Not For The Roof...

Shingles and Chicken Pox are the result of similar viruses. Shingles, in particular, is a sign that the Nervous System is exhausted. While topical medications and herbs are important, what's happening internally can be just as crucial.

Why?

Shingles is more common in adults. Children do get the virus, but it will be much more mild. Usually the disease is a sign that something else has weakened the immune system. Extreme pain can often accompany the sores, blisters or rash that occurs as well as after they have healed. 

Helpful Herbs for Shingles

Strenghtening the Immune System:

Garlic

Ginger

Lemon

Echinacea

St. John's Wart

Lemon balm

Astragalus

Other Herbal Remedies:

Capsaicin Ointments

Arsenicum album

Horsetail Juice

Cayenne Pepper

Goldenrod and Rosehip Tea

Alternative Treatments:

Spinal manipulation

Reiki

Meditation

Acupuncture

 Remedies:

1. A strong mint tea with lemon balm  and licorice as well as any of the following fresh or dried herbs. Drink up to 3 times a day or apply directly to the rash. 

Hyssop
Oregano
Peppermint
Rosemary
Sage
Spearmint
Thyme

 2. Eat 1-2 cloves of Garlic and/or  1-2 slices of fresh Ginger a day.

3. Take 2 Echinacea tablets or capsules OR make a St. John's Wort Tea and drink up to 1 cup a day.

Italian Poppies, Ken Foto 2008

Be Well! Share with Friends! Believe!

Love,

Sarah Valentine

Keep in mind, that I am not a Doctor, and if you do think you have shingles: SEE A DOCTOR. Herbal remedies and holistic medicine can be a wonderful form of Self-Help, and can be used in conjunction with Western Medicine. Always do your own research and do not hesitate to see a professional.

Sources:

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1728

The Encyclopedia of Medical Plants, Andrew Chevalier

http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/shingles/shingles_herbs.htm

more like flowers, less like poison

We don't remember when perfume used to be made from real natural oils. That happened a long time ago, before MONEY&PROFIT became more important than WELL BEING&SAFETY. Welcome to the 21st Century, baby.

Fret not, however, because if you long for fresh, sexy, pretty, bold or musky scents it's possible... the natural way! A lot of people find they are sensitive to the chemical compounds in chemical-based perfumes, and they have been proven to have long-term health risks. These two factors makes me think...

Natural Fragrances, Perfumes & Cologne!

Generally you need three ingredients in order to do this THE EASY WAY. It's ready instantly or in about 1 week to let the aromas blend. You can find and test the essential oils at your local health food store to find the ones that you love. 

 
1. Grain Alcohol (for staying power) OR Jojoba Oil (Depending on what texture you like)

2. Natural Essential Oil(s)

3. Jar, Vial or small glass container with a top. (Blue or Amber glass is often recommended to increase the lasting power of the oils, but not necessary)

Below is a chart of commonly available oils based on their common classification, from AromaWeb:

Top Notes
Anise Basil Bay Laurel Bergamot Bergamot Mint Citronella Eucalyptus		Galbanum Grapefruit Lavender Lavendin Lemon Lemongrass Lime		Orange Peppermint Petitgrain Spearmint Tagetes Tangerine
Middle Notes
Bay Bois-de-rose Cajeput Carrot Seed Chamomile, German Chamomile, Roman Cinnamon Clary Sage Clove Bud Cypress Dill Elemi Fennel		Fir Needle Geranium Hyssop Jasmine Juniper Berry Linden Blossom Marjoram Neroli Nutmeg Palmarosa Parsley Pepper, Black Pine, Scotch		Rose Rose Geranium Rosemary Rosewood Spruce Tea Tree, Common Tea Tree, NZ (Manuka) Thyme Tobacco Yarrow Ylang Ylang
Base Notes
Angelica Root Balsam, Peru Beeswax Benzoin Cedarwood, Atlas Cedarwood, Virginian		Frankincense Ginger Helichrysum (Immortelle) Myrrh Oakmoss Olibanum

Recipes

Self belief

• 2 drops Ginger
• 3 drops Myrtle
• 4 drops Rosemary
• 3 drops Verbena

Wedding nerves

• 4 drops Jasmine
• 2 drops Lemon
• 1 drops Patchoulli

Bliss

• 2 drops Bergamot
• 1 drops Jasmine
• 1 drops Rose
• 2 drops Sandalwood

Warmth

• 2 drops Black Pepper
• 3 drops Patchouli
• 4 drops Rosewood
• 3 drops Ylang Ylang 

Tranquility

• 4 drops Cedarwood
• 2 drops Clary Sage
• 1 drop Grapefruit
• 2 drops Mandarin

Chill out

• 2 drops Grapefruit
• 2 drops Patchouli
• 1 drop Rose
• 3 drops Vetivert
• 2 drops Ylang Ylang

Sleep tight

• 2 drops Bergamot
• 3 drops Chamomile
• 2 drops Marjoram
• 4 drops Lavender

Another method is with DRY ingredients.  It takes a little longer, but you the results can often be paired perfectly for your preferences and are gorgeous to look at. Also, dry ingredients can be A LOT cheaper than the natural essential oils.

