Use raw honey for health, skin, hair, and more

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Raw honey is more than just a natural sweetener. Honey has a variety of uses in your beauty regimen and for medicinal purposes. Raw honey, which is not pasteurized or refined, can be especially useful because of its nutritional properties. Although you may have heard about the benefits of raw honey, you might be surprised at some of the creative ways it can be used:

Eight new ways to use raw honey
1. Stock up for emergency food stores. Raw honey has a long shelf life because of its high sugar content and naturally occurring enzymes. In fact, some say raw honey can last indefinitely. This makes honey an ideal (and delicious) food to add to your emergency stockpile.

2. Sooth a sore throat and ease your cough. Raw honey is well known for being the perfect cold remedy. A blend of raw honey and fresh lemon juice can be taken as needed to treat a sore throat or cough.

3. Boost your athletic performance. Don’t waste your money on commercial energy gels that contain food additives and artificial colouring. Research has shown honey is effective for improving athletic performance. A spoonful of raw honey before aerobic activity can provide an energy boost plus a variety of important nutrients.

4. Treat minor cuts, scrapes and burns. Raw honey is an ancient remedy for cuts, scrapes and burns due to its natural antibacterial properties. Simply clean the area, dab on a small amount of raw honey, and wrap as normal. Change wrapping at least once daily until the area is healed. The honey may also help to reduce scar formation.

5. Make a simple sugar scrub. Soften your skin by exfoliating with a mixture of raw honey, sugar and sweet almond oil. Store the mixture in a glass jar and use as needed. You’ll save a fortune if you exfoliate with this instead of using those expensive department store scrubs.

6. Use as a glossing treatment for hair. Coat your hair with raw honey and let it sit for ten minutes before washing as usual. Honey works as a clarifying and conditioning treatment, making your locks shiny and smooth.

7. Improve your sleep. A spoonful of honey before bed (by itself or in a cup of warm herbal tea) is a natural sleep remedy that can help you relax and fall asleep faster.

8. Enjoy a honey facial. Massage a teaspoon of raw honey into your face and let it sit for 10–30 minutes before rinsing with cool water. This simple honey mask can smooth your skin, fight wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce redness, and help with blemishes.

About the author
Elizabeth Walling is a freelance writer specializing in health and family nutrition. She is a strong believer in natural living as a way to improve health and prevent modern disease. She enjoys thinking outside of the box and challenging common myths about health and wellness.

Choice Health Mag
www.choicehealthmag.com

BARBEQUES AND PICNICS

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Weather permitting who doesn’t enjoy a barbecue or picnic surrounded by friends and family? Whatever you are cooking, keep food safe from bugs such as E .coli, salmonella and campylobacter. These can at best cause a tummy upset and, at worst result in serious illness requiring hospital stay. Here are some food tips to help minimise the risk of food poisoning.

  • All raw meat and poultry should be thawed and kept in the fridge until you are ready to BBQ.
  • Meat can be partially cooked beforehand to decrease BBQ time; however it needs to be treated just like raw meat because bacteria will still be present until it is fully cooked.
  • Keep salads and dressings in the fridge until use. It is a good idea to set the fridge at a colder setting to compensate for frequent door openings.
  • Keep raw and cooked food separate.
  • Wash all raw fruits, vegetables and salads thoroughly.
  • Cover all food outdoors to prevent the flies getting to your meal.
  • Wait until the charcoal is glowing red with a powdery grey surface before you start cooking
  • Always make sure when cooking meat, none of the meat is pink and any juices run clear.
  • Don’t assume that if meat is charred on the outside that it will be cooked properly on the inside.
  • Check that the meat is piping hot in the centre.
  • Choose lean cuts of meat. Trim off fat and remove skin before cooking.
  • Turn the food regularly using tongs or a spatula and move it around the barbecue to cook evenly.
  • The biggest struggle on the BBQ is to get heat from the outside of the meat into the middle without burning the surface so the thinner your cuts of meat, the less far the heat has to travel.
  • The larger, thicker portions of meat need to be placed furthest away from the most intense heat to ensure that they cook thoroughly.
  • Cook meat chunks on metal skewers so they need only a short time to barbecue. Thread the meat, alternating with vegetables to boost your intakes of anti-oxidant nutrients.
  •  Remove badly burnt bits before eating. Grilling meat, poultry and fish produces chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HCAs).When fat from grilled meats drips onto hot coal, another group of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) are produced that are deposited back onto the food by smoke and flames that blacken the meat. Both HCA and PCA are chemicals that are known to increase cancer risk if eaten regularly over a long period of time.
  • To reduce HCA levels marinade meats with ingredients such as citrus juices, herbs and spices. These ingredients are rich in cancer-fighting anti-oxidants.

