08.21.09
MASSAGE HELPS CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Massage has long been utilized as a method of relaxation for general and medicinal purposes. Many individuals who have experienced injuries or certain illnesses turn to massage as an additional method of easing pain, including cancer patients.
Massage promotes a sense of overall wellbeing and works to relax the body and restore a sense of calm and balance to the mind. Individuals who suffer from mesothelioma, a debilitating and painful form of lung cancer, may greatly benefit from massage.
Massage is not a curative treatment option, but when combined with traditional cancer treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, massage can be an integral part of a mesothelioma patient’s healing plan. Patients who experience massage in conjunction with other treatments have reported a lessening of pain and an overall feeling of calm and relaxation.
Massage focuses on the working of specified muscles in attempt to manipulate the tissue and blood vessels below the surface, increasing blood flow throughout an individual’s body. As the muscles are stimulated, oxygen supply within the body improves, which eases soreness, aches, and pains that cancer patients may experience as a result of their disease.
In the United States, the traditional Swedish massage is the most popular option, but there are various other areas of massage, including shiatsu, deep tissue, hot stone, and Thai massage. While massage will not cure or lessen the severity of mesothelioma and other forms of cancer, it can certainly ease the effects and promote a sense of relaxation in cancer patients. Massage is most helpful in the event that a patient is experiencing anxiety or emotional imbalance due to their traumatic disease, as it relaxes the entire body and thus induces a general feeling of peacefulness and balance within the mind and soul. Alternative treatment therapies, including massage, have been shown to vastly improve the overall health of cancer patients.
Patients who wish to implement massage into their treatment plan should consult with their physician prior to beginning any new methods.
08.19.09
SUMMERTIME FAVORITES
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My Favorite Oil Uses for Summertime
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Refreshing Peppermint Body Spray
Freshening Indoor Air (in home, office, hotel rooms, or cars)
Air conditioners are notorious for spreading mold and bacteria, here are some things you can do to prevent spreading mold spores and germs in your enclosed spaces this summer.
Sweating Profusely Can Mean Hormones are Out of Wack
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Tiny Ants
Palo Santo – for repelling and Killing Ticks
Keep Bugs Away Insect Spray In a 4 oz. spray bottle filled with water, add 5 drops of Purification (#3399) and 5 drops of Palo Santo (#3607) essential oils. Spray on feet, legs, arms, back. Keep away from eyes! Shake before using.
White Flies and Aphids on Garden Plants In a 32 oz. spray bottle filled with water, add 1 teaspoon Thieves Household Cleaner. Spray plants, being sure to get undersides of leaves too. Follow up every two days until pest is gone.
I have used this effectively on white flies and aphids, it may work well on other garden insect pests too. Let me know if you have success on other insect pests so I can share your tips with readers.
Cockroach Repellent
Mix 10 drops peppermint and 5 drops cypress in 1/2 cup salt water in a 4 oz. spray bottle. Shake well and spray where roaches live. In a 14 oz. spray bottle (the kind you would use to mist a plant) filled it with water and put 20 drops of each, Peppermint and Purification essential oils. I then shook the bottle and went outside and started misting the ants, giving the bottle a shake every so often. The ants slowed down immediately upon being sprayed. Within a minute or two they appeared to be dead. Some of them ran up under the siding to take cover and came out about an hour later – at which point we sprayed them again. They too slowed down immediately and within a minute or so were dead. Read the details of My Tiny Ant Story |
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Reminder: never use any other essential oil as a supplement or in cooking unless it is a Young Living essential oil.
A Note on Drinking Water
I never buy bottled water as the chemicals from plastic bottles can leach into the water (delivery trucks are NOT air conditioned, so that bottled water sits on the truck all day before it reaches your stores refrigerator).
Articles on the safety of plastic bottles and packaging: PET Bottles Health Hazard and Plastic Bottles Mimic Hormones/Estrogens.
While controversy has occurred over the safety of plastic bottles, I prefer to simply avoid them entirely, besides food and drinks just taste better in glass.
What I like to do is filter my own tap water at home. Whole house reverse osmosis filters are the best, but if that is not an option I find the Brita water filtering pitchers work quite well and are inexpensive.
Refreshing & Uplifting Beverage
EndoFlex Potato Salad
Wolfberry Smoothie Recipe
Evelyn’s Vanilla Wolfberry Granola
NingXia Red Freeze Pops
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HAPPY FEET
Here are some recommendations on foot issues from the Essential Oils Desk Reference that we could all occasionally benefit from:
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Blisters
Blisters are created when fluid is trapped under the skin. They can be caused by physical injury (ie., chemical burns, sunburns) or microbial infestation (ie., fungal and viral diseases such as Herpes simplex, athlete’s foot, etc.).Blends:
Purification Application Methods: Topical Treatments: Boils (carbuncles are groups of boils) are caused by bacterial infection which creates a pus-filled hair follicle. They can be easily treated with antiseptic essential oils including melaleuca and clove.