The Basic Method
Place dry ingredients in a pint jar with a tight lid. Fill jar with vodka. Cover jar and shake daily for 1 to 6 weeks. Strain out dry ingredients and use the liquid as a cologne on your pulse points.

Recipes

Romantic
You prefer classically sweet flower and herbal scents. Try any of these ingredients, or a combination:
1 cup fresh or dried lavender blossoms
1 cup fresh or dried chamomile blossoms
1 cup fresh or dried basil
1 cup fresh or dried rose petals

Fresh
You prefer refreshing, crisp scents that don’t cloy. Try any of these ingredients, or a combination:
Lemon peel from an organic lemon
Lime peel from an organic lime
1 cup fresh or dried peppermint leaves
1 cup fresh or dried rosemary leaves

Earthy/Exotic
You like warm and spicy scents that exude grounded sensuality. Try any of these ingredients, or a combination:
1 whole vanilla bean, broken in pieces
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 three-inch piece cinnamon stick
Orange peel from an organic orange
1 cup sandalwood chips
1 cup bay leaves (this traditional formula calls for rum instead of vodka to make Bay Rum)

The "Basic Method" was taken from Cait Johnson's post on: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/natural-scents-for-your-type.html

"Tribute" Sarah Valentine&Eduardo Valadez 2010

With all these amazing choices why go for the designer brands, let alone the designer knock-off brands. If you are still inclined, there's some chemicals you should be aware of that may be in your fragrances. Keep in mind that a lot of perfumes are not required  by law to release their "secret formulas," so it may not be obvious. Also, the term "fragrance" is on lotions, baby shampoos, deodorants and a ton of other products.

Hidden Hazards:

Allergens and sensitizers

Phthalates

Neurotoxins 

Synthetic Musks

Check out Campaign fpr Safe Cosmetics: Fragrance Article

Flamingo in the Garden. Sarah Valentine 2010.

In Conclusion,

CHECK YO' LABELS BEFORE YOU WRECK YO' SELF!

Love,

Sarah Valentine

 

Maxin' Relaxin' Shooting Some B-Ball....

Tonight, with November elections over and finals ahead I want to share some relaxation techniques with you. Life is crazy sometimes, but there is every reason in the world to enjoy it! These techniques and exercises are easy to do, and don't take more than 30 minutes MAX. The difference in your mental clarity for the day, and as you practice more, can be phenomenal. Basically, you get what you put into it!

Nature and The City: View from Coit Tower

Sarah Valentine, 2010

I found some great scripts on-line. Use your phone, computer or Ipod to record yourself reading the scripts. I found that hearing my own voice giving me positive emotional feedback and using self-affirming language was really helpful. I recommend printing out a script of your choice then recording it. Practicing alone was helpful for me, but if a partner, friend or family member is interested, that social support can be wonderful and very motivating. Don't be afraid to change words, images or stretches to fit your individual needs. It might hurt, emotionally or physically as you explore, so be aware of your body and see a doctor if you experience physical pain.

Progressive/Dynamic Relaxation Script

This is a great way to get started with meditation. It focuses on the tensing and relaxing of muscles to increase self-awareness. This practice is often associated with yoga, and is an awesome way to get back in touch with your body or increase your energy.

Imagery/Visualization Relaxation Script

I recommend trying Part I for a week, then moving on to incorporate both Part I and Part II. Visualization is only effective if it MEANS something to YOU. It is most beneficial to choose visualization images that are powerful, so it's a great idea to think of a problem/issue you have and try to focus on that. See it from a new perspective, and you may gain new insight. Be patient in your search and let your mind/body tell you what it needs. 

Quick Relaxation Techniques

All of these are easily incorporated into your daily life. after all, it's the "little things," the small daily hassles that kill you not the major life changes. You'll find after a couple weeks of practicing these it is easy to commit them to memory. Use them OFTEN, and you'll notice an increase in calmness. Find the best fit for you.

After you experience some of these scripts, you might be inspired to WRITE YOUR OWN... give it a try! 

"Man is nothing else but what he makes himself.... You are free, therefore choose- that is to say invent"

- Jean-Paul Sartre

California Poppy and the K-Line
Sarah Valentine, 2010

Happy healing and good luck,

Sarah Valentine