You can barbecue almost anything…from fish, vegetables and even fruit.

  • When barbecuing vegetables, such as corn on the cob or selection of vegetables on a skewer, drizzle with a strong flavoured peppery olive oil for a great flavour.
  • Butternut squash, with its bright, sweet flesh is ideal for the barbecue. Simply drizzle with oilive oil, bbq and serve with black pepper.
  • Wrap a whole onion, or potato or sweet potato in foil (complete with skin) and cook on the barbecue until soft.
  • Try fruit kebab or cook a banana in its skin on the barbecue for 10 minutes or so. Serve with fromage frais or yoghurt.
  • If you are after a frozen dessert but do not want to overindulge as far as the saturated fat is concerned, choose a sorbet, frozen yoghurt or sherbet instead of full cream ice-cream

Keep unwanted bugs from your picnic spreads too..

  • For a picnic in the park, bring coolers with plenty of ice or freezer packs. Use one cooler for ready-to serve foods and beverages and another for any uncooked meat.
  • Pasta salads and potato salads are picnic staples. Make sure the salad is kept in the cooler until time to eat.
  • Make your picnic more interesting by trying the variety of breads available- ciabatta, granary, seeded rolls, pitta bread, bagels, baguettes, wraps and rye or soda bread.
  • Breads, rolls and crackers can be safely kept at any temperature-just keep them covered for freshness.
  • Take plenty of prewashed fruit in the cooler or a pre-made fruit salad to boost your intake of protective nutrients.

For any information on Cholesterol Management and for ideas on Healthy sandwich fillings and BBQ recipes visit www.heartuk.org.uk or call the HEART UK helpline on 0845 450 5988 Mon-Fridays 10-3 or email ask@heartuk.org.uk

Baldeesh Rai

Dietetic Advisor

 

Written for Choice Health Mag

www.choicehealthmag.com

Using macerated vegetable oils for their therapeutic benefits

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This article is the second in a new series about using macerated vegetable oils. The series will focus on nine macerated oils. My intention is to introduce you to these wonderful oils that can add real healing and therapeutic benefits to your skin care products or oil blends.

In this article we look at cold and hot maceration and discuss the benefits of arnica (Arnica montana) oil for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

Arnica oil
An ideal first aid and sports oil
Arnica is the classic herb used for before and after sports and to reduce swellings, bruises, sprains, pulled muscles and torn ligaments.

Description
Arnica montana or Leopard’s Bane is a perennial herb, indigenous to central Europe, in woods and mountain pastures, and also native to Siberia and the north west of North America. It has also been found in England and southern Scotland, but it is probably not indigenous to Britain. In countries where A. montana is indigenous, it has long been a popular remedy for bruises, wounds, pain, swellings, rheumatic pain, the pain and inflammation of phlebitis and similar conditions. In North America the flowers are used in preference to the roots. Arnica has been used extensively in folk medicine.

Main constituents
Main constituents: essential oils and volatile oils, containing thymol and various ethers of thymol, which are mostly found in the roots and root stock; sesquiterpene; lactones; mucilage and polysaccharides; and other substances such as resins, bitters (arnicin), tannins and carotenes. Further vitamins may be present, depending on the base oil used for the maceration.

Shelf life
Depends on the base oil that arnica is macerated in.

Contraindications/warnings
Internal use: As arnica is potentially toxic if taken internally, its internal use is restricted to homeopathic remedies.

External use: Prolonged contact with the skin can cause severe redness and tissue damage and it must not be used on broken skin or open wounds. Some people react adversely to arnica, so use with caution and test a small area first if possible. However, if up to 20% arnica macerated oil is mixed with other oils, it should be safe to use.

Uses and benefits of Arnica oil
[ Good for swellings, bruises, sprains, and pulled muscles and torn ligaments, so excellent to use before and after sport.

