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Therapeutic Recommendations: Herbal
Green Tea- Studies into the health-promoting characteristics of green tea is producing information that may guide us to new treatments for skin diseases and wounds. A doctor Stephen Hsu, a cell biologist at the Medical College of Georgia, Department of Oral Biology, has revealed a wealth of information about green tea. It was Doctor Hsu who helped establish that compounds in green tea called polyphenols aid in the elimination of free radicals, which can alter DNA.
Green tea is also good outside as well as inside. The studies have shown that putting green tea on your skin can assist skin in numerous ways. If we could pick one word that would portray the key advantage green tea can bestow on your skin, it would beanti-aging! Doctor Hsu stated, “A normal skin cell cycle is 30 days. With green tea use, this process is accelerated and the skin cells migrate faster, more new cells are generated. Further tests showed that young skin cells can speed up their growth with the help of green tea, while older cells become more active in DNA synthesis. Therefore, green tea may be utilized not only as a defensive treatment but, in addition, to reverse the signs of aging due to its positive affect on both young and old skin cells.
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Gotu Kola- Hundreds of years ago, the practitioners of the old Hindu system of healing known as Ayurveda used this perennial therapeutically. They used the leaves of the Gotu Kola plant for medicinal purposes, including the management of skin problems. By the 1880’s, gotu kola’s status for treating skin and other maladies had expanded throughout Asia and Europe.
What is interesting and most studied about gotu kola is the active ingredient known as triterpenes. These substances are thought to improve the production of the tough, fibrous protein known as collagen, which is found in your skin. It is widely used to diminish varicose veins by increasing the blood flow, increase the tone of the connective tissue sheath that surrounds the veins, and maintaining the suppleness of the veins. In addition, it has even shown promise in controlling cellulite because of its aptitude to reinforce the structure of connective tissue.
Lastly, in regard to your skin, when applied on the surface of your skin, gotu kola has been known to minimize scarring, speed up the healing of burn, keloids and wounds.
Suggested dosage: 40-80 drops of the liquid extract daily. Divide your dose into two and take before your meal.
Caution: Avoid gotu kola is you are pregnant, breast-feeding or trying to conceive.
Recommendation: None |
Burdock- This herb is primarily recommended as a blood purifier, but it is also used to treat multiple skin conditions, including psoriasis and acne. Both orally and topically, burdock root preparations have mild antibacterial and antifungal effects which may aid in the relief of athlete’s foot, dandruff, diaper rash, dry skin, eczema, and others.
Suggested dosage: Dosage: 40-60 drops of the liquid extract daily.
Caution: Individuals with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae and Compositae family (ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies) may be more likely to have allergic reactions to burdock. Skin allergies to burdock have been reported. Patients with allergies or intolerance to pectin should use caution because certain parts of the burdock plant contain different levels of pectin complex.
Recommendation: None |
| Pomegranate- Pomegranate is our best resource for antioxidants. When applied externally to the skin, pomegranate extract has an effect on preventing skin cancer in laboratory mice.
Pomegranate is likely the world's most profuse source of polyphenols. This is a very powerful family of antioxidants that work primarily in the skin. They are found in grape seeds and green tea, but most abundantly in pomegranates. It is also very helpful in escalating the protective abilities of sunscreens.
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Suggested dosage: Varies
Recommendation: None |
Therapeutic Recommendations: Diet
Healthy skin, similar to a healthy heart, begins with a good diet. Escalating evidence indicates that certain foods can help delay skin aging. We are aware, for instance, that carotenoidsflavonoids located in fruits, vegetables, and whole grainsare extremely supportive for the functioning of the heart and recent findings tells us the same is true for the skin.
In an especially fascinating study, researchers examined intake and compared that with skin evaluations of Greek people living in Melbourne, Australia; Greeks living in rural Greece; Anglo-Celtic Australians living in Melbourne; and Swedes living in Goteborg, Sweden. Information was compiled in the course of interview-administered questionnaires, clinical history, and physical evaluation. The participants were asked to estimate the average frequency of consumption of certain foods over a period of a year. The portion sizes were also taken into account for each specific food.
