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| Pure & Simple Discourse on Health Facts and Fallacies |
Excerpt from Pure & Simple Newsletter
Relaxation
How many times have you been told to relax? Have you ever caught yourself driving the car, for example, stewing over
being late and realize that your fingers are gripping the steering wheel so tightly that your fingers leave indents in the
steering wheel?
Relaxing is a necessary part of our lives. It allows the body and mind to get on with restoring optimum working abilities.
This includes healing both mentally and physically.
Internally, a constant barrage of stress inhibits the body’s ability to rejuvenate and uses up your daily intake of vitamins.
Simply driving to work can use up that vitamin C pill you this morning.
Don’t kid yourself into thinking that you get to de-stress and relax every night while sleeping. Ever wake up with a sore
neck? Unfortunately we are very attached to our stress and carry it over into the sleep state. That’s if you actually get some
sleep.
So what can you do about it? Some therapies go back thousands of years. Many modalities are methods of relaxation.
Choosing a method is a personal matter, which you need to decide by yourself, by determining your comfort level and the
balance of your chequebook. We are going to look at the inexpensive options, things you can do at home. Start with simple
things.
- Spend time with people you enjoy, make a point to meet or talk to them often to unwind
- Quiet time – remove excess noise, turn off the radio, TV and everything else that makes noise and
just listen
- Walking is a simple way of relaxing, take time to smell the roses or in a Muskoka winter, just smell
that fresh crisp air
- Some people enjoy burning candles while they relax. Make it worthwhile and burn pure beeswax
- Listening to a waterfall can ease stress
- Warm bath with pleasant smelling bath salts or oils
- Visualization or a good book can take your mind elsewhere
- Essential oils are nature’s gift to de-stress, think about smelling a beautiful smelling flower
Our weather doesn’t allow for year round flowers but we can still enjoy our favourite scent. Simply sprinkling a few drops of
essential oil on a tissue to inhale can be a wonderful uplifting experience. Or ask your aromatherapist to make you a
personal perfume. Choose carefully as some oils stimulate the mind, which defeats the purpose. Talk to an
Aromatherapist and experiment with different essential oils to find what works for you.
Artificial fragrances won’t count they don’t work the same way as the natural essence and do not contain the components
that beneficially affect the brain functions.
Relaxing is a life long practice, start now so you can enjoy a long life!
Relaxation
How many times have you been told to relax? Have you ever caught yourself driving the car, for example, stewing over
being late and realize that your fingers are gripping the steering wheel so tightly that your fingers leave indents in the
steering wheel?
Relaxing is a necessary part of our lives. It allows the body and mind to get on with restoring optimum working abilities.
This includes healing both mentally and physically.
Internally, a constant barrage of stress inhibits the body’s ability to rejuvenate and uses up your daily intake of vitamins.
Simply driving to work can use up that vitamin C pill you this morning.
Don’t kid yourself into thinking that you get to de-stress and relax every night while sleeping. Ever wake up with a sore
neck? Unfortunately we are very attached to our stress and carry it over into the sleep state. That’s if you actually get some
sleep.
So what can you do about it? Some therapies go back thousands of years. Many modalities are methods of relaxation.
Choosing a method is a personal matter, which you need to decide by yourself, by determining your comfort level and the
balance of your chequebook. We are going to look at the inexpensive options, things you can do at home. Start with simple
things.
- Spend time with people you enjoy, make a point to meet or talk to them often to unwind
- Quiet time – remove excess noise, turn off the radio, TV and everything else that makes noise and
just listen
- Walking is a simple way of relaxing, take time to smell the roses or in a Muskoka winter, just smell
that fresh crisp air
- Some people enjoy burning candles while they relax. Make it worthwhile and burn pure beeswax
- Listening to a waterfall can ease stress
- Warm bath with pleasant smelling bath salts or oils
- Visualization or a good book can take your mind elsewhere
- Essential oils are nature’s gift to de-stress, think about smelling a beautiful smelling flower
Our weather doesn’t allow for year round flowers but we can still enjoy our favourite scent. Simply sprinkling a few drops of
essential oil on a tissue to inhale can be a wonderful uplifting experience. Or ask your aromatherapist to make you a
personal perfume. Choose carefully as some oils stimulate the mind, which defeats the purpose. Talk to an
Aromatherapist and experiment with different essential oils to find what works for you.
Artificial fragrances won’t count they don’t work the same way as the natural essence and do not contain the components
that beneficially affect the brain functions.
Relaxing is a life long practice, start now so you can enjoy a long life!
Infusions - Decoctions - Oxymel?