[ Whilst the internal use of arnica is restricted to homoeopathic use as it is potentially toxic, the herb provides us with one of the best remedies for external local healing and is mainly used in compress for bruises, swellings, inflammations and other tissue damage caused by sprains, bumps, bangs and crushing.

[ Good for pulled muscles and torn ligaments, for gout, lumbago and rheumatic ailments.
[ The oil is a very effective addition to vegetable oil blends for healing or massage.
[ It is very handy to have in your first aid kit and a ‘must have’ for sports massage therapists.
[ Arnica montana contains 10 different constituents (including the immuno-stimulant helenalin, its most active sesquiterpene lactone), which have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. The plant’s essential oils (which are antiseptic and anti-inflammatory) and carotene promote healing. The essential oil stimulates the mopping up and reabsorption of blood from the bruised tissue and hastens the replacement of damaged tissue with new cells.
[ Use between 5-20% in sports creams and lotions, massage oil blends, ointments, children’s ointments and warming oil compresses.
[ For healing purposes, arnica oil works very well synergistically with comfrey, calendula and St John’s wort macerated oils.

Arnica oil sample recipes
These Recipes make 100ml.

Arnica macerated oil – blend 1
Good for reducing bruises and swelling. Apply two to three times a day. You can also use this blend as an oil compress every second night.
60ml comfrey macerated oil
14ml arnica macerated oil
10ml St John’s wort macerated oil
10ml calendula macerated oil
5ml/g vitamin E oil (undiluted)
8 drops rosemary antioxidant (CO2 extract)
0.5ml/g essential oils
Arnica macerated oil – blend 2

An excellent sports treatment oil blend. Apply before and/or after sports. You can also use this blend as an oil compress every second night.
40ml comfrey macerated oil
19ml arnica macerated oil
10ml calendula macerated oil
10ml/g vitamin E oil (undiluted)
10 drops rosemary antioxidant (CO2 extract)
0.5ml/g essential oils

Method for making the macerated oil blends
[ Simply measure oils and pour into an airtight bottle.
[ Store in cool and dark.

Next time we’ll have a
look at calendula oil. CHW
Written for Choice Health Mag
www.choicehealthmag.com
© Aromantic offer courses for CPPD, step-by-step recipes, free articles and newsletters, books, starter packs and a consultancy service. For more information or to place an order,
visit www.aromantic.co.uk
or call 01309 696900.

Yoga therapy for weight loss

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There are as many ways and theories of looking at weight loss as there are people eating!! This programme looks at the primary area of impact – the gut or small intestine
(5 metres long).

This is the place where all your food arrives in preparation for distribution! The more relaxed this area is, the better our absorption ability. The more easily we absorb food, the greater the amount of nutrients entering the body and the less we need to eat in order for the body to feel nourished and satisfied. In other words – relax and you will naturally eat less!

I believe that we are suffering from malnutrition as a nation. Even though we eat plenty, due to the stress and tension of the gut, there is an inability to absorb our nutrients. Therefore we eat more to feel satisfaction and nourishment. This leads to blood sugar swings and the need for sweet foods that absorb quickly and easily though the mouth and add to our weight.

Five keys to a happy gut!
1. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. This will help overall movement in the gut.
2. Take a moment to stop and breathe before you eat your food. As you breathe, the fragrance of the food will let the gut know to relax. All the necessary body juices and enzymes will prepare themselves to welcome the new arrivals – your food!
3. Chew your food well so it is almost liquid. It will be absorbed quicker and more easily.
4. Eat in a relaxed environment – not whilst having a meeting or on the run! This will allow your body to absorb in a relaxed state.
5. Sitting twist: The following movement will help you to stretch and relax the gut thus adding to the assimilation and absorption of the food you eat.

Sit in the kneeling position. Using your right hand to steady you, move your body weight to your right side and come to sit on your right hip.

Lift your left foot and place it on the floor on the outside of your right knee. Adjust your position so that you are sitting squarely on the floor on both sitting bones.

Tuck your right elbow around your left knee resting the hand against the thigh and clasp your right wrist with your left hand, gently lifting through your spine.

Extend your left arm sideways in a wide arc and place it on the floor behind you, fingers pointing away.

Inhale and draw your knee towards you. As you exhale rotate your torso to the left without straining your neck. In this position draw your abdominal wall inwards and elongate your spine.