Although asking people what they consumed after the fact is not the compelling design for a study, we think the fact that the results look a lot like those of previous research into heart-healthy foods speaks volumes. For instance, the three key foods for skin health pointed out in the study were prunes, apples, and tea. The top three for your heart according to other research are onions, apples and tea. This is no coincidence, folks! Prunes and dates are full of some of highest levels of antioxidants of any foods. In addition, apples and tea are plentiful in quercetin, a phytochemical that disturbs the oxidation of LDL.
In a Dutch research study, elderly participants eating abundant amounts of apples, tea and onions lived longer than counterparts who were not eating these foods on a regular basis. An investigation of the pooled data from the skin study also indicated that a high intake of olive oil, legumes, fish, vegetables, and dried fruits seem to be protective against sun damage.
By contrast, an excessive amount of meat, sugar, alcohol and dairy products appears to be most detrimental to the skin. These are the identical foods that starve your heart of key nutrients and put it at risk. It was also a fascinating observation in regard to the Swedish elderly that those who consumed the most vegetable dishes, eggs and drank the most water; had the least amount of skin damage.
The vast assortment of proanthocyanidins (phenols, polyphenols, and quercetin that add color to fruits and vegetables) have exhibited an exceptional free radical scavenging effect in postponing the oxidative process. Eat sulphur-rich foods such as garlic, onions, and asparagus. Sulphur serves to keep skin smooth and youthful.
So, what should you be eating to protect and maintain beautiful skin? Here are but a few champions that should be on your list:
Fruits: Apples, Cherries, Dried Fruits, Pears, Grapes, Prunes, Melons, Pineapples, Berries
Vegetables: Asparagus, Celery, Eggplant, Garlic, Onions, Fresh Spinach, Cucumbers**, Leeks, Parsley**, Green & Red Peppers, Cabbage, Sweet Potato & Taro**, Parsnip**, Carrots, Lettuce (Romaine, Boston, Bibb)**
Other: Legumes, Walnuts, Almonds, Olive Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Coconut Oil, Green Tea, Beans, Fish, Brown Rice, Soy Yogurt
Juicing
| Green drinks and vegetables juices are essential to the success of beautiful skin. The molecular structure of chlorophyll is so similar to that of human hemoglobin that juicing green drinks and vegetables can perform as “little transfusions” for the blood and tonics for the brain, immune system and skin. They are an exceptional resource of vitamins, minerals, proteins and enzymes. They include large amounts of vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, pantothenic acid, folic acid, carotene and choline. They are high in minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron and phosphorus. They are also packed full of enzymes for digestion and absorption, various containing 1,000 of the recognized enzymes required for human cell response and growth. |
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In addition, green drinks have anti-infective assets, counterbalance the body’s pH, rid the body of acid wastes, and purge the body of mucous. Lastly, they clear the skin, purify the kidneys and clean and strengthen the blood.
Bottom lineget yourself a juicer and start making it part of your lifestyle and your skin and health will thank you!
**Cucumbers- This vegetable is high in silica, which is a mineral that fortifies connective tissue. More importantly, silica is excellent for skin elasticity and your complexion. Please use organic and non-waxed cucumbers and be sure you juice the skin where most of the nutrients are located. For more information on silica, please link here:
**Parsley- This vegetable warrants big kudos for your skin. It is rich in just about all the skin boosting nutrients. It contains beta carotene, chlorophyll, vitamin B12, folic acid (great for firm skin), vitamin C and iron. So, don’t treat it like the orphan décor on the side of your plate anymorehave a half a cup a day for great skin!
**Parsnip- This vegetable is full of potassium, phosphorus, sulphur, silicon, and chlorine. Consequently, it is great valuable for not only your skin, but your hair and nails.
**Sweet Potato & Taro- Want an outstanding complexion? This vegetable is a superb source of beta-carotene. They also have tons of vitamin C, potassium, carbohydrates, calcium and fiber. They say that you can actually live solely on sweet potatoes and stay healthy and strong. Look for the darker color, as it is higher in vitamins.
**Lettuce- IcebergNO! You’ll get more nutrients by drinking a glass of water. Use the Romaine, Boston or Bibb for your skin juice. This is a good source of chlorophyll, sulfur, silicon and B complex; which all play a role in hair growth and healthy skin.
Skin Cleansing Tonic
Deep greens to cleanse, nourish and tone skin tissue from the inside.