Boils First Recommendations: Other Single Oils: Other Blends: Application Methods: Topical: dilute 50:50 (one part essential oil to one part carrier oil), apply 2-3 drops on location 3-6 times daily. Blisters First Recommendations: Other Single Oils:
Lavender, Roman or German chamomile |
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Swelling–particularly around the ankles–is noticeable when fluids accumulate in the tissue. This puffiness under the skin and around the ankles is more apparent at the end of the day when fluids settle to the lowest part of the body. A potassium deficiency can make swelling worse, so the first recourse is to increase potassium intake.
First Recommendations Juniper, tangerine, geranium Using juniper essential oil helps flush the kidneys to better eliminate excess water. Other Single Oils: Other Blends: General Edema Blend • 10 drops wintergreen Application Methods Topical: Dilute 50:50 (one part essential oil to one part carrier oil, V-6), massage 3-5 drops into affected area 2-3 times daily. Compress: cold, 1-2 times daily Vita Flex: massage 1-3 drops on bladder Vita Flex point on foot (see Chart) Ingestion: Capsule, 0 size, 2 times daily. Morning and Evening Edema Regimen Morning blend: Evening blend: Dilute each blend 60-40 (60 parts essential oil to 40 parts carrier oil, V-6) and rub 15-20 drops on legs working from the feet up to the thighs. Do this for one week. Dietary Supplementation: |
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Gout is a disease marked by abrupt, temporary bouts of joint pain and swelling that are most evident in the joint of the big toe. It can also affect the wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, hand, and foot. As the disease progresses, pain and swelling in the joints becomes more frequent and chronic, with deposits called tophi appearing over many joints, including the elbows and on ears.
Gout is characterized by accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints caused by excess uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a byproduct of the breakdown of protein that is normally excreted by the kidneys into the urine. To reduce uric acid concentrations, it is necessary to support the kidneys, adrenal, and immune functions. It is also necessary to detoxify by cleansing and drinking plenty of fluids. Excess alcohol, allergy-producing foods, or strict diets can cause outbreaks of gout. Foods rich in purines, such as wine, anchovies, and animal liver, can also cause gout. First Recommendations: Gout Blend • 10 drops lemon Application Methods: Ingestion: capsule, 0 size, 3 times daily for 10 days, then rest 4 days, repeat as needed. In Rice Milk, 3 times daily. Topical: Neat, gently massage 1-3 drops essential oils on affected joints 2-3 times daily. Dietary Supplementation: Topical Treatment: |
08.13.09
LAVENDER OIL
Keep your bottle of Young Living Lavender in the shower – add a drop or two to your scalp either before or after shampooing your hair. Take a few deep breaths while gently massaging the scalp. It’s a great way to start your day!
Additional Research on Lavender Essential Oil
As of today there are 217 lavender essential oil studies on PubMed.gov, the website of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. All peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals – exciting discoveries!
One study that caught my eye was using lavender, and other essential oils, against the common housefly (Musca domestica) – nice to know about for this tme of year when flies can be pesky. See the study at PubMed.
Orange and Lavender essential oils effects on Stress and Anxiety
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• Throughout history lavender has symbolized cleanliness. During WW1 when modern antiseptics were depleted, the public was asked to gather up garden lavender so the oil could be used to dress war wounds.
• Lavender comes from the Latin word “lavare”, meaning “to wash.” This is because lavender was used as a ritual bathing herb in ancient Rome. Lavender was recognized for its healing qualities and for washing. It was added to baths to scent the water and was thought to restore the skin. Baths were very important for the Romans–they stayed at the bath houses for several hours and went there daily. • The lavender seeds for the Young Living farms in Utah and Idaho were originally brought here by Gary Young from Provence, France, the lavender capital of the world. These seeds are pure Lavandula angustifolia, not lavandin, which is a lavender hybrid that is less expensive and less time consuming to extract and to grow (that’s why we recommend not buying and using other brands of lavender the same way we use YL Lavender).
• The Young Living Lavender Farm now collects seeds from our own plants and freezes them through the fall so that when we plant them in our greenhouses (over 70,000 sq.ft. of greenhouse space) in the winter, they are ready to germinate. The staff at the farm know exactly how much water, light, and warmth to give them so they are ready to be transplanted into our fields right after the last freeze.
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Summer Salad with Lavender Vinaigrette
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil?
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar?
1/2 teaspoon sea salt?
1/2 teaspoon dried culinary lavender buds, finely ground in a spice grinder
In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, salt, and lavender. Pour over the salad. Mix lightly. Lavender Blueberry Banana Bread 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature? 2/3 cup sugar?
2 large eggs?
1 cup all-purpose flour?