To come out of this posture, release your arms and return to a forward facing position. Return to the original kneeling position and repeat on the opposite side.

Contra-indications
Anyone suffering from a hernia or who has had recent abdominal surgery should not attempt this posture. In addition, anyone with spinal disc problems should check with their yoga teacher or health practitioner. Avoid this posture in pregnancy. It is best done on an empty stomach – but definitely avoid the posture if you have recently eaten a meal.

Physical benefits
1. The internal organs of the abdomen and pelvic area are massaged, and the lymphatic system is given a boost. Tense muscles in the neck and shoulders can be freed. The entire spine from the base to the top of the back is gently stretched and twisted, increasing mobility between the vertebrae.

2. One of the most important benefits of the spinal twist arises from the increase in intra-abdominal pressure created by the twisting, and the resultant compression of the abdominal viscera. This pressure change should ideally be maintained for a few seconds in order to facilitate a detoxification of the intestinal tract. CHW

Written for Choice Health Mag
www.choicehealthmag.com
www.annie-jones.co.uk

How The Dorn Method can help grow your practice

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Back and joint healthcare is a vast untapped market you should consider, writes Brigitte Nath

If you’re a Complementary Therapist working in a field like reflexology, massage therapy or Indian head massage, one of the things I’m sure you’ve found is many people will come to you suffering some sort of back or joint condition which is causing them grief. Of course, the standard response is usually to tell them to see their GP, and for those with severe underlying medical problems this is probably the best advice; however, the overwhelming majority of sufferers can be treated successfully by complementary therapists who have added back pain treatment to their skill set.

The business case for this makes good sense. Back pain is extremely common, affecting some four out of five adults at some point in their lives, and in fact is probably the greatest cause of time missed away from work. Back pain can affect people of all ages and be very painful and debilitating. Therefore, as a complementary therapist, adding back and joint pain relief to your toolkit can only help to provide the foundation for your business to grow substantially. For me, being able to successfully treat back and joint pain has brought repeat business and many new clients through word of mouth recommendation, something I found harder to achieve with my other complementary therapies.

I think perhaps what puts many complementary therapists off is thinking that in order to treat back pain the requirement is to spend years in academia training to the level of osteopathy or similar, not to mention the associated financial costs. There is also the fear factor involved, which is the worry about doing damage when working with vertebrae and joints. However, none of this need be the case. As in many areas of life, the fact that it doesn’t have to be complicated to be successful also holds true for back pain therapy. Whilst there is absolutely a place for high-level training as mentioned above, it is also seen that the majority of back and joint problems can be safely and successfully dealt with using simpler techniques.

My chosen route was to learn The Dorn Method which I not only practise but also teach. The Dorn Method sprung into existence in Germany over 36 years ago and can now be found being taught throughout the world. I believe the reason for its success lies not only in its remarkable proven effectiveness in treating back and joint pain, but also its short learning curve which makes it suitable for almost anyone to master very quickly and at minimal cost.

The Dorn Method is also very safe, the treatment involving no ‘clicking’ or ‘crunching’ of joints, but instead using gentle techniques where the client takes an active part to help joints slip more easily into place without any harsh or severe corrections. The Dorn Method can also help with many other common health problems too such as headaches, migraines and sciatica, along with psychological problems such as eating disorders, and it doesn’t take much to see where the treatment of these can also deliver further benefits to your reputation and business.

Of course, as well as the business case for learning The Dorn Method, there is also nothing quite like the feeling of being able to help free someone from their pain and discomfort, which in itself generates a lot of joy and personal satisfaction. To find out more, visit www.dornmethod.co.uk where you’ll find information about The Dorn Method and how to go about adding it to your toolbox of skills. CHW

© For more information about the Dorn Method and training workshops please contact:
The UK Dorn Method Centre on
0845 5192744 or visit www.dornmethod.co.uk

Written for Choice Health Mag
www.choicehealthmag.com

Ten top tips for choosing an accountant

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Selecting an accountant can seem a daunting task, but if you choose correctly, they can be an extremely valuable asset to your business. A good accountant will not only handle your financial and operational data but will offer professional business advice on a number of other topics too.

You will need to give your accountant detailed access to your business information, so it is crucial that you choose correctly first time. ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) offers the following 10 tips to business owners to help ensure you find the accountant who’s perfectly suited for your needs.