For 1 drink: Juice 1 Cucumber with skin, 1/2 bunch Fresh Parsley, 1 4-oz. tub Alfalfa Sprouts, and 3 to 4 Sprigs Fresh Mint.
Therapeutic Recommendations: Physical
Skin Brushing- Skin brushing creates such remarkable results through each person’s own responsibility of duplication. When a person begins skin brushing on a regular basis, they realize that they feel more energized, vital and full of life. Skin brushing is simple, easy to do and gets great results. Be sure to check out our in depth page on skin brushing.
| Recommended Dosage: Everyday |
Infrared Saunas- Saunas augment circulation and oxygenate the tissues of your skin. Your energy production is amplified, which, in turn, facilitates healing. When you heat up your tissues with an infrared sauna, it speeds up your metabolism and your skin cells are more able to eliminate toxins. In most cases, the skin of the majority of people is inactive. In fact, there are a lot of people who don’t even sweat and consequently do not eliminate the toxins that they could. Sedentary lifestyle and sun damage also inactivate the skin. Think about all the chemicals that your skin absorbs during the day: lotions, soaps, deodorants, cleaning solvents, detergent residues and even the chemicals from your bathing water. Frequent use of an infrared sauna slowly reconditions skin elimination and heats the tissues several inches deep. The toxic chemicals and metals are eradicated faster and you feel better.
It is a daily routine that pays big dividends! The prolific sweating achieved in the infrared sauna carries off deeply rooted impurities and dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing and immaculately clean. Improved circulation draws your skin’s own natural nutrients to the surface. You will notice improved tone, elasticity, texture, and better color. Some studies have also revealed that increased circulation has been shown to ease acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, lesions, and cuts. In the case of acnethree to five sessions with the infrared sauna may open pores that have not been functioning in years, forcing out clogging cosmetics and loosening dead outer skin. Body odor also improves with the repetitive use of the infrared sauna, especially when caused by occupational exposure to odorous chemicals. Be sure to check out our in depth the benefits of infrared saunas.
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Recommended Dosage: Try and locate a local spa or health club that has an infrared sauna available. A usual stay in a sauna is about 20 minutes, followed by a shower. It is not going to do much good to spend time detoxifying if you don’t wash those toxins off your skin afterwards. Please drink lots of clean water before, during and after to keep hydrated and clean the toxins out. I like putting a little organic lemon juice in the water for my kidneys, in addition to adding a good electrolyte and mineral replacement formula to your water such as Cellfood or Emergen-C. The more trips you make to the sauna the better you will feel and the healthier you will be.
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Using The Right Cosmetics- What is natural or holistic beauty? It denotes skin care with natural ingredients which strengthens the self-regulation of your skin. Each and every substance affects our organism. It is critical that you select products that are made from real living things so that their benefits are passed on to you.
•Skin care products that are made with plant based 100% unadulterated raw material
•Skin care products with premium quality base oils
•Skin care products that utilize 100% pre and natural essential oils and extracts
•Skin care products that are free from synthetic fragrances, colorants and preservatives
•Skin care products that are packaged with the environment in mind
Creams, lotions, cosmetic products and emollients are found far and wide, resulting in bewilderment for the consumer regarding what products are really helpful. Commentators used to argue there was no evidence that topically based products affected skin aging. Well, guess what? An extraordinary number of published studies have confirmed these skeptics incorrect! Science plainly substantiates the role that free radicals play in bringing about skin aging and the fact that topically applied antioxidants gives significant protection and can even partially reverse some aspects of skin aging.
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The bottom line is this. The law governing personal care products and cosmetics says that they may not contain “harmful substances”. However, how the tests for these harmful substances are conducted is left up to the companies. There are no standards set by the FDA for suitable safety testingand no prerequisites that companies do testing at all.
With the exclusion of a handful of barred chemicals, manufacturers may add just about any ingredient to those fantastic eye creams, make your hair beautiful conditioners, wrinkle-removing lotions, and kissable lips/lip gloss.
Pleaseyou must be responsible and aware of the real danger that comes to pass from the numerous potentially harmful chemicals used in your beauty products. Remember, they have a molecular weight that is low enough that they can penetrate the internal systems of the body.
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