles

FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL

Anti-wrinkle • Regenerating • pH Balancing • Strengthening • Clears the skin from blemishes • Great for dry complexions • Helps smooth creases, wrinkles and scars

CARROT SEED ESSENTIAL OIL

Rejuvenates the skin • Softens wrinkles • Detoxifying • Protection from sun

GERANIUM ESSENTIAL OIL

Circulating • Healing • Toning • Firming • Oxygenating • Dermatitis and eczema relief • Great for oily and mature skin

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

Cell Regenerator • Soothing • Reduces scarring from burns and wounds •Anti-age • Lighten the appearance of age spots • Treats acne

SANDALWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL

Rich in antioxidants • Anti-inflammatory agent • Helps to improve facial blood circulation • Detoxifier • Fights the formation of wrinkle-causing free radicals • Excellent addition to any anti-aging treatment

MANUKA ESSENTIAL OIL

Anti-inflammatory • Rich in antioxidants that reduce damage from free radicals • Eliminates harmful bacteria on the skin • Treats acne

MYYRH ESSENTIAL OIL

Anti-inflammatory • Helps improve skin tone, firmness, and skin elasticity • Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles • Helps heal sun damage, rashes, and eczema • Moisturize dry, cracked skin

ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL

Cell renewal • Reduces fine lines and wrinkles • Helps healing wounds and burns • Clears acne and blemishes • Anti-bacterial • Improves blood circulation • Radiant skin

NEROLI ESSENTIAL OIL

Reduces fine lines • Tones sagging skin • Rejuvenating • Cell regenerating • Preventing and healing stretch marks • Antiseptic • Balances oil production • Shrinks pores without drying skin • Beneficial for oily, sensitive, and mature skin

FENNEL ESSENTIAL OIL

Antiseptic and stimulant • Soothes, cleanses and tones the skin • Prevents wrinkles and minimizes the appearance of fine lines • Reduces water retention/ helps reducing eye bags • Regulates blood circulation.

LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

Astringent • Antiseptic • Anti-wrinkle • Detoxifying • Rejuvenates dull skin

PATCHOULI ESSENTIAL OIL

Promotes new cell growth • Softens fine lines & wrinkles • Beneficial against eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne

PALMAROSA ESSENTIAL OIL

Helps skin damaged by prolonged exposure to the sun • Combats acne • Lessens the appearance of acne scars • Anti-wrinkle • Cools the skin • Stimulates new cell growth •Speeds healing • Anti-inflammatory

CLARY SAGE ESSENTIAL OIL

Antioxidant • Reverses signs of aging • Helps to reduce excessive production of sebum • Tightens skin pores • Skin firming • Hormone balancing • Avoid if pregnant, or suffer from estrogen caused health issues

ANTI-AGING CARRIER (BASE) OILS

The essential oils are too concentrated and should never be used pure, that’s why they need to be diluted in carrier (base) oils. I list here some of them that by themselves have great therapeutic and anti-aging properties.

NOTE that Apricot Kernel, Sweet Almond, Hazelnut and Coconut oils can be used as a base oil 100%, whilst Rosehip, Jojoba and Evening Primrose are normally used as additions to the base oil up to 10 %.

LIST OF GREAT ANTI-AGING CARRIER (BASE) OILS

APRICOT KERNEL OIL

High in gamma linoleic acid • Rich in anti-oxidants & vitamins • Skin balancing • Improves the skin texture • Enables skin to retain elasticity • Makes skin supple • Great for normal, mixed and sensitive skin

SWEET ALMOND OIL

Anti-aging • Rich in vitamins that help delay the appearance of wrinkles • Moisturizer • Firms the skin • Soothes skin allergies and inflammation • Restores the normal PH of the skin • Glowing skin • Lightens dark marks supple • Great for normal, mixed and sensitive skin

COCONUT OIL

Rejuvenating • Helps exfoliating • High content of vit. E • Anti-viral anti-microbial Hydrating • Softening • Mild UV protection • Protects the skin from free radicals • Gentle and suitable for ALL skin types

HAZELNUT OIL

Rejuvenating • Hydrating • “Dry” oil • Softening • Mild UV protection • Antioxidant • Astringent • Pore shrinking • Acne-fighting • Toning • Reduces blackheads and pimples • Good for all skin types, especially oily and sensitive skin

LIST OF GREAT ANTI-AGING OILS (TO ADD TO BASE OILS)

ROSE HIP SEED OIL

Deeply penetrates into the lower layers of the skin • Regenerates cells and damaged skin tissue • Increases collagen production • Brightens and tones skin due to its richness in Vitamin C, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and retinoic acid (vit A) • Hydrates • Reduces scars • Reduces hyper-pigmentation • Helps heal burned skin and eczema • Suitable for all skin types especially mature, oily and problem skin conditions

JOJOBA OIL

Slows down the appearance of aging • Provides lasting (24h) hydration • Balances the production of skin oils • Effective in acne treatments • Nourishing (high content of vitamins and minerals) • Soothes burned skin • Suitable for all skin types including sensitive and problem skin

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL

Prevents premature aging • Treats inflammation, eczema • Enhances the epidermal barrier • Dilutes sebum production • Calms acne flare-ups • Skin hydrating skin • Astringent • Soothe skin irritations and inflammations • Rich in antioxidants • Lightens dark circles around the eyes • Good for all skin types including dry, psoriasis, eczema, damaged, and mature skin

Other great anti-aging essential oils to be considered: Galbanum, German chamomile, Hyssop, Orange, Oregano, Thyme, Vervain, Violet leaf and Yarrow.

CAUTION: Don’t use the essential oil blends if you are pregnant without consulting your health care or aromatherapy practitioner. Before using any blend, always remember to perform an allergy test before applying any essential oils or carrier oils to large areas of the body. Simply apply a drop or two to the back of the hand and wait several hours (not all reactions occur immediately) to check for any adverse effects. if the area the oil was applied is exposed to UV rays (sunlight). Use caution with citrus oils such as lemon, lime, grapefruit, bergamot, angelica, etc are these oils cause photosensitivity (skin pigmentation changes (dark spots)) during the sun exposure.

Essential Oils, Flu and Cold Remedies, Natural Remedies & Cures

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

October 21, 2014 Suzana Vukcevic 1 Comment

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.

1. 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:

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
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.
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.
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.
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.
CRANBERRIES. Often a popular part of holiday celebrations, are full of antioxidants and also have strong anti-viral properties.
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

Most 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.

ECHINACEA contains compounds with some amazing anti-viral, immune supporting and white cells boosting properties.
LICORICE ROOT is a powerful anti-viral shown to kill SARS and other lethal viruses.
BLACK ELDERBERRY (SAMBUCUS) is another strong and proven anti-viral typically available commercially as the syrup or sold as extract in capsules.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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.