[ Identify the areas where you need support and what you will need your accountant to do
Evaluate whether it is just end-of-year financial statements and tax returns that you will need guidance on, or if you will require support throughout the year. Also try to foresee any future requirements you might have, and consider whether your accountant is equipped to deal with these.

[ Big is not always better - look for a good match
Smaller accountancy firms can often be better suited to smaller businesses. Consider also your personal needs and preferences. Would you prefer to work with one person on a day-to-day basis or would you feel more comfortable knowing there is a larger team dedicated to your account?
[ Make sure that the accountant has previous experience working in your sector
This is not essential, but experience working in your sector or a similar one will be a good indicator of the accountant’s suitability. Contacts in your sector are also a big plus; many businesses have been able to source valuable customers or suppliers through the network of a trusted accountant – at no extra charge!

[ Arrange to meet with a few different accountants so you can compare services and fees
Value for money should be a key consideration when deciding between accountants. Make sure you understand how much your potential accountant will be charging you and how and when you will be charged.

[ Consider how they can add value besides book-keeping
Your primary consideration when choosing an accountant should be the value he or she can bring to the business. Whilst their primary task is ensuring all your accounts are in order, it is their ability to deliver specialised expertise and resources that will guarantee a successful business relationship. Try to gauge whether they are able to provide services above and beyond your book-keeping needs.

[ Ensure that the accountant you choose has a professional qualification and belongs to a professional organisation
Although they are relatively rare, you may come across people offering ‘accounting services’ who are not qualified. Unqualified accountants are unlikely to carry liability insurance and any apparent fee savings may turn out to be costly in the long run. Professional bodies will usually have member directories available, allowing you to search for a qualified accountant near you. Accountants should display this information on their website or other promotional material. If they do not, it is essential to ask. Look for a qualification from a professional body such as ACCA, ICAEW or CIMA.

[ Ask to speak with some of their other clients for recommendations and a first-hand account of working with the firm
Don’t underestimate the value of speaking to other businesses or acquaintances about their experiences working with an accountant. It may also prove valuable to talk to non-clients to find out their perception of the organisation.

[ Ensure the accountant is somebody you can work with - they will be a key business adviser, so a good working relationship is key
It is of utmost importance that you trust the person who will be handling your finances and feel comfortable to ask them any questions you may have. A breakdown in communications between you and your accountant may lead to financial confusion, hassle, and ultimately expense, to you and your business.

[ Agree fees and charges upfront, along with how and when you will pay
You should not overlook the necessity of comparing the fees of several accountants before you make your decision. It is vital that you understand how and when you will be charged and what this fee includes. During the recession, many businesses have faced cashflow pressures and accountants have often been able to adapt their fee and charge schedules to accommodate them. If this is likely to be an issue for you, be upfront about it and you could work out a much better deal.

[ Don't rush the decision!
An accountant is an essential advisor for any business, so investing time in choosing the right person for you is imperative in order to gain maximum value. Up-to-date payments and ordered accounts will allow you to concentrate on building your business and planning for the future. CHW

© Emmanouil Schizas,
SME policy adviser, ACCA
Ruder Finn · UK
Web: www.ruderfinn.co.uk

Written for Choice Health Mag
www.choicehealthmag.com

Hair loss and hair thinning

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Getting to the root of the problem
How to set up your own Hair Retention Programme

Most of us take our healthy shining head of hair for granted. However, an ever increasing number of people are suffering from hair loss, thinning hair or falling hair. The impact of this on an individual can have many consequences from lack of self esteem and confidence to becoming unsociable and reclusive.

There are many products on the market which have been developed to try to deal with losing hair, but do any of them actually address the root of the problem?

Hair growth and the condition of our hair is affected by several factors – some we can address and others such as hereditary factors we have little or no control over. The following factors can all affect the hair and its healthy growth; inadequate diet, scalp infections, certain medicines, hormonal changes, stress, lifestyle and use of harsh chemicals. By addressing these factors, we can increase our chances of keeping hair for longer as well as supporting its growth and having healthy, thicker hair.