Ever get reading only to find reference to preparation instructions and you don't know what they are talking about? Well the
following is a brief introduction to some terms that don't necessarily come up in day to day conversations. Infusion: ever
have a really good cuppa (tea)? Well you just created an infusion. Normally they are drunk hot, which is best for medicinal
purposes. When making an infusion, use a china or glass teapot which has been warmed, (pour in very hot tap water or
boiling water and let sit), put in one teaspoonful of the dried herb or herb mixture for each cup of tea. Pour in a cup of boiling
water for each teaspoonful of herb. Put on the lid and let steep for ten to fifteen minutes. You can purchase small muslin
bags, heat seal tea bags or strainers, which make the whole process much less messy to clean up, and eliminates
floating bits of herb in your tea. Decoctions: used whenever the herb is hard and woody, to ensure that the soluble
contents of the herb actually are extracted. If the herb is woody it contains a higher content of volatile oils. Use powder if
possible and then make an infusion instead of a decoction to ensure that much of the volatile oils don't boil away. infusions
and Decoctions can keep in the fridge for 1 to 2 days but its' best to use them right away. Microorganisms will thrive on the
mixture and cause fermentation. Tinctures: in general alcohol is a better solvent than water for extracting plant
constituents. Tinctures are stronger than infusions. Professionally prepared tinctures are based on different water/alcohol
ratios for each herb. Tinctures can be added to baths, used on a compress, added to a cup of hot water, which allows
some of the alcohol to evaporates, or taken orally straight up or with a bit of water. Tinctures can be made using vinegar or
glycerin. In the case of vinegar be sure its apple cider vinegar. For particularly bad tasting tinctures a syrup can be made
up due to the sugar content it should be only used for gargles and cough medicines. In the case of an infusion or decoction
simply mix sugar or honey directly in the warm liquid. Oxymel: is used when a really powerful tasting herb is needed,
such as garlic or squill. An Oxymel base is made with five parts honey to one part vinegar. If using herbs it's best to consult
a reliable practitioner. The strength can differ depending on the how where the herbs are grown and how old they are.
Some herbs can be contraindicating depending on your personal health. (Resource: The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal).
Ever get reading only to find reference to preparation instructions and you don't know what they are talking about? Well the
following is a brief introduction to some terms that don't necessarily come up in day to day conversations. Infusion: ever
have a really good cuppa (tea)? Well you just created an infusion. Normally they are drunk hot, which is best for medicinal
purposes. When making an infusion, use a china or glass teapot which has been warmed, (pour in very hot tap water or
boiling water and let sit), put in one teaspoonful of the dried herb or herb mixture for each cup of tea. Pour in a cup of boiling
water for each teaspoonful of herb. Put on the lid and let steep for ten to fifteen minutes. You can purchase small muslin
bags, heat seal tea bags or strainers, which make the whole process much less messy to clean up, and eliminates
floating bits of herb in your tea. Decoctions: used whenever the herb is hard and woody, to ensure that the soluble
contents of the herb actually are extracted. If the herb is woody it contains a higher content of volatile oils. Use powder if
possible and then make an infusion instead of a decoction to ensure that much of the volatile oils don't boil away. infusions
and Decoctions can keep in the fridge for 1 to 2 days but its' best to use them right away. Microorganisms will thrive on the
mixture and cause fermentation. Tinctures: in general alcohol is a better solvent than water for extracting plant
constituents. Tinctures are stronger than infusions. Professionally prepared tinctures are based on different water/alcohol
ratios for each herb. Tinctures can be added to baths, used on a compress, added to a cup of hot water, which allows
some of the alcohol to evaporates, or taken orally straight up or with a bit of water. Tinctures can be made using vinegar or
glycerin. In the case of vinegar be sure its apple cider vinegar. For particularly bad tasting tinctures a syrup can be made
up due to the sugar content it should be only used for gargles and cough medicines. In the case of an infusion or decoction
simply mix sugar or honey directly in the warm liquid. Oxymel: is used when a really powerful tasting herb is needed,
such as garlic or squill. An Oxymel base is made with five parts honey to one part vinegar. If using herbs it's best to consult
a reliable practitioner. The strength can differ depending on the how where the herbs are grown and how old they are.
Some herbs can be contraindicating depending on your personal health. (Resource: The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal).
Clean Combs & Brushes
Don't forget to occasionally clean your combs, hairbrushes and makeup applicators. Let stand for 20 minutes in a
container with 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 20 drops of Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, or
Eucalyptus essential oil. Rinse well and let air dry. Some types of foam sponges will break down in this solution so test
first.
Don't forget to occasionally clean your combs, hairbrushes and makeup applicators. Let stand for 20 minutes in a
container with 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 20 drops of Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, or
Eucalyptus essential oil. Rinse well and let air dry. Some types of foam sponges will break down in this solution so test
first.
Interesting stories, tidbits and sometime just good advice.
From time to time I will be adding more articles to this page for your enjoyment. Some will be excerpts from my
old newsletter, Pure & Simple and some will be new. Please feel free to email me you have any comments or
questions. Let me know if there is any topic you'd like to see covered here. If I've made a mistake on content
please feel free to let me know so I can make corrections. If it's grammar or spelling? ... Well, just live with it.
From time to time I will be adding more articles to this page for your enjoyment. Some will be excerpts from my
old newsletter, Pure & Simple and some will be new. Please feel free to email me you have any comments or
questions. Let me know if there is any topic you'd like to see covered here. If I've made a mistake on content
please feel free to let me know so I can make corrections. If it's grammar or spelling? ... Well, just live with it.
Rose Petals
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