1 drop Young Living Lavender Essential Oil
1 teaspoon baking soda?
1/2 teaspoon salt?
1 cup whole wheat flour?3 large ripe bananas, mashed?
1 1/4 cups blueberries?
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped?
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan or coat with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl. Stir in the whole wheat flour. Beat into the butter mixture. Fold in the bananas, blueberries, walnuts, lavender, and vanilla. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack. Party Lavender Lemonade 4 1/2 gallons water?
1 quart juiced lemons?
1 to 1 1/2 quarts Blue Agave?
10 drops Young Living lemon essential oil?
10 drops Young Living lavender essential oil?
4-8 Tablespoons concentrated lemon juice
Mix ingredients together. Pour over pebbled or crushed ice. Garnish with lavender sprig if desired. Makes 5 gallons. Lavender Ice Cream
1 gallon of your favorite real vanilla Ice Cream
1 to 2 drops Young Living lavender essential oil
Put ice cream into a large mixing bowl to soften a bit, once softened enough add 1 to 2 drops lavender and mix well (when doing this amount of mixing it is easiest to use a Kitchen Aid Standing mixer, if you do not have one you may have to do this in smaller batches). Return ice cream mixture to the freezer for a couple of hours to firm.
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Dean had this to share with me recently on brain waves… “Today I was reading about brain waves-beta, alpha, theta, delta, gamma – and noticed some articles mentioned lavender as increasing alpha states, which is a state associated with less stimulation. In addition, peppermint increases beta, thus acting as a stimulant. In general I am looking for less stimulation, not more, so I was glad to find out I should avoid peppermint. This afternoon I spent some time smelling the lavender bottle and noticed it helped me mellow out some. That’s all! Just thought I would share with you a small step forward. Take care,” ~ Dean Joan has this to share on a hair loss study… “(Hay 1998): Successful treatment of stress related baldness with cedarwood, lavender, thyme, and rosemary oils – which have been anecdotally used to treat baldness for more than 100 years.
Randomized double-blind placebo controlled study in 84 patients with stress related alopecia areata, one who also had male pattern baldness.
The essential oils were massaged into scalp for minimum of 2 minutes every night. Researchers noted “moderate regrowth of hair.” Photographs and computer analysis of tracings of bald patches at 3 and 7 months. Of those who applied the oils, 44% had improvement after 7 months, compared to 15% in the control group. Results statistically significant. No patients experienced negative effects from the oils. Warm best wishes,” ~ Joan
Pen has this to share on her hair rejuvenation… I too use it [above] and my hair, which seems to never grow, grew 3 inches in 8 weeks. The oils are Cedarwood, Mountain Savory and Lavender and works best when using the YL shampoos and conditioners. Peace,” ~ Pen Did you know… Young Living has 3 different shampoo’s and conditioner’s?
Lavender, Lemon-Sage, and Rosewood.
My Testimonial on the Young Living Shampoo’s and Conditioner’s…
“I began using YL lavender shampoo & conditioner about 10 years ago. I thought I would give the YL Lavender shampoo and conditioner a try since I HAD to buy a different brand of shampoo and conditioner every single month because of build-up on my hair – no matter which brand of all natural shampoo & conditioner I used, I had to switch every single month (which was quite expensive as you might already know).
That was the last time I ever had to switch brands – and I’m saying this about 10 years later! Yes, I am still using the YL shampoo’s and conditioner’s. My favorites are the Lavender and the Rosewood.
Another huge surprise is the fact that the YL hair care products do NOT have nasty chemicals – and – they are extremely concentrated!
In fact, with my long hair (mid-back length) I only need to buy “2″ bottles of YL conditioner a year – that’s right only 2 bottles of YL conditioner a year! That means I’m only spending $40 a year on the best conditioner I’ve ever used!
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Sherry Perkins
Certified Raindrop Therapist
www.raindroptherapy.net
PH: 734-646-5582 |
06.17.09
Benefits of Massage
What are the benefits of receiving massage or bodywork treatments?
Useful for all of the conditions listed below and more, massage can:
• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts. • Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation. • Reduce post surgery adhesions and swelling.
• Reduce spasms and cramping. • Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.
A Powerful Ally~There’s no denying the power of bodywork. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen. Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:
• Decreased anxiety.
• Enhanced sleep quality.
• Greater energy.
• Improved concentration.
• Increased circulation.
• Reduced fatigue.
• Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage.
The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits. Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massage frequently can do even more. This is the beauty of bodywork. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you’ll be and how youthful you’ll remain with each passing year. Budgeting time and money for bodywork at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health. And remember: just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn’t mean it is any less therapeutic.
Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with your practitioner to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.
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Sherry Perkins, Certified Raindrop Therapist
Call: 734-646-5582 for your appointment today.
www.raindroptherapy.net
Email: Raindroptherapy.net@gmail.com