Hair cannot be considered as an entity in its own right; it is an extension of the skin and hence needs to be treated as such. Men’s and women’s hair have differing needs; hence the products we use on our hair have to reflect this. In the present day culture of eating fast and processed foods could it be that a lack of certain essential vitamins and minerals in our diet is a major cause of our hair problems? Research carried out in Japan showed that people living in the interiors of the country where they ate more traditional food of fruits, vegetables and soya products, all foods rich in vitamins and minerals, compared to fast foods eaten in the larger cosmopolitan cities had healthier and thicker hair.

In independent trials, two out of three people who had thinning hair found their hair felt thicker after using a supplement rich in hair nutrients such as botanical marine proteins, multivitamins and minerals. Around 50% of these people also felt there was a reduction in the number of hairs they were losing.

Some herbs such as Indian Gooseberry (Amla-emblica officinalis) are potent free radical scavengers, Fenugreek is rich in vitamins and minerals and Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), is thought to work by preventing the breakdown of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone – a factor in hair loss and hair thinning. All have been traditionally used to combat hair thinning and hair loss.

Some authorities suggest an over-usage of common cleaning agents present in the vast majority of shampoos -such as the lauryl sulphates and chemicals in this family may be a possible problem for some scalps. For these people it may be wise to use hair products that do not have these harsh chemicals in them. Hair shampoos such as Nutrigro or Amway may be suitable alternatives.

As a therapist, the way in which you can help your clients and your business is to set up a Hair Retention Programme. This is already being implemented in salons and hairdressers and offers a customer the complete package in helping to overcome their hair problems and thus re-instil the confidence and self esteem where it is required.

At present the main Hair Retention Plan is only available in pharmacies. Now there is one available for therapists in the Hair and Beauty Industry.

Why start a Hair Retention Programme?
You could help your clients with their hair thinning and hair loss, improve job satisfaction, achieve new client interest, retain your present clients, increase your range of services and increase your profit.

What is involved?
You would be trained in reviewing the individual’s hair or scalp problem with the aid of a questionnaire. From this you would be able to offer different treatments from: regular treatments with low-level laser comb, do an Ayurvedic head massage to stimulate follicles and encourage flow of nutrients to the hair follicles by working on marma points to promote hair growth, show the client the correct way of shampooing to prevent further loss of hair, give healthy lifestyle advice, offer suitable supplements with harsh chemical free shampoo and conditioner. Follow-up reviews are carried out weekly. CHW

© For further information on how to set up a Hair Retention Programme or any aspect of hair thinning or hair loss or to try a Nutrigro Shampoo, email info@nutrigro.co.uk
Sushma Bhanot MRPharmS RS Hom Dip Ayur Dip Nutri
Co-director Coolherbals Ltd,
Hass House
386 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex IG3 9JU
T: 020 85979039

Based on the Book:
Hair Today Hair Tomorrow available from www.nutrigro.co.uk

Written for Choice Health Mag
www.choicehealthmag.com

Helping depression with kinesiology

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Suffering from depression is not the same as just feeling ‘a bit fed up’. It can be triggered by grief, shock, or other life shattering events OR can be more insidious and pervade one’s whole life.

Depression can be a deep dark hole surrounded by a large brick wall and seemingly impossible to escape from.
A sufferer described her symptoms to me as like “wading through treacle”. One of the problems with the illness is the general feelings of apathy and worthlessness it can bring, enveloping the sufferer and making them feel increasingly unable, unwilling or unworthy of help.

In my work as a kinesiologist I am fortunate and privileged to help people heal themselves.
I can show them – through their own muscle response – where energy blockages are and what may help balance them and then agree how much they can continue themselves between sessions. This agreement is critical because the client needs to spearhead their own wellness. It is not for me to ‘make them better’ – I can provide a multitude of tools and techniques – nutritional supplements – suggestions for lifestyle changes, and massive support, but ultimately the client does the work to get themselves better.

It is important that change comes at the client’s own pace, but having said that I have achieved startling results with supplementation of B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D and 5HTP. The beauty of kinesiology is that there is no guesswork so just because vitamin B worked for one client doesn’t mean it will have the same effect in another. Bach flower essences are also enormously helpful and I can mix unique blends for the client’s own history and make-up, changing the blend as layers are removed.

Sometimes what can happen is a layer of the onion is revealed very quickly to reveal a more stubborn layer which requires more work. The client’s own fundamental conflicts need to be understood and released. Clients describe the process as having been “lifted” and feeling a weight removed.

Kinesiology is unique in that it treats the person ‘whole-istically’ by looking at emotions, chemicals, food, structure and electrical energy. It doesn’t judge – and provided the tests are carried out authentically with a clear mind, the body will always tell you what it needs… and in what order.

With depression I need to show my clients the glimmer of light in that dark hole and the ladder over the wall. They choose whether to move towards it. Sometimes the brighter that light gets the more frightening it becomes and they get dazzled and fall back… but with courage and commitment it is possible to climb to the surface again and enjoy life’s open road with a clear and bright outlook. CHW

© Linda Belcher is a Systematic Kinesiologist with a busy practice in Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex.
Linda can be contacted via www.lindabelcherhealthcare.co.uk
or 07787 194337.

Written for Choice Health Mag
www,choicehealthmag.com

Using macerated vegetable oils for their therapeutic benefits

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This article is the second in a new series about using macerated vegetable oils. The series will focus on nine macerated oils. My intention is to introduce you to these wonderful oils that can add real healing and therapeutic benefits to your skin care products or oil blends.

In this article we look at cold and hot maceration and discuss the benefits of arnica (Arnica montana) oil for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

Arnica oil
An ideal first aid and sports oil
Arnica is the classic herb used for before and after sports and to reduce swellings, bruises, sprains, pulled muscles and torn ligaments.

Description
Arnica montana or Leopard’s Bane is a perennial herb, indigenous to central Europe, in woods and mountain pastures, and also native to Siberia and the north west of North America. It has also been found in England and southern Scotland, but it is probably not indigenous to Britain. In countries where A. montana is indigenous, it has long been a popular remedy for bruises, wounds, pain, swellings, rheumatic pain, the pain and inflammation of phlebitis and similar conditions. In North America the flowers are used in preference to the roots. Arnica has been used extensively in folk medicine.

Main constituents
Main constituents: essential oils and volatile oils, containing thymol and various ethers of thymol, which are mostly found in the roots and root stock; sesquiterpene; lactones; mucilage and polysaccharides; and other substances such as resins, bitters (arnicin), tannins and carotenes. Further vitamins may be present, depending on the base oil used for the maceration.

Shelf life
Depends on the base oil that arnica is macerated in.

Contraindications/warnings
Internal use: As arnica is potentially toxic if taken internally, its internal use is restricted to homeopathic remedies.
External use: Prolonged contact with the skin can cause severe redness and tissue damage and it must not be used on broken skin or open wounds. Some people react adversely to arnica, so use with caution and test a small area first if possible. However, if up to 20% arnica macerated oil is mixed with other oils, it should be safe to use.

Uses and benefits of Arnica oil
[ Good for swellings, bruises, sprains, and pulled muscles and torn ligaments, so excellent to use before and after sport.
[ Whilst the internal use of arnica is restricted to homoeopathic use as it is potentially toxic, the herb provides us with one of the best remedies for external local healing and is mainly used in compress for bruises, swellings, inflammations and other tissue damage caused by sprains, bumps, bangs and crushing.
[ Good for pulled muscles and torn ligaments, for gout, lumbago and rheumatic ailments.
[ The oil is a very effective addition to vegetable oil blends for healing or massage.
[ It is very handy to have in your first aid kit and a ‘must have’ for sports massage therapists.
[ Arnica montana contains 10 different constituents (including the immuno-stimulant helenalin, its most active sesquiterpene lactone), which have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. The plant’s essential oils (which are antiseptic and anti-inflammatory) and carotene promote healing. The essential oil stimulates the mopping up and reabsorption of blood from the bruised tissue and hastens the replacement of damaged tissue with new cells.
[ Use between 5-20% in sports creams and lotions, massage oil blends, ointments, children’s ointments and warming oil compresses.
[ For healing purposes, arnica oil works very well synergistically with comfrey, calendula and St John’s wort macerated oils.

Arnica oil sample recipes
These Recipes make 100ml.

Arnica macerated oil – blend 1
Good for reducing bruises and swelling. Apply two to three times a day. You can also use this blend as an oil compress every second night.
60ml comfrey macerated oil
14ml arnica macerated oil
10ml St John’s wort macerated oil
10ml calendula macerated oil
5ml/g vitamin E oil (undiluted)
8 drops rosemary antioxidant (CO2 extract)
0.5ml/g essential oils
Arnica macerated oil – blend 2
An excellent sports treatment oil blend. Apply before and/or after sports. You can also use this blend as an oil compress every second night.
40ml comfrey macerated oil
19ml arnica macerated oil
10ml calendula macerated oil
10ml/g vitamin E oil (undiluted)
10 drops rosemary antioxidant (CO2 extract)
0.5ml/g essential oils

Method for making the macerated oil blends
[ Simply measure oils and pour into an airtight bottle.
[ Store in cool and dark.

© Aromantic offer courses for CPPD, step-by-step recipes, free articles and newsletters, books, starter packs and a consultancy service. For more information or to place an order,
visit www.aromantic.co.uk
or call 01309 696900.

Written for Choice Health Mag
www.choicehealthmag.com

Guidelines for career longevity in massage therapy

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Symptoms and injury are common among massage therapists, but they can be prevented. Some of the most effective strategies for preventing injury at school and on the job involve remaining aware of your own body and taking good care of it, both physically and emotionally.

Here are some of the best ways you can get a good head-start on the road to career longevity as a massage therapist.

Listen to your body and respond to symptoms: Don’t hesitate to seek medical treatment if you begin to have symptoms, particularly if they indicate a need for immediate medical attention. Medical treatment received early on in the symptom progression is often simple, consisting of rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications and sometimes combined with recommendations of activities to avoid. Early treatment is also more effective, less expensive and will allow you to return to work more quickly than if you delay treatment. Some musculoskeletal disorders can require extensive periods of rehabilitation, or even surgery, if they progress too far.

Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include:
[ Intense pain
[ Any pain that lasts more than five days in a row
[ Inflammation that is moderate to severe or lasts more than five days in a row
[ Unexplained clumsiness, weakness or loss of function
[ Any numbness, tingling or burning sensations
[ Pain that radiates down an arm or leg
[ Symptoms that wake you up at night or prevent you from falling asleep
[ Changes in skin colour
[ Symptoms that change or worsen rather than improve

Avoid fatigue while working: Leave enough time between massage sessions to take a short break, stretch, hydrate and breathe deeply. Avoid scheduling too many massages in one day or week, and avoid scheduling clients needing deep work back-to-back. Build some recovery time from repetitive hand motions into your massage sessions by incorporating such techniques as active and passive stretching or positional release. Try to sit for at least 15 minutes out of each 60-minute session. For example, you can sit when working on the hands, feet, head and neck.

Practice good self-care: Exercise regularly, but avoid working the same muscles you use all day while doing massage. Stretch the muscles in the front of your body that may get shortened from your work, and strengthen the muscles in your back that may be stretched and weakened. Include exercises to maintain or increase endurance, such as walking. Don’t smoke, since it impedes circulation and impairs your body’s ability to heal itself. Avoid foods with saturated fats or trans fats, since they can provoke an inflammatory response. Get plenty of sleep, since sleep is the time your body’s repair and self-regulation processes are the most active.

Plan for your future: Use continuing education as an opportunity to learn modalities that are less demanding, such as positional-release techniques, or that allow you to use your hands less, such as lomi lomi. Invest in your wellbeing and peace of mind by getting good health insurance and long-term disability insurance.

Think about where you want your massage career to take you 10 or 20 years from now. Will you still want to be doing full-time, hands-on treatment work, or would you rather be managing a clinic or spa? Start working toward your goals now, so that you can continue to work well beyond the eight-year average for massage careers. CHW

Portions of this article reprinted from Save Your Hands! The Complete Guide to Injury Prevention and Ergonomics for Manual Therapists, 2nd Edition, Copyright © 2008 Gilded Age Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

© Lauriann Greene, CEAS and Richard W Goggins, CPE, LMP are co-authors of the all-new 2nd Edition of Save Your Hands! The Complete Guide to Injury Prevention and Ergonomics for Manual Therapists, the leading textbook on self-care used in massage schools across the US and Canada. Lauriann and Richard have published numerous articles in national massage and spa magazines on this subject, co-authored the first statistical study on injury among massage therapists, and offer continuing education courses, and consulting and training to help massage therapists prevent workplace injury.

For more information, please visit www.choicehealthmag.com